What had happen' was.....

Saturday, July 23, 2011

High Five of the Day: Faithful Thinkers: Multiverse and Rationality

Here is a quote from an article recently published by Luke Nix. I think he summarizes quite well the problem with the concept of multiple universes...besides the part of there being no conclusive proof nor consenus.

The less and less probable something is to happen, the fact that it did happen points more and more towards its happening being the product of a mind, not chance. Since we do not have evidence that necessarily demands the existence of these multiverses, the only consistent and rational explanation is still a Designer. If that conclusion is actually false, then that is a continued reason why we should still not trust our own minds to ever discover the truth of naturalism, and the multiverse provides exponentially less hope that we ever will. Ironically, if naturalism is true, God is still the best explanation for all the facts we have.

Faithful Thinkers: Multiverse and Rationality

My Common Sense is Tingling: Debunking Christianity: Once Again, Atheism is Not a Belief Nor a Religion

John Lofuts posted the following article attempting to define atheism as not being a belief. I think his line of reasoning has some problems.

There are a myriad number of dead religions that we don't bother with because they are dead. We simply say we don't believe them, and yet somehow that is supposed to be a belief? How can the statement, "I don't believe you," be considered a belief? In what sense?

Just because you don't believe a proposition doesn't mean the propositions is not true. A dead religion is not unworthy of belief just because no one practices it anymore. The reason why people don't follow dead religions is because they no long believe in it.

If I say I levitated and you do not believe me because I cannot produce the evidence, then what you are saying is that the evidence does not support my claim. You don't have a belief. You have evidence. And the evidence is against that belief. That's the reasoning process. Reason tells you to reject my claim. You have knowledge. You would be saying that it's probable I did not levitate.

The problem with that is just because I don't think the evidence supports such a claim does not mean that the claim is false. You don't have complete knowledge. Here is why this a silly example: what is the consequence of coming to the wrong conclusion about Loftus' claim to levitate? Nothing. What about the claims of Christianity? The state of your soul is at stake. One should be sure - very sure - which ever decision you come to.

That's why atheists are non-believers in the same sense as Christians who do not believe in Zeus. So is not believing in Zeus or Odin or Thor or Baal or Marduk a religion? If so then everyone is religious by default since these religions are basically dead ones. At that point the word "religion" has lost its meaning. Meaningless words cannot refer to anything.

I think what Loftus is missing is that an atheist does not have a nonbelief. An atheist has come to conclusion and lives his/her life in light of that decision. That is a belief about the nature of reality. It is either true or false. What one cannot do is pretend that one is not making a decision as to what to believe behind the decision to reject other people's beliefs. Be honest.

A religion by definition must be about supernatural beings and/or forces. Atheism therefore is not a belief nor a religion. I really don't know how much plainer I can get.

"Religion" is not just about supernatural beings and/or forces. It is a set of beliefs about how reality works. Atheism is a belief that there is no God. The atheist is wrong about that conclusion but it is a conclusion nonetheless. Let's look at something really important: How does a person become a Christian? A person does not become a Christian by being born into a Christian household. The Bible says that everyone is a sinner and unable to come God on our own. See John 6. Hell is default. If God does nothing to regenerate us, hell is where we will end up. Since no one is born a Christian it is silly to think that Christianity rises and falls based on the number of adherents it has. Even if every Christian became apostates, Christianity will still be true.

Debunking Christianity: Once Again, Atheism is Not a Belief Nor a Religion

Friday, July 22, 2011

FacePalm of the Day #111 - Islam and Christianity A Common Word: Christian apologist admits New Testament contains fabrications and weak chains of narration!

I don't know exactly what thegrandverbalizer has against James White but I have rarely seen worse characterization and twisting done of someone else's words. Reading this left me wondering if we heard the same podcast!

People this is why I do what I do! Every year more and more conservative Christians are letting the cat out of the bag in subtle and profound ways! I knew it was a matter of time. I have been saying it for a long time now. Mash'Allah James White brings Christianity closer to Islam in subtle yet profound ways!

I don't understand. How does thegrandverbalizer's work relate to the conservative Christians bringing Christianity closer to Islam (which I don't see happening either)?

Read on...

Not that he answered my question.

Recently on an internet basement pod cast Christian apologist James White admitted that the New Testament contains the following:

1) That which we know is said about Jesus without doubt.

2) That which we know is said about Jesus but there is some doubt.

