Atheism is Dead: Is Dan Barker Self Loathing?, part 2 of 2

Mariano has posted his second part of his latest post on Dan Barker. I love his introduction

We now continue and conclude considering Dan Barker’s hypocrisy and contradictions as he seeks to condemn in other those very characteristics which he, himself, displays.

This article is great and take a look!

Atheism is Dead: Is Dan Barker Self Loathing?, part 2 of 2

Doctrines of Grace Seminar, Introduction, St. Charles

Last Friday, James White delivered a presentation of what the Reformed Theology is and is not. This is a great lecture.





Doctrines of Grace Seminar, Introduction, St. Charles

On Remaining Sound in Islamic Apologetics

On his blog today,  Dr. James White joined Dr. Dan Wallace on calling attention to an argument made by "Walid Shoebat [who] alleges that Codex Vaticanus (B) identifies the mark of the beast not as "666" (or 616 as some earlier manuscripts have) but instead an Arabic insertion "in the name of Allah" along with a symbol of crossed swords." Dr. White does not repeat Wallace's arguments but linked to them but I like the two addtitional comments that Dr. White offered. 

1. The rendering of Revelation 13:18 is not from much later than most of of the codex.
2. There is no way you can get the number of the mark of the Beast 666 (or 616) to be "in the Name of Allah" in Arabic! White even posted pictures of the Greek texts verses what Arabic "Allah" looks like. No way do they match!

This is important because in our zeal to show Islam is wrong about key issues concerning Jesus and the Bible, we can't just lie on Islam. We must accurately represent it at all times. Trying to equate Islam with the Anti-Christ is unfair and lying on God!


Revelations 13:18  says:

This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.

666 from Revelations 13:18 

Allah in Arabic

On Remaining Sound in Islamic Apologetics

When sex doesn't sell: Slew of bad ads backfire in the blogosphere -- DailyFinance

Everyone agrees that sex sells! When they work - meaning that advertisements  influence people to buy the product being advertised - they work well. People remember the product. This particular article is great. It points out that people remember advertised products either because they were awestruck or horrified. If you are horrified, you will remember the product but you might not buy it! The article points out 4 advertisements that are recent and shocking that use sexuality to sell their products. The article is right, you may find something humorous that offends another. I find the same thing in these examples. By and large many people were offended.

Example 1:  Halls commercial - mother and roommate eat a halls and it is so good that the middle-aged woman and the roommate make humming sounds of  satisfaction while looking into each others' eyes. I found this funny not offensive because neither person was doing anything wrong...it just looked awkward.



Example 2: Beer ad from Australia....no words. I'm offended because this goes under "things you can't unsee". Snow White has happy, innocent memories for me...sullied for ever.

Example 3: Mrs Clause cheating on Santa. Scary. Somethings just shouldn't be done.



Example 4: Cashing in on Sarah Palin's family problems. Remember Levi? He is the father of Palin's grandson. This ad is not just offensive...it's bad taste. How is this kid going to feel about this when he grows up?




When sex doesn't sell: Slew of bad ads backfire in the blogosphere -- DailyFinance

Richard Dawkins: The Genius of Charles Darwin

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I just came across a television program by Richard Dawkins celebrating the life of Charles Darwin. In the interest of always presenting the views of everyone, even those who disagree with me, I'm posting the three-part series. Listen closely to how Dawkins refers to Darwin in almost messianic tones. Like he was the one who came down from Mt Olympus to enlighten humanity, freeing us from darkness. Too much. IT looks like a love letter.




Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

Watch The Genius of Charles Darwin -Episode 2 in Faith & Spirituality  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Apologetics 315: 5 Characteristics of Willful Unbelief MP3 Audio by John MacArthur

Image by DashHouse via Flickr

 Here is a great sermon from John MacArthur I got from Apologetics 315. I like the way he gives 5 things that characterizes the unbelief of people in plain contrast to facts. Her uses the unbelief of the Jewish leaders when they questioned the man Jesus healed who had been born blind.. Worth listening to. 

