Friday, June 11, 2010

William Lane Craig and Peter Atkins – the Deer in Headlights | True Freethinker

I've seen this clip before but I'm glad to see it on Mariano's blog and the accompanying article. Very insightful. I'm amazed at Peter Atkin's ineptness. And atheist's arguments don't get better than his.




William Lane Craig and Peter Atkins – the Deer in Headlights | True Freethinker
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Hank Hanegraaff - The Book of Mormon: Not Another Testament

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus...Image via Wikipedia
Hank Hanegraaff posted a great summary of why classic Mormonism can't be considered a Christian denomination. The information he points out I have heard and read in other sources. I've also seen primary sources such as the Book of Mormon saying the same thing he says it says. I think Hanegraaff's post is important because some people rationalize their rejection of Christ by thinking that the Bible and Christianity are confused messes with no discernible clear message. It's a placebo people use so that they don't have deal with what Jesus said. If there is no way to know what Gospel really is because there are no core and consistent beliefs of Christianity that the first Christians adhered to. This is a lie. There are clear differences that make a Christian a Christian and not something else. If that is not true then words have no meaning. Hank does a great job summarizing why Mormonism does not have those differences.

Hank Hanegraaff - The Book of Mormon: Not Another Testament
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The Real Terrorism by Zionists - Doctrine of Judaism and Zionism

There is much misinformation in this video, but I find it interesting because you can find this attitude in almost every single religion towards others outside of it. What make this video suspect to me is the assertion that Judaism is founded on the Talmud. The Talmud is from Medieval Times. Judaism is far older than that. The Talmud is a commentary on Hebrew scriptures and traditions. Judaism has always looked down on non-Jews for generations. It's even discussed in the New Testament - 2000 years ago. This does not mean there is a conspiracy that all Jews are involved in at all. Makes me wonder if people think anymore.




The Real Terrorism by Zionists - Doctrine of Judaism and Zionism
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Thursday, June 10, 2010

The Unchanging God

TurretinFan has written a great article about God's character that we call immutability. He points out the scriptures that point out this important point! God neither lacks anything and does not need anything.

The Unchanging God
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Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Does Allah Allow Muslim Men to Beat their Wives in Islam's Qur'an? | True Freethinker

Mariano, has posted a great article on his blog regarding the charge that the Qur'an tells Muslim men that it is permissible to use physical force to make their wives submit to their authority. I think He did well in respecting the Qur'an and presenting his case. I think it's worth checking out.


Does Allah Allow Muslim Men to Beat their Wives in Islam's Qur'an? | True Freethinker
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THE APOLOGETIC FRONT: "What should we preach about Creation?" by John Piper

Mike Felker made a great post on his blog analyzing John Piper's remarks about Genesis. I thoroughly enjoyed the post. It is extremely well-written. Wonderful. Mike and I disagree on eschatology and using the genealogies to find the age of the earth, but even given that he makes so many great incontravertible points.

Here is where the wheels start to fall off the truck. "The evidence says X, but I'm going to just believe Y." I am very unsympathetic to such a view. As those who claim to believe the truth, as Christians, we should never advocate or support any position that holds to "faith" in opposition to the evidence. That is not what biblical faith is:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
(Hebrews 11:1)

Is biblical faith blind? Of course not. Biblical faith can only work in compliance with "assurance." And what is our assurance based on? The past. For instance, everyone wakes up in the morning and gets out of the bed with the assurance that we will not float to the ceiling. Instead, we expect that our feet will hit the floor based on the norm of past experience. Thus, we have a sense of assurance based on our past experience.
 Mike made such an awesome post and well worth reading.

THE APOLOGETIC FRONT: "What should we preach about Creation?" by John Piper
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Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: Disturbing Divine Behavior

Today, Dr. Mariottini announce a series of blog posts in which he will examine the arguments of Eric A. Seibert who in his latest book tries to argue that the God depicted in the New Testament is different than the God of the New Testament. I'll be glad to read his series because people like Seibert need to be answered. I think you are right he is ignoring that judgment and wrath are just as much a part of God's character as grace and mercy. To assume less is to make God even less than we are but we know He is more, much more. Further declaring God's actions as evil or immoral is stupid. It's fallicious charge many people are making these days. Such an attitude has such a wrong worldview that it boggles my mind. Who are we to try to make God accountable to us? Not me. That plane will not fly.

