Apologetics 315: Apologist Interview: Brett Kunkle

I'm not sure if you've noticed the re-design of the Apologetics 315 blog, but I like it. This week Brian interviewed Brett Kunkle on his work at Stand to Reason working with young people and equipping youth ministries. A few days ago I saw an article on one of Kunkle's programs where they take High School kids and teach them about Apologetics and then go to UC Berkeley to have their beliefs challenged in discussion with speakers who disagree. I think the program is a great idea! I really enjoyed Kunkle talking about his testimony and why Apologetics is important in youth ministry. Follow the link to hear the interview.

Apologetics 315: Apologist Interview: Brett Kunkle

Answering Muslims: ABC's Islam Deception: Did Muhammad Promise "Raisins" or "Virgins" in Paradise?

Image via WikipediaDavid Wood has posted a further video about how ABC has been less than truthful about Islam.


Answering Muslims: ABC's Islam Deception: Did Muhammad Promise "Raisins" or "Virgins" in Paradise?

Fistbump Quote of the Day #4:Brennon's Thoughts: How to Define Atheism

Brennon has recently post a great article that takes on the way Atheists try to define atheism in such a way to put the burden of proof on the theists. They think they can hide behind semantics and not really take a position...they think they are being logically sound. I've posted on this subject myself but I loved the way Brennon wrote his response. Today's Fistbump goes to him.

So, if this is what atheism actually is, then more power to them. Atheists just lack belief in God. Great. Apparently they lack the testicular fortitude to make up their mind about whether He actually does exist as well.

I agree with Brennon. What I want to know in judgment day when people stand before God to give an account for the things they have said, done, and thought do they really think that this argument will fly? It won't.

Brennon's Thoughts: How to Define Atheism

Intergate Bing Map with your Mobile Applications - CodeProject

Intergate Bing Map with your Mobile Applications - CodeProject

High Five of the Day #1 - Apologetics 315: Sunday Quote: Darrell Bock on the Bible

I came across this quote by Darrell Bock from Brian Auten's Apologetics 315 blog. Darrell Bock deserves a "High Five" and hearty "Amen" for this observation. It comes straight from God. May we all see Scripture in this way! It's too good not to share.

"The Bible is not a book like any other. It makes a claim that God spoke and speaks through its message. It argues that as his creatures, we are accountable to him for what he has revealed. The trustworthiness of Scripture points to its authority as well. Scripture is far more than a history book, as good and trustworthy as that history is. It is a book that calls us to examine our lives and relationship to God. Beyond the fascinating history, it contains vital and life-transforming truths about God and us."
- Darrell Bock

Apologetics 315: Sunday Quote: Darrell Bock on the Bible

FacePalm of Day #15 - Debunking Christianity: Re-formulating William Lane Craig's 4 Facts Resurrection Argument

GIFSoupI just saw this quote on John Loftus' blog:

I am going to demonstrate with completely sound reasoning why the most reasonable conclusion based on the evidence is that Chippy the squirrel rose from the dead.
There are four historical facts which must be explained:
1. Chippy's burial
2. The discovery of the empty tomb
3. His post-mortem appearances
4. The origin of a few people's belief in his resurrection
Link.

I'm not sure what is more disturbing:
a. Loftus actually thinks this is a good argument
b. The author of the link thinks it a clever refutation.
c. Or Steven Bently's comment:

We cannot ignore the witnesses, there were at least 500 squirrels, dogs, cats, insects, worms that witnessed Chippy's resurrection, not to mention that Chippy came back and his body was eaten just as Jesus commanded his disciples to eat his body, John 6:53

