Monday, November 09, 2015

The Top 7 Things You Can't Do as a Moral Relativist

Moral relativism is the theory that denies that humans can possess any objective, universally meaningful knowledge, that there are any ultimate and unchanging metaphysical realities or that there are any moral absolutes. Philosopher Peter Kreeft said that "No culture in history has ever embraced moral relativism and survived." If you don't think objective moral values exist, Kreeft can teach you about that. But what's the problem with moral relativism? Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason (who along with Francis Beckwith wrote the book on Relativism) wrote a great article in Salvo Magazine on that topic. Here are 7 Things You Can't Do as a Moral Relativist:
  1. Relativists Can’t Accuse Others of Wrong-Doing
  2. Relativists Can’t Complain About the Problem of Evil
  3. Relativists Can’t Place Blame or Accept Praise
  4. Relativists Can’t Claim Anything Is Unfair or Unjust
  5. Relativists Can’t Improve Their Morality
  6. Relativists Can’t Hold Meaningful Moral Discussions
  7. Relativists Can’t Promote the Obligation of Tolerance
Bonus #8: Stephen Meyer, in the TrueU video series (which is excellent for group study), lists a couple more. Edit: Meyer's number 8 is: Relativists can’t complain about the problem of evil. But his number 2 is: The relativist can't complain about being mistreated.

If you want to know the detailed reasons that Koukl gives for each, read the article in its entirety over at Salvomag.

Want more resources on relativism? Find out what Jesus would say to a relativist, hear Greg Koukl's talk on relativism, or Paul Copan's interview about relativism.

Would you add any more to the list?

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Book Review: God's Crime Scene by J. Warner Wallace

God's Crime Scene (Book, Promo Video) is the highly anticipated "sequel" to J. Warner Wallace's Cold Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels. In his first investigation Wallace looks at the evidence for the claim that the Gospels were eye-witness accounts of the life of Jesus. In his latest book, he investigates the existence of God. He takes his experience and skill-set as a homicide detective to bring together the evidences and present them in a coherent and convincing manner for the jurors (readers) to decide. God's Crime Scene is 204 pages divided into eight chapters. He has also included nearly 80 additional pages of case files for digging deeper into the cases he investigates in the book. This review will provide a chapter-by-chapter summary of the book but it cannot be substituted for reading the full text. I've included short interviews with J. Warner Wallace and Bobby Conway from The One Minute Apologist at the end of chapter summaries so you can hear a synopsis of the chapter directly from the author.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (10/16 - 10/23)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Book Review: Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Can Change your Life by Eric Metaxas

“History,” writes Eric Metaxas in the introduction to his book entitled Miracles, “comprises subjective accounts of human beings, and from those subjective accounts we arrive at an ‘objective’ truth” (xii).  He asserts that we need to ask ourselves whether those subjective accounts are reliable by sifting through the information and considering the witnesses as one would do in a court of law.

This, he says, is what we must do when we hear accounts of miracles.  We must “examine (them) with the greatest rigor possible” to determine whether something is truly a miracle.  Otherwise, we could deserve the label of “gullible” that those who reject the very idea of supernatural events sometimes use to describe us.

Friday, October 09, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (10/02 - 10/09)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Book Review: Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air

More and more it seems that society and culture are attempting to jettison objective morality in favor of their own moral autonomy. It is a challenge that takes place at both an individual level and a political level. The Christian worldview holds that certain actions and behaviors are right or wrong regardless of who believes or does not believe that they are. Christians need to be able to defend this position in their everyday discussions with friends, family, and coworkers; otherwise, they may cave to the "wisdom of the world." Greg Koukl and Francis Beckwith wrote Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air precisely with these everyday Christians in mind.

The book is divided into five parts (sixteen chapters) and 170 pages. This review will be a part-by-part review (rather than my usual chapter-by-chapter, due to the short length of some chapters) to provide the reader with a quick summary of what they can expect from the book. My thoughts will conclude the review. While both Koukl and Beckwith are in agreement with all the content in the book, they each were the primary authors of certain parts, so I will refer to them by name (even though both authors are represented). 