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: Disturbing Divine Behavior
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Hermeneutics Resources | True Freethinker

Mariano has posted a great article in which he defines "hermeneutics". Pure genius! This is worth reading especially if you don't know what hermeneutics means.

Hermeneutics Resources | True Freethinker
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Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: Abraham’s Children and the Genome Project

Dr. Marriottini has posted an interesting article on some new research showing that Jews have a common ancestry and it can be traced using current genetic technology. I'm of course not surprised because of what the Bible says. Dr. Mariottini asked a very good question in his post: Why don't people just believe the Bible. I think it is because it's fear. If The Buible is right about that, then it could be right about the fact that we are all sinners deserving hell and the only way to get out of that is through Jesus Christ. It is most easier to believe a lie.


Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: Abraham’s Children and the Genome Project
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Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Hank Hanegraaff - Seeing Old Testament the Shadows of Temples, Sacrifices, and Diets Fulfilled in the Light of Christ

It is interesting that the same day both Dr. Hank Hanegraaff and Dr James White would both discuss Jesus' atonement for our sins and what it means. Hanegraaff's blog post was also interesting. Here is a snippet:

Over the last couple of days, so many people have been calling in and vociferously communicating that we need to continue adhering to the civil and ceremonial laws we find in the Old Testament. I’m surprised at how popular that sentiment is in modern evangelical Christianity.

I was in fact discussing with one man just the other day Jesus Christ’s words, “Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from the outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Mark 7:18-19a). Jesus Christ in saying this meant it is not shellfish that makes you unclean; rather, it is those things that proceed from the heart. Mark, of course, parenthetically adds in saying this, Jesus “declared all foods clean” (Mark 7:9b). Well, the man’s response was that’s a parenthetical remark and therefore it holds no weight whatsoever. But that is a most egregious error. We should never revert back to Old Testament types and shadows, which have been gloriously fulfilled in Jesus Christ.



I like Hanegraaff's comments. I'm not sure about the part about the rebuilt temple because that gets into eschatology and I know I don't agree with him on that. However he is right regardless of if the temple is ever rebuilt, Jesus' sacrifice is what matters. I don't think most Christians who think the temple needs to be rebuilt and sacrifices re-instituted are saying that it will be done for Christians so I'm not sure that matters. I also agree that no further sacrifices need to be made for sin because Jesus paid for it all.

Hank Hanegraaff - Seeing Old Testament the Shadows of Temples, Sacrifices, and Diets Fulfilled in the Light of Christ

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Ten Minutes to Cover the Testimony to the Atonement in Hebrews

I think the key to understanding particular redemption (aka limited atonement) is to look at how Jesus' substitutionary atonement works looking through the lens of the Old Testament sacrifices on Yom Kippur. The Book of Hebrews does a great job of explaining the correlation. Jesus not only acted as high priest on behalf of those who are saved but He is also the lamb sacrificed. James White did an awesome job on the Dividing Line expounding on this point. It's mind-blowing how God set up the sacrificial system to point to what Jesus ultimately did for us and completely fulfilled the requirements for us in himself. I really enjoy hearing Dr. White explaining this very important point.




Ten Minutes to Cover the Testimony to the Atonement in Hebrews
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Iron Sharpens Iron: Dr. David Murray: Old Covenant Salvation: By Grace Alone Through Faith Alone?

Iron Shapens Iron  had a very interesting interview with Dr. David Murray who discussed in what ways were the Old Testament saints saved. Were they saved by grace alone through faith alone? Yes. He explains it well.

Iron Sharpens Iron: Dr. David Murray: Old Covenant Salvation: By Grace Alone Through Faith Alone?
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Monday, June 7, 2010

Apologetics 315: Michael Licona vs. Richard Carrier Debate: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? MP3 Audio

Brian Auten has posted another debate between Michael Licona vs Richard Carrier. The Debate took place Feb 11, 2010. I like this debate. It's a great discussion. I think Licona is right that the Resurrection answers all of the fact that we have. While Carrier makes a lot of assumptions he cannot possibly prove.

Apologetics 315: Michael Licona vs. Richard Carrier Debate: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? MP3 Audio
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Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Graduating Class of 2010

Dr. Mariottini  has written a great post about those graduating from seminary into the mission field. I enjoyed reading his comments. He inspires  me to look at going to seminary myself.

