Makayla & Matthias -> August - November 2009

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: Biblical Feminism

I have always found this subject interesting and it's never going to go away. What does God really think about how Women should be treated by men and in society? Many people think that the history of the Church is the accurate portrait of how the Bible tells us God wants men to relate to women. Can't be any more wrong.

Benjamin Ledford, a student at the University of Idaho discusses the theme of Biblical feminism in this video, which is a companion to his article, “Is God a Chauvinist?” which was published in the Argonaut, the university’s school paper.

Here is a link to another post by Mariottini quoting the paper referenced above:
Is God A Chauvinist

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: Biblical Feminism

I have spoken to many an atheist who uses the track record for the church on the treatment of women as a pretext for rejecting God. I responded to a post called An "Evil" of Christianity in response to a tweet exchange where the woman challenged the validity of the Bible.

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Which Member of the Trinity is Omniscient?

Continuing his great series on the Trinity, Mariano considers the question: Which member of the Trinity is Omniscient? He goes to answer this question by showing what the Bible says about each one. God is one Being. If God is Omniscient than the 3 persons sharing the same being must each be Omniscient! He did an excellent job!!!!!

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Which Member of the Trinity is Omniscient?

YouTube - Zakir Naik on the Deen Show: Review and Rebuttal Pt. 1

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Dr James White responds to Muslim claims against the deity of Jesus Christ. He interacts by commenting with Zakir Naik on the Deen Show. If I remember correctly, this Naik will not debate Dr. White in a public debate. Dr. White describes the video thusly:

Dr. Zakir Naik appeared recently on The Deen Show. He demonstrated once again the shallow nature of the most popular Islamic arguments against the deity of Christ. Part 1 of my response.

If you are interested in how Muslims look at Jesus, this is the video to watch!






YouTube - Zakir Naik on the Deen Show: Review and Rebuttal Pt. 1

Human, All Too Human : Nietzsche (1999)

Here is a great documentary on the life of Nietzsche. I've never really studied him or his life but I have heard him quoted a lot! He wasn't the first to propose the idea of a "godless" Universe, but I think he was the first to popularize it. A lot of Christian philosophy appropriates the work of Nietzsche to show that he understood the emptiness of human life without God. The problem is that I think atheists don't view his work this way. The people who made this documentary look at Nietzsche as a "liberator" so that people no longer had to be under religion - we can live without God. What I am amazed by is the idea that people are saying that he used his philosophy to cope with the issues of his own sufferings and the suffering of humanity when it was that philosophy that drove him insane.

I think the documentary also shows that psychologist Paul Vitz was right about how the lack of a father can lead to atheism. Nietzsche's father did not intentionally abandon him but instead got extremely sick, suffered for a while and then died. Young Nietzsche obviously wondered why God was punishing his father who was deeply religious. This was important in formalizing his rejection of God.

He understood what his philosophy logically led to and tried to find something replace to Christianity and give his life meaning. In the process of that search ...he went insane. Why would anyone want to follow him down that path? I think that his life would make a good biopic.




Human, All Too Human : Nietzsche (1999)

Recent Objections to Miracles MP3 Audio by Gary Habermas - Apologetics 315

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This is a great lecture by Gary Habermas. He discussed what he thought about the philosophical claims for and against miracles. It's extremely interesting how important it is to defend why miracles can't be automatically discounted and ignored. This is another great resource from Apologetics 315.

Recent Objections to Miracles MP3 Audio by Gary Habermas - Apologetics 315

Hank Hanegraaff - Exposing Richard Dawkins

Hanegraaf shared his views on Richard Dawkins latest book The Greatest Show on Earth. Really worth reading!

Hank Hanegraaff

Jesus Christ « A Muslim's Investigation Blog

I just saw a tweet concerning the link at the bottom of this post. Apparently it is a blog looking at Mormonism from an Islamic point of view. I found quite a few issues with article that really needs to be responded too.

1. The author of the post wrote:

Millions around the world attribute their religion based on a faith in Jesus Christ. Christian churches the world over claim to preach his message, the gospel, and proclaim that good news that he died was buried and rose again from the dead. Millions the world over don’t realize it was the Apostle Paul who came up with the concept of today’s modern Christianity.