3) That which is attributed to Jesus but is extremely weak.

4) That which is attributed to Jesus but is an outright fabrication.

Praise be to Allah! Thank you James for your honesty at last!

Listen for yourself! I have saved this program as well in case James White has it removed.

http://aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=4721

I listened to that broadcast myself when it was done live and Dr James White did not say that the New Testament was errant. He was referring to textual variants. He was in now way saying that we don't know what text says.

Christian Apologist James White Admits New Testament contains fabrications and weak chains of narration!

No He didn't.

At 43:25 minutes into the dividing line program he says,

"as soon as you start taking for example the various stories of the companions of things that happened in Muhammad's life outside of the Qur'an you immediately see what you actually have with the New Testament!"

I wonder if thegrandverbalizer listened to the 43:25 minutes that went before? Because if he had he would have realized that Dr White was referring to the fact that there would be textual variants of the Qur'an.

That is a most fascinating claim on behalf of James White! It deserves considerable attention!

If you ask any Sunni Muslim about 'the various stories of the companions of things that happened in Muhammad's life outside of the Qur'an' or simply called the Hadith you will find out the following:

What about Muslims that aren't Sunnis would they agree?

Hadith means story. Hadith in Islam mean a written body of literature that is a record of statements, contracts and actions of the Prophet Muhammad otherwise called 'Sunnah'.

Now what you will also find out is that this body of literature 'the hadith' contains the following.

1) That which we know that Muhammad said without a doubt.

2) That which we know that Muhammad said with some doubt.

3) That which is attributed to the Prophet Muhammad but it is weak.

4) That which is attributed to the Prophet Muhammad but it is in outright fabrication.

This was very good of James White to admit this. I have to say that my level of respect for him has honestly not been very high at all. However, after James White has said this I can now take this quote of his to his peers and colleges whom admire him and say, "Look even James White whom you say has more knowledge than you do and whom you look up to said this!"

He said that about the Hadith containing fabrication not the New Testament.

Now since James has said that 'what you actually have with the New Testament' is the same as the Hadith literature I would like for James to now explain to his listeners how this effects the doctrine of inspiration.

thegrabdverablizer clearly did not understand what Dr. White said.

For example since now the New Testament is simply just a collection of oral traditions that are attributed to Prophet Jesus (Esau) than does this clash with the doctrine that the 'writers' of the New Testament were inspired by the Holy Spirit to pen down revelation?

He never said that the New Testament "is simply just a collection of oral traditions that are attributed to Prophet Jesus (Esau)". It's statements like this that make me wonder if thegrandverbalizer ever read the New Testament because only four of the 27 books of the New Testament narrate the life of Jesus.

In fact is it even appropriate to speak of 'writers' of the New Testament now?

Huh?

On what basis does James determine what statements attributed to Jesus, Peter, Paul and others are true, sound, weak and fabricated?

He never said he had to. thegrandverbalixer is making the assertion that one has to.

This I tell you friends is fascinating! We are living in fascinating times! James White if your findings take you to the logical conclusion you are always welcome as a brother in Islam! :)

thegrandverbalizer's post is not the best example of logic.

Now you will understand how we use as presupposition the basis of the Qur'an to determine what anyone who came prior to Muhammad said. After all Allah keeps perfect record of what his prophets did or did not say. You will also now understand more fully why Muslims may incline towards some statements in the New Testament and stir clear of others.

Translation: Only the parts of the New Testament that agrees with thegrandverbalizer's misunderstanding of the Bible and his understanding of Islam are correct.That mean you have to be really sure you can know if the Bible, Qur'an, or the Hadith are right or wrong. And thegrandverbalizer often gets things wrong in the Old and New Testaments.

Very very good James!

Dr James White did a really good podcast that day for sure. As for thegrandverbalizer's post - not so much.

Islam and Christianity A Common Word: Christian apologist admits New Testament contains fabrications and weak chains of narration!

Answering Muslims: Raymond Ibrahim: New Saudi Fatwa Defends Pedophilia as 'Marriage'

I wonder why, thegrandverbalizer never makes a post about issues such as these. Follow the link to see what I am referring to:

Answering Muslims: Raymond Ibrahim: New Saudi Fatwa Defends Pedophilia as 'Marriage'

Reformed Apologist: The Necessity of the Divine Will (by way of a polemic against man's free will)

Here is an interesting article arguing that the Divine Will supersedes man's free will. I agree.