Apologetics 315: 5 Characteristics of Willful Unbelief MP3 Audio by John MacArthur

Apologetics 315: Origins of Life Debate MP3 Audio: Meyer, Sternberg, Prothero, Shermer

 Here is a great debate! I've been looking forward to seeing debates regarding Neo-Darwinism vs Intelligent Design. We need more of these. We need to see debates where both sides presents their sides - evidence! This one is a keeper!

Apologetics 315: Origins of Life Debate MP3 Audio: Meyer, Sternberg, Prothero, Shermer

YouTube - President Obama bows to Emperor Akihito

Image by jmtimages via Flickr

Here is a slow-motion video from a couple of weeks ago. The President got a lot of flack for bowing before the Japanese emperor. I don't get the controversy.

1. Obama was not on his knees.
2. What else are you supposed do when you greet the Japanese emperor. I bet every single President or Head of State who has met the emperor of Japan bowed the same way.





YouTube - President Obama bows to Emperor Akihito

Vatican Cardinal on Gays and Transsexuals: 'No Heaven for You!' -- Politics Daily

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 I found a great article on an interview of Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, a Mexican cardinal, who is catching some flack. Why? Because he believes the Bible and is not afraid to agree and quote it in public. For shame.
Cardinal Barragan is said to have said about abortion:

In the interview with the aptly named magazine Pontifex, Barragan begins by talking about abortion, saying that even the morning-after pill, as an abortifacient, is comparable to "an assassination." Each abortion, he says, "is a crime" and as such "merits punishment."

Grant it a lot of people don't like this. I agree with the Cardinal because he agrees with the Bible. But this is not the only "controversial" thing he said. According to the article's writer, the Cardinal really stepped in it when he was asked about what he thought of homosexuality and the transgendered.What was so bad? He said Paul was right!

The interviewer then asks the cardinal how he views homosexuality and transgendered people. Here's my translation of his answers:

A: "Transsexuals and homosexuals will not enter into the Kingdom of God, and I do not say this, but Saint Paul does."

Q: But if a person is born homosexual?

A: "One is not born a homosexual. One becomes a homosexual. It is for various reasons, such as education, or for not developing one's own proper identity in adolescence; perhaps they are themselves not responsible, but acting against the dignity of the human body, certainly they will not enter Heaven. All that goes against nature and against the dignity of the human body offends God."

The cardinal adds:

"Homosexuality is therefore a sin, but this does not justify any form of discrimination. God alone has the right to judge...We on earth cannot condemn, and as human beings we all have the same rights."

If the translation is right, I agree with the Cardinal. What is missing from this discussion is the fact that homosexuality is no worse a sin than any others. The things is stealing, lying, adultery, and every other sin that comes to mind is just as bad as homosexuality and are inborn in us. Without Jesus we all go to hell. Bottom line. A homosexual is no worse a sinner than a liar or a thief. God does not love homosexuals less than any other sinner.

Unfortunately, the Vatican is not supporting the Bible the way this cardinal is:

Catholic leaders in Rome, and a few in the United States, have been wary of accepting scientific research showing that homosexuality could be biologically determined to a great degree. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says only that its "psychological genesis remains largely unexplained" and says homosexuality is "objectively disordered" and can never be approved. It calls on homosexuals to live chaste lives.

In a sign that the Vatican prefers to take a more nuanced approach to homosexuality, a papal spokesman told Reuters that Pontifex should not be considered an authority on Catholic thinking "on complex and delicate issues such as homosexuality."

I think the Vatican is dodging. We know what explains homosexuality. The same as all sins: our depraved sinful natures that we are all born with! Sins that we can only be delivered from by Jesus. Instead of upholding what the  Bible says, they try to be palatable to the society.

Vatican Cardinal on Gays and Transsexuals: 'No Heaven for You!' -- Politics Daily

Atheism is Dead: Is Dan Barker Self Loathing?, part 1 of 2

Mariano has written another thoughtful article about Dan Barker. One thing that I would like to point out is that Barker praises Unitarian Universalists because of their openness and non-exclusivity. Mariano, points out that they don't stand for fundamental anything and allows just about any interpretation of the Bible as long as it does not conflict with them. Mariano gave the example of how asserting Jesus' uniqueness and necessity for salvation is not tolerated among them. No wonder Barker is comfortable in their circels.