I want to see documentation that proves that Paul came up with the concept of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.This is a standard mistaken belief many Muslims believe. I will present the evidence for why we know that Paul did not come up with Christianity at the end of this post.

2. Another passage in the article reads:

As a student of history I know that Jesus didn’t form a church that he was never Christian and never taught what the basis of Christianity is today, being that of the atonement for man’s sins on the cross.  That was all Paul. In fact, it is believed that Jesus was a radical Essence, the known Jewish group that practiced baptisms. John the Baptist was also part of this group. In fact it is believed that Jesus had been a disciple of John.
At either rate, most of what the LDS Church says about Jesus is true and accurate, but the story of Jesus’ life as found in Islam is radically different than the story as told in Christianity.

It was not all Paul. Paul did not take credit, but stood shoulder to shoulder with Peter, James, and John, the Gospels and the Book of Acts. Baptism was not unique to the Essenes but was practiced among all of the Jews of Jesus' time. There is no evidence that either John the Baptist or Jesus were Essenes. The Jesus presented  by the LDS Church, founded by Joseph Smith, is very different than classical Christianity. For example, there is a teaching that Jesus was Lucifer's spirit brother. You can't find that in the Bible. This is just the tip of a large iceberg. I would not recommend Mormon theology for any understanding of what Christians believe. They use many of the same words but redefine the concepts.

3. The article then puts the summarizing of what Muslims believe about Jesus by Yahiya Emerick which can be found on the web site www.whyislam.org. Here is Emerick's word in black and my responses will be in blue.

His Origin
Jesus lived about 2,000 years ago in ancient Palestine when the Roman Empire was at its zenith. He was not conceived in the usual way, but was implanted in the womb of a young woman named Mary. God simply commanded, “Be” and he was. In this sense, he was “a word” of God and a special sign for humanity. In fact, he was the last in a long line of religious guides sent to the Jews.

I have heard this from many Islamic apologetists. The problem is that the Bible does not say this. Look at John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

It says that Jesus is the Word not "a word".

Mary, The Blessed
Mary was a righteous woman. Her mother dedicated her to God’s service even before she was born. As a child, she lived a life marked by health and righteousness, which others pointed to in admiration. She was raised by the wise Zechariah, who instilled in her, a beautiful sense of faith in God. When she had become a young woman, Mary sought to purify herself further before her Lord. Knowing that the hustle of life in the towns was distracting, she withdrew from her people to a sanctuary in the East. There she could meditate in seclusion and peace. Suddenly, on a day that seemed no different from the rest, an angel of God visited her, disguised in the likeness of a human. Afraid of so strange a sight, Mary prayed for protection, but the strange being reassured her and declared that he was a messenger from the Lord to announce the glad-tidings of a faultless son. Mary, astounded, asked how this was possible seeing that no man had ever touched her. But the angel replied, “Your Lord says, it is easy for Me …”. But when she felt the little child within her, she fled her sanctuary out of fear of what her family would do or say when they heard the news. Mary, however, was not to face hardship. When in her despair she cried out to God for oblivion, a voice soothed her and she found shade and a cool spring. Under a date-palm in the warmth of late summer, she made her dwelling and there bore the child unlike any other in human history.
Shortly thereafter, Mary returned to her community carrying the child who was to be called Messiah, Jesus, and son of Mary. When her people saw her with the baby in her arms they couldn’t believe their eyes, let alone accept her word. They refused to believe when she told of an angel who came and told her she was chosen above all other women to carry this burden. They accused her of infidelity and implied that she had ruined the family name. Mary, being overwhelmed, simply motioned towards the child meekly.

Many Christians are surprised to find that one of the tenets of Islam is to respect Mary. Most of this information presented about her, including the story given about Jesus speaking from the crib are from gnostic sources from the 2nd century and are rejected by most Christians as non-scriptural!