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Graduating Class of 2010
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Aquaman Becomes the Latest Casualty of the BP Oil Spill - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

 I'm sure by now most people have heard of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Today I saw a illustration commenting on it. Irony is that Aquaman was dead and just brought  back. I'm not sure about the ethics of selling a T-Shirt with this image, but I think it could be a great tool to raise money to fi the debacle being mocked. I think it says something that as near as this article suggests no proceeds will be donated to clean up the spill. I've got to admit the image is eye-catching.

Aquaman Becomes the Latest Casualty of the BP Oil Spill - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews
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Apologetics 315: Apologist Interview: James White

Brian Auten continues to posts great interviews with the best minds in Christian Apologetics today. The latest is an interview with Dr. James R. White. I've been following this guy's work for for a few years now and find him extremely consistent and valuable. You can really tell he has been doing this for a while and on top of that he is obviously not doing it for money because he takes stands and defends the very doctrines that means he is never going to become rich or well-accepted by a vast number of people. Why? Because I often find that he "unfortunately" tells the truth about things that most do not want to hear or see. No real surprise. the Bible does not warn us about pain, suffering, and persecution when we stand for God. The Bible promises us pain, suffering, and persecution when we stand for God's truth. Dr. White gives much great advice in this interview and offers insights intho his methodologies and why he does the things he does. What I really liked was how he talked about how he could see God working soveriegnly in his life. I highly recommend this interview to everyone.

Apologetics 315: Apologist Interview: James White
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Iron Sharpens Iron: Andrew Mayfield: Marian Apparitions

Anderw Mayfield was recently interviewed on Iron Sharpens Iron. It was great. He talked about the Marian apparitions that so many people are hanging their hopes on. He points out that the things that are being spoken through these apparitions directly contradict the Bible. This is a great interview and worth listening to.

Iron Sharpens Iron: Andrew Mayfield: Marian Apparitions
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Sunday, June 6, 2010

Iron Sharpens Iron: Stephanie O. Hubach: Those with Disabilities Help to Make Us Whole

There was an awesome interview on Iron Sharpens Iron in which author Stephanie O. Hubach wrote called Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched By Disability (see http://www.prpbooks.com/inventory.html?target=indiv_title&id=1011). She explains how we can interact with families who have special-needs children from a Biblical perspectives. She should know. She has a child with autism. This is a great interview. Many people who haven't lived through that ask "How can a good God allow children to be born handicapped or sick? They ask what do you tell a person or family who are facing such suffering and problems? This interview begins to answer such questions.

Iron Sharpens Iron: Stephanie O. Hubach: Those with Disabilities Help to Make Us Whole
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Saturday, June 5, 2010

Apple Compliments Christianity: Pulls “iSlam Muhammad” App, Keeps “Bible Thumper” App | True Freethinker

Here is a geat post from Mariano regarding how it's okay to mock and belittle Christians and Christianity yet Islam gets all kinds of tolerance. Not that Islam doesn't deserve tolerance. The question is why does Christianity merit less? Read the post to see Mariano's suggetion for the reason. I think he is right. And this Bible Thumper app is not going to help an atheist in any kind of way.




Apple Compliments Christianity: Pulls “iSlam Muhammad” App, Keeps “Bible Thumper” App | True Freethinker
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Why Pulpits Need to be Well Constructed

Okay....I don't think this guy even knows what Calvinists believe or teach. Sounds like he is trying to preach against hyper-Calvinism. I've got to admit I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. I mean I wonder if he is serious that the Bible does not teach that God is sovereign  because "sovereign" is not in the KJV.  I'm wondering what would he explain that Daniel 4:35

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Sounds like God is sovereign in all things to me.





Why Pulpits Need to be Well Constructed

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Friday, June 4, 2010

Debunking Christianity: On Being Ignorant of One's Ignorance and Unaware of Being Unskilled

