Update #2 - Licona & Martin: Did Jesus Believe He Was Divine? - Apologetics 315

Brian Auten has posted a debate between Dr Michael Licona and Dr Dale Martin regarding whether or not Jesus considered himself divine. I agree with Dr Licona that Jesus taught that he was divine and that his followers knew he was too. The deity of Christ is an important point and a defining part of Christianity. Christianity itself revolves around who Jesus is and what he did and what he taught. Without Jesus, there is no Christianity. I am amazed that Dr Martin can claim to believe in the essential doctrines of Christianity yet reject the Bible as foundational for those beliefs.


Licona & Martin: Did Jesus Believe He Was Divine? - Apologetics 315

Update: Dr James White has reviewed the debate on the past two episodes of his webcast.. He wrote

...as there is so much that could be observed, but instead stuck to our review of the Licona/Martin dialogue on whether Jesus recognized His own deity. I think this is an important exercise in examining the presuppositions of what is truly "worldly wisdom." 

Listen to the webcast at the following links:

Yesterday on the Dividing Line

Continuation of Licona/Martin Dialogue on the Deity of Jesus on Today's DL

Today on a Special Friday Morning Dividing Line

How Should We Understand the Resurrection Narratives? - Apologetics 315

Brian Auten has posted links to both video and audio of a debate from May 2010, where William Lane Craig and Michael Licona debated Sakkie Spangenberg and Hansie Wolmarans on the resurrection of Jesus at the University of Petoria in South Africa. The topic: How Should We Understand the Resurrection Narratives? I'm glad Brian Posted this. Follow the link to get the debate!


How Should We Understand the Resurrection Narratives? - Apologetics 315

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Geisler's Christmas Carol - YouTube

I don't know if you have been following the fiasco brought about Dr Norman Geisler's attack on Dr. Michael Licona revolving on Biblical inerrancy and what it means. The following video explains the situation very clearly and I would also direct you to read the video's description.






I want to clearly say that, I disagree with the way the video predicts the future of Christianity should people listen to Norman Geisler's saber rattling against Michael Licona. I too disagree with his saying that Matthew did not intend the raised-from-the-dead saints in Matthew chapter 27 to be understood historically. I think it is meant to be historical. But arguing that it's not does not equate to saying the Bible is errant. I think one thing missing from the discussion that the people who were raised, were known around Jerusalem. That means that they had not long been dead and I would take their raising to be like the ones who had been raised to life and then later died - like Lazarus. Dr James White takes this position and I think he makes a good point. I also don't think that Geisler's behavior (as bad as it is) will lead to apostasy and cause people to loose their faith and be swayed by Bart Ehrman and people like him. God is in control. It is God who saves us and keeps us saved. Don't  people credit. The credit is God's imputed to us through faith because of God's mercy.

Paul Wrote:

⁷ Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. ⁸ For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. ⁹ We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.- 2 Corinthians 13:7-9

And even better, Jesus said.

¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” - Matthew 16:17-19

Given that the gates of Hades don't stand a chance, I doubt we have to worry about Bart Ehrman, or Norman Geisler for that matter.

Geisler's Christmas Carol - YouTube

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Interviews From San Francisco

Recently Dr Michael Licona interviewed a few scholars on camera in San Francisco. The videos are now on YouTube.


A talk with Dr William Lane Craig.




Dr Dan Wallace and Dr Paul Copan on the controversy regarding Dr Norman Giesler, Licona, and Matthew 27.








Dr Dan Wallace talked about his recent debate against Dr Bart Ehrman.

Truthbomb Apologetics: One Minute Apologist Interviews with Mike Licona

Here is a list summarizing a list of one-minute interviews of Dr Mike Licona. Thanks, Chad

Truthbomb Apologetics: One Minute Apologist Interviews with Mike Licona

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Dr Michael Brown interviews Michael Licona on the Resurrection of Jesus

Dr Michael Licona was interviewed by Dr Michael Brown on his radio show about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

line_of_fire_06_07_11.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)

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Michael Licona vs Stephen Patterson Debate: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? - Apologetics 315

Brian Auten has posted an audio recording of Michael Licona and Jesus Seminar fellow Stephen Patterson debating the topic: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?