The Miracles
Now the child was the product of a miracle and consequently, miraculous things began to happen. In defense of his mother and of the truth, the infant Jesus spoke saying, “I am a servant of God. He has given me Scripture and has made me a Prophet. He has blessed me wherever I may be and has made prayer and charity my duty as long as I live.” This put the detractors to rest.
Throughout his youth, Jesus remained dutiful to his mother and developed quickly in intelligence, wisdom, and piety. He dumfounded the learned and was greatly admired by those around him who appreciated his talents. He claimed to be a sign of God and a Messenger to the Israelites.
His people had strayed from the spirit of truth and placed their trust in legalism, thereby burying their sense of mercy beneath dusty scrolls and rituals. Finally, when he came of age, Jesus began to travel and preach throughout the land of Palestine about a return to the truth of the old revelations and a rejection of all that man had added. In his task he was supported by the spirit of truth, the angel Gabriel.

Gabriel only appears in the Gospels to announce Jesus' birth. What did Jesus claim? In John 14: 5-7

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

This is a bold claim. Jesus said that there is no salvation apart from himself. Sounds a lot like what Paul said.

The Gospel, His Message
He taught that love and mercy overcome hate and anger and that only a true and sincere faith in the Creator and obedience to His will can bring a person salvation in this life as well as in the next. To reinforce his message, which was called “Injeel” (Good News), God granted him the performance of miracles. He healed the sick, uplifted the distressed and revived the dead. All these things he did with the permission of God, never taking credit for them himself.
He led a simple and pious life. Soon he attracted an inner-circle of devoted followers who listened to his teachings with fervor and humility. These disciples, among them Peter, Barnabas, and John helped him carry the message of Divine Love to the people. They helped him in his mission.

What is the Gospel? What is the Good news that Jesus taught? Here is how the early church summarized it,  in 1 Corinthians 15: 3-8

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

A Test Of Wills
But no righteous man of God is without trial and tribulation. As the message of Jesus began to gain wider acceptance, a small clique of hypocrites and evil men began to plot against him. They were the priests and leaders of the Jews whose position and wealth depended upon their place as the sole interpreters of religion to the masses. They pursued him and his followers and eventually captured him. Though they abused him, he never renounced his faith in the one God. So in their anger they plotted to crucify him on a Roman cross. But Jesus slipped from their grip at the last moment, and all the while they thought they had succeeded. They were sure they had killed him but God answered Jesus’ prayer and saved him from their schemes. Confusion overtook the mob and they might have killed the man who betrayed Jesus instead. In any case, Jesus escaped from their grasp. Then God removed Jesus from this world into another dimension, to a place with Him, not to return until a later time.
With their teacher gone, the devoted followers of Jesus tried to maintain the purity and simplicity of his teachings. But they were soon besieged and overtaken by a flood of Roman and Greek influences, which eventually so buried and distorted the message of Jesus that only a little of its truth now remains. Strange doctrines of Jesus being a man-god, of God dying, of saint worship and of God being made up of different parts came into vogue and were accepted by many of those who took the name “Christians” centuries after Jesus.

And here is one of the worst problem with the Mormon conception of Jesus. You can argue about the empty tomb and the Resurrection, but you cannot deny the crucifixion as a historical event. Virtually all historians will concede and agree that Jesus really existed and we really crucified. To deny is to deny history. I have done numerous posts regarding the charge that Roman and Greek influences shaped what we know of Jesus....and the charge does not hold up.

Conclusion
The only records that have come down to us concerning Jesus are some sketchy biographical material, poorly researched and compiled, which can in no way be representative of the full and accurate Message of Jesus, the Son of Mary. The time of the final and incorruptible Message was not yet at hand. It would be left to the last prophet of God, Muhammad (peace be upon him), to clarify the truth from man’s additions and deletions.
Jesus taught the same eternal message that was taught by all the Messengers of God, from Adam, on through Noah, Abraham, Moses and ending with the mission of God’s last Guidepost to humanity, Muhammad (peace be on them all), whose coming was foretold by Jesus himself.
Every nation and every people, from the Aztecs to the Greeks, have received a Prophet or a Messenger from God. Jesus was the last of a series of Messengers sent to the Israelites, but they consistently strayed from the path of surrender to God. Each of the many Messengers spoke a different language and followed varied customs. Yet the core faith taught by each was the same: surrender your imperfect and fickle will to the perfect will of the Power that is greater than you. You will then find the peace and freedom that only the Creator of all things can provide. Then you must do what is right and good to your fellow creatures. This way of life is called Islam (surrender to God and find peace).

