FacePalm of the Day #26 - Debunking Christianity: Quote of the Day, by D. Newman

John Loftus posted the following quotes from D. Newman:

I and many others are in Christian eyes little lost sheep. I look forward to being found by the good shepherd!!! He has not found me yet though and does not seem all that interested in looking either! (I am sure he is busy, washing his hair or something).

Why is this a FacePalm? Very simple. People who continually and willfully reject Christ are not "little lost sheep". They are goats. Consider John 10:1-21

¹ “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” ⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
¹⁹ The Jews who heard these words were again divided. ²⁰ Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”
²¹ But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

For those following the text, the response for those who responded in verse 2o represent Goats and those who are in verse 21 are sheep. Don't be a goat.
Debunking Christianity: Quote of the Day, by D. Newman

Are the New Testament Gospels Reliable? - Apologetics 315

Brian Auten has posted a thirty part series about how we know the New Testament is reliable by Pastor Mark Roberts, who has turned the lectures into a book. He makes some great points!

Are the New Testament Gospels Reliable? - Apologetics 315

Related articles

• New Testament Specialists Needed (zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)
• First impressions of an "independent historian's" account of Jesus (vridar.wordpress.com)
• Who Chose the Gospels? Probing the Great Gospel Conspiracy, By CE Hill (independent.co.uk)
• The Role of Faith in Historical Research (vridar.wordpress.com)

Jesus the Jewish Messiah? Debate - Dr. Michael Brown vs Shmuley Boteach

Here is a short debate between Dr. Michael Brown and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. In this debate, Brown defends that Jesus is the Messiah and Boteach denies that. The thing about Botech is really amazing that he is a Rabbi since the scriptures are not his final authority about what is right and what is wrong. Michael Brown's view of scripture is much higher.

FacePalm of the Day #25 - Debunking Christianity: I Know More Than You Do! Na Na Na Na Na NA! Or, You Don't Know Jack ****

In part, John Loftus recently wrote the following:

What if a scientist rejects religion because s/he cannot adequately test supernatural hypotheses? What if a historian rejects the claims of a religion because as a historian s/he must assume a natural explanation for the events in the past? What then? Are they culpable for doing so when this is all they know to do? When can it be said that a person can rationally reject a religion? Surely the theist cannot possibly demand that nonbelievers must know all that can be known before their rejection of religion is warranted.
To put it in terms of the Outsider Test for Faith, how much should someone know in order to reject Mormonism, or Catholicism, or Islam, or Orthodox Judaism, to name a few. How much do YOU know of them?

The FacePalm is due to silly presuppositions that under gird Loftus' ideas in this article: people are capable of rationally rejecting Christianity. Such an idea is nonsensical because by definition no one can understand the Gospel without God opening their minds so that they can do so. We are unable to go to Jesus unless we are drawn by the Father (John 6:44). One does not become a Christian because they are smarter or more spiritual than non-christians. When an atheist says that they are unable to believe, I agree. We are all unable to believe before God regenerates us and replaces our heart of stone with a heart of flesh. Unbelief is not mad impossible by a lack of evidence. And neither is belief made possible by sufficient evidence. We have plenty of evidence. The problem is us. The problem is not God. I believe the Gospel because God chose to give me the amount of grace I needed to be saved. He can do the same for you as he has done for countless others from Adam, Noah, Abraham until today. And because I have been saved by faith I want to do good works which validates and evidences my salvation not procure it. Therefore because you can't rationally reconcile or understand Christianity is no reason to reject it. You can have a personal relationship with God and He can re-image you in Jesus so that you can be one of His. This is the good news of the Gospel. You don't have to be doomed to eternal separation from God...just put your trust in Jesus without reservation. Why? God has set it up this way. If you don't like it, take it up with Him. Good luck with that.
As for what do I know of Mormonism, Islam, Catholicism, or Orthodox Judaism....quite a bit. I've studied them all and have weighed them against Biblical Christianity. When I said above that salvation is not dependent on what you understand, I'm not saying that salvation is based on believing things that are contrary to hard evidence. It's believing what God has revealed even if you don't understand every single nuance. I think that that if you can find and prove that something is not true then you should not believe in it. With regard to mormonism, we know Joseph Smith was not visited by neither God the Father and Jesus and we know he was not visited by Elijah and Elias. How? Simple: No man has seen the Father at any time as stated in John 6:46 and that can't be true if as Joseph Smith said his teaching were right along with the Bible. Second Elijah and Elias were the same man!!! "Elijah" is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and "Elias" is the English transliteration of the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew. Big mistake there.
As for Roman Catholicism...there are too many inconsistencies eith the Bible to bring up here. Anyone interested in that should consult the work of James White, John MacArthur, and others.
As for Islam...we know it contradicts the Bible. They both can't be true. No way. One example is that the Qur'an tells us that Jesus was not crucified and he did not die on the Cross. That throws the whole book into question. We know historically that Jesus really was crucified and that He really did die that day.
As for Orthodox Judaism, the main disagreement is that that we believe that Messiah has come and he brought life. They disagree. They are waiting. This is a major problem But according to their own scriptures (our scriptures which we share) Jesus is the only one who meets the standard of being Messiah. Of course I realize that not everyone looks at the evidence and comes to the same conclusions I have, but I wonder if they have honestly really looked at it. But then I remember, no once is able come to Jesus unless they have been drawn by Father. There are many Jews who do come and find Jesus. There will be more and more in the coming years.

