YouTube - The Jesus Myth

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Okay one more time: Nearly everything in the following video is  a lie. Can't be substantiated and can be refuted literally in seconds.  I was sent a link to it via Twitter by hudsonryan. And he sent it as if it contained faith-shattering information I have never before heard or considered. Awwww.....isn't he cute? Misguided and misinformed...but cute. Before I go forward here is the video:




There is nothing new here! It's been refuted and rebutted ad nausem before my great-grandparents were even born. The crux of the argument is that what the Christian Church teaches about Jesus so closely resembles prior myths of deities dying and rising from the dead that we must of, at best - been influenced by them; at worst - stolen from them. I've been researching this line of argument for the past half a year and I find that the points that are most often used to say that Jesus is just another myth are:

1. Born of a virgin
2. Crucified and Resurrected 3 days laters
3. Had 12 disciples.
4. Born December 25

The problem is that if you take any of the supposed other myths and try to line them up with what the Bible says about Jesus, you get no such match!!!!

Nada!!!!

You can find my research on several of the myths mentioned in this video under the label "Bible Defended" but I will take the rest of this article to link to specific posts on the characters that the video spent the most time time on. I also have to point out that no where in the Bible does it say Jesus was born December 25th, so that parallel shouldn't even be brought up but the ignorant keep using it. As for the others, I refuted them in the following posts:

Mithras and Horus
Dionysus
And others plus related apologetics

Much of the material mentioned in the article was the basis of the Zeitgeist movie. I posted in an earlier article along with a rebuttal from a real historian. You can read and watch the post at

Zeitgeist

YouTube - The Jesus Myth

Interactive Documentary | Becoming Human

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Here is an interesting article about human evolution. A lot of information is presented but there is not a single example of explaining why their conclusions are valid. How do we know that they are their ancestors? How do we even know that these bones are what we are being told that they are? I mean why is it that when I say that the Bible is true some immediately conclude that I blindly believe that and it couldn't possibly be true, yet another person tells them that the bones of a living thing is an ancestor proving that our ancestors closely resembled apes without explaining why they came to that conclusion - that they believe!?! Talk about blind faith!




Interactive Documentary | Becoming Human

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : On Omnipresence and Pantheism

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Mariano has posted another great article about the nature of God. This post explains how Pantheism does not equate to Omnipresence as the Bible talks about. It is a brilliant article. God exists in a way that a human mind can't quite grasp. I notice many people who try to refute the existence of God employ straw men arguments because they don't understand how the Bible describes God's nature. On top of that even us believers don't quite grasp it either. Articles like this one helps!

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : On Omnipresence and Pantheism

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Luther: Women were made either to be wives or prostitutes

On his blog James Swan does an excellent job refuting the assertion that Martin Luther had a dim view of women and marriage. Many of his accusers are Roman Catholic apologist who assert that Luther once wrote:

"The word and works of God is quite clear, that women were made either to be wives or prostitutes."

Okay, before you call for Luther's head, please read James Swan's post regarding the context and history of this quote and what Luther is actually on record for teaching.


Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Luther: Women were made either to be wives or prostitutes

bethinking.org - Bible + Jesus - Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources

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Brian, from Apologetics 315, has tweeted a great article. You can read the article at the link below. The article presents ancient sources about Jesus Christ outside of the New Testament. Here is this introduction:

Although there is overwhelming evidence that the New Testament is an accurate and trustworthy historical document, many people are still reluctant to believe what it says unless there is also some independent, non-biblical testimony that corroborates its statements. In the introduction to one of his books, F.F. Bruce tells about a Christian correspondent who was told by an agnostic friend that "apart from obscure references in Josephus and the like," there was no historical evidence for the life of Jesus outside the Bible.[1] This, he wrote to Bruce, had caused him "great concern and some little upset in [his] spiritual life."[2] He concludes his letter by asking, "Is such collateral proof available, and if not, are there reasons for the lack of it?"[3] The answer to this question is, "Yes, such collateral proof is available," and we will be looking at some of it in this article.

bethinking.org - Bible + Jesus - Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources

