If God Exists, Why is there Evil? - Norman Geisler

Here is Norman Geisler answering the "problem of evil".



If God Exists, Why is there Evil?

Adolf Hitler Was a Christian! Was Adolf Hitler a Christian?, part 1 and 2 | True Freethinker

One of the canards the ignorant keep trotting out was that Adolf Hitler was a Christian. I hate that. It's no more true than trying to argue that Thomas Jefferson was a Catholic or a Baptist. Mariano has posted a two-part essay rebutting the fantasy that Hitler was a Christian.

Adolf Hitler Was a Christian! Was Adolf Hitler a Christian?, part 1 | True Freethinker
Adolf Hitler Was a Christian! Was Adolf Hitler a Christian?, part 2 | True Freethinker

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• Dictators of Our Times: Adolf Hitler, Part One (socyberty.com)
• Twenty babies in Britain named Adolf (telegraph.co.uk)

Has Christianity Failed You? | True Freethinker

I appreciate Mariano Grinbank for pointing out that Dr. Ravi Zacharias has published this book on an objection and question I hear most often from Atheists "Why has Christianity failed me?" or "Why does God make it so hard for me to believe in Him, if He exists?" I'm going to read this one!

Has Christianity Failed You? | True Freethinker

Is Jesus Prophesied in the Old Testament? Parts 1 and 2 vs. Shabir Ally, London, 2008

Here is a debate I've been waiting to watch. IT was just released although it took place about 2 years ago! Progress!!!! I see no reason for anyone to accuse Alpha and Omega Ministries for dragging their feet on posting it. There are lots of reasons why as Dr. White has already publically stated. Not only has he uploaded it to YouTube but it is available for free.








Is Jesus Prophesied in the Old Testament? Parts 1 and 2 vs. Shabir Ally, London, 2008

Apologetics 315: An Islam Primer: Five Parts MP3 Audio

Here is a good summary of Islam in audio presentations. Five good ones posted by Brian Auten.

Apologetics 315: An Islam Primer: Five Parts MP3 Audio

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• Eco-Islam in Africa (theworld.org)

Super Heroes vs. the Westboro Baptist Church - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

As you probably know, Comic Con 2010 is happening in San Diego even as I write this. I'm bummed that I can't go, but at least I can revel in the coverage over the event. Turns out that there is a counter protest to Fred Phelps' demonstration. I wish someone would tell Phelps that this isn't the way to witness for God. There is nothing good that can come from his actions. It makes Christians look stupid and worse makes Jesus look bad. This isn't the way to engage the culture. Thing about comic book/movie fans is that we are not docile enough to be insulted without retaliation or rebuttal. Some showed up in costume and their own signs mocking Phelps and his followers. I don't condone either side's methods but I blame those who call ourselves Christian sthe most. I mean do you really have to go out of your way to be that unloving and offensive?




Super Heroes vs. the Westboro Baptist Church - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

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

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• 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