Sunday, September 30, 2012

Pascal on Jesus Christ and Scripture

"Not only do we know God by Jesus Christ alone, but we know ourselves only by Jesus Christ. We know life and death only through Jesus Christ. Apart from Jesus Christ, we do not know what is our life, nor our death, nor God, nor ourselves. Thus, without Scripture, which has Jesus alone for its object, we know nothing, and see only darkness and confusion in the nature of God, and in our own nature."

- Blaise Pascal, (Pensees, 547)

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Book Review: The Jesus Scandals by David Instone-Brewer

When scandals hit the media today they are covered on television, newspapers and social media. These scandals are covered by a twenty-four hour media that loves to feast on every detail of the story until there are no more details to digest from the story. In his book The Jesus Scandals Why He Shocked His Contemporaries (And Still Shocks Today) Dr. David Instone-Brewer argues that not all scandals are bad in fact “scandals are our best guarantee of historical truth in the Gospels” (11).

Jesus was accused of being a bastard, blaspheming, abusing alcohol, partying with prostitutes, and working for Satan—in other words, scandal followed him. And a huge part of his teaching and ministry tackled head-on the scandals that pervaded society and would therefore have been regarded as scandalous by his audience. Scandals are the inconvenient truths which the Gospels could not omit without being dismissed as fiction by their first readers. “If there had been no scandals, the Gospel writers wouldn’t have invented them—why create potential reasons for people to dismiss Jesus? And if there were scandals, the original readers would remember, so the Gospel writers had to mention them and make a reply” (11).

Friday, September 28, 2012

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (09/21 - 09/28)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
Q&A with Lee Strobel
Becoming an Ambassador, part 1
Dallas Willard on Logical Thinking
Jesus’ Wife fragment judged a fake
Featured apologist:  Dr. Edgar Andrews
Are Young People Really Leaving Christianity?
Did Jesus Have a Wife? William Lane Craig video
Contending With Christianity's Critics Conference
Video: William Lane Craig - What About Suffering?
The Top 10 Philosophy, Science, and Theology Podcasts
Apologetics Conference: Equip & Engage: New England 2012
Living in the Tension of the Faith and Science Discussion
Apathy, Atheism, and the Absurdity of Life Without God
What About the Back of the So-Called Gospel of Jesus’s Wife?
"Think Christianly" by Jonathan Morrow only $3.99 on Kindle
Did the divinity of Jesus emerge slowly after many years of embellishments?
Daniel B. Wallace responds to the “Jesus had a wife” media sensationalism
Does it makes sense to be good on atheism? Scholars debate atheism and morality
Preorder: What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur'an by James White

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us monthly?
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Tim McGrew's Recommended Apologetics Reading

If you are looking for book recommendations in the area of apologetics, you may have checked out Apologetics315's Recommended Apologetics Book Directory. But what if you want to build a good foundational knowledge in the key areas of defending the faith? Where can you start? First, listen to Dr. Tim McGrew's Practical Apologetics audio, where you will find his advice for those studying in this area. You'll also find his recommended reading. Listed here are Tim McGrew's recommendations in various apologetic categories. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are available online in google books or other sources. Items marked with a dagger (†) are works by adversaries of Christianity.

Conversational Apologetics

Mandatory
Greg Koukl, Tactics
Recommended
Norman and David Geisler, Conversational Evangelism
Supplementary
Randy Newman, Questioning Evangelism
Randy Newman, Corner Conversations

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Former Atheist Richard Morgan Interview Transcript

The following transcript is from an Apologetics 315 interview with former atheist Richard Morgan. Original audio here. If you enjoy transcripts, please consider supporting, which makes this possible.

BA: Hello, this is Brian Auten of Apologetics 315. Today I am speaking with Richard Morgan, a former atheist, who found salvation in Jesus Christ. His testimony is fascinating, as part of his conversion story came about through his interactions on the Richard Dawkins website discussion boards. I’m interested in hearing about Richard’s experience, how he came to know Christ, and also asking him his thoughts on apologetics.

