John MacArthur on the "Lie of Evolution"

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I found  a great article linked below. The author addresses an important question. The discussion is whether or not John MacArthur is being heavy handed in treating evolution as something that Christians should outright deny. I agree with the writer of this post that I don't know how old the earth is. The Bible does not tell us. Geology and Physics seemingly point to about 4.5 billion years. The Bible does not tells us that this is wrong. As someone trained in science and a Christian I must reject macro evolution for two reasons:

1. Scientific
Many scientist don't "drink-the-kool-aid" of  macro evolution. I think the most powerful argument is the fact that evolution cannot adequately explain how human consciousness evolved or how genetic mutations increased the amount of genetic data from one species to the next. 

2. Biblically
The debate over evolution  is not like the debate of geocentricism vs heliocentrisim of Galileo's time. The Church said the earth is center of the universe not the Bible. The Bible gives us plenty of information on God's character and we can talk about would our creator use evolution to create life on earth? I'm not saying that God could not have used evolution only asking does it make sense given what we know about how He has acted throughout time? Macro evolution is contingent on the idea that live evolved through natural selection where the members of the species most healthy - stronger - faster- survive to reproduce passing those traits to new generations. By defintion - God has circumvented this time and time again. Each and everyone of us are here because God actively and purposely changed circumstances. The truth is if God had not picked Abraham and his descendants to be his "special project" there would be no Jews today. We are all God's "special project" - a masterpiece that he has been putting together ever since he spoke and all of reality leaped into existence.

 "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.'   - Acts 17:24-28

John MacArthur on the “Lie of Evolution”

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Romans 9 from Great Falls Conference

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I am always interested as to how people understand Romans 9. To date i have heard no better exegesis than the Way James White does it. I'd be really interested in hearings an exegesis from an Arminian viewpoint, because when I read Roman 9 I am forced to concur with James White.






Romans 9 from Great Falls Conference

He Lives: An apology for Apologetics

On his blog, David Heddle presents 7 great arguments in favor of Apologetics. These are great!

The late John Gerstner gave the following reasons for apologetics:

1. People who argue against arguments (That is, Christians who claim that apologetics are unseemly, reason is unreliable, and only unquestioning faith is virtuous) are, in fact, making arguments. They are using their heads to justify not using their heads. To provide reasons for not using reason is simply not very smart.

2. You will encounter those who will, as they should, ask why. You need a because that is more substantive than just because.

3. When sane people appear to be against reason, they actually are not. When Tertullian said he believed (in God) because it was absurd (as opposed to logical) he was in fact saying that it was logical that the ways of an infinite, Holy God should (by reason) appear absurd to fallen creatures.

4. If Christianity claims to be true, then it requires prove. If we only needed to claim truth, the Christianity would be established, as would Mormonism, Scientology, Islam, and all other religions. Proof is not just for the atheist, but also the believer. As Chillingsworth put it:

I am certain that God has given us our reason to discern between truth and falsehood, and he who makes no use of it, but believes things he knows not why, I say, it is by chance that he believes the truth and not by choice; and I cannot but fear that God will not accept the sacrifice of fools.

Even when we jettison reason in favor of experience, we are actually reasoning. The very primitive reason is this: I have had an experience, and that experience could only come from God. But this reasoning is very weak, and requires the listener to take the speaker’s word for it. The apologist who has only experience is in a position of extreme weakness, like the Moody Bible student who witnessed about Christ in her life to a University of Chicago professor. The scholar, through probing questions that she could not begin to answer, eventually had her doubting her own salvation. She was right and he was wrong, but she didn't know her apologetics. She had the proof but didn't know how to express it, and ultimately believed she didn't have it.

5. Christ proved He was who He claimed to be.

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. (John 14:11)

But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." (Matt. 9:6)

Before healing the paralytic, Jesus forgave him of his sins, thus claiming His divinity. He then did not say: believe it or not. Rather he went on to prove His divinity by means that no rational person could deny.

