What had happen' was.....

Friday, August 12, 2011

The Bible and a Just Society | Dr. Claude Mariottini – Professor of Old Testament

Dr Claude Mariottini posted the following sermon by Rabbi Lord Sacks. He talks about the ramifications of Deuteronomy 4: 5-8 and how it relates to what just society really is and how Moses tells us about how Gentiles fit into God's plan.

The Bible and a Just Society | Dr. Claude Mariottini – Professor of Old Testament

Response to William Lane Craig’s Question 225: “The ‘Slaughter’ of the Canaanites Re-visited” Part II | MandM

Matthew Flannagan posted part 2 of his response to William Lane Craig regarding the slaughter of the Canaanites. This time he discusses the ramification of 1st Samuel 15 directly. I'm still not completely sold but he and Paul Copan's point that 1st Samuel says that Saul destroyed all the Amalekites and yet there were Amalekites afterward in the text as very important supporting evidence for his view point. I will be studying this further.

Response to William Lane Craig’s Question 225: “The ‘Slaughter’ of the Canaanites Re-visited” Part II | MandM

Thursday, August 11, 2011

MILES MORALES & ME: Why the new biracial Spider-Man matters - Comic Riffs - The Washington Post

I find that Miles Morales - the new Spider-Man - has made profound waves and he's only appeared in one issue so far! David Betancourt has written a very passionate essay about what this change means to a life-long fan. One of my favorite quotes from the article is:

Black superheroes, of course, have made their mark on the comic book industry — including not only Black Panther but also Storm and Spawn, for example — but this is different. This is Marvel taking the mantle of their flagship character — one of the most important comic-book characters in history — and placing the characters in the hands of a kid who reflects a more accurate portrayal of the diversity of where we are in the world right now.

This is a great article, check it outl

MILES MORALES & ME: Why the new biracial Spider-Man matters - Comic Riffs - The Washington Post

Captain America & Indiana Jones Team Up - G4tv.com

FacePalm of the Day #118 - Bart Ehrman and the Epistle to the Laodiceans

facepalm animated gifs Pictures, Images and Photos

Last Saturday, Dr Darrell Bock faced off with Dr Bart Ehrman on the Unbelievable? radio broadcast. They discussed Ehrman's latest book Forged in which Dr Ehrman contends that the majority of the writers of the New Testament were liars because they claimed to be people that they weren't. During the course of the discussion Ehrman said that this was a wide-spread practice by Christians and offered up the Epistle to the Laodiceans as an example of a letter that could not have been written by Paul even though it claims to be, has nothing that can be consider heretical, and was considered to be canon by many Christians over many centuries. This intrigued me. And like Dr Ehrman often does, he says some true things but neglects to tell everything that would be relevant to know.

1. There are no copies or definitive mention of the letter before the 4th century
2. There are no Greek copies of the letter - they are all Latin.
3. It doesn't contain heresy because it also contains nothing that you cannot get the canonical epistles.
4. The Wikipedia article states: " Jerome wrote in the 4th century, "it is rejected by everyone."^[12]"
5. Some people think that this may be the letter referred to Colosians 4:16. I don't think so because we should be able to trace it back to the first century if it were authentic.
Here is the problem. There is no possible way knowing what we know can we say that Paul wrote this. As for the other Epistles like Ephesians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, and the other canonical books, it's not nearly as slam dunk as Ehrman makes it sound. The Epistle of Laodiceans is no where in their league. I mean just look at this thing and see if it's "God-breathed" or merely copied.