Thank you so much for joining me today, Richard.

RM: It’s a pleasure - I think!

BA: Well, I’m glad you could join me today in the same time zone. Tell us where you’re from originally, Richard, and where you live now and basically what keeps you busy these days.

RM: Well, I was born and bred in a tiny village in North Wales, so in spite of the way I am speaking to you now, I am actually British. I grew up in North Wales. I went to college in Nottingham. I’ve lived and worked and taught in Nottingham and Manchester. And then circumstances in my life brought me to live in France, and in 1984 I moved to Toulouse, in the South West of France, which is where I have been living since. When I was in England, I was a music teacher, then when I came to France, I switched subjects and became an English teacher and I am just about on the point of retiring now, after having spent 25 pleasant years teaching English in the South West of France, well known for its vineyards.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The Beliefs & Practices of Mormonism MP3 Audio by John Warwick Montgomery

In this audio, provided by Issues, Etc., apologist John Warwick Montgomery discusses the beliefs and practices of Mormonism: How different is it from historic Christianity? Is it Christian? These questions and more are dealt with in this critical look at Mormonism. Find original audio at the Issues, Etc. archive, or subscribe to their podcast here.

Full MP3 Audio here. (42 min)
Enjoy.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Thinker Profile: Aristotle

Aristotle (384-322 B.C.): One of the most famous philosophers of ancient Greece. Although Aristotle had been a student of Plato, he rejected Plato's doctrine of transcendent Forms in favor of the claim that universal properties exist immanently in particulars, which he saw as a synthesis of form and matter. Aristotle invented logic as a formal discipline and wrote on a wide range of topics, including metaphysics, ethics, and much that would today be classified as natural science, including biology and physics. Aristotle's followers are sometimes called Peripatetics because of his habit of lecturing as he walked on the grounds of the Lyceum, his philosophical school in Athens.1

1. C.Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), p. 13.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Apologist Interview: Francis Beckwith

Today's interview is with Frank Beckwith, Professor of Philosophy and Church-State Studies at Baylor University. He talks about his background, the importance of ethics and church-state issues, the reason for controversy about Christianity and politics, the meaning of "separation between church and state," what the Bible says about politics, how Christians should be engaged politically, thinking about hot-button issues, how to properly argue for issues, factors for evaluating candidates, the importance of voting, his book Politics for Christians: Statecraft as Soulcraft (review here), recommended reading, and advice for apologists.

Full Interview MP3 Audio here (1hr)

Books by Frank Beckwith include:
• Politics for Christians: Statecraft as Soulcraft
Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case Against Abortion Choice
Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air
Enjoy.
Subscribe to the Apologetics 315 Interviews podcast here or in iTunes.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Nancy Pearcey on Apologetics Training

"To be effective in equipping young people and professionals to face the challenges of a highly educated secular society, the church needs to redefine the mission of pastors and youth leaders to include training in apologetics and worldview. ... Pastors must once again provide intellectual leadership for their congregations, teaching apologetics from the pulpit. Every time a minister introduces a biblical teaching, he should also instruct the congregation in ways to defend it against the major objections they are likely to encounter. A religion that avoids the intellectual task and retreats to the therapeutic realm of personal relationships and feelings will not survive in today’s spiritual battlefield."

- Nancy Pearcey

Nancy R. Pearcy, Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005), 127.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Book Review: 7 Truths that Changed the World by Kenneth Samples

Philosopher Kenneth Samples (Reasons to Believe) recently published his third book: 7 Truths That Changed The World: Discovering Christianity's Most Dangerous Ideas. The idea behind the book is to examine ideas in the Christian worldview that stand in direct opposition to the majority of worldviews, making them dangerous to believe. Samples' approach to defending the truth of Christianity in this book is based on building a cumulative case for the worldview (not just a single doctrine, such as the existence of God). He introduces each idea by explaining the idea that Christianity will challenge, then he goes into a good amount of detail of the idea as he provides evidence for its truth versus the challenged idea.