6. The bible testifies to its own inspiration, but not through circular reasoning. The gospels have proven historically reliable, and they testify to a miracle working Jesus, miracles of which His enemies do not deny but rather attempt to attribute to Satan.

7. Through apologetics we demonstrate that the Creator is God, that God certifies His Son, that His Son certifies the Word, and that the Word certifies the gospel.

He Lives: An apology for Apologetics

Brennon's Thoughts: Arminianism = Council of Orange

I found a very interesting post about how Arminians see Pelagians. I agree with Brennon that there is no way the two can be literally equated. All Bible-believing Christians agree that a - every human being need salvation through Jesus to avoid going to hell and b - Grace from God is necessary to be saved. There are disagreements but I'm sure all Christians agree with these two points at least. I'd go further on to say that Grace is not just necessary but also sufficient. Pelagians historically assert that humans are so free that Jesus' sacrifice was unnecessary for our salvation. The point is that Pelagianism is definitely a heresy and I'm glad that historically Arminians repudiate it. I was prompted to write this post because Brennon's is so good.

Brennon's Thoughts: Arminianism = Council of Orange

Iron Sharpens Iron: ISI Is Off The Air

I just got some saddening news:

Dear Fans and Friends of Iron Sharpens Iron,

On November 2, 2009 Chris Arnzen found out that WNYG (the station hosting Iron Sharpens Iron) was sold. The station is currently off the air.

Please keep Chris and the show in your prayers, as he seeks a new station to continue the show.

If you've enjoyed Iron Sharpens Iron over the years, please take a few minutes to send Chris an e-mail and let him know that you're praying for him, and that you hope to hear the show back on the air soon: carnzen@optonline.net.

I'll be keeping the archives available, and I'll post updates as soon as they become available.

James Swan

xx

I'm saddened because I love the show. I think it feels a niche that is needed in society. However, I think that this may be an opportunity. Instead of radio, Why not turn Iron Sharpens Iron into a web cast?

Iron Sharpens Iron: ISI Is Off The Air

Ghosts, Demons, Ufos, Hell Do Exist!

I don't agree with all of this series. As a matter of fact I think some of the teachings in it are wrong. I don't think scripture supports the idea that the Nephilim were human/angel hybrids. I also think that film makers sensationalized a lot of it. I also have to take everything they said, not in the Bible, with a "grain of salt". For example, I think the existence of UFOs and Aliens are up for debate. I don't know the answer to that. However, I am cautiously leaning to the idea that UFO experiences are demonic manifestations if those experiences are true. I also don't think that ghosts are real in the idea that they are disembodied human spirits. I can find no Biblical examples of a human spirit returning after death to the living world and haunting the living. However, I do believe because of what the Bible teaches that demons are real and hell is real. I also liked how the videos do teach the truth that Jesus is the only way for salvation and to avoid going to hell.




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Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Luther's Paradox of the Hidden and Revealed God

James Swan wrote the following on his blog. You can find full post at the link below

Here's a follow-up Luther quote I've been meaning to get to related to my recent entries on Luther and Calvinism. As was pointed out in the recent ISI broadcast, Luther's paradox of the hidden / revealed God sheds much light on his views regarding predestination. Here, in the Bondage of the Will, Luther responds to the charge of Erasmus "Does the good Lord deplore the death of his people, which he himself works in them?”—for this really does seem absurd..."

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Luther's Paradox of the Hidden and Revealed God

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Is the Holy Spirit Identified as God?

Here is the next installment of Mariano's series evaluating whether or not the Bible teaches the Trinity. In this post, Mariano presents scripture showing that the Bible calls the Holy Spirit God! Check this out. It's a great post!

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Is the Holy Spirit Identified as God?

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Hyksos, the Babylonians, and Egypt

Here is another great post from Dr Mariottini. He provides a great resource regarding the Hyksos. Apparently there is now apparent archaeological proof of contact between Mesopotamia and Hyksos controlled Egypt. This is big news. Take a look at the link.