Translation from the Vulgate

Latin	English
1. Paulus apostolus non ab hominibus neque per hominem sed per Iesum Christum, fratribus qui sunt Laodiciae.	1. Paul, an apostle, not of men or because of men, but because of Jesus Christ, to the brothers at Laodicea.
2. gratia vobis et pax a Deo Patre et Domino Iesu Christo.	2. Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. gratias ago Christo per omnem orationem meam, quod permanentes estis in eo et perseverantes in operibus eius, promissum expectantes in diem iudicii.	3. I thank Christ in my every prayer, that you are enduring in Him and persevering in His good works, looking ahead to the promise of the Day of Judgment
4. neque destituant vos quorundam vaniloquia insinuantium, ut vos evertant a veritate evangelii quod a me praedicatur.	4. Don't let the vain speech of anyone trouble you—speech that tries to lead you away from the truth of the gospel I have preached.
5. et nunc faciet Deus, ut qui sunt ex me ad profectum veritatis evangelii deservientes et facientes benignitatem operum quae salutis vitae aeternae	5. And now may God allow my people to (continue to increase in?) the truth of the Gospel and do good (for greeting?) eternal life.
6. et nunc palam sunt vincula mea quae patior in Christo; quibus laetor et gaudeo.	6. And now my bonds are seen, which I suffer in Christ, and so I rejoice and I am glad.
7. et hoc mihi est ad salutem perpetuam; quod ipsum factum orationibus vestris et administrantem Spiritum Sanctum, sive per vitam sive per mortem.	7. And this is for my eternal salvation, which comes through your prayers and the help of the Holy Spirit, by life or by death.
8. est enim mihi vere vita in Christo et mori gaudium.	8. Truly to me, to live is in Christ, and to die is a joy.
9. et in ipsum in vobis faciet misericordiam suam, ut eandem dilectionem habeatis et sitis unianimes.	9. And he will work his mercy in you, so that you will have the same love and be of one mind.
10. ergo, dilectissimi, ut audistis praesentia mei, ita retinete et facite in timore Dei, et erit vobis vita in aeternum;	10. So, beloved, as you have heard in my presence, so hold fast and work in the fear of God, and eternal life will be yours.
11. est enim Deus qui operatur in vos.	11. Since it is God that works in you,
12. et facite sine retractu quaecumque facitis.	12. do whatever you do without inhibition.
13. et quod est, dilectissimi, gaudete in Christo. et praecavete sordidos in lucro.	13. and (as it is?), beloved, rejoice in Christ, and avoid those dirtied with wealth.
14. omnes sint petitiones vestrae palam apud Deum. et estote firmi in sensu Christi.	14. Let all your petitions be (made?) before God, and be steadfast in the (way?) of Christ.
15. et quae integra et vera et pudica et iusta et amabilia facite.	15. And what is sound and true and sensible and just and lovable, do these things.
16. et quae audistis et accepistis, in corde retinete, et erit vobis pax.	16. And what you have heard and accepted, hold it in your heart, peace will be yours.
17. salutate omnes fratres in osculo sancto.	17. Salute all the brothers with a holy kiss.
18. salutant vos sancti.	18. The saints salute you.
19. gratia Domini Iesu cum spiritu vestro.	19. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with your spirit.
20. et facite legi Colosensium vobis.	20. And let this be read to the Colossians.

Epistle to the Laodiceans (Wikisource translation) - Wikisource

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Laodiceans

Wikipedia - Epistle to the Laodiceans

Petition Asks Bert And Ernie To Get Married On Sesame Street

I realize that a discussion of diversity in the media has been really in the news lately. I'm not surprised that such a petition has been brought up to get Bert and Ernie married to one another. But I still have to ask why? Can't two people be room mates in real-life and be friends and completely non-amorous? Why not? What message does it send if we say they can't - just to add depiction of a lifestyle on Sesame Street? I don't see how it could be a positive message at all. Sesame Street has already confirmed that the characters are not gay, why change it now?

Petition Asks Bert And Ernie To Get Married On Sesame Street

Response to William Lane Craig’s Question 225: “The ‘Slaughter’ of the Canaanites Re-visited” Part I | MandM

Matthew Flannagan is beginning a series of posts responding to an answer William Lane Craig offered to a question regarding the charge that God condoned and command genocide when he commanded the slaugther of the Canaanites.

Response to William Lane Craig’s Question 225: “The ‘Slaughter’ of the Canaanites Re-visited” Part I | MandM

Debunking Christianity: Debunking the Kalam Cosmological Argument

John Loftus posted a link to the following video for people's rational consideration.

Gee...I wonder why he didn't also post the response?

Debunking Christianity: Debunking the Kalam Cosmological Argument

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Religious People are Nerds [Video]

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

'Ultimate Spider-Man' Artist Sara Pichelli Is A Killer Storyteller - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

There has been a lot press about the new Spider-Man but Comics Alliance posted a great article about the artist who will be illustrating his adventures. Her name is Sara Pichelli and according to this article, Miles Morales is in good hands - hers!