Dangerous Idea #1: Not All Dead Men Stay Dead
Samples begins his presentation with what he calls "Christianity's most dangerous idea." He examines the claim that Jesus of Nazareth died and came back to life. Samples goes over seven pieces of evidence that critical scholars tend to agree took place. He explains the significance of each one and how they all come together to support the conclusion that Jesus bodily resurrected from the dead. Samples also examines several different naturalistic explanations for the evidence offered. He explains the weaknesses of each one and concludes that there is no other sound conclusion than that Jesus did rise from the dead.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (09/14 - 09/21)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
Burden of Proof
Logic & Religion
About Jesus' wife...
Leviticus Laws & Homosexuality
Sign up for these upcoming webinars
Was Jesus Married? A survey of responses
Equip & Engage Conference: New England 2012
A Note to the Secular World: Do Your History
Does atheism mean “a lack of belief in God”?
Unpacking Atheism Simulcast with Lee Strobel
Atheist Prayer Experiment - Day 4 Update video
My new favorite app for watching videos at 2x speed
Daniel B. Wallace on the “Jesus’ Wife” Coptic Fragment
Is Muhammed Prophesied in the Bible? Audio Now Available
Video: The Universe Had A Beginning - Alexander Vilenkin
Is Islam a Religion of Peace? The Christian Response - video
A parent’s guide to intelligent design and science education
Scripture and Bible Books for Kids: "Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers"
A classic, historical defense of the resurrection: "The Gospel of the Resurrection"
This week's featured book: Popologetics: Popular Culture in Christian Perspective by Ted Turnau

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us monthly?
• Shopping via Amazon? If you use this link, a bit of your purchase goes to fund Apologetics 315. Thanks for those of you using the link, as it helps Ap315.

• Would you like to help with interview transcriptionIf so, contact Ap315 here.

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Critical Thinking: A Christian Essential by Ravi Zacharias

In order to properly address questions about life, meaning, and faith, Christians need be critical thinkers. But what does that look like? On the Just Thinking radio broadcast and podcast, Ravi Zacharias discusses the importance of critical thinking. Listen to it in three parts, linked below.

Critical Thinking: A Christian Essential
[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]

Enjoy.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Practical Apologetics MP3 by Dr. Timothy McGrew

In this audio provided by Tactical Faith, Dr. Timothy McGrew shares insights on the topic: "Practical Apologetics." He talks about the art of conversation, building one's knowledge base, understanding the various areas of apologetics, how to study, and how to build your apologetics resource library. He also includes a recommended reading list (found here and as PDF) for various topics. Followed by 15 minutes of Q&A. Lecture notes PDF here, and apologetics map here.

Full MP3 Audio here (60 min)
Enjoy.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Debate: William Lane Craig vs. Paul Kurtz: Goodness Without God is Good Enough?

In this debate, Christian apologist and philosopher William Lane Craig and prominent humanist philosopher Paul Kurtz discuss whether God is necessary for a sound foundation for morality. This debate took place in 2001 at Franklin & Marshall College.

Full Debate MP3 Audio here (1hr 48 min)

Enjoy.

Want to hear every audio debate by William Lane Craig?
Check out the audio debate feed here.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Thinker Profile: Socrates

Socrates (c. 470-399 B.C.): One of the most important Greek philosophers, executed by the Athenians on the charge of corrupting youth with his philosophy of undermining the religion of the city by refusing to recognize its gods and introducing new ones. Socrates wrote nothing himself, but he has exercised an incalculable influence on the history of philosophy through his depiction by Plato in a series of dialogues. In daily conversations with Athenians, Socrates challenged and questioned prevailing wisdom, holding that he was wiser than his contemporaries only in recognizing that he knew nothing. True wisdom, said Socrates, was a possession of the gods. He regarded his philosophical work as a divine calling and refused to cease his activity even to save his life. The critical Socrates is regarded as a hero by contemporary secular philosophy, but the religious Socrates (who apparently heard voices and was confident that "nothing can harm a good man in life and death" because "the gods are not indifferent to his fortunes") is not so widely hailed.1