Debunking Christianity: I Know More Than You Do! Na Na Na Na Na NA! Or, You Don't Know Jack Shit.

The Essentials of Covenant Theology

Jamin Hubner has posted a great article about what Covenant Theology is. I very well agree that all those who were saved before Jesus were saved the same way we are - by Faith - sola fide - and not by works. .Read Jamin Hubner's article about this subject.

The Essentials of Covenant Theology

Comic Book Software: The Best Picks From the Comics Pros - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Comics Alliance has posted an article detailing the best software for writing books, comic books, movie, and television scripts and for doing comic book art and illustration.

Comic Book Software: The Best Picks From the Comics Pros - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Deity of Christ Debate, Pt. 2

Thanks to Jeff Downs for announcing that the 2nd part of the Jame White and Michael Brown team up to defend the Deity of Christ and the Trinity. A great video!

Deity of Christ Debate, Pt. 2

Answering Muslims: Robert Spencer vs. Peter Kreeft: The Only Good Muslim Is a Bad Muslim

Here is a great debate about Islam, the Qur'an and what it means to be a Muslim.



Answering Muslims: Robert Spencer vs. Peter Kreeft: The Only Good Muslim Is a Bad Muslim

Minneapolis Interview Posted - Reformation Issues

James White was interviewed on sola gratia and other Reformed themes recently. I love to hear Dr. White teach on these matters. I've always been taught that we are saved sola gratia (by Grace alone in English). Definitely worth listening to. Follow the link to James White's blog to get the link to the podcast.


Minneapolis Interview Posted

Fistbump of the Day #10 - Answering Muslims: Obama Teaches Hindus about Islam

I have to give David Wood props.He has the ability to take issues and boil them down to their most simplest terms. I think people who think President Obama is a Muslim are stupid. He is obviously a liberal "Christian" - like most of the politicians we have had and continue to have.  What he has said about Islam is no different than George H. Bush, Bill Clinton, or George W. Bush have said about Islam during their terms in office. I wonder what does Obama think about  Surah 9:29.

For instance, some Muslims have distorted the following passage (which obviously calls for peace, tolerance, and universal love), and they claim that it calls for fighting unbelievers.

Qur’an 9:29—Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth, from among the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.

How radical Muslims could ever misinterpret such a clear call for a unity of all faiths is beyond me.

Answering Muslims: Obama Teaches Hindus about Islam

Truthbomb Apologetics: Biola Christian Apologetics on YOUTUBE

Chad of Truthbomb Apologetics has posted a great article about Apologetics lectures from Biola University. He lists several good ones. I think this one is very important because it talks about if God really expects "blind" faith from us or not.


Truthbomb Apologetics: Biola Christian Apologetics on YOUTUBE

Fistbump of the Day #9 - The Dunamis Word: 103rd Annual Holy Convocation ~ Great God, Good Lord...Say What???