Christians believe that God has called all men and women to repentance.

"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 17:29-31

And Jesus is the sin offering for all of humanity. This is the good news - the Gospel.

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for[a] the sins of the whole world. - 1 John 2:2

For more on Mormonism and how it differs from Christianity, please check out my blog because it has links to other articles and posts  concerning Mormonism and here is a debate on how Christians and muslims understand who Jesus is - Jesus in the Bible and Qur'an.


Jesus Christ « A Muslim's Investigation Blog

Atheism is Dead: Dan Barker's Views On Human Dignity

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Mariano writes another inciteful piece about how an atheist, Dan Barker, pretends to care about human dignity, yet thinks abortion is okay and not an affront to human dignity. Take a look at Mariano's arguments. They are real good!

Atheism is Dead: Dan Barker's Views On Human Dignity

YouTube - Reagan - Tear Down This Wall

Image by The U.S. National Archives via Flickr

Here is one of the most famous Presidential statements by Ronald Regan. Political posturing to be sure, yet it still went over big...because the Berlin wall did fall soon afterward. And Regan gets some of credit...debatable but many folks read history that way anyway.




YouTube - Reagan - Tear Down This Wall

Atheism is Dead: The Myth of Warfare Between “Science,” “Religion” and “Miracles”

Mariano did posted a great article containing an interview with John Lennox on the science and religion. I would think that anyone interested in relationship of science and religion should listen to this. His is the only debates I can find where Richard Dawkins debated a man of science who is also a Christian theist.

Atheism is Dead: The Myth of Warfare Between “Science,” “Religion” and “Miracles”

YouTube - This is the best Scientology has?

Okay, this is not the way to do an apologetic. The questions being asked is not wrong and from what I understand it really is what Scientologists believe. It's a cult don't be deceived. How can you be offended by a question about what you believe? If that is not what your organization teaches, deny it and set the record straight. Don't get mad!




YouTube - This is the best Scientology has?

Physics, Nuclear Physics – Atom – “The Illusion of Reality”

I can't find parts 1 and 2, but I love this stuff! I love the facts of science, I just don't think think for a second that any of the evidence negates God. Genesis 1:1 matters and everything hinges on the fact presented in that verse.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

part 3


Physics, Nuclear Physics – Atom – “The Illusion of Reality” 3/3

He Lives: No schism here. Nothing to see. Please move along.

David Heddle writes a pretty good article showing that it's silly to argue that atheism has no schisms. I agree. By definition if they have disagreements on key concepts or methodology there are schism. I do disagree with Heddle when he said atheism is not a religion. A religion is a world view that someone bases his or her traditions, actions, treatment of themselves and others, and thoughts. If a person is an atheist of course all areas of their lives are affected and influenced by that set of beliefs.

He Lives: No schism here. Nothing to see. Please move along.

Glossary of Philosophical, Ethical, and Biblical Terms - Apologetics 315

Here is a link from Apologetics 315 that gives great definitions for philosophical, ethical, and Biblical terms. I like this series of posts. They are extremely helpful!

Glossary of Philosophical, Ethical, and Biblical Terms - Apologetics 315

Atheism is Dead: “Darwin Was Wrong” - Upcoming Webcasted Conference

I heard about a great conference about Darwinism from Mariano's blog. Follow the link back to his blog to learn more about the conference and to get the link for the webcast. It's a great idea for those of us who cannot physically be there.

Atheism is Dead: “Darwin Was Wrong” - Upcoming Webcasted Conference

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Kristallnacht’s Bible

Here is a great announcement I found from Dr. Claude Mariottini. A beautiful and priceless Hebrew Bible stolen by the Nazis has been found! Read about it on the good professor's blog!