1. C.Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), pp. 108-109.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Apologist Interview: Kerby Anderson

Today's interview is with apologist Kerby Anderson, president of Probe Ministries and host of the Point of View Radio Talk Show. He talks about his background and influences, the history of Probe Ministries, the concept of worldview, how we go about testing worldviews, the various facets of worldviews, integrating a Christian worldview, the National Student Mind Games Conference, practical advice for parents equipping their children, advice for Christian apologists, and more.

Full Interview MP3 Audio here (52 min)

Books by Kerby Anderson include:
Christian Ethics in Plain Language
A Biblical Point of View on Islam
A Biblical Point of View on Homosexuality
A Biblical Point of View on Spiritual Warfare
A Biblical Point of View on Intelligent Design
Making the Most of Your Money in Tough Times

Enjoy.
Subscribe to the Apologetics 315 Interviews podcast here or in iTunes.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Tim Keller on God and Culture

"For the sake of argument, let’s imagine that Christianity is not the product of any one culture but is actually the transcultural truth of God. If that were the case we would expect that it would contradict and offend every human culture at some point, because human cultures are ever-changing and imperfect. If Christianity were the truth it would have to be offending and correcting your thinking at some place."

- Tim Keller, The Reason for GodKindle Locations 1276-1279

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Book Review: Popologetics: Popular Culture in Christian Perspective by Ted Turnau

Popologetics: Popular Culture in Christian Perspective, by Ted Turnau is a masterful, engaging, and very helpful examination into how Christians can take too seriously Jesus’ teaching to be “in the world but not of the world” (John 15:19; 17:14-16). The book contains three parts with twelve chapters. The author in part one grounds his teaching in the Word by explaining in chapter four what creation, the fall, and redemption have to teach Christians about popular culture. In taking this approach (creation, fall, and redemption) the author grounds his teaching in the Word of God in order to help Christians to rightly engage the culture with the Word of God.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (09/07- 09/14)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
The Problem of Evil
Do all religions lead to God?
The Atheist Prayer Experiment
Knowledge puffs up… or does it?
Is Friendship Evangelism Biblical?
Are Apologetics Degrees Worthless?
reTHINK Student Apologetics Conference
Turns Out Most DNA Is Not Junk After All
Coffee with Scholars – Greg Koukl, Part 2
Science, Doubt, and Miracles by Tim McGrew
Why the “Outsider Test” is an Abject Failure
Common Objection #18- "Jesus Never Existed."
Upcoming Apologetics Events at Biola University
Jesus iWitness for iPad on the iTunes App Store
Register Now for the European Leadership Forum
Contending With Christianity's Critics Conference
The "Whatever" Objection and the Passivity Problem
FREE Intelligent Design Conference in San Diego Tomorrow
Why Apologetics Should Be A Requirement For Every Pastor
Greg Koukl debates Michael Shermer on God, atheism, meaning and morality
Defending the Faith Conference at Mt. Airy Bible Church in Mt. Airy, MD
Conundrum: You want to get into apologetics but don’t have a degree – pt1 pt2

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us monthly?
• Shopping via Amazon? If you use this link, a bit of your purchase goes to fund Apologetics 315. Thanks for those of you using the link, as it helps Ap315.

• Would you like to help with interview transcriptionIf so, contact Ap315 here.

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For daily post links, please follow on Facebook.