I've been commenting on John W. Loftus' Debunking Christianity blog. It's been getting nasty of late. People were just being extremely not nice. It didn't matter what I said or how I answered people would almost ignore my answer and then offer things that just seemed baffling. I was one one thread for a month, How Can We Decide Who Is Wrong?, and yesterday John Loftus cut the the thread saying that it had degenerated to Name calling. The funny thing is then he called me an "idiot" by name. Real pathetic. He hadn't been participating in the discussion and I'm not even sure if he was following the discussion, considering that I was talking to about what I think was 5 people who all seemed to want me to give up and agree with the. Today Loftus posted the following:
As a former Christian, especially when I first converted, I thought I knew the answers to the riddle of existence. The answers were all in the Bible. And I thought I could also understand the Bible well enough to know, especially before I had any advanced learning. Initially I was a Bible Thumper. My motto was: God said it. I believe it. That settles it. Looking back on those initial years I could see clearly that I was not able to think through the issues of the Bible, especially hermeneutics, until after gaining a master's degree. I would have told you upon receiving my master's degree that I was ignorant before then. But I kept on learning and studying. Age has a way of teaching us as well. It seems as though as every decade passes I would say I was more ignorant in the previous one. As every decade passes I see more and more wisdom in Socrates who claimed he was wise because he didn't know. According to him the wiser that a person is, then the less he claims to know. Awareness of our ignorance only comes with more knowledge.

Contrast that with my early Christianity. I knew the answers, all of them. They were found in the Bible. And without any education at all I could have the confidence to speak to college professors I met and not be intimidated at all. And I did. I remember walking away from some conversations thinking to myself how ignorant that professor was. Yep. That's right. At that time I was what psychologists have dubbed "Unskilled and Unaware of it." And it appears to me many Christians who comment here are just as I was. They come here with the answers. Some of them do not even have a college education. And yet they offer nothing but ignorant comments. I can't convince them otherwise. They are like I once was.

But I'll try anyway. One writer said:
The British philosopher Bertrand Russell once wrote that “the trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.” This is true whether one interprets “stupid” as foolish (short on smarts) or as ignorant (short on information). Deliberately or otherwise, his sentiment echoes that of Charles Darwin, who over one hundred years ago pointed out that “ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.”

The Internet is a veritable all-you-can-eat buffet of such misplaced confidence. Online, individuals often speak with confident authority on a subject, yet their conclusions are flawed. It is likely that such individuals are completely ignorant of their ignorance. Cough.
And so let me link to this writer who in turn links to an important study that can help us determine whether we are ignorant or not. The psychological study is called, Unskilled and Unaware of it.

And it just doesn't apply to Christians, but anyone who has an overconfident assessment of their skills and abilities, including atheists.

The bottom line is that the more I know the more aware of how little I know. Get it? But there is no way to help a person who has all of the answers know how little he knows except by increasing his knowledge and experience. It's a catch-22 of sorts. Until you do know a great deal you will never really know how ignorant you are. Therefore only the ignorant are unaware of their ignorance. And only the unskilled are unaware of it too. We see this on shows like American Idol and on Who's Got Talent? Does it not surprise you how many people audition for these shows who completely lack talent and yet claim they are good? Most bad Karaoke singers do not know they cannot sing. It's not until they become better at it can they know this for themselves.

It's not that the ignorant and unskilled don't know they are at least somewhat ignorant and unskilled. They do. Just ask them. When asked even the ignorant will say so. It's just that the ignorant do not understand how truly ignorant they really are. They might think it's a small leap to knowledge when there is a mile (or several miles) to travel for it.

Again, the more we know the more we know that we don't know, and only people who know can truly know this. Got it? And only people who know can discern others who know. I can have a great conversation/dialogue with some Christians here because I can tell that they know what they are talking about (even if I disagree). And I know who they are because of what they say. It's a joy to me. In fact, if approved for publication an unnamed Christian scholar and I will be co-writing a book length dialogue about our differences because I can respect that he knows (well, at least as best as a Christian can do anyway). [I'm not defining "know" here as justified knowledge, but in terms of education and awareness, since, as you would expect, I think he's wrong].

So I'll continually be bothered daily at DC by ignorant people who are unaware of their ignorance, especially Christians. That's the nature of this beast. Worse off, they don't trust me to tell them what they should understand. They will most likely only listen when someone on their side of the fence--whom they respect--tells them.

For now I'm challenging people to consider whether they are ignorant/unskilled and unaware of it. Most Christians who comment here are. I would say this about them as a former professor of philosophy, apologetics, ethics, and the Bible. This is much more true of them now from my perspective.

So the more I know the more I know that I don't know. But I do know this: I know a hell of a lot more than most people about Christianity. Is this a contradiction? Not at all. For the only way for us to know this about ourselves is to become knowledgeable. Someone can only say he knows a lot when he knows he doesn't know that much. And only the knowledgeable can have a proper assessment of this because the ignorant are ignorant of their own ignorance!

