Richard Dawkins and His Amen Chorus of Adherents | True Freethinker

Mariano has posted a great article pointing out that for some reason people seem to really like Richard Dawkins no matter what silly and/or stupid argument he makes.

Richard Dawkins and His Amen Chorus of Adherents | True Freethinker

Related articles by Zemanta

• Richard Dawkins to speak at UAF - Marmian Grimes - UAF News (richarddawkins.net)

YouTube - Tactics in refuting moral relativism

Moral Relativism sickens me because of how silly it is. If people didn't actually think this way it would be funny. But I'll laugh anyway. Thanks, Mariano.




YouTube - Tactics in refuting moral relativism

Apologetics 315: Why We Believe the Bible: MP3 Series by John Piper

Brian Auten has posted a 5 part audio seminar by John Piper. The topic was answering the question "Why we believe the Bible?". Thanks, Brian.

Apologetics 315: Why We Believe the Bible: MP3 Series by John Piper

On the historical Jesus, the Jesus myths, the Bible’s reliability, etc. — Peter Jennings’ “The Search for Jesus” | True Freethinker

Image via Wikipedia

I appreciate Mariano Grinbank pointing out that this video is available on YouTube. I remember Peter Jenning's special on Jesus' life back in 2000. I even watched it and was infuriated at just how many facts were wrong. At the time, and since, there have been many many good rebuttals. But I don't think that there can be too many. Especially since all those lies continue to resurface. I agree with Mariano this response is a good one.






The Poison


The antidote


On the historical Jesus, the Jesus myths, the Bible’s reliability, etc. — Peter Jennings’ “The Search for Jesus” | True Freethinker

Truthbomb Apologetics: Are the Terms "Micro-Evolution" and "Macro-Evolution" a Creationist Fabrication?

I really appreciate this article Chad posted on his blog. I am often encountering the objection that there is no distinction between micro and macro evolution aside from that made by ignorant creationists. This post is awesome in that Chad went and posted quotes from decades ago referring to the distinction. My favorite of the quotes he posted is by Richard Goldschmidt who said in 1940,

“the facts of microevolution do not suffice for an understanding of macroevolution.”

Truthbomb Apologetics: Are the Terms "Micro-Evolution" and "Macro-Evolution" a Creationist Fabrication?

Is Christian doctrine tantamount to postulating the tooth fairy? | True Freethinker

Here is another video of John Lennox being brilliant. Thanks, Mariano. This time Dr. Lennox is answering the objection that Christianity is no more true than the tooth fairy.





Is Christian doctrine tantamount to postulating the tooth fairy? | True Freethinker

Church Attitude

James White re-tweeted the following quote:

"The complaint that church is boring is never made by people in awe." ~ R.C. Sproul

Should be a bumper sticker

John Lennox on suffering and evil | True Freethinker

Here is a great video interview of John Lennox and how he would answer such a "difficult" question.







John Lennox on suffering and evil | True Freethinker

Apologetics 315: Why Won't God Heal Amputees? MP3 Audio from GotQuestions.org

I appreciate Brain Auten for posting this awesome audio refuting one of the  arguments against God's existence that keeps getting trotted out.  If there is a God and prayer works then why doesn't God heal amputees? This audio answers the question by giving seven erroneous presuppositions on which the argument is based and why they don't make sense.  Brian posts a link to the audio and to the text answer.

Apologetics 315: Why Won't God Heal Amputees? MP3 Audio from GotQuestions.org

Dr. Mariottini Returns From Vacation

I've been missing Dr. Claude Mariottini's wonderful blog posts. However everyone needs a vacation and he assuredly deserves them. Thankfully, he is back to blogging.  He recently posted three great posts  regarding archaeology and I had not heard this information.

1. An Akkadian Document from Jerusalem

2. Cuneiform Tablet from Hazor

3. Translating Ugarit With A Computer

Ugarit is highly related to Hebrew and software has been written to compare Hebrew and Ugarit and learn more about  translating Ugarit

Debunking Christianity: There Was No Worldwide Flood, By Robert R. Cargill, Ph.D.

John Loftus posted a quote from Robert R. Cargill, Ph.D.

"There was no worldwide flood. Simply put: there is no evidence whatsoever for a worldwide flood. In other words, it’s impossible. It is time for Christians to admit that some of the stories in Israel’s primordial history are not historical. It is ok to concede that these stories were crafted in a pre-scientific period and were designed to offer ethical answers to questions of why and not questions of how." Link.

1. Not all scientists agree that there is no evidence of a worldwide flood.
2. I think when people discuss think of the world as being seven continents in their current configuration. However, most geographers believe that there used to be one continent and because of plate tectonics it split into its current organization.
3. If at the time of Noah there was only one continent, then I think you could call it a local flood but then it would also be a world-wide flood. Even if you don't want to date the flood back that far you would have to agree that the continents would not be as far apart as they are today.




