There are two historical arguments that I find intriguing for the way in which they have been used for and against Christian apologetics: the first is Occam’s (or Ockham’s) Razor, and the second is Pascal’s Wager. I address these, not because I find either particularly compelling (in fact I don’t), but rather because I’ve seen them … Continue reading Why Do I Believe? Part 15 — Occam’s Razor and Pascal’s Wager
Recently a friend of mine, while debating my objections to Western Christianity’s doctrine of the Trinity, referred me to Greg Boyd’s post Does the Doctrine of the Trinity Matter? I respect Greg Boyd greatly, as anyone who’s followed me for some time will undoubtedly know. But that post is illustrative of precisely my objection to … Continue reading Examining a frequent argument for the Trinity
The news that Wheaton professor Dr. Larycia Hawkins may be fired over perceived conflicts between her public statements, and the college’s statement of faith, has been hailed and slammed across the internet. At issue, nearly as I can determine, is that Dr. Hawkins refuses to recant her statement that Muslims and Christians worship the same … Continue reading “Worshiping the Same God” … Thoughts on the Controversy
Those who are interested in the topic of War & Peace on this site should be sure and read Ronald Sider’s excellent article The Early Church on War and Killing on the Books & Culture website sponsored by Christianity Today. Sider reviews the arguments of two recent authors, John F. Shean and Despina Iosif who, in … Continue reading “The Early Church on War and Killing” by Ron Sider — Article Recommendation
It seems every day or two I hear another Christian commentator speak of how Christianity in general, and American Christianity in particular is, or at least will soon be, “at war with Islam.” They point to the all-too-frequent attacks on the West by Muslim extremists, and the rhetoric of groups like Al-Quaeda and Daesh (1) … Continue reading “The War on Islam” and a Christian response
I’ve previously described how, at least in my own experience, there seems to be something about the way of Jesus that motivates more and deeper altruism than I have observed elsewhere. But there’s another corollary that I have observed that I think deserves mention. I have known quite a few people who have, during their … Continue reading Why do I believe? Part 14 – A little more on fruit
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself … Continue reading Seven Days of Scripture – Day 7 – Phil. 2:5-11
Why do you concentrate on the sawdust in your brother’s eye, and pay no mind to the two-by-four in your own eye? How can you possibly say to him “let me help you with that dust in your eye,” when all the while you’ve got that two-by-four sticking out of your own? Hypocrite! First get … Continue reading Seven Days of Scripture – Day 6 – Matt. 7:3-5
They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth. Therefore because you trample on the poor and you exact taxes of grain from him, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; … Continue reading Seven Days of Scripture – Day 5 – Amos 5:10-12 and 21-24
He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. OK, this one is just for fun. It’s probably my all-time favorite of the Proverbs, and has been since I first discovered it as a kid. I am not, nor have I ever … Continue reading Seven Days of Scripture – Day 4 – Proverbs 27:14