Reformed Apologist: The Necessity of the Divine Will (by way of a polemic against man's free will)

Atheism Exposed: Truth Wins Once Again via Presuppositional Apologetics

Jamin Hubner posted links to a recent debate between presuppositional apologist Sye TenBruggencate and skeptic atheist Justin Scheiber on the Yahweh or Myweh podcasts. They discussed the existence of God. Jamin posted a link to the audio and Sye' s unedited transcript with the parts highlighted in red that Justin has originally edited out when the exchange was first published. Jamin and Sye believe that Justin edited out the parts where his arguments fell apart. Everyone should listen to the podcast and read the transcript to see what you think.

Atheism Exposed: Truth Wins Once Again via Presuppositional Apologetics

Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello - G4tv.com

So, that's why Splinter chose those names!!!!

Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello - G4tv.com

Comic-Con '11 Live on G4! - G4tv.com

The Nerdy Way To Return A Broken Phone - G4tv.com

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Earth Guide for Aliens [Video]

In 1977, a gold plated copper disk containing information, images, and sounds from earth was loaded into one of the voyager probes and shot into space. In a recent post, a video containing some of the information was posted.
Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan's Earth Guide For Aliens from NPR on Vimeo.

Earth Guide for Aliens [Video]

Quote of the Week: Blaise Pascal | Reflections

Image via Wikipedia
Thank you, Dr Kenneth Samples

Not only do we only know God through Jesus Christ, but we only know ourselves through Jesus Christ; we only know life and death through Jesus Christ. Apart from Jesus Christ we cannot know the meaning of our life or our death, of God or of ourselves.
—Blaise Pascal, Pensees, trans. A.J. Krailsheimer, rev. ed. (New York: Penguin, 1995), no. 417/548.

Quote of the Week: Blaise Pascal | Reflections

Kids: Then vs Now [Cartoon]

On the left is me on the left. My daughter is represented on the right.

Kids: Then vs Now [Cartoon]

So-Called "Failed" Biblical Prophecies - Part 1

Mariano has pointed out to me these four points int which someone thinks that it illustrates 4 instances in which the prophets in the Bible were wrong. The four points are:

1. Ezekiel incorrectly predicted that Babylon would conquer Egypt.
2. Ezekiel incorrectly predicted King Nebuchadnezzar would destroy the city of Tyre (or Tyrus).
3. Micah incorrectly predicted the destruction of Jerusalem.
4. Jeremiah incorrectly predicted that the Babylonians would be exiled for 70 years, but it apparently only lasted 59 years.
My friend e-mailed me those four points, as well as his "source":
http://www.goatstar.org/failed-prophecies/#Ezekiel%20predicts%20Babylon%20would%20conquer%20Egypt (it's a semi-article that has very little actual info, so it's difficult to understand).

I decided to split this into 4 posts.This first post will be about Ezekiel and a prophecy given that Egypt would be conquered by Babylon. Ezekiel 29: 10-12 and 30:10-11 are quoted using the NRSV translation. In the NIV the passages read:

⁸ “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will bring a sword against you and kill both man and beast. ⁹ Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the LORD.
“‘Because you said, “The Nile is mine; I made it,” ¹⁰ therefore I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt a ruin and a desolate waste from Migdol to Aswan, as far as the border of Cush. ¹¹ The foot of neither man nor beast will pass through it; no one will live there for forty years. ¹² I will make the land of Egypt desolate among devastated lands, and her cities will lie desolate forty years among ruined cities. And I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them through the countries.- Ezekiel 29:8-12

¹⁰ “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:    “‘I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt
   by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
¹¹ He and his army—the most ruthless of nations—
   will be brought in to destroy the land.
They will draw their swords against Egypt
   and fill the land with the slain. Ezekiel 30:10-11

What does history say? Did Nebuchadnezzar conquer Egypt? The link given above says "No" but it makes no mentions of cuneiform inscriptions that support the Bible. I actually found somel links that help flesh out those early years of Nebuchadnezzar's reign.I don't want to just spit out what the links already say. So here they are.

Did Nebuchadnezzar conquer Egypt?

Ezekiel Timeline

What does it mean to be "Regenerate"? Part 2

Well, if you saw part one, you might expect that Ryan Anderson might have something to say to say in response. Let's look at what he chose to respond to. The bolded black text represents the text that he quoted and the plain text is his response. My response will be in red.

...atheist-about-Christianity-but-agnostic-about-all-other-religions...