Michael Licona vs Stephen Patterson Debate: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? - Apologetics 315

Hidden Gems in Old Apologetics Literature by Tim McGrew - Apologetics 315

Dr Tim McGrew was recently interviewed by Dr Mike Licona on his work on studying the history of Apologetics. I loved the interview. Not only did we learn more about Dr. McGrew's amazing family but how important it is not to forget the work of previous apologists and scholars. It reminds me of how valuable the older works of scientist and engineers in their own work and not just what modern writers say what they discovered. For example, reading Einstien's papers on relativity or Enrico Fermi's book on thermodynamics is way cooler than just reading about them in a current textbook.

McGrew shows that some of the most famous and useful literature from previous centuries have been forgotten and makes me wonder if today's great works might be forgotten in 100 years.

Be sure to visit the Library of Historical Apologetics for more classical apologetic works.

Hidden Gems in Old Apologetics Literature by Tim McGrew - Apologetics 315

James White on the Ehrman/Licona Resurrection Discussion on Unbelievable

This last week on Dr James White's podcast, the Dividing Line, he reviewed the April 16, 2011 discussion between Dr Bart Ehrman and Dr Michael Licona about the historical evidence of Jesus' Resurrection. The exchange was broadcast on the Unbelievable? radio program. Hearing Dr. White's views on the exchange is extremely useful. Given that James White has debated Bart Ehrman in the past. Follow the links below to listen to the webcast.

Part 1 - April 19, 2011
You've Got Mail, George Bryson Attacks, and the Ehrman/Licona Resurrection Discussion on Unbelievable

Part 2 - April 21, 2011
Continued Examination of the Licona/Ehrman Discussion on Unbelievable

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Unbelievable? | Premier Christian Radio, Saturday - Licona vs Ehrman on the Resurrection

Last Saturday there was a debate on the Resurrection on the Unbelievable? radio/webcast on UK. It featured Dr. Michael Licona and Dr. Bart Ehrman. As a bonus, Dr James White is reviewing the exchange on his webcast this week. Listen to the Dividing Line this week to hear it. And follow the following link to get the discussion from the UK.


Unbelievable? | Premier Christian Radio, Saturday

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eBook: The Gospel of Judas, by Mike Licona | The Apologist

Even tweets from Brian Auten are helpful. He tweeted the following link to a short essay from Michael Licona. I love Licona's work and this insightful piece comes as no surprise considering scholarship like his.

eBook: The Gospel of Judas, by Mike Licona | The Apologist

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The Question of Miracles: Interview with Craig Keener - Apologetics 315

Here is an interview Michael Licona did with Craig Keener. They discussed what miracles are and give evidence that God is still at work today. It's a very interesting discussion. Got to Brian Auten's blog to get the link.

The Question of Miracles: Interview with Craig Keener - Apologetics 315

Evidence for the Resurrection with Michael Licona - Apologetics 315

Image via WikipediaMichael Licona is an excellent scholar. I enjoy his work and his resources. Today, Brian Auten posted links to a good video online series Dr. Licona has made available that walks people through the evidence for Jesus' Resurrection. Follow the link to Apologetics 315 to get the series.

Evidence for the Resurrection with Michael Licona - Apologetics 315

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Peter J. Williams Interview on Gospel Reliability - Apologetics 315

Check out this interview Michael Licona did on Peter J Williams on the reliability of the Gospels. Follow the link provided by Brian Auten.

Peter J. Williams Interview on Gospel Reliability - Apologetics 315

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Interview: The Problem of Hell - Apologetics 315

Brian Auten has posted an interview of Dr. Jeremy Evans by Michael Licona. The subject was about hell - what the Bible teaches about it and what it means. He deals with many of the objections people raise about hell also. Unfortunately, many Christians shy away from the subject and even try to deny the reality of hell altogether. "There is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun."

Interview: The Problem of Hell - Apologetics 315

Truthbomb Apologetics: Common Objection #14- "If Jesus really performed miracles and rose from the dead, we would have more historical records referring to Him."

On his blog, Chad has summarized some good evidence for why we know we have good historical evidence for today for Jesus' existence and what the Bible says about him. I enjoyed reading the quote he used from Dr. Gary Habermas and Mike Licona in their book The Case for the Resurrection. Give his post a read through!

Truthbomb Apologetics: Common Objection #14- "If Jesus really performed miracles and rose from the dead, we would have more historical records referring to Him."

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