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Kristallnacht’s Bible

Danielle Belton's The Black Snob - The Snob Blog - Who Doesn't Want to Be Related to Michelle Obama?

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I came across an interesting bit of news. It's been shown that there is a white woman who is 4th cousin to Michelle Obama. And this lady says she wants to meet Michelle and talk and recall old family stuff. I'm amazed by that. I have white cousins too. I doubt that they would really want us to show us tp show up on their doorstep. I could be wrong about that but don't forget the black family who said they can prove that they are descendant from Thomas Jefferson? The white descendants would not hear it or embrace the black. I think that is what would be majority reaction - shame and guilt.


Danielle Belton's The Black Snob - The Snob Blog - Who Doesn't Want to Be Related to Michelle Obama?

Dwindling In Unbelief: Collision: Are Douglas Wilson's beliefs good for the world? Part 1

I came across a blog article attempting to systemize the "cultic" beliefs pf Doug Wilson. I like Doug Wilson and I have been blessed to hear some of his lectures and debates and I am quite impressed. The writer of this particular article is not impressed or happy in the slightest regrading what Dr. Wilson stands for. I'd like to respond to this writer because I want to affirm that about a great many things Wilson is correct. This first post will address the firestorm that has followed Wilson concerning his public words concerning slavery. However I think I need to start with a general observation. The reason I like him so much is the reason why his critics hate him: He's sold out on the Bible. He says it is true and right even if he doesn't like what it says. The article provides a link to a transcript of a booklet that Wilson co-wrote about slavery called Southern Slavery, As It Was. Most of my remarks for this post will come from this link.

Many attack Christianity and the Bible that point out that the Bible condones slavery whenever they find a Christian standing against abortion or the homosexual agenda. This is a smoke screen. In this booklet, Wilson co-wrote:

This points to the need for Christians to learn the biblical way of avoiding “problem texts.” This is the way of a priori submission. Christians must recognize that they are under the authority of God, and they may not develop their ideas of what is “right” and “fair” apart from the Word of God. And when the Bible is our only standard of right and wrong, problem texts disappear. This entire issue of slavery is a wonderful issue upon which to practice. Our humanistic and democratic culture regards slavery in itself as a monstrous evil, and it acts as though this were self-evidently true. The Bible permits Christians to own slaves, provided they are treated well. You are a Christian. Whom do you believe?

I believe the Bible. And as much as it pains me, I have to concede the possibility that a man in the mid 19th century could have been a Godly, born-again, Bible-believing Christian, just as much as I am, and yet held slaves. Wilson is right. For me to admit that is difficult because it was my ancestors who were slaves not his. I have a very much personal stake in the question. I like this article because it points out that the kind of slavery practiced in America cannot be equated with the slavery in the Greco-Roman world or of Ancient Israel. I totally agree with this.

I must however disagree with the attempt in Southern Slavery, As It Was to basically say that Southern Slavery was not as bad as the secularized modern media has portrayed it. I'm not naive nor biased. I do not think that every white male who owned slaves in the south beat, mutilated, raped, and mistreated their slaves. However, though publication does not try to pretend that none of my forebearers suffered, it does suggest that most of the horrors were exceptions and not the rule. Evidence provided for their view was that there was few revolts and uprisings, and the Slave Narratives recorded during the depression contains relatively few horrors of being a slave. Wilson takes these as reasons to think that things weren't really that bad. I have a few very good reasons to disagree.

At least for the people I am directly descended from I can say because of the oral history that has been passed down to me, that their lives were not comfortable nor very happy. For the women who had children by their masters, I can't say whether or not they were raped...at best it was "sexual harassment" by today's standards. Sexual Relationships where one person has that much power over another, where one could not possibly had felt safe enough to say "no", could ever be ethical. One of my great-great-great grandmothers was kept chained because she would not submit to being mistreated. She wasn't the only one.

Also further consider that some of those former slaves who recounted their lives as slaves could surely have been afraid to to tell everything that happened to them because they didn't know if some people (remember the Klu Klux Klan) would take offense and kill them or loved ones. They knew the government would do nothing to protect them. I mean it hadn't, why would it start? In addition that was a generation that didn't always talk about the past. It was almost as if (at least in my family) they didn't talk about the unpleasantness of their lives they could move past it.