Why must you be wrong about everything? Atheism is a statement of belief, and agnosticism is a statement of knowledge, so as far as I know, I'm atheist about all religions and their supernatural claims.

Interesting ways of defining "agnosticism" and it does not seem that everyone agrees with you: "an intellectual doctrine or attitude affirming the uncertainty of all claims to ultimate knowledge." It can't be a statement of knowledge because uncertainty is not knowledge. It's good that Ryan has made up his mind because he did not say that before. Once he said that he was not sure about other religions but he was sure that Christianity was wrong. It's not really progress, but it is something.

now he thinks the Bible has mistakes in it.

And outright falsehoods!

So Ryan always thought that the Bible has had mistakes in it? He certainly thinks they are now. What was the falsehoods?

Consider this: Anderson is arguing that rest and relaxation and connecting with one's family is the same thing as what ~~th (we [sic?] Bible~~ [the Bible] says about being regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

I did no such thing, I am aware that the bible makes wild, unsubstantiated supernatural claims. I asked you to demonstrate that what you perceived to be regeneration in your life, that you (mis)identify as biblical/supernatural regeneration, is any different than the regeneration in my life. What I would argue though is that doing things you love can produce the same results that christians get when they think they are being regenerated by the holy spirit. Since you can't demonstrate that the holy Spirit exists, you'll need to demonstrate that what you actually get from your regeneration is different at all, in any way, from what I get when I'm regenerated by doing things I love. (spoiler alert, you don't do that!)

Here is the problems in communicating with Ryan. Arguing that doing the things you love is no different than the same feelings one has from Biblical regeneration is no different from how I summed up Ryan's argument. He just restated what I said. The reason why Ryan is confused is that he has not realized that comparing his definition of regeneration and what the Bible says about it is like trying to compare a potato chip to a microchip.

...notice that Ryan didn't bother to explain how his idea of regeneration is back up by this scripture.

Um... why would I explain why my idea of regeneration is backed up by your scripture? I'm an atheist, remember? I just don't think your "scripturally backed up" version is any different than my version in practice. That's the key, in practice.

Um, my point was for Ryan back up his understanding of regeneration of what the Bible says about regeneration with scripture. How can we even begin to discuss these issues if we can't agree on what the Bible says, I discussed how this worked out in practice. Remember the discussion about Galatians 5? That's what the Bible's regeneration is in practice!

In order to get the happy feelings he got from enjoying what he owes God for any he has to keep doing it

[In order to get the happy feelings he gets from enjoying the things God gave him, Ryan has to keep doing those things.]

What a messy sentence. But I think I get the gist. You realize I have a memory, right? But either way, I'll keep doing these things or other things until I die and I will have as full a life as I possibly can.

For which you owe God. Everything you have.

But that's really besides the point, except that it demonstrates (twice) that you are not a clear thinker. But let me ask, don't you have to keep going to church and/or keep trying to "not sin" to "get the happy feelings"?

Nope. Going to church and fighting your flesh are consequences of regeneration. It's a gift of God. You don't kick it off. You can't continue it. You can't finish it. You can do nothing without Jesus. I thought that you knew what the Bible says, Ryan?

Now come'on [sic] be honest: you can find yourself some where [sic] in verses 19-21. If you are still in those verses and not in verses 22-26 you need to get saved because you are [sic] regenerate yet.

So we're back to Martin Luther being biblically unregenerate?

Who said Martin Luther's life wasn't in verse 22-26? Can Ryan prove that verses 19-21 apply to Martin Luther? Sure would like to see that.

I don't know about you but I think that I have more than shown how the Bible describes regeneration.

Yes, nice job, and good for you, but I that's not what I asked for. What I asked was that you demonstrate how what you, Marcus McElhaney, perceives to be regeneration in your life is any different than what I perceive to be regeneration in my life. You do see the difference, right? I've never met a Christian who could demonstrate this, so don't beat yourself up too badly about it.

I thought showing how Biblical regeneration is more than just enjoying the life God blessed you with would be enough. But if Ryan wants a more personal example how about this one: The Holy Spirit keeps me from cursing out Ryan and keeps me praying for him and having patience with him no matter what ignorant argument he puts forth. He keeps me from using profanity and outright unfounded rudeness. Being regenerate causes me to treat Ryan better than he treats me. How about that? God is truly good.

What had happen' was.....: What does it mean to be "Regenerate"?