One thing though, as much as you'd like to say otherwise, I am not ignorant when it comes to Christianity. I might be wrong, but I'm not ignorant, at least not as ignorant as most of the Christians who comment here. Think of it this way. Why would a Christian scholar want to co-write a book with me if he thought I was ignorant? Why would he dignify ignorance?

I'm re-posting this because I want to make 2 points clear. Loftus and many of those who opposed me were angry that I am convinced that God not only exists but that that God has revealed Himself through the Bible and in the person of Jesus Christ. While these people rail against Christianity they make errors and make false statements yet when I pointed them out, Loftus said nothing about it. Neither would they own up to their mistakes. There were times I made mistakes and misstatements and I owned up to those. Yet, they didn't. I don't want to embarrass these guys more than all I already have so I will keep their names out of it. For example:

a. All Jews believed in Resurrection in the first century.
b. Everyone who claims to be a Christian are Christians and "Christian" has no historic definition.
c. All Pentecostals are members of the Church of God in Christ.
d. I think that only Church of God in Christ is the one true church and there will be no Catholic, Methodists, Seventh Day Adventists in Heaven
e. Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons should  be considered Christian.

When I pointed out that these were stupid ideas and why they are not true, I got nothing. No apology. No explanation why these ideas are true.

The second point is actually pointed out on this current post. Scripture truly teaches that we should not look at ourselves as knowing everything. I know I don't know everything. The Bible says so. But that doesn't mean I don't know Jesus.

 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
       and lean not on your own understanding;
 6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
       and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

The heart is deceitful above all things
       and beyond cure.
       Who can understand it? - Jeremiah 17:9

9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. - 1 Corinthians 13:9-12

The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. - 1 Corinthians 8:2
So the question is. Why is it okay for atheists like them to say that there is no good evidence for God and offer no proof that God does not exist yet tell me I'm ignorant and stupid when they can't prove it? I easily showed that they did not read or interpret the Bible in what they say it says, yet they call me ignorant. It'd be amusing if they weren't doomed to hell if they don't put their faith in Jesus.


Debunking Christianity: On Being Ignorant of One's Ignorance and Unaware of Being Unskilled
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The Qur'an in the Light of God-breathed Scripture: Shirk, Trinity, Christ, in Surah 5

Here is a great post on Surah 5. from the Qur'an. Months ago I posted a video from James White on the same subject. Here is what White wrote on this essay discussing the relationship between Islam and Christianity. What struck me most about the post was this quotation from the Qur'an:

72. Certainly they have disbelieved who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Maryam (Mary)." While Christ himself said: "O children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Rabb and your Rabb." Whoever commits shirk (joins partners with Allah), Allah will deny him the paradise, and the hellfire will be his home. There will be no helper for the wrongdoers.
73. Certainly they are unbelievers who say: "Allah is one of three in a Trinity." There is no god except One Allah. If they do not stop saying what they say, a painful punishment will befall the disbelievers among them.
74. Will they not then turn to Allah and seek His forgiveness? Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
75. Christ, the son of Maryam, was no more than a Rasool; many Rasools had already passed away before him. His mother was a truthful woman; they both ate earthly food like other human beings. See how the Revelations are made clear to them to know reality; yet see how they ignore the truth!
76. Ask them: "Would you worship besides Allah someone who can neither harm nor benefit you? While Allah is He who hears all and knows all." - Surah 5:72-76


Dr. White then gives some observations on the text. I think this one is the most important.

3) Note the error of v. 73: Allah one of three in a Trinity? Even if one were to make the identification of Allah = the Father, it is clear that the author is operating on the misunderstanding that the Trinity posits three separate gods. And the Qur'an makes itself clear: Christians are to "stop saying" (stop teaching, believing) the central doctrine of their faith, the Trinity. There is no ground for compromise here.