Debunking Christianity: There Was No Worldwide Flood, By Robert R. Cargill, Ph.D.

Iron Sharpens Iron: James R. White: The Forgotten Power of the Proclamation of the Gospel

James White was recently interviews with several other preachers about a conference in early August where teaching and preaching will be given to learn how to preach and witness on the streets to strangers.  I think that the discussion was great. a lot of information was given about where such matters are important and why we need to be prepared to go talk to people.

James R. White, co-founder & director of Alpha & Omega Ministries (www.aomin.org), Jeff Rose, founder of JeremiahCry Ministries (www.JeremiahCry.com), Pat Necerato, founder of Go-Stand-Speak Ministries (www.GoStandSpeak.com) & Pastor John Reuther of Covenant Baptist Church in Lumberton, NJ (www.CBCLumberton.WordPress.com) will address the theme: "The Forgotten Power of the Proclamation of the Gospel".

Tonight's theme is also the theme of the upcoming Bible Conference that our guests are participating in from Friday, August 6 to Saturday, August 7 in Brooklyn, NY. For details visit www.JeremiahCry.com.

Iron Sharpens Iron: James R. White: The Forgotten Power of the Proclamation of the Gospel

Truthbomb Apologetics: A Quotable Quote Regarding DNA

Thanks to Chad for this awesome quote:

"Human DNA contains more organized information than the Encyclopedia Britannica. If the full text of the encyclopedia were to arrive in computer code from outer space, most people would regard this as proof of the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence. But when seen in nature, it is explained as the workings of random forces."

- George Sim Johnson

Truthbomb Apologetics: A Quotable Quote Regarding DNA

Atheist vs. Christian debate - Morality: Natural or Supernatural? | True Freethinker

I've posted about this particular debate before but there is an important clip that Mariano has suggested. It is timely because during his debate on morality, Mariano made a point that underscores what the issue on Morality and its origins are. Take a look at this clip and please check out the whole debate (also posted on this blog and Mariano's - hint: follow the link below).





Atheist vs. Christian debate - Morality: Natural or Supernatural? | True Freethinker

Apologetics 315: Sunday Quote: Henry Schaefer on Science

Thanks to Brian Auten for posting the following quote on Apologetics 315.

"The significance and joy in my science comes in those occasional moments of discovering something new and saying to myself, 'So that's how God did it.' My goal is to understand a little corner of God's plan."

- Henry "Fritz" Schaefer

Apologetics 315: Sunday Quote: Henry Schaefer on Science

Debunking Christianity: Have You Been De-Baptized? Edwin Kagan of American Atheists on Nightline

John Loftus has done us the favor of posting a news clip regarding the activities of Edwin Kagan. Kagan  He said he believes that atheists have no way to out argue with believers, so what is his answer? Shock, ridicule and embarrass them into submission. If you can't  beat 'em, mock 'em.  Yes, where reason and respect don't work then surely disrespect and emotionalism will. Great tactic. Kind of hypocritical considering that the he thinks believers are trying to silence him and end his right to say whatever he wants no matter how stupid we think they are. Nope. I support his or anyone else right to disagree with me. It makes ministry easier.

7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. - 2 Corinthians 13:7-9

Debunking Christianity: Have You Been De-Baptized? Edwin Kagan of American Atheists on Nightline

Apologetics 315: Debate: Is Mormonism Christianity? Walter Martin vs. Van Hale

Brian Auten has posted a great audio debate. I often get the objection that Mormonism is a valid flavor of Christianity. The late Dr. Walter Martin is one of the greatest thinkers, writers, and debaters on the subject. This is an awesome debate. It's Dr. Martin against the best apologist for Mormonism at that time. This one was truly a debate for the ages. Take the time to listen to it.

Apologetics 315: Debate: Is Mormonism Christianity? Walter Martin vs. Van Hale

Is “proof” of/for God possible? What is “proof”? | True Freethinker

Thanks for pointing to another great video, Mariano. In this one Greg Koukl answers the question about whether or not it is possible to prove that God exists or not.




Is “proof” of/for God possible? What is “proof”? | True Freethinker

Debating Calvinism - The Sacred Sandwich - Dueling Verses

I saw this on the Alpha and Omega Ministries Blog. This is funny! At least it is to me. I've never had this happen personally. I mean most Arminians I have spoken to have been very much are articulate.

 ⁹ Remember the former things, those of long ago;
       I am God, and there is no other;
       I am God, and there is none like me.
 ¹⁰ I make known the end from the beginning,
       from ancient times, what is still to come.
       I say: My purpose will stand,
       and I will do all that I please. - Isaiah 46:9-10

Matthew 23:37 (New International Version)

 ³⁷"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.