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Hyksos, the Babylonians, and Egypt

Atheism: Fulfilling Romans 1

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Here is a video that James White had posted on his blog. His post is about how atheists like Dawkins are so blind they can't even see that they are blinded. This is direct fulfillment of Romans 1. Read Romans 1 and then try to deny that the Bible really is just as relevant today as it ever was.






Atheism: Fulfilling Romans 1

Welcome to BibleTech : 2010

Welcome to BibleTech : 2010

Truthbomb Apologetics: Featured Article: Why Isn't the Evidence Clearer? by Dr. John Bloom

I found this article on Truthbomb Apologetics in which Dr. John Bloom addresses the question "Why is the Evidence Clearer for the God of the Bible's existence?" It's an important question given the mantra by many unbelievers today is that there is not enough good evidence to convince them of God's existence. My two cents that I would like to add is that God has an answer to this question: Romans 1: 18-32

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Check out the link to the article below

Truthbomb Apologetics: Featured Article: Why Isn't the Evidence Clearer? by Dr. John Bloom

Atheism is Dead: Richard Dawkins’ Positive Atheism

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 Here is a great resource from Mariano.  In this post he points out Richard Dawkins inconsistencies regrading to whether or not he believes there is no god period or just that there is no evidence. Sure wish he would make up his mind.

Atheism is Dead: Richard Dawkins’ Positive Atheism

Der Ewige Jude

The most infamous Nazi propaganda film of all time. Public domain. This film is intended for historical study purposes only.I nver thought I'd find it on the Internet!








Der Ewige Jude

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The MLK that's never quoted - BlackScienceFictionSociety

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Of course, these remarks from Martin Luther King Jr are almost never quoted because he sounds like Malcom X and the Black Panthers - pointing out that racism is so pervasive that its in the dictionary and that we need to love ourselves as black people...not more than we love white people and other people but we must realize that we are just as good as everyone else and not less than them because we are black and they are not.  I know I have never heard these remarks from MLK until today.

The MLK that's never quoted - BlackScienceFictionSociety

YouTube - Debate: God - Delusion or Truth? Muslim vs. Atheist

I often wonder if Muslims ever debate Atheists. Looks like they do! I disagree with Islam on many things but I've got to admit that Islam is closer to reality than Atheism

The Big Debate: God - Delusion or Truth?

The Debaters:

Rick Lewis is the founder and editor of Philosophy Now, and thereby one of the main initiators of the popular philosophy movement in the English speaking world http://www.philosophynow.org

Hamza Andreas Tzortzis is a senior researcher and lecturer for iERA. He has participated in debates both at home and internationally with leading academics and intellectuals. Hamza delivers lectures across the world to articulate and shed indispensable light on Islam and its way of life http://www.hamzatzortzis.blogspot.com

YouTube - Debate: God - Delusion or Truth? Muslim vs. Atheist

THE APOLOGETIC FRONT: The words of a very consistent Atheist

There is a great quote from Paul Myers, professor at the University of Minnesota, on the purpose of life:

First, there is no moral law: the universe is a nasty, heartless place where most things wouldn't mind killing you if you let them. No one is compelled to be nice; you or anyone could go on a murder spree, and all that is stopping you is your self-interest (it is very destructive to your personal bliss to knock down your social support system) and the self-interest of others, who would try to stop you. There is nothing 'out there' that imposes morality on you, other than local, temporary conditions, a lot of social enculturation, and probably a bit of genetic hardwiring that you've inherited from ancestors who lived under similar conditions.

I got this from Mike Felker's blog and had to comment. I disagree with Myers, but like Mike observed at least Myers is consistent and is honest about where is atheism leads. The scary part to me is that this doesn't bother Myer, or at least it doesn't seem to. People like Hitchens and Dan Barker are unwilling to accept that Myers is accurately describing the conclusion their worldview inevitably leads.