October 16, 2010 10:45 AM

The fail is just so strong...I'm not sure where to start. Ther3efore instead of further making fun of the comments, let us concentrate on what is more important. That is the "re-formulation" is nothing more than the author took William Lane Craig's arguments and replaced Jesus with an fictional squirrel - robbing Dr. Craig's formulation of any common sense. I say this because I have never heard Dr. Craig try to argue that either of these points taken on its own is enough. Second one of the main points that people's belief in Jesus' Resurrection matters is that because of that belief their lives were transformed. That is unarguable! Indisputable! Even the most liberal scholar (read "hostile to historic Christianity and the Bible") agrees that Paul was a real Jew, living in the first 70 years of the common era, was hostile to Christianity and took it upon himself to destroy it, but then became it first Apologist and most-able champions! How? Why? What would it take to make you believe your older half-brother is God made-flesh - come to take away the sins of the world? I don't blame James and Jude. It would take a lot! If one of my brothers started talking that way, I'd be sizing them up for straight-jacket. So what changed their minds? We know that before the crucifixion none of his blood brothers believed Jesus. Again: What changed their minds? Peter, John, and the other Apostles endured persecution spreading a story that they knew was true or not. Even if you won't grant that they were martyred you've got to admit they were beaten, imprisoned, and persecuted. Why? A great to deal with for something you have dreamed or halucinated just wouldn't be worth it for someone who is sane. So what is the best explanation? Simple.

1. Jesus was crucified and buried
2. His Tomb was empty
3. There were post-mortem appearances of Jesus.
4. The origin of a few people's belief in Jesus' resurrection.

Jesus was raised from the dead. As for Chippy the dead squirrel, what good is his resurrection to me? What difference did his death make and what difference does his life make to me or anyone? Nothing. Jesus on the other hand changes everything!!!!
Oh, and about Steven's comment: Transubstantiation has no Biblical merit and John 6:53 is not alluding to that at all. That was Church dogma that came centuries later. Better material please.
Debunking Christianity: Re-formulating William Lane Craig's 4 Facts Resurrection Argument

Fistbump of the Day #3 - Morality - another well within the box atheist group think talking point de jour | True Freethinker

Today's Fistbump is going again to Mariano Grinbank. I really enjoyed his post answering fundamental talking points used as objections from Atheism regarding Morality. These objections are not new. But they sure are getting old. I love the way God has blessed Mariano with the ability to turn something worthy of a Facepalm(s) into a triumphant fist bump. It's a gift. He does it consistency. The "arguments" Mariano inoculates us from are:

a. The idea that Christians only do good because of fear of going to hell.
b. We don't need an objective standard to understand what "good" is.
c. Christians never really consider if they are wrong.

Each of Mariano's answers deserve a Fistbump but the one I will focus on will be the introduction to the clip from his debate on Morality.
Again and again I come back to my debate with an atheist on the issue of morality (which you can view at this link) and I keep going back to the following clip because I believe that it cuts to the core of any and every atheist versus Christian debate on the issue of morality: his answer is nonsensical to me and my answer is inconceivable to him:


All I could think was: "Ouch" - cuts the atheist argument to pieces and calls Believers to a higher standard.

Morality - another well within the box atheist group think talking point de jour | True Freethinker

Answering Muslims: Wafa Sultan's Statement at Trial of Geert Wilders

David Wood posted the following videos and comment on the Answering Muslims blog.

Wafa Sultan was called to testify as an expert witness at the Wilders trial. The judge read her statement. These videos include English subtitles.

In case you don't know anything about the story Gert Wilders. I found the following on Wikipedia

Wilders has campaigned to stop the "Islamisation of the Netherlands". He claims that some sutras and text in the Qur'an incite violence and has campaigned to have the book banned in the Netherlands. He suggested a tax on women who wear the headscarf, advocates ending immigration from Muslim countries, and supports banning the construction of new mosques. He was a speaker at the Facing Jihad Conference held in Jerusalem in 2008, which discussed the dangers of jihad, and has called for a hard line against what he called the "street terror" exerted by minorities in Dutch cities.[8] His controversial 2008 film about his views on Islam, Fitna, received international attention.
In January 2009, the Amsterdam Court of Appeal ordered Wilders' prosecution for "incitement to hatred and discrimination". Wilders was banned from entering the United Kingdom between 12 February 2009 and 13 October 2009, the Home Office saying his presence would be a "threat to one of the fundamental interests of society". The ban was overturned after Wilders appealed and he visited the UK in October 2009, and again in March 2010 to show his film.