John 6:37-44 (New International Version)

³⁷All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. ³⁸For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. ³⁹And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁰For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
 ⁴¹At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." ⁴²They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"
 ⁴³"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. ⁴⁴"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

1 Timothy 2:4 (New International Version)

⁴who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Romans 9:10-23 (New International Version)

 ¹⁰Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. ¹¹Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand: ¹²not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger." ¹³Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
 ¹⁴What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! ¹⁵For he says to Moses,
   "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
      and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."¹⁶It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. ¹⁷For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." ¹⁸Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
 ¹⁹One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" ²⁰But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' " ²¹Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
 ²²What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? ²³What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—


Debating Calvinism - The Sacred Sandwich

The Dunamis Word: When "Progress" Takes You To Hell

I have to say I'm glad Pastor Harvey Burnett has posted this article regarding the United Progressive Pentecostal Church. He makes valid points. Judgement begins at the house. We can't allow people claim to be Christians while doing exactly opposite what God has said is wrong. If a sin is done in public, it must be rebuked in public. Pastor Burnett is not the first to point out the inconsistencies between what the Bible teaches and what the UPPC teaches. So far they have ignored it. No denomination is without flaw or has issues, but telling people that their sin is okay...that is a problem. Just like the old song says..."The Bible is right, somebody's gotta be wrong."  Anytime I disagree with what the Bible says I'm wrong. 


The Dunamis Word: When "Progress" Takes You To Hell

The Great Debate: Does the Bible Adequately Answer for the Problem of Suffering

I have been waiting for the opportunity to see this debate. You can follow the he link below so you can see watch the debate.

The Great Debate: Does the Bible Adequately Answer for the Problem of Suffering

The debate is awesome. The problems of suffering and the existence of evil are the most powerful objection to Christianity but it has no teeth. It has no power. I love to hear Michael Brown. He did a greast Job. Ehrman is right about what the point is: Does the Bible give a coherent answer let alone an adequate answer. I don't get why Ehrman wants to give a single answer to problem in which the Bible gives multiple answers to multiple for different situations. The good does suffer and so does the wicked. The one thing I wish that there was more time was for Brown to answer Ehrman's points on how he thinks the Bible gives contradictory information and answers and how does Ehrman knows what is good and what is bad for people?

Debunking Christianity: The Omniscience Escape Clause

John Loftus accuses Christians of answering the "Problem of human suffering"  by claiming that God's will is a mystery.

We've heard this escape clause so many times before. "My ways are not your ways," an ancient superstitious canonized Biblical text says of God. "How do we know what an omniscient God might do?" an apologist chimes in. It could be how God purportedly communicated to us in ways that are indistinguishable from anything else we see in the ancient world, or the tragedy of the Haitian earthquake, or a child suffering and soon to die from Leukemia. How can we judge an omniscient God's ways we're asked over and over, with an implied "We can't." The answer is obvious. We must be able to understand enough of God's ways to know that his ways are good and that he knows what he's doing. It's that simple. If God does not act as a loving person would do then all we can reasonably conclude is that God is not acting like a loving person would do. And if God does not respond in discernible loving ways when tragic events take place then it looks entirely as if tragic events happen randomly without his ever-watchful eye.

I have a four issues with Loftus' analysis:

1.  Does this mean that Loftus thinks that the earliest copies of Isaiah does not have text we have in Isaiah 55:8-9?

 ⁸ "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
       neither are your ways my ways,"
       declares the LORD.
 ⁹ "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
       so are my ways higher than your ways
       and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

2.  How does the fact that people are suffering prove that God is not loving?

3.  I agree with Loftus when he wrote:

We must be able to understand enough of God's ways to know that his ways are good and that he knows what he's doing.

How does Loftus know that we can't understand enough of God's ways to know that God is good? Dare, I say that it? Yes, I should. It requires a relationship with God. something an Atheist can't have.


4. How does Loftus know "God does not respond in discernible loving ways when tragic events take place then it looks entirely as if tragic events happen randomly without his ever-watchful eye." Duh! Of course you cannot see God's movement or loving ways if you don't know God. it takes a relationship.

Also the old saying "God works in mysterious ways." is a colloquial one not a Biblical one. We can know God. We can know Him for ourselves.

 ¹³ "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, ¹⁴ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

"Seeking his face" means getting to know God.

²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. - Romans 8:28-29

¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. ²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Roman 12:1-2

Debunking Christianity: The Omniscience Escape Clause

YouTube - Does God Exist - Christopher Hitchens vs William Lane Craig Part-1 of 14

It has just come to my attention that the debate between Christopher Hitchens and William Lane Craig has been posted on YouTube!