THE APOLOGETIC FRONT: The words of a very consistent Atheist

ghettoManga: Quotable

"What is it in France they say? 'America contributed three things to culture: jazz, musical comedy and comic books.'"
-Neal Adams
legendary comicbook
artist (Batman)

 

Thanks, Samax!!!!!

ghettoManga: Quotable

Truthbomb Apologetics: Featured Podcast: Reasonable Faith- The Hitchens Debate

Here is a quote from Truthbomb Apologetics. It's Dr. William Lane Craig making comments on his  podcasts about his debate with Christopher Hitchens from last April.

In this new podcast from Reasonable Faith, Dr. William Lane Craig reflects back on his April 4th, 2009 debate with atheist Christopher Hitchens on the topic of "Does God Exist?"

Thanks, Chad!

Truthbomb Apologetics: Featured Podcast: Reasonable Faith- The Hitchens Debate

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Fate of the Lost Tribes of Israel

Dr. Claude Mariottini has posted a great article about the "Lost 10 Tribes of Israel". It stands as a summary of his own posts on the subject as well as point to an article by Arnold Ages. I'm planning to review more of this material but Mariottini quoted the following and it bugged me a little bit.

"Conquered and deported nations do not generally blend in and become supporters of the regime or empire that carted them off from their native lands."

I have never tried to come up with hard numbers but it seems to me that tactic of conquering and redistribution of the vanquished peoples seems historically successful. The Jews maintaining the cultural,ethnic, and religious identity in the context of being a minority group seems to be an exception not the rule. I mean for African-Americans - the descendants of conquered, enslaved, and deported people - have almost no conscious ties to our ancestry. In other words the method still works and the societies that suffer the loss almost never seem to recover.

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Fate of the Lost Tribes of Israel

Iron Sharpens Iron: James R. White: King James Only Gone Wild!: A Response to the Scheduled Bible & Book Burning in North Carolina

Tomorrow there will be a book burning in which Bibles and books by Christians who are not King James Only will be burned! James White was on Iron Sharpens Iron this week to discuss such cults. You can go to the link hear the program and see the response made by the pastor running the book burning when asked to defend his position on the air.

Iron Sharpens Iron: James R. White: King James Only Gone Wild!: A Response to the Scheduled Bible & Book Burning in North Carolina

Debunking "EvilBible.com": Murder in the Bible

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 Here is a great post responding to ideas on EvilBible.com regarding to "murder" in the Bible. Consider the author of the material on EvilBible.com refuted - utterly!

Debunking "EvilBible.com": Murder in the Bible

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : is Jesus Identified as God?

is Mariano's part 2 on the Trinity. This time he focuses on scriptures that show Jesus is God. He even gives quotes from the first century by non-Christians that show that the first Christians believed and taught Jesus' deity.

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : is Jesus Identified as God?

Rediscovering the Historical Jesus MP3 Audio by William Lane Craig - Apologetics 315

Apologetics 315 has posted a great lecture from William Lane Craig about the historical Jesus. Dr. Craig lectures on the claims of the Jesus' Seminar. He ends up talking about the reliability of the gospels and what we really know of Jesus. This is a great lecture. As a bonus,Dr. Craig gives his reasons why he believes the resurrection and discusses the gnostic gospels in quite some detail!

Rediscovering the Historical Jesus MP3 Audio by William Lane Craig - Apologetics 315

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Secret Gospel of Mark

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I heard of a "Secret Gospel of Mark" before this awesome post by Dr. Claude Mariottini.  I heard of "Biblical scholar Morton Smith" and his discovery. The account I heard also says that no one else has seen this Gospel but him. It's also interesting to me that it seems to contain thing that to any modern mind could be construed as gnostic at best and painting Jesus as a homosexual as worst. I'm excited about this post because it gives access to a fuller article on this. I can't wait to read it. 

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Secret Gospel of Mark

YouTube - Toledo Ohio Bar Shoot out

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I originally saw this video on CNN, I believe this where they got it from. I'm not sure even what to say about this.






YouTube - Toledo Ohio Bar Shoot out

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