Thursday, March 18, 2010

Truthbomb Apologetics: Helpful Resources dealing with Mormonism

free commercial image of Bill CraigImage via Wikipedia

 On a recent Reasonable Faith podcast, William Lane Craig "discussed the Mormon doctrine of creation and highlighted an exciting movement that is currently going on among a small number of Mormon scholars." I got this post from Truthbomb Apologetics. This was posted a couple of days ago and today on the Dividing Line, James White Discussed Craig's comments. Unfortunately, I was not able to listen today but I will be listening to the recording later one. You can hear Craig's interview by going to the post at Truthbomb Apologetics link below.

Truthbomb Apologetics: Helpful Resources dealing with Mormonism
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Debunking Christianity: Why Do My Arguments Not Convince Devout Believers to Leave Their Faith?

Jesus on the wall of the senior HomeImage by freestone via Flickr
Recenlty, John Loftus  posted an answer to the question " Why Do My Arguments Not Convince Devout Believers to Leave Their Faith?"  He wrote the following:

I merely offer up good arguments against their faith. That's all I can do. Devout believers (my target audience) won't seriously consider them until such time as they have some sort of crisis in their lives that cannot be adequately explained by a good God. They'll seriously consider them at that time. My arguments are like seeds of doubt ready to sprout if and when they experience that crisis. Since many believers do experience some kind of crisis in their lives there will be a certain percentage of believers who, having been previously exposed to my arguments, will leave their faith at that time. It's a waiting game.

I've got a couple of problems with his answer. I've watched 3 of his debates and he lost each of them.the description of "good" is not what I would use to describe the arguments he used. Based on those arguments alone, he deserved to loose. I agree that loosing a debate, (in Lofuts'  case - several debates) does not invalidate a person's ideas nor means that they are stupid. I think it takes a great deal of gut to expose your self to public scrutiny of your ideas and worldview. Not for the faint-of-heart.  However, it's silly to think that you can argue anyone into or out of faith. It really is bigger than any of us, When I see an apsotate and listen to their arguments, it does not move me in the slightest because I know that they were never truly a Christian. No one becomes "un-born again".

 22Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade. 24The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
 25Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one."- John 10:22-30

and

They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
- 1 John 2:19

and

9Do your best to come to me quickly, 10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. - 2 Timothy 4:9-11


One more thing: 

8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. - 2 Corinthians 13:8

Debunking Christianity: Why Do My Arguments Not Convince Devout Believers to Leave Their Faith?
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Apologetics 315: Resurrection Interview with William Lane Craig MP3

Apologetics 315 has posted a great audio interview with William Lane Craig responding to specific questions regarding Jesus' Resurrection. These are g great summary for defending the Resurrection. Not only that, the post has link to many other Resurrection resources.

Apologetics 315: Resurrection Interview with William Lane Craig MP3
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John Piippo: Paul Copan's Essay "Are Old Testament Laws Evil?"

NYC - New York Public Library Main Building: M...Image by wallyg via Flickr
Here is a great review of Paul Copan's essay  regarding the ethics of the Old Testament. I got turned to this article by Brian Auten from Apologetics 315. We can clearly see that it's not the Bible that is immoral or unethical. It is the critics of the Bible that are unethical.

John Piippo: Paul Copan's Essay "Are Old Testament Laws Evil?"
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