Thursday, September 9, 2010

William Lane Craig's Questions for Stephen Hawking (MP3)

One of the big stories in the past week has been regarding Stephen Hawking trying to explain why have such an ordered universe without having to understand that God designed it. I was wondering what William Lan Craig thought about it and thanks to Brian Auten tweeting this link, I don't have to wonder.









rf_audiocast-2010-09-06-51320.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)
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Answering Muslims: Should the Qur'an Be Burned? David Wood and Pastor Terry Jones Debate the Issue (with Calls from James White and Sam Shamoun)

If you want to make a statement to Muslims as a Christian and protest the idea of building a mosque at site of the World Trade Center, wouldn't you think that David Wood, James White, and Sam Shamoun should carry some wieght? i mean I don't think it should take a genius to realize that burning Qur'ans is a bad thing to do and insults a multitude of people on a fundamental basis, but these three expert witnesses to Muslims telling you it's a bad idea should really bring the point home. The man in the center of the controversy, Terry Jones, recently debated the issue with David Wood. And James White and Sam Shamoun both called in andf joined their voices against burning Qur'ans. I hope Pastor Jones listen. It's only September 9, it's still not too late for him to change his course. I think it's a bad idea because if the goal is to show all people the love of Christ, including Muslims, unnecessarily insulting Muslims is counterproductive.































Answering Muslims: Should the Qur'an Be Burned? David Wood and Pastor Terry Jones Debate the Issue (with Calls from James White and Sam Shamoun)
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Answering Muslims: Burn the Quran Day is CANCELLED... Because Ground Zero Mosque is Being Moved?!?

Nabeel has posted an article that "Burn A Qur'an Day" has been canceled! I hope this is true because this is a stupid...stupid idea!

Answering Muslims: Burn the Quran Day is CANCELLED... Because Ground Zero Mosque is Being Moved?!?
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Sola Scriptura and Unity Debate

This was a great debate. TurretinFan and William Albrecht debate the idea that Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) has caused division in the church. TurretinFan said "No" and Albrecht says "Yes".

I think that TurretinFan did an awesome job and I don't agree with Albrecht that all differences between Protestant denominations are due to difference in Biblical interpretation. Albrecht did not answer the point regarding the differences in Roman Catholicism and why there are differences. It's not because of Sola Scriptura.

Sola Scriptura and Unity Debate
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Should Intelligent Design Be Taught as Science? Michael Behe vs Stephen M. Barr

Here is a great debate: Michael Behe vs Stephen M. Barr over whether or not Intelligent Design should be taught as Science.


This is a great debate. I agreed with much of what Dr. Barr said, except that as scientist we don't have the luxury of just going after scientific fact without paying attention to philosophical ramification of those facts. You can't have one - and have a complete understanding of anything - without the other. Science is not reason. Science is based on reason and therefore philosophical presuppositions and biases are going to play a role in how facts are interpreted and conclusions drawn. Fortunately, Physics and Chemistry have dodged the problem of the meaning of it all because historically they are based more on th4e facts and the wonder of those fact than biology. I think it's because biological concepts such as Darwinism and genetics have always been applied to sociological sciences and policies from the start. People thought that if there was nothing or purpose behind why one species is favored for survival over another, why should people be exempt? If a person is smart or stronger why shouldn't that person have more right to exist than another?
These things don't seem to occur in Physics as much. I mean no one is talking about social physics. However meaning and purpose cannot be divorced from science. I mean just because you can build a weapon of mass destruction because you can does not mean you should. I'm noticing a trend in society, especially more in journalism and physics in which you don't just get the facts but you are also told how to interpret them and what to think...including in science text books. If we were going to stick to Dr. Barr's definition of science than he probably is right: Intelligent design should not be taught in schools...but then we should stop teaching that science point to atheism as well because it doesn't. This is not going to happen. Besides the universe shows all the reasonable signs for being designed. Barr is also right - it's dishonest to not agree that if there is an intelligent designer then you are talking about God and not just because the Bible says so. Because I am unabashedly saying God created the universe out of nothing. It's stupid to try to ex-God out of the laboratory. It's schizophrenic which is why I think that so many are deadset against intelligent design. It's easier to think that universe got here unguided because many of us want to be deluded enough to think that we are and should be unguided.  Think of the implication. If there is a God. We are all accountable to God.


Should Intelligent Design Be Taught as Science?
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Brennon's Thoughts: Verses All Arminians Should Know Part 6

Brennon has posted a great list of scriptures that support Arminianism. I'm not certain that they support the Arminian position. Rather than try to responding to them all at once, I will break them down into several posts based on how the list is presented.This topic interests me because I really wanna know what the Bible says. Here is part 1 regarding the idea that Bible teaches that God gives us prevenient grace."Prevenient grace" means grace that is equally applied to the hearts and minds of everyone given that they have enough grace to   come to a decision to give their hearts to Christ.



Verses demonstrating God's prevenient grace
 3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
       "I have loved you with an everlasting love;
       I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

I think this would work it the passage was directed to every human being. It wasn't. The context is to the people of God in general, to the people of Judah in particular.
 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

Again Jesus was not referring to all people at all times. 
  • Romans 2:4 - It is God's grace that leads us to repentance.
4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

    God's grace does lead us to repentance and this is a statement that can be applied to everyone. But the chapter is talking about general revelation not special revelation.

 14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
 16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.


I agree that God's word goes to all people. And its through that that some us are saved. But as the parable of sower Jesus gave sometimes that seed does not fall on good ground.
 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

    The NIV says the grace appeared not given to all men. I believe the passage is referring to saving grace and if everyone was give that everyone would be saved.

    Brennon's Thoughts: Verses All Arminians Should Know
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