New Atheism, Science & Morality by Glenn Peoples - Apologetics 315

Brian Auten has posted a great audio regarding the new Atheism, Science, and Morality. Take a listen to his lecture.

New Atheism, Science & Morality by Glenn Peoples - Apologetics 315

What? Debunking Christianity: It's Ignorant to Say "There is No Evidence for a Historical Jesus"

Wow! We are having a revival at my church all week...and I've seen the hand of God moving for the past several days. Wonders truly never cease. John Loftus has actually posted something I partially agree with!!! Miracles do happen.

Okay, having watched James McGrath and Tommy Baker duke it out with the fanatical mythicists (not all are fanatical), I want to put to rest the ignorant claim that “There is no evidence for a historical Jesus.” There most definitely is. It's called "confirming evidence" or evidence of things we would expect to find if there was a historical Jesus, and it is Legion.

Amen. Hallelujah! John Loftus does seem to see something the same way I do.

Let's have done with such an ignorant claim.

Yes, Please. This we can agree on.

The debate is whether there is sufficient evidence.

Here is where we part company. I do think that there is more than sufficient evidence for Jesus' physical existence in time.

My claim in chapter 12 of The Christian Delusion is that at best the Jesus movement that stemmed from John the Baptist and later reflected in Paul's genuine letters was an apocalyptic doomsday cult, and that this apocalyptic message of theirs can be found in every Jewish religious group or movement from the time of the Maccabees to the Bar Kokhba revolt.

And here also is where there is several points of contention. There is far from a consensus on Loftus' theory but at least he doesn't claim Jesus never existed.

I find that the fanatical mythicists are not taking this evidence seriously. This is what is called disconfirming evidence, which is the strongest type of evidence, and it disconfirms the mythicist position.

I agree again. But I doubt John Loftus is going to make a habit of this - following the truth where ever it leads.

These mythicists are not true skeptics for they are making a claim about the historical evidence, that there was no historical Jesus. At best the historical evidence is patchy. At best they should stop behaving like believers, who, when their pet theory is criticized insult and berate the person who says otherwise. If they were really interested in the truth they would assess it dispassionately. The skeptical mythicist, at best, should simply be interested in the discussion and learn from all sides, not claiming more than what the evidence shows, and say "I don't know if there was or if there wasn't a historical Jesus," like my friend Hector Avalos. There is no reason for all of this emotional bluster. That's a mark of fanaticism which is born of faith, like the religionists they reject.

I'd agree with this also although I disagree with Loftus as to how much of the Bible is credible. He agrees with the Bible that Jesus existed, but denies the most important things the Bible says about Jesus. Still it's better than outright denying the historical evidence blindly. It's not fanaticism to accept a position for which you have evidence for. And there is too much evidence to deny Jesus did in fact exist.

Debunking Christianity: It's Ignorant to Say "There is No Evidence for a Historical Jesus"

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

What does it mean to be "Regenerate"?

You may or may not have been following the comment thread on the following post on this blog.

What had happen' was.....: Debunking Christianity: Dr. Avalos vs. Dr. Weikart: The Rematch

Although the post is about an audio debate between scholars Avalos and Weikart on the Unbelievable? broadcast regarding which best explains the origins of Nazis ideology: "Christian antisemitism" or Darwinism. I think Avalos lost this one, by the way. As he often does, atheist-about-Christianity-but-agnostic-about-all-other-religions Ryan Anderson took issue with the post. He often does. However the discussion has shifted to what it means to be a "Christian". Anderson claims that he used to be a born-again Christian but now he thinks the Bible has mistakes in it and that he was mistaken and all Christians are mistaken. Rather than just send off a quick reply in the comments I think it better to start a new post to explain exactly what the argument is and my response in a clear way. Ryan wrote the following:

Oh I'm regenerate, I regenerated this weekend when kayaking with my Daughter, and this morning when she blew me a kiss walking into school. Before that, I regenerated date night with my Wife and then again watching the two of them play with each others hair, before that I regenerated while mountain biking at dawn, then there was a trip to the mountains and that time on my sailboat...

Can you demonstrate that your regeneratedness is any different than mine? And I mean demonstrate, not just assert.

But I do love the term apostate, I think I'll change my face book status to apostate.

To which I responded:

Use the Biblical definition of the term and I'll answer your question. Nice emotional punt. Totally irrelevant but nice try. Good thing God love you.