Responding to YouTube - Evid3nc3's Channel part 2

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.Here is the next part of my series of post answering videos on Evid3nc3's channel concerning Atheism and Christianity The videos were pointed out to me hudsonryan on Twitter. He challenged me to watch all of them. I think the best way to handle this is to respond to many of them. In this video a worldview and a concept of God is explained. I find almost nothing to disagree with. He is right. I don't think anyone gives up believing in God when they once did by one "magic argument". It is most likely a progression. And I also agree that the "nodes" in his network makes sense and those are the main points of attacks on atheism and historically is where most atheists argue against Christianity. I look forward to interacting with his videos regarding those arguments and why I don't think those arguments do not work

Truthbomb Apologetics: Thoughts for a Beginner on How to Study the Bible

On his blog, Truthbomb Apologetics, Chad has done a great post explaining how to study the Bible. It is a great post and I agree with his recommendations. It's a great place to start if you don't know where to start.

Truthbomb Apologetics: Thoughts for a Beginner on How to Study the Bible

Responding to YouTube - Evid3nc3's Channel part 1

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Here is the first part of my series of post answering videos on Evid3nc3's channel concerning Atheism and Christianity The videos were pointed out to me hudsonryan on Twitter. He challenged me to watch all of them. I think the best way to handle this is to respond to many of them. So far I find that the first three videos very interesting. It's a man person explaining why he is no longer a Christian. In the following video he attempts to explain and prove that he used to be real, born-again Christian. Watch the video below:






Several things stand out to me that bear mentioning. I think that he is totally sincere. I also think that he explains what it means to be a Christian almost perfectly. Under his definition, I think he's right he really was a Christian. However does his definition of Christianity match what the Bible says? Let us table the discussion for later as to whether or not the Bible is truly God's word and instead consider if it matches what he says. I'm in a great position to comment on his experience as he has related it. I grew up in the Church of God in Christ which is the sister denomination of the Assemblies of God. The story of the split between the two is a story for another time, but suffice to say they began at the same time in history under the same leadership and the same circumstances! I can honestly say that I heard everything he has said before about the "born-again" experience and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. These are important to me also...however it is not important to every single Christian. Under the Biblical definition, you don't have to have these things and still be a Christian. As a matter of fact, I've seen people have experiences like these every Sunday and not claim to be saved. They have profound emotional responses, yet there is no change in their lifestyle or thought patterns when they leave the church until the next time they come back. They most likely believe in God but they are not Christians. They have a relationship with God but it's not like the relationship the Bible describes.

Let me be clear: Nothing described in the video is enough to qualify for being a true Christian. Let us see what the Bible has to say.

1. Believing that God exists is neccessary but not sufficient in being a Christian.

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.James 2:19

2. Believing that Jesus atoned for your sins is what makes you a Christian - True. But how do you know when it's genuine and not just head knowlege?

¹⁸Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. ¹⁹They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. - 1 John 2:18-19

People leaving the church is nothing new. It is nothing to get concerned over nor proves that Christianity isn't true.


3. The video does not talk about the man's life or whether or not it changed from before he gave his life to Christ. I myself experienced much change. I stopped  being as concerned with myself and began to care about others and fulfilling God's plan for my life. I no longer had some of the same sinful desires and attitudes that I had before salvation. And those things that I still have/had I experienced the desire to put those under control and to work at overcoming them. This is what the Bible says.

¹⁶So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. ¹⁷For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
 ¹⁹The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹and 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.
 ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. - Galatians 5: 16-26

Let me make sure I'm clear: if your life is nor characterized by verses 22-25, you are not saved. I'm not saying that the person in the video lived or lives like verses 19-21 but it is my experience that people who live like that are not going to be calling themselves a Christian for long.

4. A personal relationship with God  is important but I've got to ask how deep was it? Did God ever give you direction on how to witness? Did God ever tell you change what you do? To be honest, I realize such questions does not mean anything to a non-Christian. However even if you disagree, you can't argue with what the Bible says. A relationship with God transforms you. You learn more about God and He makes you more like Jesus,.

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

And what is the point of this relationship with God?

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

Unfortunately, this conviction has two responses: we either accept it and begin our relationship with God in Christ or we miss it - despising the gift and deserving the condemnation and the guilt. I never understood how anyone could accuse Christianity of trying to control people through guilt because it is about freeing people from guilt and shame.

