Saturday, December 22, 2012

FacePlant of the Day - Debunking Christianity: What Would Christianity Have Without Its Myths?

I'm grateful that Harry McCall has actually come up with pointing out an actual problem  with Christianity. This time instead of trying to throw the Bible "under bus",  he attacks Christian myths and tradition in general and St George killing a Dragon to save a town in particular. He wrote:

Christian "truth" is fabricated and propagated by Christian tradition and one of my favorites deals with my experience at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church here in Greenville, S.C. 

Then he tries to use the fact that some Christians who hold this tradition of George and this Dragon as proof of the above statement. He asks a simple and fair question; "Was the dragon a real dragon and how do you know?" All he managed to prove is that some people accept some stories and have no way to defend them. No need to for them to get mad and angry with an atheist for pointing out that fact. McCall's faceplant here is assuming that George slaying a dragon has anything to do with the validity of the Bible - on which Christianity is supposed to rest. Face it. What difference does it make to the truth claims of the Bible if the George and the Dragon story is true? None! What if it's false and made up? Also no difference. You are still a sinner in the need of a savior regardless of the George and the Dragon story. If you are going to try to debunk Christianity than quit making straw men arguments.



Debunking Christianity: What Would Christianity Have Without Its Myths?

Answering Muslims: Eastern Christianity - Filling in the Gaps

Samuel Green has posted series of lectures by Dr Ken Parry in which he gives the history of the Eastern Orthodox Church. I'm really glad to see it because it contains a lot of information that I did not have because we always talk more about the West in the West. Well worth the time!

The Eastern Orthodox



The Oriental Orthodox



Asia, Central Asia, China & India


Answering Muslims: Eastern Christianity - Filling in the Gaps

FacePalm of the Day - Debunking Christianity: Three Biblical Spirits of Which One is Likely to Affect People This Holiday Season

It's always pathetic when Harry McCall attempts to be "Biblical".  Maybe he should look up the word. I think that maybe he's just trying an attempt to be funny. He fails because he attempts to throw the Bible "under the bus". If you are going to try to show that the Bible doesn't make sense, one should avoid illustrating how little they actually don't understand what they read. The purpose of Harry McCall's post is to describe different "spirits" in the Bible and the only "spirits" we should embrace during the holidays should be alcohol. Really bad argument.

A. The Holy Spirit (The promised “Comforter”, Acts 2: 4)

Acts 2:4 is discussing the first time the Holy Spirit fell on the Believers at Pentecost. I guess he thinks the account is untrustworthy and isn't as great as getting drunk.  I wonder why he would ignore such better scriptures that really describe what "Comforter" really means.

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. John 14:16,17

The tongues in Acts 2:4 were just an outward sign for the Believers that aren't meant for unbelievers like McCall. An unbeliever cannot be filled with this spirit. Jesus also tells us what the Spirit does!

26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. - John 15:26,27

Jesus also said:

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” - Luke 24:49

So the spirit is not only truth, consolation, but power.


B. An Evil Spirit (Afflicted Saul, 1 Samuel 16: 14)

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil[a] spirit from the Lord tormented him. - 1 Samuel 16:14

Hmmm.... The Spirit of God leaves,,,,and an evil one comes and torments. Without God equals "being godless". No wonder so many godless people are tormented.

C. The Distilled Spirit (Lives in a bottle before possessing humans. Often cohabits with either of the above spirits! (Proverbs 23: 31 -32)

 31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup,
    when it goes down smoothly!
32 In the end it bites like a snake
    and poisons like a viper.


McCall wants to pretend that the passage is talking about a spirit like the spirits he already mentions in his parts a and b. If you look at the passage, all it's saying is that alcohol abuse will destroy you. Who can argue against that? I've seen alcoholism do exactly that - destroy the alcoholic and the people around him/her.

May your Holiday Season be a spirit filled one! Harry 

Obviously, McCall is trying to insult God using the Bible as well as tell his friends " happy holidays." There is a problem when you misuse the Bible. Just tell the truth. McCall hates God and willing to lie about what God said. Before I sum this up, take a look at what Greg Gay wrote. He tried to help McCall out by pointing out other passages that describe spirits I guess in an attempt to show that drunkenness is better.

Greg Gay Collapse
D. The Spirit of Jealousy (When children see what their brother or sister got. Numbers 5:14,30)
E. The Spirit of Whoredoms (Hosea 5:4)

  1. Numbers 5:14
    And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:
    Numbers 5:13-15 (in Context) Numbers 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  2. Numbers 5:30
    Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he be jealous over his wife, and shall set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall execute upon her all this law.
    Numbers 5:29-31 (in Context) Numbers 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
So who really want to be filled with Jealousy? You can't be jealous and contented simultaneously. Passages about jealousy in marriage misses the point. It's not a sin to want what is yours. It's a sin when you want what belongs to someone else. If your spouse cheats on you, you are supposed to feel Jealous. The problem begins with your response. If you have the Spirit from part a, you will respond differently than you would if you are filled with any other kind of Spirit.

As for the Spirit of Whoredoms

They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord. - Hosea 5:4

Notice that the passage is not just about adultery and prostitution. It is about idolatry and Rejecting God and embracing your rebellion against God.  Again this is atheism defined and godlessness illustrated. So what spirit do you want to be filled with? Truth land consolation? Evil? Jealousy? Or Whoredoms? So what is a better passage explaining what we should choose in regards to drunkenness?

1Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, - Ephesians 5:17-19

Gee....I wonder why Harry didn't think this one through? It is much better advice - good not just for the holidays but perpetually.

Debunking Christianity: Three Biblical Spirits of Which One is Likely to Affect People This Holiday Season
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Answering Muslims: Refuting Zakir Naik on the Crucifixion of Jesus

David Wood and Sam Shamoun have begun a series of broadcasts directly refuting Zakir Naik's arguments and misrepresentation. In this one, they tackle Naik's assertion that Jesus did not die on the cross. Granted that Naik's viewpoint is not shared by all Muslims but he has a lot of influence and a platform. I think it's good that David and Sam are going after his arguments and correcting them. This one is truly important.
Zakir Naik claims that a careful reading of the New Testament shows that Jesus never died on the cross. But are his arguments sound? Sam Shamoun and I discuss Naik's main arguments in our latest episode of "Jesus or Muhammad?"


Answering Muslims: Refuting Zakir Naik on the Crucifixion of Jesus
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