YouTube - President Obama bows to Emperor Akihito

Image by jmtimages via Flickr

Here is a slow-motion video from a couple of weeks ago. The President got a lot of flack for bowing before the Japanese emperor. I don't get the controversy.

1. Obama was not on his knees.
2. What else are you supposed do when you greet the Japanese emperor. I bet every single President or Head of State who has met the emperor of Japan bowed the same way.





YouTube - President Obama bows to Emperor Akihito

Vatican Cardinal on Gays and Transsexuals: 'No Heaven for You!' -- Politics Daily

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 I found a great article on an interview of Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, a Mexican cardinal, who is catching some flack. Why? Because he believes the Bible and is not afraid to agree and quote it in public. For shame.
Cardinal Barragan is said to have said about abortion:

In the interview with the aptly named magazine Pontifex, Barragan begins by talking about abortion, saying that even the morning-after pill, as an abortifacient, is comparable to "an assassination." Each abortion, he says, "is a crime" and as such "merits punishment."

Grant it a lot of people don't like this. I agree with the Cardinal because he agrees with the Bible. But this is not the only "controversial" thing he said. According to the article's writer, the Cardinal really stepped in it when he was asked about what he thought of homosexuality and the transgendered.What was so bad? He said Paul was right!

The interviewer then asks the cardinal how he views homosexuality and transgendered people. Here's my translation of his answers:

A: "Transsexuals and homosexuals will not enter into the Kingdom of God, and I do not say this, but Saint Paul does."

Q: But if a person is born homosexual?

A: "One is not born a homosexual. One becomes a homosexual. It is for various reasons, such as education, or for not developing one's own proper identity in adolescence; perhaps they are themselves not responsible, but acting against the dignity of the human body, certainly they will not enter Heaven. All that goes against nature and against the dignity of the human body offends God."

The cardinal adds:

"Homosexuality is therefore a sin, but this does not justify any form of discrimination. God alone has the right to judge...We on earth cannot condemn, and as human beings we all have the same rights."

If the translation is right, I agree with the Cardinal. What is missing from this discussion is the fact that homosexuality is no worse a sin than any others. The things is stealing, lying, adultery, and every other sin that comes to mind is just as bad as homosexuality and are inborn in us. Without Jesus we all go to hell. Bottom line. A homosexual is no worse a sinner than a liar or a thief. God does not love homosexuals less than any other sinner.

Unfortunately, the Vatican is not supporting the Bible the way this cardinal is:

Catholic leaders in Rome, and a few in the United States, have been wary of accepting scientific research showing that homosexuality could be biologically determined to a great degree. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says only that its "psychological genesis remains largely unexplained" and says homosexuality is "objectively disordered" and can never be approved. It calls on homosexuals to live chaste lives.

In a sign that the Vatican prefers to take a more nuanced approach to homosexuality, a papal spokesman told Reuters that Pontifex should not be considered an authority on Catholic thinking "on complex and delicate issues such as homosexuality."

I think the Vatican is dodging. We know what explains homosexuality. The same as all sins: our depraved sinful natures that we are all born with! Sins that we can only be delivered from by Jesus. Instead of upholding what the  Bible says, they try to be palatable to the society.

Vatican Cardinal on Gays and Transsexuals: 'No Heaven for You!' -- Politics Daily

Atheism is Dead: Is Dan Barker Self Loathing?, part 1 of 2

Mariano has written another thoughtful article about Dan Barker. One thing that I would like to point out is that Barker praises Unitarian Universalists because of their openness and non-exclusivity. Mariano, points out that they don't stand for fundamental anything and allows just about any interpretation of the Bible as long as it does not conflict with them. Mariano gave the example of how asserting Jesus' uniqueness and necessity for salvation is not tolerated among them. No wonder Barker is comfortable in their circels.

Atheism is Dead: Is Dan Barker Self Loathing?, part 1 of 2

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Who is the Mediator / Intercessor / Advocate

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Here is Mariano's next part on his series on the Trinity. This time he considers which person of the Trinity is our Mediator, Intercessor and Advocate? This one is a little more complicated because Father, Son, and Holy Spirit fulfill different roles. Check out his answer!

Jesus is our mediator and our advocate
Holy Spirit is our intercessor

Thanks, Mariano!

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Who is the Mediator / Intercessor / Advocate

Third Eye of Oculus: Sun Tzu's Tactics used in the Vietnam War

Here is a great documentary explaining how the ideas of Sun Tzu have been used and ignored throughout history. I like this one!