Featured Resource: Challenge & Response Videos by STR

Looking for thoughtful responses to tough challenges to your faith? Every week the guys over at the STR Place Blog answer a challenge with a thoughtful response video. It's a growing weekly resource, and it's all archived with easy links. These aren't just pat answers, but they dig into the issues, discuss the key points, and then formulate a reasonable response to each weekly challenge. A great resource:

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Free Ebook: How to Get Apologetics in Your Church 2

Our 20-part series of part 2 of How to Get Apologetics in Your Church is now complete. The index of all 20 posts can be found here. If you want to read/listen to the first series, you can find that index here. And now How to Get Apologetics in Your Church 2 is available as a FREE  eBook. You can download it in various formats.

How to Get Apologetics in Your Church 2:
[PDF] [Mobi] [Kindle]

Spread the word and enjoy.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Gary Habermas Interview Transcript

The following transcript is from an Apologetics 315 interview with Gary Habermas. Original audio here. If you enjoy transcripts, please consider supporting, which makes this possible.

BA: Hello, this is Brian Auten of Apologetics 315. Today I am speaking with Dr. Gary Habermas. Dr. Habermas is a well-known Christian philosopher, theologian, and apologist and has written numerous books on the subject of doubt in the historical Jesus, and most notably the resurrection of Jesus. His expertise on the resurrection studies has had considerable influence on Christian apologetics and historical Jesus studies, and his webpage is garyhabermas.com. Now, the purpose of our interview today is to get to know a little bit more about Dr. Habermas, his background, gain some insights from his experience, and to find out what he is currently working on. So, thanks for speaking with me today.

GH: Glad to be with you, Brian.

BA: I know you’re a Michigan man, but tell us a little bit about your educational background and your early influences.

GH: Well, you’re right. I grew up in the Detroit area, almost exclusively. I lived for a year or so in Indiana and I did live in Western Michigan, but almost totally in Detroit in my early years. And my schooling likewise; my Bachelor’s and after degrees are both from Detroit schools, the latter being—well, Greendale college for my bachelor’s and then University of Detroit. And then I was living in Kalamazoo in the west side of the state while I was doing my PhD, and I drove back to the central part of the state – East Lansing – to do PhD at Michigan State University. So I pretty much stayed in Michigan for all my education.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Thinker Profile: William of Ockham

William of Ockham (c. 1285-1349): English medieval philosopher known as "the subtle doctor." Ockham was a Franciscan who clashed with the pope and was forced to flee to Pisa and finally Munich because of his criticisms of arbitrary papal power. He is known for his rejection of real universals and is often called the father of nominalism, although many scholars claim that he was really a conceptualist. Ockham is also famous for "Ockham's razor," or the principle of parsimony, which says that "entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity." Though that phrase is not actually from Ockham's writings, it is associated with him because of his characteristic style of philosophizing.1

1. C.Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), pp. 83-84.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Apologist Interview: Michael J. Kruger

Today's interview is with Michael J. Kruger, Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. He talks about his background in New Testament studies, his new book on the canon, Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books, the nature of the Bible, the meaning and formation of the canon, criteria of canonicity and attributes of canonicity, "other gospels," the apocrypha, how we can know what books belong in the Bible, advice for Christian apologists, and more. Dr. Kruger's blog is here.

Full Interview MP3 Audio here (42 min)

Enjoy.
Subscribe to the Apologetics 315 Interviews podcast here or in iTunes.

Sunday, September 09, 2012

Pascal on God's Hiddenness

"God has willed to redeem men and to open salvation to those who seek it. But men render themselves so unworthy of it that it is right that God should refuse to some, because of their obduracy, what He grants others from a compassion which is not due to them. If He had willed to overcome the obstinacy of the most hardened, He could have done so by revealing Himself so manifestly to them that they could not have doubted of the truth of His essence; as it will appear at the last day, with such thunders and such a convulsion of nature that the dead will rise again, and the blindest will see Him.” It is not in this manner that He has willed to appear in His advent of mercy, because, as so many make themselves unworthy of His mercy, He has willed to leave them in the loss of the good which they do not want.

It was not, then, right that He should appear in a manner manifestly divine, and completely capable of convincing all men; but it was also not right that He should come in so hidden a manner that He could not be known by those who should sincerely seek Him.