YouTube - Does God Exist - Christopher Hitchens vs William Lane Craig Part-1 of 14

Brennon's Thoughts: Questions for Anti-Molinist Inerrantists

Brennon has asked some great questions on his blog that he believes Molinism answers, but God's decrees does not. My comments are in red.

How do you explain how God knew the two divergent paths that God foresaw if Zedekiah either chose to surrender to the king of Babylon or not (Jeremiah 38:17-18)? Assuming this was a free choice, God told Jeremiah to tell Zedekiah that if he chose to submit to Babylon, he, his city, and his family would all live. But God also foresaw the other possibility; what would happen if Zedekiah did not surrender, namely his death and his city's destruction. God obviously knew what would happen, and which choice Zedekiah would make. But God also knew what would happen if Zedekiah made the other choice.

I agree God knows each and every possibility and probability. God knew what Zedekiah would not surrender. I don't really see how that supports Molinism.  I  mean in order for everything that plays out the way that it did, the Babylonians had to destroy Jerusalem. Don't forget the fall of Jerusalem was prophesied many times before this point. I'm not saying that Zedekiah did not do what he himself wanted to do, but what I am saying that it's not a surprise because God already called this one centuries before through several prophets.  Check out Habakkuk 1 which some scholars date to the late 7th century BC and considering that Zedekiah made this decision around 586 BC - about 100 years later. Should not be a shock or a surprise.

How did Jesus know what Sodom would have done IF His miracles had been performed there in Matthew 11:23?

Jesus knew because Jesus is God and God knows everything.  Again I don't see how that supports Molinism.  I think a more important question that if God knew Sodom would have repented if  Jesus had performed his miracles, then why didn't God do that and prevent destroying them? The answer is that it was part of the overall plan God has. Where all things works together for them that love God and are called according to God's purpose (Romans 8:28-29) . God's will and purpose and ours. 

How did Jesus know what would happen if the disciples cast their net to the opposite side of their boat (John 21:6)?

Again Jesus knows everything. The question this begs is. Were the fish on the opposite side of the Boat because they just happened to be there or were they there because God told them to be there?  I don't know. In such a situation, maybe it doesn't matter.  I'd go the rout of decree because of all the little things that had to line up for those fish to be there. The weather, the currents, the time of day, the tides (gravitational forces on the water from the moon, sun, and other heavenly bodies), the life interactions and histories of each and every fish and their parents going back to the days of creation - had to line up just right for those fish to be on the side of the boat Jesus told them to throw their nets to. Not to mention all the factors I left out.  Why would we not serve a God like that?

Oh, and those of you who reject Molinism because of James White's weak polemic, you really need to repudiate that ridiculous picture he has floating around the web with Craig and the Pope. That's a pretty blatant genetic fallacy if I ever saw one.

I know when I saw that graphic Brennon mentioned I re-posted it myself. I didn't really stop to think that it might offend some people. If it did, I'm sorry. However, i think it illustrates some key points.

1. In his debate with Christopher Hitchens, William Lane Craig said Calvinism was a false Christianity.  I don't think that is true at all. No more than calling Jacob Arminius a heretic and claiming anyone who agree with him as bing hell-bound.

2. Molina came up with Molinism because he wanted to give an answer against the Reformers who began preaching that God was in complete control of everything regardless of what our free will says. Molina was a Roman Catholic clergyman and that was his job - come up with a counter answer. From what I can tell only Dr. William Lane Craig reaslly expounds on his ideas today and it's not popular in Roman Catholicism..

3. Picturing Craig with the Pope is not a genetic fallacy given that that Molinism is Roman Catholic invention and Craig has embraced the approach of magnifying the commonalities among Christians and downplaying the things we disagree on - y'know like the sinlessness of Mary and her being a Co-Redeemer with Christ.  Not all Roman Catholics hold these ideas, but the Pope does. Give the turns that WLC have made (not neccessarily sinful or bad) I see every reason to make the tie with the Roman Catholic Church.

Brennon's Thoughts: Questions for Anti-Molinist Inerrantists

How Not to Witness

This strip is funny and sad at the same time. It presupposes that faith and logic are incompatible at best and antithetical at worst. I must disagree. They are not. Unfortunately, many Christians have little else to back up what they believe other than "personal revelation". We should have more to say than that. As a Christian if your personal revelation conflict with the Bible, then it can't be from God. Of course skeptics ask how do we know we can trust the Bible? I think that is where Evidential Apologetics comes into play. We can rationally and logically show that there is plenty of evidence to accept the Bible as true. I've posted quite a bit information on the blog from various sources showing why the Bible is reliable.



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