Atheism is Dead: Is Dan Barker Self Loathing?, part 1 of 2

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Who is the Mediator / Intercessor / Advocate

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Here is Mariano's next part on his series on the Trinity. This time he considers which person of the Trinity is our Mediator, Intercessor and Advocate? This one is a little more complicated because Father, Son, and Holy Spirit fulfill different roles. Check out his answer!

Jesus is our mediator and our advocate
Holy Spirit is our intercessor

Thanks, Mariano!

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Who is the Mediator / Intercessor / Advocate

Third Eye of Oculus: Sun Tzu's Tactics used in the Vietnam War

Here is a great documentary explaining how the ideas of Sun Tzu have been used and ignored throughout history. I like this one!











Third Eye of Oculus: Sun Tzu's Tactics used in the Vietnam War

Truthbomb Apologetics: The Goliath of Neo-Darwinism vs. The David of Intelligent Design

On his blog, Truthbomb Apologetics, Chad has summarized some great resources in the latest news on the ongoing debate between those who reject the existence of God and those who favor the idea that God created the universe. I like the term that Chad used: Neo-Darwinism. It's in use today but not all over. It'snot the same as the theories published by Charles Darwin, and has a way more atheistic bent and agenda. As for Intelligent design not all of its proponents believe that the intelligent designer is God - crazy as that is. I mean Richard Dawkins and others would either deny the blatant designed reality all around us or postulate extraterrestrial advanced civilizations seeding life on earth rather than fall down and worship God. Sad really. Here are two debates and comments of people from both sides. Take a look at the link. It's definitely a Goliath-size opponent we are facing, but just like God gave David Goliath's behind on a silver-platter, He will also show Neo-Darwinism for the farce that it truly is.

Truthbomb Apologetics: The Goliath of Neo-Darwinism vs. The David of Intelligent Design

Apologetics 315: Refuting Bart Ehrman's Skepticism MP3 Audio by Phil Fernandes

Brian has posted a great lecture on the work of Bart Ehrman. The lecture is by Phil Fernandez. He posted links to the video and to the mp3. For anyone who is interested in textual criticism and whether or not we can trust the Bible needs to listen to this.


Dr . Phil Fernandes - "Refuting the New Skepticism" from Gabe Ginorio on Vimeo.



Apologetics 315: Refuting Bart Ehrman's Skepticism MP3 Audio by Phil Fernandes

Sumerian Origin of Humans?

Image by rosemaniov via Flickr

Here is a documentary exploring how the ancient Sumerians looked at the origins of humanity. It presents the most bombastic, most radical fringe viewpoints and interpretation of the Bible and History that I'm not even sure if it gets the information about the Sumerians/Babylonians. Take a look at it with the goal of hearing another viewpoint. There is precious little that they can prove.







Sumerian Origin of Humans?

Actual Great Moments in De-Evolution: Twittering/Facebooking During Wedding

I enjoy Twitter and Facebook as much as the next guy, but does one really need to interrupt his wedding to update his social network profile statuses! This guy did. And the woman still married him!

These days, a crazy stunt or theme at a wedding is par for the course. Maybe it's the potential to create a viral video sensation (as well as lasting memories), or maybe people are just plain weird. But hey, if it's true love, who are we to judge?

Take this couple in the video posted after the break, which we found on Mashable. The groom, Dana Hanna, is dressed in his crisp, black tuxedo. The bride, whose name we don't know, is glowing in her white dress. Looks like a normal wedding ceremony, right? Well, it was, until Hanna pulled out his phone and changed his relationship status on Facebook to 'married' right there at the altar. Quick on her feet, the bride follows suit, and the crowd gets a good laugh out of it. But it's the preacher who delivers the punchline. "If it's official on Facebook, it's official in my book," he says.

While this stunt went over well this time, we wouldn't recommend everybody try it. It takes a special person to find this funny and play along, too. Hanna is a lucky man to have her.

My wife, Mitsouky, would have killed me!!!!!