Anderson replied:

Says the guy who didn't answer the question. I don't believe the biblical definition (the supernatural one) is valid, so I'll just assume you cannot demonstrate that what you think you've experienced in "biblical regeneration" is any different any other sort of natural regeneration. So there we are.

Said I:

Yeah, I did. you are the one mixing apples and microchips. You prove you understand what "regeneration" is first and then I'll answer your question. Otherwise, you are wasting my time.

To which Anderson replied:

Where?????????

And to be fair, I asked first, but since you are pathological in your avoidance of questions you know you can't answer (and because you are an infant), here's my take on "biblical" regeneration, whoever wrote Ephesians sums up what I think most christian sects agree is the meaning of regeneration, see Ephesians 2:1-10.

Now, demonstrate that what you perceive to be biblical "regeneration" in your life is actually any different in any way than what anyone else senses as any other type of regeneration in their life. You've not been able to demonstrate in any way any sort of supernatural influence, be it an indwelling of the holy spirit or whatever, so I don't hold out much hope for you on this one, but seriously, good luck with that.

Consider this: Anderson is arguing that rest and relaxation and connecting with one's family is the same thing as what th (we Bible says about being regenerated by the Holy Spirit. I'll wait for the snickering to stop....okay now? First let's see what Ephesians 2:1-10 says (in red and notice that Ryan didn't bother to explain how his idea of regeneration is backed up by this scripture.)

¹ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Before we dive into some exegesis it's important to be clear on what we are talking about. I totally agree that this scripture is a good to explain regeneration. It describes what God does in the life of one who believes.Verses 1-3 lays out exactly what an unregenerate person's situation is before God's grace is applied to that individual. We are dead in our sins and unable to help ourselves. We deserve God's wrath. Notice this describes everyone - your gender, upbringing, intentions, personality, experiences, nor anything about you changes that. I just don't see how spending time with and enjoying your wife, children, or any of your possessions changes any of that or fixes the fact that you deserve God's wrath especially since without God you would have none of that. Verses 4 and 5 tells us how we are saved - by God's grace (unmerited favor) . Verses 6-10 tells us why God saved us. It is a gift and God is making us into masterpieces throught Jesus so that we can do good works that God has predestined us to do! Still not seeing how that has anything to do with Ryan Anderson's definition of "regeneration". The Bible is talking about a lasting regeneration that happens once and is good for all time. In order to get the happy feelings he got from enjoying what he owes God for any he has to keep doing it. One day, our Children grow up and move away. Their companionship is not something you can depend on and it will change. These 10 verses are talking about a relationship that never changes.

It's important to point out that atheists are capable of doing good things. They can be good parents and loving spouses. But notice that this isn't enough to make the jump from being spiritually dead in your sins and being complete. Your niceness or goodness is not the point.

⁶ All of us have become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf,
and like the wind our sins sweep us away.- Isaiah 64:6

The good things you do are not good enough to make up for the sins that permeate our lives. Sin is anything that goes against the character and nature of God. "Regeneration" is the process that God does that turns your mind from what it was to something better. It's an upgrade. It's a gift. You don't get it because you are smarter or better. God does it for you. To be regenerate is to be born again. And once you are born you can't be unborn.

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." - John 3:3

There are several other scriptures that spring to mind that show more of what I'm talking about. First let's look at scriptures that juxtapose the regenerate and the unregenerate:

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.- Romans 8:5-17

If you have been regenerated your mind is no longer hostile to God. You can obey and hear God. He is now Father. You are His child. As much as I love my wife and children and my hobbies, they can't do that for me. But God can.

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.- Galatians 5:16-26

Now come'on be honest: you can find yourself some where in verses 19-21. If you are still in those verses and not in verses 22-26 you need to get saved because you are regenerate yet. The passage is talking about lifestyle. It's talking about the things that we practice and/or want to practice. Can enjoying family and hobbies move you from verses 19-21 to 22-26? Nope.

It's not just the New Testament that talks about how God has to regenerate us - molding and shaping us into better than what we are. The Old Testament is full of such passages also. Here is one of my favorites:

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. - Ezekiel 11:19

This was the whole point for God to send the prophet Jeremiah to the potter's house in Jeremiah 18.

⁵ Then the word of the LORD came to me. ⁶ He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. ⁷ If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, ⁸ and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. ⁹ And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, ¹⁰ and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it. - Jeremiah 18:5-10

This was also the point behind God sending Ezekiel to the "Valley of Dry Bones" in Ezekiel 37.

