Was “the Problem of Evil” Solved Before it was Ever Proposed?, part 2 of 2 | True Freethinker

Mariano has continued his great article about the Problem of Evil. As always it is insightful and definitely worth reading.

Was “the Problem of Evil” Solved Before it was Ever Proposed?, part 2 of 2 | True Freethinker

A Common Atheistic Argument? Yes. A Good Argument? No.

I found the following comic strip via twitter. Keep in mind that people really think that this is a good argument against God's existence!

The argument hinges on the thought that we, as human, can think of God. Does this really make since. Can you really pour the infinite into such a feeble finite vessel as the human imagination? No. It is worse than trying to pour the world's oceans into a thimble. Not going to work.

6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.

7 Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.

9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. - Isaiah 55:6-11

Just how high are the heavens from the earth? Well the closest star - the sun - is ninety-three million miles from earth so God is saying through Isaiah that we can't possibly understand His thoughts or His ways. This take us back to the the second presupposition made by the strip - that a good God would never allow babies to drown in tsunami. If we can't possible understand God's thoughts or ways, why do you think that you could possible understand the grand plan God has in even the most tragic events that happen to us and those we love.

 ²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. - Romans 8:28-29

The Water-Calming God

TurretinFan has a great article showing how the fact that Jesus could command raging storms illustrates his divinity. It's a great, well-written argument. Check it out!

The Water-Calming God

Debunking Christianity: The Case For "The Case Against The Case For Christ"

This recent post from John W. Loftus is timely. Apparently Robert M. Price wrote a book that has been recently released to refute Lee Strobel's The Case for Christ. What does it say about a book that is derided and it's author dismissed by opponents yet I can now name at least two book written to specifically refute it? I think it says that Strobel's book is far more dangerous to his opponents let on. I happen to like Robert Price although I disagree with almost everything I have heard him said. I think I would like to read Price's book because Earl Doherty's work in which he tried to do the same thing was really awful. I think Prices is smarter than he is. I find the timing of this post and the book interesting because Price is scheduled to debate James White this weekend! I'm expecting a blood bath where only only the mercy of God will be Robert Price's only saving grace.

Debunking Christianity: The Case For "The Case Against The Case For Christ"

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: Using the Koran as a Path to Jesus

Dr. Mariottini has called attention to a controvery that has been brewing in Baptist circles. This is the first I heard of it. There are some well-meaning Christians who want to evangelize Muslims by starting from what the Qur'an says about Jesus instead of what the New Testament says. Ergun Caner has expressed much opposition but given the fact that he has been shown to stretch the truth of his personal testimony and get some nuances of Islam incorrect, I'm not sure how much weight his opinion matters. I'm not sure what is more scary to me: that Caner is right that the God and Jesus of Islam is irreconcilably different than the Bible's accounts or that I agree with him. I thank Dr Mariottini for posting this article!

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: Using the Koran as a Path to Jesus

Apologetics 315: Apologist Interview: Sarah Ankenman of WomenInApologetics.com

Here is a great interview drom a woman apologists. He gives a lot of insight that I had not considered about what this kind of ministry means from the perspective of a woman. I really enjoyed this.

Apologetics 315: Apologist Interview: Sarah Ankenman of WomenInApologetics.com