'Ultimate Spider-Man' Artist Sara Pichelli Is A Killer Storyteller - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

FacePalm of the Day #117 - Debunking Christianity: Proof Evangelicals Will Do Whatever it Takes to Continue Believing: "Evangelicals Question The Existence Of Adam And Eve"

John Loftus posted the following link to an article

They are doing what each generation of Christian thinkers have done from the very beginning. The future of Christianity will not be the same as it is today. It's just that like all other evolving organisms and systems of thought, they evolve so slowing it's hard to detect it. Evangelicals would be appalled at the Christianity of a century or more ago, and they will be equally appalled at the Christianity a century or more from now. Evangelicals, give it up. Enjoy

I am amazed but not surprised at how the article reads as if that all scientists have come to the conclusion that there is no way Adam and Eve had been real living people. It's not true. I agree that the historicity of Adam and Eve is the crux of Christianity. I think this is why people want to prove it's not true. Without Adam enslaving humanity to sin, there is no need for Jesus to have come and die for us. The entire Bible is built on this fact. I'm not saying that we should believe the Bible to make sure that Christianity is true. There is no reason to just accept that Genesis says that people only go back 6000 years There are good reasons to think that earth and humanity is a great deal older than that v - Scientific and Biblical. Bottom Line: There is no reason to throw the Bible under the bus in order to be rational and scientific. Truly a FacePalm.
.
Debunking Christianity: Proof Evangelicals Will Do Whatever it Takes to Continue Believing: "Evangelicals Question The Existence Of Adam And Eve"

Race at Marvel and DC Comics: Sometimes They Get It Right - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Image via Wikipedia

Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr
I realize that it's usually bigger news when the media makes mistakes regarding race than when they are actually trying to improve things and increase diversity. This is why I really like this article from Comics Alliance. It's a count down of things Marvel and DC have done to try to bring diversity to the comics Industry. They indeed some times does somethings right. It points out a couple of things I hadn't thought about - Wolverine's son is half-Japanese and Batman's son is part Arabic. I had not really thought of it that way before. And it is true Marvel has invested a lot in Black Panther -determined to make it work. Marvel and DC are trying and it is commendable

Race at Marvel and DC Comics: Sometimes They Get It Right - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Answering Muslims: Sharia Law: Battlefield London

What's wrong with executing people because they disagree with you? Or maiming or disfiguring other people and pretend that it was God who ordered you to do it? Everything.

Answering Muslims: Sharia Law: Battlefield London

In Case of Emergency… [Pic]

Dress For The Job You Want? - G4tv.com

Had it been me...it probably would have been a Spider-Man costume.

Dress For The Job You Want? - G4tv.com

Captain America and Superhero Worldviews, Part 2 | Reflections

Here is part 2 of Dr Kenneth Sample's reflection on the worldview illustrated in Captain America: The First Avenger. I liked his analysis and I agree with him. I'd add in saying that the way Captain America's ethics were demonstrated reminds me of the America I've always wanted and heard about but never actually experienced. Samples is right that America is far from the Triune all-powerful God of the Bible but many moral things were there in the beginning. Rather than rugged and selfish individualism and entitlement the permeates American culture today, Captain America was very much a product of the America of the 1940s - a generation that came of age during the depression and in many ways in the movie, Captain America represented some of the best that generation had to offer. The desire to serve and protect others. The dislike of bullies. There was a line in the movie where Steve Rogers said he wanted to fight Nazis because he does not like bullies. I've seen interviews of real-life WWII veterans expressing the same sentiment. He also said that men were fighting and dying for freedom and said he could do no less. He was not more concerned with his own life than he was about the people around him. He was humble and powerful and he was striving to do the right thing because it was right even when it was hard or inconvenient. This is the America I'd like us to be. It's also the kind of man Captain America is in the Comics. By that way, I also thought the movie was great.

Captain America and Superhero Worldviews, Part 2 | Reflections

Monday, August 8, 2011

The Saddest Day on the Jewish Calendar | Dr. Claude Mariottini – Professor of Old Testament

Dr Claude Mariottini has called attention to one of the important days on the Jewish Calendar. He writes:

The fast of Tisha B’Av begins this Monday evening at sundown and ends on Tuesday night. The fast of Tisha B’Av is known as the “saddest” day on the Jewish calendar.
Tisha B’Av is the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av, a day when the Jewish people remember some of the great tragedies suffered by the Jewish People. Tisha B’Av is a day set apart to lament the anniversaries of the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians and of the Second Temple by Romans.

Read the entire article to learn what events are remembered on this day.

The Saddest Day on the Jewish Calendar | Dr. Claude Mariottini – Professor of Old Testament

Parting Shot: Understanding the Ultimate Spider-Man Controversy - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

I think that there is a really interesting take on the recent racial issues brought up in new Ultimate Spider-Man

Cartoonist Ty Templeton has tackled the negative reaction by a number of people in the mainstream media (and comics) to the new half-black, half-Hispanic Ultimate Spider-Man Miles
Morales in a new edition of his regular Bun Toons comic. I predict this will clear everything up:

Read More: http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/08/08/ultimate-spider-man-miles-morales/#ixzz1UUEv6763

So in other words, it's not like the Comics Industry hasn't done this before. The problem is it's Spider-Man and Spider-Man is high profile.