He has willed to make himself quite recognizable by those; and thus, willing to appear openly to those who seek Him with all their heart, and to be hidden from those who flee from Him with all their heart. He so regulates the knowledge of Himself that He has given signs of Himself, visible to those who seek Him, and not to those who seek Him not. There is enough light for those who only desire to see, and enough obscurity for those who have a contrary disposition."

- Blaise Pascal, Pensées (430)

Saturday, September 08, 2012

Book Review: Think Christianly: Looking at the Intersection of Faith and Culture by Jonathan Morrow

We are at a turning point in Christian culture – a turning point in terms of need, opportunity, and ability.

Christians in the West live in a post-Christian culture. That is not just to say that faith has become the exception rather than the norm. Rather, it is to say that for most of the culture-makers and culture-influencers today, and for most people in their ordinary lives, Christianity as a worldview is something past, dead, irrelevant. The minds at work in Hollywood and in the ivory tower, in workplaces and schools, often simply take it for granted that Christianity is irrelevant to, or interferes with, the real business of life. In past centuries, Christian ideas were presented to the world through worship and the teaching of the Church, but also through music, art, architecture, and traditions in daily life. Those who rejected Christ at least knew what they were rejecting. Most of that is gone now: we need to regain our foothold in culture.

Friday, September 07, 2012

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (08/31 - 09/07)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
Masters in Apologetics
The State of Apologetics
12 Things Science Can’t Explain
When Were The Gospels Written?
Rethink Apologetics Conference
100 Kindle Books for $3.99 or Less
The Difference Between Buddha and Jesus
Unpacking Atheism Simulcast with Lee Strobel
Unbelievable Conference now available on DVD
Book Review: “The Myth of Religious Violence”
Denver Seminary > M.A. in Apologetics and Ethics
Darwin or Design? Conference still taking registrations
Angus Menuge’s ontological argument against naturalism
On How to Have a Worthwhile Education: 11 Recommendations
Apologetics Conference! Equip & Engage: New England 2012
Theology Unplugged: Coffee with Scholars – Greg Koukl, Part 1
Summary of Alvin Plantinga's Updated Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism
WOW. "Christian Apologetics" by Doug Groothuis' on sale for $4.08 on Kindle!
Nine Reasons to Get a Christian Apologetics and Ethics Degree at Denver Seminary
Love Your God with All Your Mind (15 Anniversary Updated edition) by J.P. Moreland
Great ebook: "Arguing with Friends: Keeping Your Friends and Your Convictions"

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us monthly?
• Shopping via Amazon? If you use this link, a bit of your purchase goes to fund Apologetics 315. Thanks for those of you using the link, as it helps Ap315.

• Would you like to help with interview transcriptionIf so, contact Ap315 here.

Get these sorts of links and more by following on Twitter.
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For daily post links, please follow on Facebook.

How Would the Gospels Look Different If...?

Tim Rennie of the Christian Meets World podcast presents a series of interviews with believers and skeptics exploring the question, “How would the Gospel look different if …?” You can download the interviews below or subscribe to the podcast here.


Enjoy.

Thursday, September 06, 2012

Challenge: Start a Church Apologetics Group

Challenge: Start a Church Apologetics Group
By Brian Auten

I want to write this blog post to challenge you. Don't continue reading if you prefer not to be challenged.

What You've Been Doing
If you're reading this post, I've got a suspicion about what you've been up to. So I'm writing this blog post for a specific audience in mind. Here's the audience:

First, you've been studying apologetics in some way. You're interested in defending the faith probably more than others because you've found your way here, willing to be challenged on a blog post about getting apologetics in your church.