Answering Muslims: Wafa Sultan's Statement at Trial of Geert Wilders

Fistbump of the Day #2 - Resurrection Harmonization Narrative

As some may have noticed my back and forth comments with Ryan Anderson of a previous post regarding the accounts of Jesus' Resurrection in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. He, as well as many others, read the narratives chronicling the events surrounding Jesus' Resurrection and see conflict and discrepancies to such a degree that there is no way to understand what happened. Of course he is wrong, but let's humor him anyway. He challenged me to provide the full account of the Resurrection. He thinks it's impossible. Ryan claims to have been a Christian for years and he acts as if he never seen anyone do that. I've seen it done several times by many different people. I decided to post one of them on my blog for the next time this challenge is made...and it will be. Today's Fistbump goes to David J. Fischer of Shouting Man Apologetics for posting good information in such handy formats. Go to the following link and find one way to look at how to see how the Gospels fit together. I say "one way" because there are more than one possibility to integrate each of the "four camera angles."

Resurrection Harmonization Narrative

One of the resources for the site is a chart explaining the events of the Resurrection and in which Gospel (s) record it.



I'm amazed how people assume that each Gospel writer must tell the story the same way from different point of views. They used different time-keeping methods. One sometimes summarized events while another gave step-by-step details. I'm amazed at how people think that if it's not done the way they would have done it than God didn't inspire it. I don't understand that. Given how finite and depraved our minds are, I would not expect God to do much like how we would do things at all. A lot of Atheists decry Dr. William Lane Craig's arguments, but I have not seen very much in the way of a rebuttal. And I have not seen any good rebuttal against Lee Strobel or Gary Habermas either. Here is a list of resources that I would suggest anyone who is desiring to study the evidence for the Resurrection should start with.

Mary Jo Sharp vs. Ehteshaam Gulam Debate: Did Jesus Die on the Cross? MP3 Audio - Apologetics 315
Resurrection Debate: Gary Habermas & Mike Licona vs Robert Price

Iron Sharpens Iron: Gary Habermas: Did The Resurrection Happen?
Jesus' Resurrection: Gary Habermas and Antony Flew
Memorable Keys to the Greatest FEAT in History
Apologetics 315: Advanced Use of Historical Evidence for the Resurrection: Gary Habermas MP3 Audio
Gary Habermas vs. Tim Callahan on the Pagan Jesus Myth of the Resurrection | True Freethinker

Resurrection
Resurrection of Jesus

FacePalm Quote of The Day #14: Debunking Christianity: The Problem of Belief

John Loftus has posted an interesting but failed attempt to debunk salvific faith. Here is his argument.

Here's something that calls out for an explanation and no amount of Bible verses will help. What is the content of salvific faith (i.e. the kind of belief that saves a person)? What must someone believe to be saved? Simple? Not so fast. A child who confesses Jesus is lord is saved, right? I dare anyone to ask a ten year old what she thinks of Jesus, what it means to say he is lord, whether she thinks he is God, God-in-the-flesh, the 2nd person of the trinity, or a really really big guy, and so on and so forth. Ask her to define each of her words. Anyone can say "Jesus is lord" then. Does doing so save a person unless said person has the correct detailed theology that goes with it? There is no doubt in my mind that a child holds to heretical ideas when asked about them. OR, she's expressing words she has no clue as to their meaning. But if so, then there are surely professing Christians of all ages, probably most of them, who think they are saved but are not, and this could be........YOU! Since this must be the case if one is saved by faith, this is a barbaric way to base a person's salvation upon--that not only must believers express the right words but also have the proper understanding of them.

So why does this deserve a "FacePalm"? The Bible does tell us what you have to believe to be saved. You can know exactly what it takes to be Christian - saved, sanctified, born-again, and Holy Spirit filled.

5Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7"or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." - Romans 10:5-11

Another passage that explains very well what you need to know in order to be saved:

29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." 32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family. - Acts 16:29-34

Neither of these passages are opaque or difficult. Lets' do one more - one for the Holy Spirit.

23But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be,[a] you will indeed die in your sins."
25 "Who are you?" they asked.
"Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. 26"I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world." - John 8: 25-26

I know a lot of people wonder what about the conflicting doctrines and view points? The Bible has the answer for this one too.

13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. 14As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food[b] is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
22So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. - Romans 14:13-22

The Word of God literally has everything you need to know in order to live a life dedicated to God. When I read something like what John Loftus said in this quote it makes me wonder if they can read.
Debunking Christianity: The Problem of Belief

Answering Atheism - books, page 3 of 3 | True Freethinker

Here is Mariano's third post summarizing great book resources about answering Atheism. Awesome list!

Answering Atheism - books, page 3 of 3 | True Freethinker

FacePalm Quote of the Day #13: Jesus' Resurrection, Debunked in One Page.pdf - Google Docs

John Loftus pointed out a page by Chris Hallquist in which he gives 8 points for why he does not believe that the Resurrection did not happen. Hallquist seems to think that he has compelling and gripping evidence against the Resurrection but frankly there is nothing new here in the slightest. Here is his list

Jesus' Resurrection, Debunked in One Page.pdf - Google Docs
I have my own list. It's really nothing new these "objection" have been brought up and refuted many times before.
1. Christianity's endurance for the past 2000 years is evidence that Jesus indeed was raised from the dead. Why? Simple Christianity is based on extraordinary claims those claims would have had to believed beyond doubt enough for people to completely change their lives. Look, neither Paul and James believed Jesus was Resurrected until they met the Resurrected Christ. IT changed their lives. Meeting Jesus today continues to change lives. There are few examples of historical sources from antiquity being dated within a century of when the events took place.
2. Hallquist is being disingenuous. Not all Biblical scholars think that there is every good reason to believe that the names of the authors attached to the Gospels wrote those Gospels.
3. Hallquist may think that the Gospels are mere anonymous tracts but many scholars disagree with him. On top of that the New Testament, including the Gospels, were written too early after the events to be explained away as legendary.
4. Paul knew several (if not all) of the witnesses he mentions personally! I'm familiar with the claims of the Book of Mormon and they are in no way equal to the miracles Jesus did. In addition, The Bible doesn't tell use to believe anything solely on the basis of Miracles. See Deuteronomy 13. Demons do miracle too.
5. Jesus disciples were in the perfect situation and circumstances to know if what they were preaching were true. I think it is strong evidence that they believed that what they were saying is true. If Jesus did not rise...there still would have been a body 50 days after the crucifixion why not just produce it? Simple. Everyone who was there at Pentecost knew the tomb was empty.
6 and 7. I'm going to cover the hallucination hypothesis this way. None of the apostles believed that Jesus rose even though he told them he would. The last thing they expected was to see Jesus alive again. Granted one might argue that Peter and the boys would be comforted by such an hallucination, but that does not explain Paul, James, or Jude who never believed Jesus before they met Jesus after the Resurrection.
Point 8 is just a commercial...and not a good one.
I'm amazed that people keep bringing up these objections and can't see how bad they are. I mean where is the "A" material?

Answering Muslims: U.K. Muslim Cleric Sheikh Maulana Abu Sayeed Declares That Rape Is Not Possible in Marriage

I agree with David Wood. It doesn't make sense to argue that women are equal to men but must provide sex to their husbands no matter how they feel or think. If a husband and wife are "one flesh" than raping your wife is akin to suicide. It makes no sense.

Answering Muslims: U.K. Muslim Cleric Sheikh Maulana Abu Sayeed Declares That Rape Is Not Possible in Marriage

Dialogue on the Resurrected Body, part 2 | True Freethinker

Mariano has posted the second part of his  answering common objection from  an atheist regarding the Resurrection.. Good post.