The contention, that the black family was stronger during slavery than today might be a valid point. But it was strong despite slavery not because of it. People then were way more willing to live up to their responsibilities even when they didn't always feel like it. I think it was because they were really trying to follow God with all they knew how and believed that God would save them from slavery just like my father's great grandmother, Mary Lucas. I have not really tried to find out how many families were broken because people were sold away from each other. It happened to my great-great-grandparent. Mary thanked God that was able to get her husband back. Me too. MY great grandmother was born soon after that. So, yes, I have a personal stake in that.

American Slavery was based on skin-color racism. The slavery of Ancient Israel was not. Under the Biblical rules for slavery there were commandments for treating slaves as people and joint-heirs in the gifts of God! I'm willing to bet that Mary did not get that kind of treatment.

One last point. Wilson contended that the majority of slaves were content being slaves and that was why there were few uprising. I disagree. He mentions slave mentality but does not really explore what that does when applied to a single segment to a society for generations. My ancestors were stripped of the languages, culture, denied the right to an education, emasculating and humiliating men and women, and told that they were inferior. In effect they were told that God loved them less. Not all people fell for it but is has had devastating results, reverberating to this day. The Bible never said it was right to treat slaves in this way. If you want a good idea from a contemporary source on how they kept slaves in check read the Autobiography of Frederick Douglas and Willie Lynch's Speech On His Methods For Controlling Slaves which says:

Gentlemen:

I greet you here on the bank of the James River in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twelve. First, I shall thank you The Gentlemen of the Colony of Virginia for bringing me here. I am here to help you solve some of your problems with slaves. Your invitation reached me on my modest plantation in the West Indies where I have experimented with some of the newest and still oldest methods for control of slaves. Ancient Rome would envy us if my program is implemented. As our boat sailed south on the James River, named for our illustrious King, whose version of the Bible we cherish, I saw enough to know that your problem is not unique. While Rome used cords of wood as crosses for standing human bodies along its old highways in great numbers, you are here using the tree and the rope on occasion.

I caught the whiff of a dead slave hanging from a tree a couple miles back. You are not only losing valuable stock by hanging, you are having uprisings, slaves are running away, your crops are sometimes left in the field too long for maximum profit, you suffer occasional fires, your animals are killed, gentlemen, you know what your problems are; I do not need to elaborate. I am not here to enumerate your problems, I am here to introduce you to a method of solving them.

In my bag here, I have a fool proof method for controlling Black Slaves. I guarantee everyone of you that if installed correctly, it will control the slaves for at least 300 years. My method is simple and members of your family and any Overseer can use it.

I have outlined a number of difference(s) among the slaves; and I take these differences and make them bigger. I use fear, distrust, and envy for control purposes. These methods have worked on my modest plantation in the West Indies and [they] will work throughout the South. Take this simple little list of differences, think about them. On top of my list is "Age" but it is there only because it begins with an "A." The second is "Color" or "Shade," there is intelligence, size, sex, size of plantation, status of plantation, attitude of owner, whether the slaves live in the valley , on a hill, East, West, North, or South, have a fine or coarse hair, or is tall or short. Now that you have a list of differences, I shall give you an outline of action but before that, I shall assure you that distrust is stronger than trust and envy is stronger than adulation, respect and admiration.

The Black Slave, after receiving this indoctrination, shall carry on and will become self-refueling and self-generation for hundreds of years, maybe thousands.

Don't forget you must pitch the old black versus the young black and the young black male against the old black male. You must use the dark skin slave vs. The light skin slave and the light skin slaves vs. The dark skin slaves. You must also have your white servants and overseers distrust all blacks, but it is necessary that your slaves trust and depend on us. They must love, respect and trust only us.

Gentlemen, these Kits are keys to control, use them. Have your wives and children use them, never miss an opportunity. My plan is guaranteed and the good thing about this plan is that if used intensely for one year the slaves themselves will remain perpetually distrustful.

Thank you gentlemen.