[MP3 | RSS | iTunes Index]

Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Alleged Contradictions in the Gospels (2) by Tim McGrew

In this lecture, entitled Alleged Contradictions in the Gospels (part 2), Dr. Timothy McGrew explores a litany of 9 alleged contradictions in the Gospels. This is about 60 minutes of content followed by a short Q&A. PowerPoint file is here. Handout PDF here. Visit the Library of Historical Apologetics. This is part 5b of the series—part 1 here; part 2 here; part 3 here, part 4a here, part 4b here, part 5a herepart 6 here.

Full MP3 Audio here. (1hr 12min)
Video on YouTube here.
Enjoy.

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Thinker Profile: Friedrich Nietzsche

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900): German philosopher whose radical views on human thinking as perspectival and shaped by the "will to power" have had a profound impact on thinkers who came after him. Nietzsche announced the death of God, and as a consequence he affirmed that moralities are human creations. Previous human history has seen the "slave revolt" in morality, in which the "herd morality" of good and evil (Judaism, Christianity, socialism) has overthrown the earlier "master morality" of good and bad (the warrior culture of Homeric Greece) that was the work of the natural aristocrats. Nietzsche himself proposed that the "Overman" may now go beyond good and evil and invent a new form of morality. Nietzsche saw the virtues of herd morality as a disguised form of envy, in which the weak express their resentment of the strong by affirming that the poor and the meek are blessed. See also nihilism.1

1. C.Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), p. 81.

Monday, September 03, 2012

Apologist Interview: Ranald Macauley

Today's interview is with Ranald Macauley, founder of L'Abri, UK and founder of Christian Heritage, UK. He talks about his background and work in ministry, working with Francis Schaeffer, L'Abri, UK, Christian Heritage's vision, the spiritual condition of Europe, the importance of proactive apologetics, apologetics apprenticeships, summer schools in apologetics and theology, audio resources, how pastors can help their congregations be more intellectually engaged, facing future challenges, advice for those studying apologetics, and the importance of reading Schaeffer.

Full Interview MP3 Audio here (37 min)

Enjoy.
Subscribe to the Apologetics 315 Interviews podcast here or in iTunes.

Sunday, September 02, 2012

Francis Schaeffer on Asking for Answers

"At first acquaintance, this concept, 'I do not ask for answers; I just believe,' gives the feeling of spirituality and it deceives many fine people. These are often young men and women who are not content only to repeat the phrases of the intellectual or spiritual status quo. They have become rightly dissatisfied with a dull, dusty, introverted orthodoxy given only to pounding out a few well known clichés. The new theology sounds spiritual and vibrant and they are trapped. But the price they pay for what seems to be spiritual is high, for to operate in the upper story using undefined religious terms is to fail to know and function on the level of the whole man. The answer is not to ask these people to return to the poorness of the status quo, but to a living orthodoxy which is concerned with the whole man; including the rational and intellectual, in his relationship to God."

- Francis Schaeffer
The God Who is There

Saturday, September 01, 2012

Book Review: Hollywood Worldviews by Brian Godawa

Brian Brian Godawa is a professional screen writer with successful movies like To End All Wars, The Visitation, and Change Your Life to his credits. He is also an evangelical Christian with a passion for teaching biblical discernment in regard to films. In Hollywood Worldviews, he writes that “God loves movies”[1] because seventy percent of the Bible is communicated through creative genres like narrative, stories and poems. It follows that God uses drama as a powerful means to teach truth. It also follows that the secular world uses them to promote a different agenda. Whether one is aware of it or not entertainment mediums are promoting a worldview. Accordingly, Christians should cultivate a sophisticated understanding of how those mediums are employed in our culture. Godawa states his goal succinctly, “to help the viewer discern those ideas that drive the story to its destination and see how they influence us to live our lives-to understand the story behind the story.”[2] He examines two equal but opposite errors: cultural desertion (anorexia) and cultural immersion (gluttony). The book is divided into three sections Act 1: Storytelling in Movies, Act 2: Worldviews in Movies, and Act 3: Spirituality in Movies. The paper will attempt to show that the book is valuable for developing a discerning eye.

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