Dialogue on the Resurrected Body, part 2 | True Freethinker

Related articles

• A Foxhole Atheist's Response to Fort Bragg (friendlyatheist.com)

Answering Atheism - books, page 2 of 3 | True Freethinker

Here is the second part of Mariano's series summarizing good book resources for answering atheism.

Answering Atheism - books, page 2 of 3 | True Freethinker

PZ Myers and Atheist Cosmology | True Freethinker

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I've been inspired to start a new series of posts spotlighting articles that contain quotes that are so good that it overturns a quote that deserves a "FacePalm" (represented above). For those of you who don't know the cultural significance of a "Fistbump" (see the left), it is a physical gesture to convey success and approval. First here is the quote that deserves a FacePalm courtesy of PZ Myers.

The universe is cold and uncaring. You may be grateful that you weren't vaporized by a meteor falling out of the sky this year, but there's no agent out there who will feel pleased that you noticed, and the fact of your general relief that your existence continues will not be a factor in the motion of space rocks in the next year.

There is so many things wrong with this quote, however I think Mariano Grinbank put his finger on the main issue. This is why his article deserves the Fistbump of the day:

In my essay The Misanthropic Principle – How Atheism Robed Me I wrote that atheism essentially urges us to believe that,

Everything in the entire universe—as parts and the universe as a whole—was arbitrary…We should never close our eyes to the wonders of the designed universe and its life just because some have erected a facade of scientific respectability around their chosen worldview philosophy.

It was pointed out to me that I misspelled one word in the title to the essay: I wrote “Robed” but I meant to write “Robbed” (including that English is my second language and that I am dyslexic or simply a misspelling).
Atheism robs us by demanding that we restrict our thinking and stop short of following evidence where it leads.
Musing upon my misspelling; I concluded that while atheism robs the universe of meaning, God robes it with meaning. Atheism robbed it but God robed it.

Yes, Mariano, you were so right! My favorite part is:

I concluded that while atheism robs the universe of meaning, God robes it with meaning. Atheism robbed it but God robed it.

Genius! Yes, God still inspires pure genius today.
PZ Myers and Atheist Cosmology | True Freethinker

Apologetics 315: Alan Shlemon & Cecili Chadwick Debate: Should Abortion Be Illegal?

The debate may be short but the topic is of vital importance: Should Abortion be Legal? Personally, I've come to the conclusion that would is lawful should be moral. However that is hardly the case all the time. Abortion may be legal today but it has never been nor will it ever be moral in any and all circumstances. I appreciate Brian Auten for posting this debate. Follow the link to get links to the video and audio.

Apologetics 315: Alan Shlemon & Cecili Chadwick Debate: Should Abortion Be Illegal?

Answering Atheism - books, page 1 of 3 | True Freethinker

Mariano has started a series of essays listing books that do a great job as resources in answering atheism.


Answering Atheism - books, page 1 of 3 | True Freethinker

Dialogue on the Resurrected Body, part 1 | True Freethinker

Mariano is a true professional. The subject of what kind of body believers have been promised by God is often discussed and sometimes denounced. I enjoyed this article by Mariano and he very carefully discusses what does Paul mean in 1st Corinthians 15. People like Marcus Borg, Robert Price, and other who deny what the scriptures plainly teach: Jesus rose from the dead physically and the promise to those who put their faith in him is that we will rise too.

Dialogue on the Resurrected Body, part 1 | True Freethinker

Answering Atheism - video, part 3 of 3 | True Freethinker

Mariano has posted the third part of his series summarizing great videos about about Apologetics.

Answering Atheism - video, part 3 of 3 | True Freethinker

Related articles

• Finite Truth Of Atheism (crispysea.blogspot.com)
• John Shook, Ph.D.: For Atheists and Believers, Ignorance Is No Excuse (huffingtonpost.com)