Third Eye of Oculus: Sun Tzu's Tactics used in the Vietnam War

Truthbomb Apologetics: The Goliath of Neo-Darwinism vs. The David of Intelligent Design

On his blog, Truthbomb Apologetics, Chad has summarized some great resources in the latest news on the ongoing debate between those who reject the existence of God and those who favor the idea that God created the universe. I like the term that Chad used: Neo-Darwinism. It's in use today but not all over. It'snot the same as the theories published by Charles Darwin, and has a way more atheistic bent and agenda. As for Intelligent design not all of its proponents believe that the intelligent designer is God - crazy as that is. I mean Richard Dawkins and others would either deny the blatant designed reality all around us or postulate extraterrestrial advanced civilizations seeding life on earth rather than fall down and worship God. Sad really. Here are two debates and comments of people from both sides. Take a look at the link. It's definitely a Goliath-size opponent we are facing, but just like God gave David Goliath's behind on a silver-platter, He will also show Neo-Darwinism for the farce that it truly is.

Truthbomb Apologetics: The Goliath of Neo-Darwinism vs. The David of Intelligent Design

Apologetics 315: Refuting Bart Ehrman's Skepticism MP3 Audio by Phil Fernandes

Brian has posted a great lecture on the work of Bart Ehrman. The lecture is by Phil Fernandez. He posted links to the video and to the mp3. For anyone who is interested in textual criticism and whether or not we can trust the Bible needs to listen to this.


Dr . Phil Fernandes - "Refuting the New Skepticism" from Gabe Ginorio on Vimeo.



Apologetics 315: Refuting Bart Ehrman's Skepticism MP3 Audio by Phil Fernandes

Sumerian Origin of Humans?

Image by rosemaniov via Flickr

Here is a documentary exploring how the ancient Sumerians looked at the origins of humanity. It presents the most bombastic, most radical fringe viewpoints and interpretation of the Bible and History that I'm not even sure if it gets the information about the Sumerians/Babylonians. Take a look at it with the goal of hearing another viewpoint. There is precious little that they can prove.







Sumerian Origin of Humans?

Actual Great Moments in De-Evolution: Twittering/Facebooking During Wedding

I enjoy Twitter and Facebook as much as the next guy, but does one really need to interrupt his wedding to update his social network profile statuses! This guy did. And the woman still married him!

These days, a crazy stunt or theme at a wedding is par for the course. Maybe it's the potential to create a viral video sensation (as well as lasting memories), or maybe people are just plain weird. But hey, if it's true love, who are we to judge?

Take this couple in the video posted after the break, which we found on Mashable. The groom, Dana Hanna, is dressed in his crisp, black tuxedo. The bride, whose name we don't know, is glowing in her white dress. Looks like a normal wedding ceremony, right? Well, it was, until Hanna pulled out his phone and changed his relationship status on Facebook to 'married' right there at the altar. Quick on her feet, the bride follows suit, and the crowd gets a good laugh out of it. But it's the preacher who delivers the punchline. "If it's official on Facebook, it's official in my book," he says.

While this stunt went over well this time, we wouldn't recommend everybody try it. It takes a special person to find this funny and play along, too. Hanna is a lucky man to have her.

My wife, Mitsouky, would have killed me!!!!!






Blogger: Favorite Media - Manage Posts
Actual Great Moments in De-Evolution: Twittering/Facebooking During Wedding

Remote Controlled Fighting Gundams Herald The Apocalypse And That's Okay

Just when I thought that Japan wasn't really that much farther ahead of us in robotics, I come across a video showing this! Two Gundam models slugging it out under remote control. I want one. It'd be only a matter of time that this could be applied to real life-sized robots. America, we need to catch up!





Remote Controlled Fighting Gundams Herald The Apocalypse And That's Okay

Dwindling In Unbelief: Collision: Are Douglas Wilson's beliefs good for the world? Part 3

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I came across a blog article attempting to systemize the "cultic" beliefs of 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 third post deals with Doug Wilson's stance on: a few different topics. My comments will be in read, the writer of the original article's words will be black.

On Crime and Punishment
The magistrate is God's minister of wrath against those who do evil. There would be only three punishments: death, lashing, and restitution. There would be no jails, prisons, or hospitals for the mentally ill.

Responsibility for the civil order is placed in the hands of magistrates, who act as God's ministers of wrath against those who do evil (Rom. 13:1-7). God's law sets forth three basic punishments for crime: death, lashing (essentially, a government-sponsored spanking), and restitution. There is a conspicuous absence of county jails, state penitentiaries, reform schools, and hospitals for the criminally insane. The goal of the sentence is to execute God's wrath. . . .

The article's writer is making it sound like Wilson and the Bible are calling for the death penalty of mentally ill people who don't know what they are doing. Wilson said "criminally insane". Then it just becomes an equal justice for everyone. If you disaobey the laws...this is penalty. What is wrong with that? Notto mentuion the amount of money it woiuld save the government not supporting criminals in prison who commit capital offense - if they are truly guilty.

On Elected Officials
We are all currently ruled by God-hating tyrants. Only male Christians (belonging to Doug Wilson's church) should be allowed to hold public office.

