Monday, May 27, 2013

Thoughts from the Boonies: Jerry Walls: What's Wrong With Calvinism

I've had the opportunity to listen to Jerry Walls on a couple of subjects and I find myself in agreement with much of his ideas. The one on this video I really think he got wrong.


 At the end, he says he covers the scriptural basis of his conclusions in a 6-part series on YouTube.  I wasn't really impressed with that either. Beside no real good scriptural basis for rejecting Calvinism, Dr Walls presentation is flawed because the philosophy underlying it is flawed. For example, he spends quite a bit of time on talking about Calvinists must accept the compatibilistic interpretation and definition of free will in order for Calvinism to be consistent. I disagree.  If without salvation, you are enslaved to sin and can't choose not to sin that would mean you have not the ability to do otherwise and Libertarian Free Will  falls with a thud. This does not mean that people don't have wills of their own. We do. They are just bent and broken. Jesus is the only way to be free.  I agree with James White, there is free will - only it's God that has it.

Thoughts from the Boonies: Jerry Walls: What's Wrong With Calvinism

On Guard Conference 2012: William Lane Craig - "The Problem of Evil and Suffering" - YouTube

I don't think that the Problems of evil and suffering can ever be satisfactorily reconciled with our understanding through philosophy. It's not big enough. It can only be done well Biblically. Still it is interesting to watch philosophers try. William Lane Craig has good intentions, I just don't think he goes far enough in standing where the Bible leaves us room to to stand. I think he is far too concerned with maintaining that people have libertarian free will than what the Bible really says. Even though I disagree with Dr Craig on free will and God's sovereignty, he  still offers a better understanding and presentation that the atheists I've heard who fail at this question all the time.


On Guard Conference 2012: William Lane Craig - "The Problem of Evil and Suffering" - YouTube

God's Outlaw - William Tyndale - YouTube

English: William Tyndale, Protestant reformer ...
English: William Tyndale, Protestant reformer and Bible translator. Portrait from Foxe's Book of Martyrs. Česky: William Tyndale (portrét ve Foxeově Knize mučedníků) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Here is a movie I found on YouTube covering the life of William Tyndale. It is dated, but well-done and really good. Tyndale lived an interesting life and should not be forgotten.


God's Outlaw - William Tyndale - YouTube
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Saturday, May 25, 2013

Answering Muslims: Jihad Returns to London: A Reply to Prime Minister David Cameron

Last Wednesday, a town in the UK experienced a real act of terrorism. Two men hit an off-duty soldier with a car, got out, and then hacked him to death with machetes. They stayed around and talked to witnesses and explained why they did it. One even recorded a message on one of the witnesses' smart phone! He said that they did this horrible murder because they are Muslims and are agents of Allah and followers of the Quran. Hearing the UK government come back and say that this had nothing to do with Islam seems like a slap in the face to the murdered soldier, Lee Rigby. Call this what it was.


Answering Muslims: Jihad Returns to London: A Reply to Prime Minister David Cameron

Monday, May 20, 2013

Star Wars Filibuster


Sometimes actors are allowed to be creative and ad-lib their lines. In an episode of the show "Parks and Recreation" recently, it called for a scene where one of the characters had to do filibuster in a fictional city council meeting. Actor Patton Oswalt was told to come up with whatever he wanted and chose to do a pitch for Star Wars Episode VII. This is what he came up with: pure gold.




Animated version


Star Wars Filibuster - Animation - YouTube

Saturday, May 11, 2013