Islam and Christianity A Common Word: Walk on Water: The Wisdom of Jesus

I ran across a post I had to share from  Islam and Christianity A Common Word. It's a book shared that shows the wisdom of Jesus in a Muslim Context.

I'm kinda of confused. I have heard some Muslim apologists contend that Jesus and all his earliest followers were Muslims but I can find no evidence that they followed the "5 pillars of Islam".

As for the book, man y of the saying sounds like re-wording of what is in the Gospels themselves. They seem to oral traditions of what Jesus said. I'm not sure if they are written down anywhere else and I'd assume that they are. I'd like to know what we should do with saying that can be shown to conflict with what Jesus actually said in the Bible. These are the two that bothered me:

Jesus, the son of Mary, e said, “God has
given me the power to give life to the dead,
sight to the blind, sound to the deaf; but
He did not give me the power to heal the
fool of his foolishness.”
(al-r®z¬)

I realize that someone might point out that I have a problem this one because it asserts that Jesus said He can't do something and as Christian I have too high a view of Jesus to be comfortable. It's deeper than that. The scriptures teach that when Jesus saves us from sin and death that he is indeed saving ups from our own foolishness. He frees our minds and souls so we can be reconciled back to God. This is the whole point to being a Christian. Jesus is making a denial of this fact here but it's no where in the New Testament.but instead contradicts what we know the Bible says Jesus came to earth to accomplish . And He did it too.

And the other saying that gave me pause.

Once someone asked Jesus, “How are
you able to walk on water?”
Jesus replied, “With certainty.”
Then someone said, “But we also have
certainty!”
Jesus then asked them, “Are stone, clay,
and gold equal in your eyes?”
They replied, “Certainly not!”
Jesus responded, “They are in mine.”

I think the question we need to ask is why did Jesus walk on water? To get to the other side! Okay, all kidding aside I'd answer that question thus: To prove His Deity. I've blogged about this point before but I think TurrintinFan put it best in his article: Water-Walking God.


Islam and Christianity A Common Word: Walk on Water: The Wisdom of Jesus

Rich Dad Poor Dad Robert Kiyosaki

If you have ever heard of Network Marketing, Robert Kiyosaki always comes up. He wrote a book and gives presentation that many leaders in Network Marketing think is a great approach to building businesses. He explains using the lives of his father (who tried to make money in traditional capitalism - his poor dad) and the father of his best friend who was a self-made millionaire through building his own business and mentored him - his rich dad). The lecture is humorous and enjoyable. The thing is that Robert stresses hard work but instead of trusting God he talks more about trusting in oneself. Whenever God is left out of the equation I think that there is a problem. In Christianity, the word of faith movement and doctrine teaches much of the same things - they just tack God on but devoid of his sovereignty and power. I suggest that listening to Kiyosaki is not a bad thing but you have your discernment turned as high as it can go.




Rich Dad Poor Dad Robert Kiyosaki

The real reason why Steve Jobs hates Flash - Charlie's Diary

I saw this insightful article a few weeks ago but only now posting it.  I think it has a lot of true insights.

The real reason why Steve Jobs hates Flash - Charlie's Diary

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Apologetics 315: Good God & Evil World by Paul Copan: MP3 / Video

Paul Copan takes on the Problem of Evil. I think he makes a lot of great points. However, I think the key is the fact that in the Old Testament, people blamed....er...cretdited God for anything and everything that happens. The thing is they stopped short at trying to hold God accountable. They recognized God's sovereignty to do anything He wants to do whenever he wants to do it. Two passages that help me remember that are in Job, but there are others.


Here is the video. Brian Auten posted a link to the video, and the mp3 on the Apologetics 315 blog.



Good God & Evil World (in 18 Minutes) from Paul Copan on Vimeo.


Apologetics 315: Good God & Evil World by Paul Copan: MP3 / Video

Greg Koukl - Common New Atheist Fallacies | True Freethinker

Mariano posted a great video from Greg Koukl in which he showcases the common new atheist fallacies rampant today. I hear these all the time.







Greg Koukl - Common New Atheist Fallacies | True Freethinker

The Hollywood Science of 'Iron Man 2' is Here Today...Kind of - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

I've blogged about real-life applications of technology seen in science fiction like Iron Man. I like this. I've been following developments of such suits in Japan and in America ever since I was an undergraduate. I really would like to get into this tech. Today Comics Alliance posted a great article on the HAL suit developed in Japan. Looks like the Japanese are really close to the ideal. Much farther than I though.

The Hollywood Science of 'Iron Man 2' is Here Today...Kind of - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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

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

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

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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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

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.




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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