If we have God-hating tyrants ruling over us (and we do), then we must recognize that they rule by our invitation. First, our rulers are to be able men. ... The responsibility of civil, ecclesiastical and family leadership is given to men. … [I]t is an embarrassment and a reproach to the men to have women ruling a nation (Is. 3:12).
The men we choose are to fear God. The unregenerate do not fear God by definition (Rom. 3:18).
We are to choose men of truth. … A man who honestly believes erroneous doctrine may be sincere, but he is also deceived.
From this list of qualifications, it is apparent that, biblically, it is only professing Christians who are qualified to hold public office. (5)

Wilson is correct. That is what the bible is saying. IO don't think he is saying that only members of his own local church should lead the county, but Christians who are going to follow god no matter what should lead and I agree. The fear I sense here is that women will not have positions of leadership at all. This isn't true. We have proof that there were woman leaders in the first century churches.

On Disobedient Children You can't just kill your son for being disobedient. You have to bring a son that is "worthy of death" before the elders of the church (Doug Wilson's church) and have them kill him for for you.

[A] father may (and must) discipline his son, but he may not exercise capital punishment against him on his own authority. Instead, he must bring a son worthy of death to the elders of the city, who are charged with applying the civil penalty (Prov. 13:24; Deut. 21:18-21). (6)

Is this writer actually suggesting  that Wilson thinks that his church should execute children? Let's be honest. Wilson is only saying the Bible is correct. And let us also face facts if parents discipilined their children few if any would get to that point to need to be executed - meaning that they have become a danger to society.

Wilson is right

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

Atheism is Dead: The God Delusion is an Amusing Book

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Mariano has written a great thoughtful post about Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion.

Atheism is Dead: The God Delusion is an Amusing Book

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Archaeological Evidence for David and Solomon

Dr Claude Mariottini wrote a great a post about an article about the archaeological evidence of kings David's and Solomon's existences. The Tel Dan Stele (pictured on the left)  is actual evidence that David existed.

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Archaeological Evidence for David and Solomon

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: Will the Third Temple Be Built Next Year?

Dr.Mariottini has posted a news item from Israel Today. I never heard of this before. The story is:

According to a centuries-old rabbinical prophecy that appears to be coming true, on March 16, 2010, Israel will begin construction of the Third Temple in Jerusalem.
During the 18th century, the Vilna Gaon, a respected rabbinical authority, prophesied that the Hurva Synagoge in Jerusalem, which was built during his day, would be destroyed and rebuilt twice, and that when the Hurva was completed for the third time, construction on the Third Temple would begin.
The Hurva Synagogue was first destroyed shortly after its initial construction when Muslims demanding the return of loans tore it down. The synagogue was rebuilt a hundred years later and became the most important Jewish house of worship in the Holy Land, only be blown to pieces by Jordanian troops during Israel's 1948 War of Independence.
In 2001, Israel finally decided to rebuild the landmark, which today stands in the center of the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City. The building is scheduled to be completed and the Hurva Synagogue dedicated for the third time on March 15 of next year.

I'm not so willing to dismiss the story out of hand. I mean I still think god talks to us through prophets. A true prophet is 100% right all the time when they art talking for God. Vilna Gaon was right about the Hurva Synagoge and I doubt that it is coincidental. Well looks like we'll see next year if construction begins on the 3rd Temple.I have heard that materials for the temple have already been gathered.

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: Will the Third Temple Be Built Next Year?

Kant's 'Critique of Aesthetic Judgment' Explained by Superhero Comics in 5 Minutes

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I found out about a lecture where the speaker used comic book characters to explain the work of philosopher Immanuel Kant.

"Reading Comics" author and ComicsAlliance contributor Douglas Wolk recently got on stage at the Ignite Portland 7 conference (where speakers get 5 minutes and 20 slides to to say whatever they want) and explained the "Critique of Aesthetic Judgment" by Immanuel Kant -- using superhero comics.

Anyone who has ever tried to wade through the nigh-impenetrable writing of Kant -- whom Wolk calls "one of the worst writers of all time" -- will appreciate this lucid and funny breakdown of the basic principles using Starro, "All-Star Superman," and adamantium claws.

Kant's 'Critique of Aesthetic Judgment' Explained by Superhero Comics in 5 Minutes

Apologetics 315: Terminology Tuesday: Middle Knowledge

On Apologetic 315's weekly series on Apologetics terminology this week is "Middle knowledge". I've posted a lot on the subject and I have come to the conclusion that it is a crock. It's really a trick so that you can have God's sovereignty and human free will reconciled. I don't think it works at all.