¹¹ Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ ¹² Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. ¹³ Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. ¹⁴ I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’” - Ezekiel 37:11-14

Why is sin and death so connected - almost synonymous?

The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death. - Proverbs 10:16

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23

I don't know about you but I think that I have more than shown how the Bible describes regeneration and what it means to be born-again and that Ryan's definition is way too narrow. If a person is truly born-again I don't know why they would ever want to leave God because there is no way to get what God is offering. The only explanation I can offer is that they didn't really experience what the Bible describes as being regenerate. With the experience you should get at least in inkling (that grows) of what you have been saved from! I have also given scripture that explain how to tell if you have been regenerated but I will conclude with one more passage.

¹⁴ For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
¹⁶ “This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.” - Hebrews 10:14-16

Karmatheism - National Messianic Jewish | Examiner.com

Mariano has recently written article about how atheism and Karma have been infused into pop culture. Excellent analysis.

Karmatheism - National Messianic Jewish | Examiner.com

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: J.M. Reu: Luther's German Bible... now online

Ausschnitt aus dem Titelblatt der Lutherbibel ...

Image via WikipediaJames Swan posted a link to a book by JM Reu on Martin Luther's German translation of the Bible.

In my opinion, the best book in English on the background of Luther's Bible is J.M. Reu's Luther's German Bible: an historical presentation, together with a collection of sources (The Lutheran book concern, 1934). I've been looking for an affordable copy of this book for a long time. Used copies typically only go as low as $75. The price though can go much higher. I've used library copies of this book for years.

Good there is an online version. You can get the link by visiting James Swan's blog.

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: J.M. Reu: Luther's German Bible... now online

Science Made Simple [Video]

Cute Video on the wonders of Quantum Mechanics!
Science Made Simple from Jacob Slack on Vimeo.

Science Made Simple [Video]

Monday, July 18, 2011

FacePalm of the Day #110 - Debunking Christianity: God and Evolution Don’t Mix, by Dr. John Shook

And here is proof of what logic it was that led to John Shook loosing his debate with William Lane Craig.

If God was trying to produce us through evolution, what does that tell us about a God that would use that method? Here’s some suggestions:

I wouldn't argue that theistic evolution is viable. I would also have to point out that not all who support theistic evolution would agree with the conclusions that Shook reaches. The Bible does not line up with Shook at all.

A. God prefers diversity, not heights of intelligence or self-awareness. God does not prioritize creatures that can know God and praise God.

²Through the praise of children and infants
   you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
   to silence the foe and the avenger.
³ When I consider your heavens,
   the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
   which you have set in place,
⁴ what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
   human beings that you care for them?^[c]
⁵ You have made them^[d] a little lower than the angels^[e]
   and crowned them^[f] with glory and honor.
⁶ You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
   you put everything under their^[g] feet:
⁷ all flocks and herds,
   and the animals of the wild,
⁸ the birds in the sky,
   and the fish in the sea,
   all that swim the paths of the seas.- Psalm 8:2-8

B. God is quite comfortable with endless horrible struggle and suffering.

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

C. God is quite comfortable with death – lots of it.

⁵³ For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”- 1 Corinthians 15:53-55

D. God likely has plans for the future evolution of life that don’t involve humanity.

Too many scriptures tells us that God's plans involve humanity

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.- Romans 8:18-25

E. God probably is just using us to later get whatever kind of life He really wants.

The creation was perfect when God created it. Here is what the Bibles about why God did it.

¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. - Colossians 1:15-20

What is God really up to? Maybe God is slow-breeding angels. Or cyborgs. Or the Singularity. Maybe God doesn’t want worshippers – maybe God is seeing if He/She/It can eventually create another fellow God. Link\

Nope: God has a purpose for His people

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

Debunking Christianity: God and Evolution Don’t Mix, by Dr. John Shook

History Collided When Ruby Bridges Met Barack Obama (Video) - The Snob Blog - Danielle Belton's The Black Snob

Imagine changing the history of a nation. Now imagine doing it at 6 years-old.When she was 6 yrs-old Ruby Bridges was the little girl at the center of the landmark civil rights case which desegregated public schools - Brown vs Board of Education.

History Collided When Ruby Bridges Met Barack Obama (Video) - The Snob Blog - Danielle Belton's The Black Snob

Saturday, July 23, 2011

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