In conclusion, I agree that a person can be a Christian and a slave holder. However Christian lives his life with the intention of pleasing God. And I just don't see how the American system of slavery pleased God. He used it alright for his ultimate purposes that are still unfolding for us today, but I doubt He had joy over the sorrows and plights of so many. I agree with my Great-Great-Grandmother, Mary, who saw the Civil War as God sovereignly and decisively freeing our people from servitude and judging America - North and South for sins. I know she saw it that way (though she didn't quite say it that way) based on what knowleged of he has been passed through my family.

Dwindling In Unbelief: Collision: Are Douglas Wilson's beliefs good for the world?

Theism & Atheism: Points of Tension - Apologetics 315

From Apologetics 315, here is a great lecture by Ravi Zacharias in which he explains that Christian Theism is the best world view for answering how we should live and atheism begs the question.

Theism & Atheism: Points of Tension - Apologetics 315

YouTube - Bill Maher reads from The Purpose Driven Life

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Here is a YouTube video showing the comments of Bill Maher's on Rick Warren's best-selling book Purpose Driven Life. It shows that Maher has no idea what Warren wrote. He doesn't understand the Bible and in no way wants to worship our creator and glorify him. He has no idea what God's purpose for humanity is. He thinks he was being funny, but what I saw was a show. He denied the power of what he was reading and it seemed to me be very sad.



YouTube - Bill Maher reads from The Purpose Driven Life

THE APOLOGETIC FRONT: Dr. Terry Mortenson defends biblical creationism on public radio

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I appreciate Mike for placing this link on his blog a few days ago. I had a chance to listen to the discussion and I would really like to see Dr. Terry Mortenson to be given the opportunity to explain the evidence for a young earth. Instead there was a lot of ideas and thought batted around. I wanna see numbers people! Unfortunately, there are few scientists who accept evolution who are willing to engage in real meaningful debate with scientist who disagree. Each side should give their best evidence, best objections, and conclusions and see who still standing when the smoke clears. I wonder if I will ever live to see such a debate? I guess for now I will have to settle for the debate I found posted on the Apologetics 315 blog concerning an Old Earth Creationist debating a Young Earth Creationist. Here is the link to the post I did pointing to that.

THE APOLOGETIC FRONT: Dr. Terry Mortenson defends biblical creationism on public radio

In Defense of the Faith Apologetic Ministry » Blog Archive » Jesus and the Eyewitnesses

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Here is a great lecture on why Christians are confident of the eye-witness testimony of the life, death, burial, resurrection, and the acts of the Apostles! It's really cool!




In Defense of the Faith Apologetic Ministry » Blog Archive » Jesus and the Eyewitnesses

Debate: David Wood vs. Ali Ataie: "Who Was Muhammad?"

This is a great debate. Instead of looking at Jesus, this debate turns to look at the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The truth is I thought Wood was great. I did not like Ataie's arguments. Wood said the only answers that Islam could give to the objections he raised could be either:
1. Reject the sources or 2. re-interpret the material. Ataie ended up doing both. The most aggregious problem I
 had was that Ataie tried to say the Deuteronomy 18:18-19 was about Muhammad. HOW!!!!? Verses 18 -22 says:

 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.  If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account.  But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death."
 You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?"  If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.

I don't get it. Jews and Christians for centuries believed that God was telling Moses and us that this Prophet was Jewish! Muhammd was not a Jew. No way this could have been about him




YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Is there a Connection Between Jesus and Pythia , the priestess at the Oracle at Delphi?

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There is a thought being perpetrated that  Jesus is no different than the women who served as the Oracles of Delphi. The priestesses were called the Pythia.  Let's look at whether this connection makes any sense. Let's look at two characteristics for comparison: a. The origins of their prophetic abilities and b. The accuracy of their prophecies.

Origins.
Jesus was able to accurately foretell the future because He claimed to be God. In order to understand Jesus, you have to look at the context in which Jesus ministered. Traditionally, prophets in Judaism did not give vague prophecies that can be interpreted any number of ways that were non-verifiable. All the prophecies of the Old Testament can be either demonstrated as having been fulfilled or  are yet to be fulfilled.  According to Jewish tradition, if a prophet is ever shown to be wrong in what he/she said, that prophet was no longer believed. This is the context in which Jesus spoke.