Elder Harvey Burnett has posted some great reflections on the 103 Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ on his blog. I agree with him. There are definitely some problems. I love the Church of God In Christ. I've been a member my whole life. I'm greatly perturbed that people like Sharpton and Jakes are (or might) be allowed to speak during the convocation. They both teach contrary to the doctrines and theology of our church. The problems facing us are not just from Homosexuality and Gay marriage, but also from the Word of Faith false teachers, and not to mention Jakes denies the Trinity. I'm not sure if Sharpton knows what the Trinity is either. We need to pray. We need stand against anything that is against what the Bible teaches. Obeying God and staying with what God has revealed is much important!

The Dunamis Word: 103rd Annual Holy Convocation ~ Great God, Good Lord...Say What???

Jewish Voice Ministries International: This Week's Guest on "Jewish Voice with Jonathan Bernis"

I've been waiting for this one!!! I heard that Doctors James White and Micheal Brown tag teamed in a debate on the deity of Jesus and the Trinity. These scholars are a dream team for defending these fundamental truths of Christianity. Without these, we have nothing. The debate is being aired on Jewish Voice but it's being aired in parts. The debate is between Brown and White verses Anthony Buzzard and Joseph Goode who reject the Trinity. I have linked to the video for the first part and you can see the next part starting today on TV. It should be posted on the internet soon.

Jewish Voice Ministries International: This Week's Guest on "Jewish Voice with Jonathan Bernis"
Video - Debate - part 1

Comics Career Guide: What to Expect From a Career in the Arts - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Comics Alliance has posted a very humorous article regarding careers in the arts in Comic book continuity

A career is a tough thing to plan. A career in a world full of supervillains is even tougher. There are so many opportunities that can turn out to be traps, and seeming pitfalls that turn out to be saving moves. It's difficult to maneuver one's superheroic way to stable and comfortable employment.
Last time we discussed superhero day jobs, we focused on how to have a successful profession in the sciences without ending up as a half-human-half-wildebeest monster. This time we turn our attention to that most mercurial of all careers - the arts. Find out how to work the comic book universe to be an artist, and not someone just formerly known as an artist.

If you need a laugh I recommend reading this!

Comics Career Guide: What to Expect From a Career in the Arts - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

The 7 Laws of Apologetics MP3 by Wes Moore - Apologetics 315

Brian Auten has posted a great audio/video by Wes Moore given seven basic rules for Apologetics. I like this. It's an interesting set of rules that I think are true because I know what has happened when I have inadvertently mistakenly broken them.

1. The other guy doesn't know as much as you think.
2. Everybody has faith.
3. A contradiction can never be true.
4. Never say "I don't know" twice.
5. Verify everything.
6. Ask others for their reasons.
7. Never get angry

The 7 Laws of Apologetics MP3 by Wes Moore - Apologetics 315

What Was Recovered During the Reformation?

Jeff Downs has posted a great video of Pastor Ian Hamilton discussing the Reformation and its purpose today!


What Was Recovered During the Reformation?

Two Video Clips from Lima

Here are some clips James White linked to on his blog of him ministering in Lima, Peru.




Two Video Clips from Lima

High Five Quote of the Day #4 - Think it Thru: In Search of Atonement on Vimeo

Dr. Micheal Brown is seen in the video dialoguing with several people about what Atonement is between different points of view from various religious traditions. What I love most is that he clearly and distinctly describes how atonement and freedom from sin is obtained. Thank you, Jesus!



Think it Thru: In Search of Atonement from RealMessiah.com on Vimeo.
Think it Thru: In Search of Atonement on Vimeo

Video: Is Homosexuality America’s Greatest Moral Crisis?

I love to see Dr. Michael Brown debate and lecture. Here is a recent debate he had with a Rabbi over homosexuality. Watch the debate at the following link. Brown wrote a great article about it and you can read it at the link at the end of this post.

Video: Is Homosexuality America’s Greatest Moral Crisis?
How an Orthodox Rabbi Marginalized Himself

Think it Thru: Can Anyone See God? on Vimeo

Dr. Micheal Brown tweeted a link to this following video. I love it. I really like the way he breaks down this subject. Has anyone seen God? Watch Dr. Brown answer this question. I love the way he explains God's nature!


 Think it Thru: Can Anyone See God? from RealMessiah.com on Vimeo.


Think it Thru: Can Anyone See God? on Vimeo