Blogger: Favorite Media - Manage Posts
Actual Great Moments in De-Evolution: Twittering/Facebooking During Wedding

Remote Controlled Fighting Gundams Herald The Apocalypse And That's Okay

Just when I thought that Japan wasn't really that much farther ahead of us in robotics, I come across a video showing this! Two Gundam models slugging it out under remote control. I want one. It'd be only a matter of time that this could be applied to real life-sized robots. America, we need to catch up!





Remote Controlled Fighting Gundams Herald The Apocalypse And That's Okay

Dwindling In Unbelief: Collision: Are Douglas Wilson's beliefs good for the world? Part 3

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I came across a blog article attempting to systemize the "cultic" beliefs of Doug Wilson. I like Doug Wilson and I have been blessed to hear some of his lectures and debates and I am quite impressed. The writer of this particular article is not impressed or happy in the slightest regrading what Dr. Wilson stands for. I'd like to respond to this writer because I want to affirm that about a great many things Wilson is correct. This third post deals with Doug Wilson's stance on: a few different topics. My comments will be in read, the writer of the original article's words will be black.

On Crime and Punishment
The magistrate is God's minister of wrath against those who do evil. There would be only three punishments: death, lashing, and restitution. There would be no jails, prisons, or hospitals for the mentally ill.

Responsibility for the civil order is placed in the hands of magistrates, who act as God's ministers of wrath against those who do evil (Rom. 13:1-7). God's law sets forth three basic punishments for crime: death, lashing (essentially, a government-sponsored spanking), and restitution. There is a conspicuous absence of county jails, state penitentiaries, reform schools, and hospitals for the criminally insane. The goal of the sentence is to execute God's wrath. . . .

The article's writer is making it sound like Wilson and the Bible are calling for the death penalty of mentally ill people who don't know what they are doing. Wilson said "criminally insane". Then it just becomes an equal justice for everyone. If you disaobey the laws...this is penalty. What is wrong with that? Notto mentuion the amount of money it woiuld save the government not supporting criminals in prison who commit capital offense - if they are truly guilty.

On Elected Officials
We are all currently ruled by God-hating tyrants. Only male Christians (belonging to Doug Wilson's church) should be allowed to hold public office.

If we have God-hating tyrants ruling over us (and we do), then we must recognize that they rule by our invitation. First, our rulers are to be able men. ... The responsibility of civil, ecclesiastical and family leadership is given to men. … [I]t is an embarrassment and a reproach to the men to have women ruling a nation (Is. 3:12).
The men we choose are to fear God. The unregenerate do not fear God by definition (Rom. 3:18).
We are to choose men of truth. … A man who honestly believes erroneous doctrine may be sincere, but he is also deceived.
From this list of qualifications, it is apparent that, biblically, it is only professing Christians who are qualified to hold public office. (5)

Wilson is correct. That is what the bible is saying. IO don't think he is saying that only members of his own local church should lead the county, but Christians who are going to follow god no matter what should lead and I agree. The fear I sense here is that women will not have positions of leadership at all. This isn't true. We have proof that there were woman leaders in the first century churches.

On Disobedient Children You can't just kill your son for being disobedient. You have to bring a son that is "worthy of death" before the elders of the church (Doug Wilson's church) and have them kill him for for you.

[A] father may (and must) discipline his son, but he may not exercise capital punishment against him on his own authority. Instead, he must bring a son worthy of death to the elders of the city, who are charged with applying the civil penalty (Prov. 13:24; Deut. 21:18-21). (6)

Is this writer actually suggesting  that Wilson thinks that his church should execute children? Let's be honest. Wilson is only saying the Bible is correct. And let us also face facts if parents discipilined their children few if any would get to that point to need to be executed - meaning that they have become a danger to society.

Wilson is right

Dwindling In Unbelief: Collision: Are Douglas Wilson's beliefs good for the world?

Atheism is Dead: The God Delusion is an Amusing Book

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Mariano has written a great thoughtful post about Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion.

Atheism is Dead: The God Delusion is an Amusing Book

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Archaeological Evidence for David and Solomon

Dr Claude Mariottini wrote a great a post about an article about the archaeological evidence of kings David's and Solomon's existences. The Tel Dan Stele (pictured on the left)  is actual evidence that David existed.

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Archaeological Evidence for David and Solomon