THE INTERSECTION | MADNESS & REALITY: Rick Sanchez Apologizes: "I Screwed Up."

Of Course Rick Sanchez apologized. He wants to work again. Besides that I think he was wrong about Jon Stewart.


THE INTERSECTION | MADNESS & REALITY: Rick Sanchez Apologizes: "I Screwed Up."

Obama has book thrown at him in Philadelphia; Naked man arrested | Raw Story

This world is literally crazy. A man threw a book at President Obama yesterday at a rally at Philadelphia. I'm amazed! The man says that he meant no harm he only hoped the President would "read" it. I don't buy it. Anyone dumb enough to think that it's okay to throw anything at the President of the United States, couldn't possible be smart enough to read a book worth reading. I mean how does that make sense. And what's with people streaking in front of the President of the United States? I mean I think that if a person threw a book at any President on American soil in the past they would have gone to jail. Crazy!


Obama has book thrown at him in Philadelphia; Naked man arrested | Raw Story

Debunking Christianity: God as an Explanation vs. a God Who Acts in the World

It's amazing to me. John Loftus keeps making arguments that I can't believe that anyone finds moving. Take this blog post for example. I'm going to comment after each paragraph to explain why I think it doesn't make sense.

This is a distinction that makes a difference. It also makes a great deal of sense. Believers think that if their concept of God can explain the cosmos then automatically ipso facto they have arrived at the God they believe in, who acted in the world. Nope. Not by a long shot. For a god might explain the cosmos and yet not be Yahweh. And even if Yahweh is that god, he might not have raised Jesus from the dead. And even if Yahweh raised Jesus from the dead, he might not be the classical theistic God of Anselm.

Wonders of Wonders. I think Loftus makes a valid point. Many proofs of God don't go far enough to show that the God that created everything is in fact the God of the Bible. That is why the second part is so important. If such a God has not intervened in history or has acted in the world than it can't be the God of the Bible. The Bible affirms that the God who gave us his word has acted in the world many times and in many ways and continues to do so. But it's more than that. The Bible tells us that it is only by God's continued will that the universe holds together. IF that is not acting in the universe then what is? Look at what the Bible says

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  Hebrews 1:1-3

Skeptics do not think believers have shown that a God explanation is needed for the cosmos. We think it is an unnecessary hypothesis at best. So we need to see a God who acts in the world. We want evidence that he does. We want to see it. We want to see him do something verifiable, anything.

John Loftus is an apostate. I would say that all apostates have in common the belief that God has not acted in their lives. I would take issue with that because on the most fundamental level we exist because God has acted. But I will agree that they have not seen or understood that God has acted in their lives. No one can be saved or believe unless they have seen God act in the lives. God has to literally get in your face and get your attention or you will not ever believe. You can't do it on your own when ever you get ready. At the time, anyone who is reading this, or has ever had the gospel proclaimed to them has been given the opportunity. God has intervened in your life so that you can here the Gospel. The Gospel is that Jesus died for sinners and if you put your faith in Him you will be saved from the ultimate and conscious torment of being separated from God forever. You can find your ultimate purpose - the one that God has designed for you. If you don't see that it's because you haven't seen that God has intervened your life yet. The Bible tells us:

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
 "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."- Acts 17:24-31

Christians will retort that their God did act by raising Jesus from the dead. But that was so long ago, in a superstitious pre-scientific era of the past. There is no way such an event can be verified with the historical tools available to us, as I wrote about here. Even if God did act in the historical past there is no way we can know that he did.

You can outright know it when God intervenes in your own life. You can also know God intervenes because we know that there are fulfilled prophecies in the scripture. We see many of them being fulfilled today. How did the the scripture writers know? Simple, God told them what He was going to do...not just what would happen.

In any case, why doesn't God act now in any objective verifiable manner? I don't even have to say in advance what it would take for me to believe. God should already know. But he just doesn't do it. He supposedly knew what it took to convince Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Mary the mother of Jesus, John the Baptist's father, doubting Thomas, and Saul on the Damascus Road. He acted on their behalf. Doing so apparently did not abrogate their freedom. So why doesn't he act today?

God does know what it would take. And I believe that He has given you all the evidence you need but people have rejected that evidence. God does act today. I know know because I have seen Him intervene in my life and the lives of others.

The best explanation is that God is a figment of the imagination. He doesn't act because he doesn't exist. He is no different in this respect then the Flying Spaghetti Monster or the Invisible Pink Unicorn. Christians bristle at these comparisons, I know. But given that God is not a good explanation of the cosmos they are apt and well-deserved ones.