The Trinity is definitional for what it means to be a Christian. Without it...it's not Christianiy. You throw out Jesus' deity and with that you loose the death, burial, and resurrection - and what do you have? A social club not a church.This means there is no way to be both a Christian and a Muslim. They both can't be right. The Qur'an is not describing the doctrine of the Trinity as James White make it clear. "One of three what?". If you understand what Christians are saying you know we mean three persons not three Gods. God is one in Being. Being and personhood are not the same thing. "What you are?" has a different answer than the question "who you are?". I've written several posts on the Trinity on this blog and linked to other great ones. I'd like to point out that the reason why we believe the Trinity because The Father is said to be God. The Son is said to be God. The Holy Spirit is said to be God. And God in One! The whole of the Bible teaches this.  It's documented in the other posts on the Trinity

The Qur'an in the Light of God-breathed Scripture: Shirk, Trinity, Christ, in Surah 5
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Thursday, June 3, 2010

Roman Catholic Maryology: Mary in Roman Catholicism, part 2 - Everything the Bible Says About Mary | True Freethinker

Mariano has continued his great series on how Mary - the mother of Jesus Christ - is viewed in Christianity. In this article he covers just what the Bible has to say about Mary.

At a glance:
Reading everything that the Bible has to say about Mary it is very clear why the Roman Catholic Church must combine Scripture, plus tradition, plus apparition messages. Because taking into consideration everything that the Bible does say about Mary it is utterly impossible to even imagine a Mary who is immaculately conceived, sinless, co-redeemer, assumed into heaven and crowned queen of heaven, intercessor, our mother, etc., etc.

Follow the link to learn more!

Roman Catholic Maryology: Mary in Roman Catholicism, part 2 - Everything the Bible Says About Mary | True Freethinker

Greg Koukl on the Definition of “Atheism” | True Freethinker

Mariano has posted a great post sharing what Greg Koukl has to say about defining "Atheism". Koukl's discussion is insightful and Mariano's additional comment adds a lot. I have ran into what Mariano mentions a lot. Atheists who one hand says there is no God yet behind their logic that they don't have to prove that because they are not making a claim. What amazes me most is that they really think they are being logical. 

Greg Koukl on the Definition of “Atheism” | True Freethinker
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The Campaign To Cast Donald Glover As Spider-Man - G4tv.com

I have been recently hearing that a black actor named Donald Glover should be cast as Spider-man. I have to say the same thing I said when I heard that Beyonce' wanted to play Wonder Woman: Don't Do IT!. I think that our society is so afraid of being racist that some people think it's progress to change the race of traditional characters to make us feel more included. Like when I was a child and they started making black Santa Claus. The idea that fictional characters can be whole-sale changed to meet the new needs of the culture telling the story. Being black is more than just  a skin color. It's a social and cultural context. Grant it because characters like Spider-man and Batman are WASP (White, Anglo-Saxon persons) there are things in my life they can never share...nor should they because I do like a little reality in my fiction. I also don't think that a person's color and life experiences should be ignored in the story. Instead of making Spider-man black why not make more movies/television projects centered around black characters. For example, I wanna see a Luke Cage movie. And definitely Black Panther. I want more Blade too. Why not do the story of Isaiah - the black Captain America who was given an unfinished version of the super soldier serum before Steve Rogers? Now that would be a great story.  If I were going to cast Donald Glover in something cool it would be a Static movie.

The Campaign To Cast Donald Glover As Spider-Man - G4tv.com
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Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Frank Miller's 'Xerxes' Lithograph Announces '300' Prequel [Updated] - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews


Well, we know what Frank Miller's followup to "300" will look like. It's a prequel that centers around the historical event known as the Battle of Marathon which lead directly to the events on which 3o0 was based. I liked the Movie and I've read the graphic novel. However I don't like the way Xerxes is portrayed or the Persian empire. Xerxes doesn't seem to be as bad as he was depicted. Don't forget he is also the same king who chose Ester in the Book of Ester. It was his empire that gave people freedom of religion and returned people back to the homes and territories they had been exiled from by the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. They were hardly completely evil and bent on world conquest. Xerxes had political and personal reasons for invading Greece and burning Athens to the ground. The Bible says that everything was laid out to bring about Jesus' coming. In hindsight I can see what God meant. Because Xerxes invaded Greece, it forced the Greeks to work together and laying the groundwork for Alexander the Great to make them into one nation and standardize the Greek language and paving the way for the Romans. Because Alexander spread Greek culture and language all over, the Romans left it in place and it became the language of commerce. This is why Septuagint and the New Testament were done in Greek and they were the common scripture for Jews and Gentiles for centuries. Xerxes was no more a Hitler or a psychopath than any other leader.
Frank Miller's 'Xerxes' Lithograph Announces '300' Prequel [Updated] - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews
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