¹Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ²because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. ³For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, ⁴in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. - Romans 8:1-4

Again for clarification - argument is that according to scripture once a person becomes born-again and is transformed - he can't become unborn-again. I'm more than willing to agree that a person can think they are born again but when the chips are down, they fall away. One thing that comes to mind as evidence for a relationship with God is that when God says "No, you can't have this." Or  "No, I have something else in mind." you not only realize that these are just as viable and as possible as God saying "Yes" to a prayer but that you don't get mad. God is not obligated to do anything we want. It's the other way around. And the closer we get to him, those desires change to align with those of God himself as in Romans 12:1,2.

6.The Bible clearly shows one cannot be a believer and die an apostate. If you stop believing than you never believed in the first place

 ⁴It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, ⁶if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.- Hebrews 6:4-6

Responding to YouTube - Evid3nc3's Channel

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I've been challenged by hudsonryan on Twitter by a serious of videos on YouTube that he believes proves atheism is the only honest worldview that a person can hold and is true while the Christian World view is false. Unfortunately, he assumes because I am a Christian I have not and will not consider any other view point. In an attempt to open a dialog and rise above the assertions being leveled without proof, I have begun a new series of articles that will answer some of these videos. I will post the video and respond to it. It is my hope the hudsonryan and others will respond to my posts and explain their viewpoint insuring a useful dialogue. I welcome comments on the post themselves or full responses on their own  blog.

YouTube - Evid3nc3's Channel

Battle for the Bible Conference.

The Christian Research Institute is holding it's first National Conference. Lee Strobel will be there and there will be a debate between James White and Robert M Price on reality of Jesus' existence. This one I got see. Price has long denied that Jesus really lived. This one is one to watch.

http://www.thebattleforthebible.com/

Apologetics 315: Signature in the Cell Discussion: Meyer, Berlinski, Woodward & Medved

This is a great discussion! I thank Brian for pointing it out on his Apologetics 315 blog. I really, really enjoyed. This. Go to the link to find the post Brian made and to hear why these intelligent people are skeptical of evolution and believe that the universe had a designer. Unfortunately I could not find a video of the discussion but I did find a video showing what the overall point of Meyer's book Signature in the Cell is.


Watch Signature In The Cell in Educational & How-To  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Apologetics 315: Signature in the Cell Discussion: Meyer, Berlinski, Woodward & Medved

Atheism is Dead: Accurately Quoting Bart Ehrman, part 4

Mariano has continued his insights on  Bart Ehrman. This is a brilliant series and highly recommended.

Atheism is Dead: Accurately Quoting Bart Ehrman, part 4

Blogalogue - Ehrman vs Wright - Is Our Pain God's Problem?

I came across a blogged debate on theodicy between scholars NT Wright and Bart Ehrman. I'll be reviewing their arguments in a later post, but I want to point out it's existence. Follow their exchange at the following link.

Blogalogue - Debates About Faith


I found the awesome graphic at the following link: http://www.gavoweb.com/hit_the_back_button_to_mo/2008/04/nt-wright-bart.html

Atheism is Dead: Accurately Quoting Bart Ehrman, part 3

Mariano has continued his series examining the work of Bart Ehrman and his bid to undermine Christianity and discredit the Bible. Take a look at Mariano's analysis.

Atheism is Dead: Accurately Quoting Bart Ehrman, part 3

Confident Christianity: Women in Islam Documentary Video

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On Mary Jo Sharp's ministry's blog there is a trailer for a new documentary about Muslim women. I want to see this because I have questions about what it mean to women to be Muslim. I mean for men Islam offers a lot of promises but what is it that attracts women? I believe that this documentary may begin to answer that question.

Confident Christianity: Women in Islam Documentary Video

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Biblical Affirmation of Monotheism

Mariano has published another great article in his series on the Trinity. In this case he covers Monothesism. The Bible is full of verses explaining that there is only one God. This is a great post.

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Trinity : Biblical Affirmation of Monotheism

The Apologist's First Question by Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias via last.fm

I read an essayt from Ravi Zacharias on the Internet  that I think bears reading.