As for the Pythia, it was said that they got their power from the Olympian gods. The thing is it has been shown that the Temple of Delphi sits on three tectonic faultlines and gases such as  ethylene escape up out of the earth. In an enclosed space, exposed for a significant amount of time, ethylene can cause hallucinations and altered states of consciousness.


Accuracy.
Let us use the measuring stick of  Judaism for evaluating prophetic infallibility. If a prophet or prophetess is wrong, even once, then he/she is not from God. While Jesus was one person and many women over a thousand years were the Pythia, it's fair to apply because all of the Pythia claimed to have the same source.

Concerning Jesus, I want to focus on 4 of the prophecies Jesus gave. Repeatedly in all 4 Gospels, Jesus predicted His arrest, torture, and death. Most historians agree that Jesus was right! Jesus predicted the destruction of the Jewish temple. Matthew 24:1,2 says:

Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.".

We know Jesus was right because the Romans destroyed the temple and Jerusalem in 70 AD.Jesus was right again! I want to point out that we can't say that because the account was written after 70 AD, the write just added it and Jesus never said it. The same account is told in Mark 13, which almost everyone dates to before the 70's AD! The third prophecy of Jesus, I'd like to point out is found in Matthew 24:32-35:

 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

Many people want to say that Jesus was wrong because not all of the events in verses  4-31 took place during the disciple's generation. However the word translated "generation" could have been rendered "race" as in "human race". Therefore Jesus was not saying that all the signs would be taking place necessarily in the lifetime of those who were hearing him, but before the human race ends.This particular interpretation is not as strong as looking at what thing was Jesus referring to that the generation he spoke to  that would happen in their life time.There isn't any cause to view "these things" as Jesus' second coming. Jesus was referring to the destruction of the temple in particular. And again, that did happen.

The fourth prophecy I'd like to bring up is that Jesus predicted his resurrection three days after his death.Even if you don't believe that, you have to admit that the first Christians believed that. And I know it's true because I have personally experienced the resurrected Christ personally by His changing me.

As for the Pythia, all I  need to do is show how one prophecy is wrong. Many times the Delphic Oracles were open to multiple interpretations. The inquirer would pick the one they liked and if it did not go the way they had interpreted, the inquirer would assume the gods meant one of the other interpretations. Here is an example:

One famous visitor was King Croesus. He was a king in the fifth century BC. He ruled ancient Lydia, now western Turkey. He went to the oracle at Delphi.
“Now, tell me: should I march against the King of Persia? He has a large army.”
“Yes, King Croesus, you should march. Cross the River Halys. After that you will destroy a large kingdom."
King Croesus did march to war with the King of Persia. But King Croesus lost. A kingdom was destroyed. But it was King Croesus’s kingdom

 Clearly Croesus had the wrong understanding or the gods did not understand what he asked. Either way, Jesus' track record is way better. Jesus is unique. 


Sources
Encyclopedia Mythica - Pythia
Wikipedia - Pythia
How were the oracle of Delphi's prophecies always true?
Delphi - Oracle
Famous oracular statements from Delphi

Clash of the Gods Video Gallery

Clash of the Gods is a documentary series that explores the historicity of famous mythology and how they impact society and culture. Great idea. The production is great. The myths are retold and illustrated. And then the question is asked "what is the reality?" Then current theories are presented, I like the series. Also behind the series is the idea that all mythologies/religions are related and parallels are drawn. Most often it seems like the makers of the series intend to make Christianity as being no more true than any of the myths presents and even goes as far as saying many ideas of Christianity are borrowed from pagan mythology! This is being dishonest and is just tacked on without debate or discussion. I've been doing a series of posts debunking such ideas so at least they are giving me fodder on which to base new posts!  So far they have done the following Myths.

Perseus
Zeus
Hades
Hercules
Odessyus
Medusa
Thor
Minitaur


Clash of the Gods Video Gallery