Apologetics 315: Terminology Tuesday: Middle Knowledge

Religion of Comic Book Characters (esp. Super-Heroes)

One of the things I like most about science fiction and superheroes is that they allow us to explore what it means to be human! Comic books, like all great literature and art, cover all the range of human experiences and expression. This includes religion and spirituality. No one can deny that your religion informs your world view. Your world view control how you think and what you do. It's no different for Superman or Spiderman; Wolverine or Batman. Check out the site to see some well-thought out analysis for the religious affiliations of some well known fictional characters. This is a real cool website! They writers of the site gives good reason for coming up with the religious affiliations they are prescribing to the characters. I may do more posts based on some of my favorite characters.

Religion of Comic Book Characters (esp. Super-Heroes)

Apologetics 315: How Do We Know Christianity Is Right? MP3 Audio by J.P. Moreland

Here is a great resource form Apologetics 315. It's a lecture by philosopher J.P. Moreland in which he explains why he know Christianity is true. I like this and agree with his points. They are some of the same points that convinces and convicts me.

Apologetics 315: How Do We Know Christianity Is Right? MP3 Audio by J.P. Moreland

Atheism is Dead: The Most Anti-Religion Book Ever Published

This is a great  post! Mariano describes the most anti-religious book ever  published! I don't want to give it away. Here is a hint:

This “book” is actually a volume which consists of the thoughts of one conceiver and was penned by 40 authors. Thus, the volume actually consists of 66 books.

Atheism is Dead: The Most Anti-Religion Book Ever Published

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Who is the Creator, the Life Giver?

Here is Mariano's latest  essay on the Trinity. This time he analyzes what the Bible says about  who the creator is. The Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit are all credited with creation and giving life. You can look at his essay and get a list of scriptures showing this.

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Who is the Creator, the Life Giver?

Atheism is Dead: Dawkins’ Debate Delusion

Mariano has a great a post analyzing Richard Dawkins' debates and lack of debates, including quotes about what Dawkins has said about why he does and does not debate.


Atheism is Dead: Dawkins’ Debate Delusion

Truthbomb Apologetics: A Quotable Quote from C.S. Lewis

Chad has posted a great quote from C.S. Lewis.

C.S. Lewis on the importance believing something because it's true:

"Christianity is not a patent medicine. Christianity claims to give an account of facts- to tell you what the real universe is like. Its account of the universe may be true, or it may not, and once the question is really before you, then your natural inquisitiveness must make you want to know the answer. If Christianity is untrue, then no honest man will want to believe it, however, helpful it might be: if it is true, every honest man will want to believe it, even if it gives him no help at all." [1]

I totally agree with Lewis. I love his point. The only response I can have is to believe the Gospel.

Truthbomb Apologetics: A Quotable Quote from C.S. Lewis

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: Defending the Bible: The King James Version

This is an awesome post. I like everything about it. It defends modern translations without denying the importance of the King James Translation. I would suggest that anyone who is interested in this should read The King James Only Controversy by Dr. James White.

In this post Dr. Mariottini is writing a response to an article by Paul Greenberg who give two passages to support an argument that the KJV is a better translation than more modern translations. Mariottini does a great job of explaining why the modern translations render the passages the way they do.

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: Defending the Bible: The King James Version

Iron Sharpens Iron: Ken Silva: The Gurus of the Emergent Church: A Response to the Mysticism & Universalism of Shane Hipps & Rob Bell

This was an exciting episode of Iron Sharpens Iron. Chris interviewed Ken Silva on the emergent church movement and why it's not Biblical. I agree. When the church is saying the same things as the world is saying, we have problems. Jesus is central and as the older Christians say its "Holiness or Hell".

Iron Sharpens Iron: Ken Silva: The Gurus of the Emergent Church: A Response to the Mysticism & Universalism of Shane Hipps & Rob Bell

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Who is the First and the Last?

Here is Mariano's next essay on the Trinity. Here he evaluates what the Bible says about who is "first and last". The Bible clearly says the Father and the Son are "the First and the Last." Mariano lists the scriptures to prove it!

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Who is the First and the Last?

THE APOLOGETIC FRONT: How Willingly Do People Go to Hell?

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Mike Felker has posted a link to an essay by John Piper about how willing people are about going to hell. Piper wrote:

The reason the Bible speaks of people being “thrown” into hell is that no one will willingly go there, once they see what it really is. No one standing on the shore of the lake of fire jumps in. They do not choose it, and they will not want it. They have chosen sin. They have wanted sin. They do not want the punishment. When they come to the shore of this fiery lake, they must be thrown in.

I agree with Piper.We cannot mitigate hell by assuming that people who reject God really understand how horrible hell really is. I have a question. Would people in hell repent of their sins if given a chance? I doubt it. I'm sure that they would leave hell given a chance, but are they willing to submit to God and worship him? Most likely not. That is why the are in hell.

THE APOLOGETIC FRONT: How Willingly Do People Go to Hell?