The Apologist's First Question

By Ravi Zacharias


I have little doubt that the single greatest obstacle to the impact of the Gospel has not been its inability to provide answers, but the failure on our part to live it out. I remember well in the early days of my Christian faith talking to a close Hindu friend. He was questioning the experience of conversion as being supernatural. He absolutely insisted that conversion was nothing more than a decision to lead a more ethical life and that, in most cases, it was not any different from other ethical religions. I had heard his argument before. But then he said something I have never forgotten: "If this conversion is truly supernatural, why is it not more evident in the lives of so many Christians I know?" His question is a troublesome one. In fact,it is so deeply disturbing a question that I think of all the challenges to belief, this is the most difficult question of all.

I have never struggled with my own personal faith as far as intellectual challenges to the Gospel are concerned. But I have often had struggles of the soul in trying to figure out why the Christian faith is not more visible. After lecturing at a major American university, I was driven to the airport by the organizer of the event. I was quite jolted by what he told me. He said, "My wife brought our neighbor last night. She is a medical doctor and had not been to anything like this before. On their way home, my wife asked her what she thought of it all." He paused and then continued,"Do you know what she said?" Rather reluctantly, I shook my head. "She said, 'That was a very powerful evening. The arguments were very persuasive. I wonder what he is like in his private life.'"

Because my Hindu friend had not witnessed spiritual transformation in the life of Christians, whatever answer she received were nullified. In the doctor's case, the answers were intellectually and existentially satisfying, but she still needed to know, did they really make a difference in the life of the one proclaiming them? The Irish evangelist Gypsy Smith once said, "There are five Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Christian, and some people will never read the first four." In otherwords, the message is seen before it is heard.


For both the Hindu questioner and the American doctor, the answers to their questions were not enough; they depended upon the visible transformation of the one offering them. 1 Peter 3:15 gives us the gives us the defining statement: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer(apologia) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." Notice that before the answer is given, the one giving the answer is called to a certain prerequisite. The lordship of Christ over the life of the apologist is foundational to all answers given. Peter, of all the disciples, knew well how to ask questions and also how fickle the human heartis. He knew the seductive power of the spectacular in momentary enthrallment.

He knew what it was to betray someone and to fail. He knew what it was to try to explain the Gospel--as he did at Pentecost. Peter's strong reminder of the heart of the apologistis the basis of all apologetic attempts. With character in mind, there follow two immediate imperatives: the quality of life lived and the clarity of answers given. The way the Christian's life is lived will determine the impact upon believers and skeptics alike. This is a defining line because the claim by the believer is unique. The claim is that of a "new birth." After all, no Buddhist or Hindu or Muslim claims his or her life of devotion to be supernatural, yet they often live amore consistent life. And how often does the so-called Christian, even while teaching some of the loftiest truths one could ever teach, live a life bereft of that beauty and character.

In apologetics the question is often asked, "If there is only one way, how is it that there are few in all of creation who qualify?" That question is actually more potent than the questioner realizes. It should further be raised, "Out of the few who actually qualify, why are even fewer living it out?" The spiritual condition and character of the apologistare of immense importance.

This call to a life reflecting the person of Christ is the ultimate call of everyone who wishes to do apologetics. When Jesus spoke to the woman at the well(John 4:1–26) she raised one question after another as if that were really her problem. It would have been very easy for the Lord to call her bluff with some castigating words.

Instead, like a gentle and nimble-handed goldsmith, he rubbed away the markings of sin and pain in her life until she was amazed at how much true gold he brought out in her. He gave her hope, knowing all along who she was on the inside. Likewise, we cannot simply vanquish the person in an attempt to rescue the message. The value of the person is an essential part of the message. This means the apologist's task begins with a godly walk. One ought to take time to reflect seriously upon the question, 'Has God truly wrought a miracle in mylife'

Is my own heart proof of the supernatural intervention of God?

That is the apologist's first question.

Line of Fire » Michael Brown Debates Anthony Buzzard on the Deity of Christ

Yesterday I heard that Michael Brown had Anthony Buzzard on his Line of Fire program during which they discussed the deity of Christ. Buzzard denies the deity of Christ and the Trinity. I was amazed at Buzzard's logic. He seems blind to quite a few scriptures. I mean did he just  not see all the places Jesus was referred to being pre-existent and God? The exchange between Brown and Buzzard is awesome but too short. They didn't have enough time to really delve as deep as they would have like to. Hopefully in future interactions Brown will have time to press him on the texts I have questions on that I think Buzzard is missing. Yes indeed God is one being. Buzzard kept seeming to equate "being" and "personhood" and they ain't the same at all.