Parting Shot: Understanding the Ultimate Spider-Man Controversy - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Not Even Mentioning the best Evidence

Overall at Beggars All, Ken has written a blog post about Dr Darrell Bock's encounter with Dr. Bart Ehrman on the Unbelievable? radio program regarding Ehrman's book Forged. Ken has written a great article discussing some of the things that Bock and Ehrman did not have time to discuss during the program in a little more detail and points to more resources on the subject. Awesome post.

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Not Even Mentioning the best Evidence

Watch The Avengers: EMH! (2010) Season 1- Ep. 20! | Avengers | Movie & TV News | News | Marvel.com

Marvel.com is streaming episode of The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes! They have streamed the first 20 episodes and here is the 20th episode.

Watch The Avengers: EMH! (2010) Season 1- Ep. 20! | Avengers | Movie & TV News | News | Marvel.com

Answering Muslims: On the Radicalization of Anders Behring Breivik

David Wood continues his discussion on how the mass media is incorrectly labeling Anders Behring Breivik as a "Christian".

Answering Muslims: On the Radicalization of Anders Behring Breivik

Saturday, August 6, 2011

FacePalm of the Day #116 - Debunking Christianity: Osama Bin Laden Was Probably a Good Man

John Loftus wrote the following quote several weeks ago. It's taken me a long time to post on this because I'm still shocked that a rational human being could actually think the following quote:

Osama Bin Laden was probably a good man; sincere, devout and God fearing. But all it takes to make good people do evil is religion. Keep that in mind. That is the lesson of his life. He was deluded in the same way as other believers. Some delusions cause more harm than others though, and he caused a great deal of it. The problem is he will never know he was deluded. Neither will any of the rest of them. What a waste of a life.

John Loftus and many atheists said much the same thing about Anders Behring Behring a few weeks ago. They blamed religion for the acts of Bin Landen and Behring. Truly facepalm worthy because the attitude is that Bin Laden would what have been a better person but his religion corrupted him as if every Muslim would do what he did. The same accusation was made about Behring. However no one can honestly say that Behring is a Christian. He has way more in common with John Loftus' fantasy Christianity than with any born-again Christian I have known. Again, David Wood more than proved this. Go back and watch his video if you missed it.

Debunking Christianity: Osama Bin Laden Was Probably a Good Man

The Best Wi-Fi Names of All Time [Pic]

Contra Mundum: Consenting Adults and Harm | MandM

Dr Matt Flannagan has posted an article about the often touted argument that morality of an action should only be couched by the question of who that action harms and why. Unfortunately, people really think the graphic at the right is enough. Flannagan writes:

In debates over abortion, homosexual conduct, euthanasia, prostitution, drugs, those who call themselves liberals often mount the same basic argument; a socially or morally permissive stance is necessitated towards such practices because people have a right to choose do what ever they like with their own bodies.As John Stuart Mill put it in his book On Liberty:

“The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.” [Emphasis added]
Here Mill articulates the harm principle.

Read Flannagan's article at the following link!

Contra Mundum: Consenting Adults and Harm | MandM

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Desperate and Dubious Muslim Polemical Methods

Ken has posted a great article summarizing quick and powerful rebuttals to Islamic Polemics. These are arguments that are often raised and it's good to have answers summarized and reference in a single place.

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Desperate and Dubious Muslim Polemical Methods

Wireless Data From Every Light Bulb [Video]

New discoveries are being made all the time including in Information technology. Here is a very interesting video about what's coming in the future of information transmission.

What if every light bulb in the world could also transmit data? At TEDGlobal, Harald Haas demonstrates, for the first time, a device that could do exactly that. By flickering the light from a single LED, a change too quick for the human eye to detect, he can transmit far more data than a cellular tower — and do it in a way that’s more efficient, secure and widespread.

Wireless Data From Every Light Bub [Video]

On Air Debate with Bart Ehrman about the book Forged (Aug 6 revised) Podcast Now Posted | Bible.org Blogs

Now here is a match up I've been waiting for: Dr Darrell Bock vs Dr. Bart Ehrman! They were on the British Radio/Podcast program Unbelievable? with Justin Brierley. They discussed Dr Ehrman's latest book "Forged". Listen to the exchange and make up your own mind.

On Air Debate with Bart Ehrman about the book Forged (Aug 6 revised) Podcast Now Posted | Bible.org Blogs

Website for the program

Friday, August 12, 2011

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