The comparisons don't work because Christians know that God has acted in the world and continues to act in the lives of everyone whether you understand or perceive it. What has the Flying Spaghetti Monster or the Invisible Pink Unicorn done for you lately? ME? Nothing. However Jesus died for my sins, was raised to life for my justification. He healed my body. Protects my family from all kinds of dangers - seen and unseen. When something bad does happen - he makes it turn out for my good. Gave me wonderful parents and family. Gave me beautiful children. Given me an education and a job I would do for free. He made a universe with more things to keep me studying and learning than I can absorb in a lifetime. He is the one who have been with me no matter what and no matter what happens. Jesus is my Lord...my God....my Savior. Without him Life doesn't and can't make sense. He has done so much for me that there is no way I can recount it all. "Well deserved"? Yes, Jesus deserves our Love and Worship.







Debunking Christianity: God as an Explanation vs. a God Who Acts in the World

Apologetics 315: Apologist Interview: Justin Brierley

I have no idea how Brian is snagging these interview!!! This week he interviews Justin Brierley. I listen to his radio broadcast Unbelievable? frequently and greatly enjoy it! This is a great interview!


Apologetics 315: Apologist Interview: Justin Brierley

The Science of Iron Man 2 Liveblog

I would really like to go this! However, I won't be able to go. Fortunately, Marvel will live blog the event and hopefully we can get a hold of a video!

This Wednesday, October 13, at 8:00pm PST, the Science & Entertainment Exchange and the California Institute of Technology will present a special panel discussion, "The Science of 'Iron Man 2,'" that will look at the real-world technology behind Tony Stark's greatest invention.
The panel will bring together some of the film's creators with experts in the fields of computer science and theoretical particle physics, and Marvel.com will be there live to bring you coverage of the event as it happens!
So bookmark this page and come back Wednesday, October 13 at 8:00pm PST to follow along, and check out the full list of scheduled panelists right here.

Delve into the science behind 'Iron Man 2' with a special panel discussion at the California Institute of Technology this Wed | Marvel.com News | Marvel.com

How Many of What Did Jesus Ride Into Jerusalem? On Colts, Donkey and Asses, part 1 of 2 | True Freethinker

I want to point out that Mariano has posted a response to the alleged Biblical contradiction regarding to what really happened when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. What was Jesus riding on? One of the things I really like about Mariano's articles he is able to deal with Biblical scripture from a Jewish perspective and not just a Christian one. He shows that there doesn't have to be conflict. Follow the link for the first part of his article. There have been several artist interpretations And I have learned to trust what the Bible says not what people have illustrated.

How Many of What Did Jesus Ride Into Jerusalem? On Colts, Donkey and Asses, part 1 of 2 | True Freethinker

Answering Atheism - video, part 2 of 3 | True Freethinker

Here is Mariano's second article summarizing a list of video apologetic resources!

Answering Atheism - video, part 2 of 3 | True Freethinker

Related articles

• John Shook, Ph.D.: For Atheists and Believers, Ignorance Is No Excuse (huffingtonpost.com)

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: The Gospel for Muslims

I like this video. I always enjoy David Woods work. In this video he give a presentation of the gospel that answers common questions Muslims ask. I'm grateful for this posting.


Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: The Gospel for Muslims

FacePalm Quote of the Day #13 - We are all Atheists.

Uploaded with ImageShack.usI just really can't stand the following ubiquitous quote that has become a drumbeat of so many atheists. It's a silly argument for so many reasons but it comes up so much so often I thought a catch all post would be helpful. What bothers me about it is that when Atheists use it they act like they have fired the winning shot. As if there is no answer or comeback for such a "devastating" blow. It's not about winning an argument it's about letting people know that there really is a "heaven to gain and a hell to shun". But more than that God has a purpose in creating you and you can only find and fulfill that purpose through God. It's about knowing God as God is not what you want God to be - that is idolatry. Here is the quote:

"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When 
you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours"

Dr. James White have given excellent responses to this "less than moving" argument.

James White's answer

One thing that I think many people ignore is the point that this argument attempts to re-define what "atheist" means. "Atheism" isn't a non-belief. "Atheism" does not mean that an atheists doesn't believe in some Gods. "Athesim" means that one does not believe in any Gods. You can't side-step this by pleading "soft" atheism because it's historically a non-definition.

Chosen By God: Regeneration Precedes Faith

Here is a great article that quotes R.C. Sproul about what Election really is. I agree with how Dr Sproul explains how divine election works because it's Biblical. Everyone is hostile to God before we are called and drawn to Christ by the Father. There is no other explanation for how hearts of stone are replaced with hearts of flesh.
Chosen by God: Regeneration Precedes Faith