Line of Fire » Blog Archive » February 8, 2010

Responding to Study reveals potential evolutionary role for same-sex attraction

I found this article from  tweet. It is about research being done in evolutionary psychology to explain how to fit homosexualtiy in with the theory of evolution. The controversy is over the idea that macro evolution is explained by the idea that all living things do all they can to pass on their genetic information to the next generation. Individuals who have the best advantageous traits pass those traits to next generation. Therefore the question arises about how homosexuality helps humans do that? Here is a quote:

One possible explanation is what evolutionary psychologists call the "kin selection hypothesis." What that means is that homosexuality may convey an indirect benefit by enhancing the survival prospects of close relatives. Specifically, the theory holds that homosexual men might enhance their own genetic prospects by being "helpers in the nest." By acting altruistically toward nieces and nephews, homosexual men would perpetuate the family genes, including some of their own.
Two evolutionary psychologists, Paul Vasey and Doug VanderLaan of the University of Lethbridge, Canada tested this idea for the past several years on the Pacific island of Samoa. They chose Samoa because males who prefer men as sexual partners are widely recognized and accepted there as a distinct gender category—called fa'afafine—neither man nor woman. The fa'afafine tend to be effeminate, and exclusively attracted to adult men as sexual partners. This clear demarcation makes it easier to identify a sample for study.
Past research has shown that the fa'afafine are much more altruistically inclined toward their nieces and nephews than either Samoan women or heterosexual men. They are willing to babysit a lot, tutor their nieces and nephews in art and music, and help out financially—paying for medical care and education and so forth. In a new study, the scientists set out to unravel the psychology of the fa'afafine, to see if their altruism is targeted specifically at kin rather than kids in general.

So the idea is that homosexuals could help raise their silblings' children and in doing so make sure that some of their genes get passed to next generation. I've got a few problems with this theory. No one who has children passes on all of their genes...just half of them. And when you have more than one child, there is no guarantee that any two get an identical subset - unless you have identical twins! Therefore any way you cut it quite a lot of genetic information can go missing and if you don't have kids of your own all the genetic information goes missing.This research does not convince me at all that homosexuality gives humanity any reproductive advantage.

The article is definitely not trying to come to the conclusion that homsexuality disproves evolution.  it ends thus:

Do these findings have any meaning outside of Samoa? Yes and no. Samoan culture is very different from most Western cultures. Samoan culture is very localized, and centered on tight-knit extended families, whereas Western societies tend to be highly individualistic and homophobic. Families are also much more geographically dispersed in Western cultures, diminishing the role that bachelor uncles can play in the extended family, even if they choose to. But in this sense, the researchers say, Samoa's communitarian culture may be more—not less—representative of the environment in which male same-sex sexuality evolved eons ago. In that sense, it's not the bachelor uncle who is poorly adapted to the world, but rather the modern Western world that has evolved into an unwelcoming place.

 The article admits that its not really a tight fit to apply the finding to all of humanity but they are gonna try to shoehorn it anyway! There is nothing wrong with choosing to stay single the problem is that the Bible tells us that it goes hand-in-hand with choosing celibacy. And its not because God wants us to be miserable because He wants us to have the best. This study does not prove that male sexuality evolved eons ago and besides if it really is inherited and if they never procreated then wouldn't that particular mutation never have been passed down to succeeding generations? Lots and lots of holes here.

Study reveals potential evolutionary role for same-sex attraction

Boa Sr, Last Member of Bo Tribe on Andaman Islands, Dies - AOL News

I just saw this article on AOL News and I'm kind of shocked. The thought of a whole civilization wiped out give me a sick feeling deep in my stomach. That tribe is gone with nothing but video, audio, and photographs to remember them. How many other tribes and people have been erased due to American and European colonialism?







Boa Sr, Last Member of Bo Tribe on Andaman Islands, Dies - AOL News