Monday, September 07, 2015

Kindle Deals at 4.99 each: Counterpoints Books

Zondervan has put the whole Counterpoints series on sale for Kindle at $4.99 OR LESS each, and it includes: Four Views on the Book of Revelation; Four Views on Eternal Security; Four Views on God and Canaanite Genocide; Three Views on Creation and Evolution; Three Views on the Millennium; Five Views on Apologetics; Four Views on Hell; Five Views on Sanctification; Four Views on the Historical Adam; Two Views on Women in Ministry; Three Views on the Bible’s Earliest Chapters; Four Views on Divine Providence; Two Views on the Doctrine of the Trinity; Four Views on the Apostle Paul; Four Views on the Lord’s Supper; Three Views on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament; Five Views on Law and Gospel; Four Views on Christian Spirituality; Three Views on Remarriage after Divorce; Four Views on Baptism; Six Views on Worship; Four Views on Church Government; and Are Miraculous Gifts for Today?

[HT: Challies]

Friday, August 28, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (08/07 - 08/28)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, August 07, 2015

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

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, July 31, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (07/24 - 07/31)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
KINDLE DEALS:
Finding the Real Jesus: A Guide for Curious Christians and Skeptical Seekers by Lee Strobel - 1.99
Cold-Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace - 1.99
Apologetics Study Bible for Students by Sean McDowell - 2.99
Truth Matters: Confident Faith in a Confusing World - 0.99
Holman QuickSource Guide to Christian Apologetics by Doug Powell - 2.99

WEEKLY LINKS:
The Atheist Who Didn't Exist
My Favorite Apologetics Apps
The Gospels Agree About A Lot
Six Errors Jesus Mythicists Repeatedly Make
On Bart Ehrman and the authorship of the gospels
Follow up to Part II of Ehrman-McGrew radio debate
On Biblical Ethics: An Interview with Paul Copan
How to be a Christian Ambassador in Troubled Times
Two Things Nearly Everyone Believes About the Universe
Debate: Does God Exist? John Lennox vs. Michael Shermer
Is Kepler-452b an Earth-like planet? Does it support life?
Christianity Promotes Rational (and Evidential) Exploration
What are the historical arguments for the empty tomb story?
Does the Cumulative Case for Design Point to a Divine Designer?
Stand to Reason | The Importance of Studying Apologetics Regularly
Of course you’re smart enough to learn how to defend your faith
How do atheists try to accommodate the Big Bang in their worldview?
What historical evidence is there to support the post-mortem appearances of Jesus?
Why We Know Our Universe, And Everything In It, Had A Beginning (Free Bible Insert)
God's Crime Scene: Evidence for a Divinely Created Universe - NEW by J Warner Wallace

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us?
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, July 10, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (07/03 - 07/10)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, June 26, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (06/12 - 06/26)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, June 12, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (06/05 - 06/12)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, June 05, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (05/29 - 06/05)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, May 29, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (05/22 - 05/29)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, May 22, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (05/15 - 05/22)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Book Review: Rock Solid by Tom Gender

Rock Solid (paperback and GoodReads) is Tom Gender's latest addition to the library of books available to those who wish to defend the truth of Christianity. It takes a very straightforward and organized approach of defending six crucial doctrines of Christianity. He has divided the 178 pages accordingly into six chapters and includes an outline of the challenges address in the appendix.

Book Introduction
Tom Gender introduces his latest work by explaining the important both both theology and apologetics to the Christian. In doing so, he establishes a necessary connection between the two: if a Christian is defending a false theology, then they are not defending a true worldview, and if a skeptic knows how to demonstrate that theology false, then they have logical reason for rejecting the worldview of the Christian. This can provide no end of doubts and stumbling blocks for unbelievers to come to Christ and Christians to consider rejecting their worldview. Gender emphasizes that apologetics should not be done in the absence of theology. To be effective, both must be practiced together.

Using that as a springboard, Gender's purpose behind this book is to focus on the proper understanding of several of Christianity's most challenged and challenging core doctrines and how to defend their truth biblically, historically, scientifically and philosophically. Each doctrine will contain four parts: an explanation of the doctrine, an expansion upon its details, an engagement with common challenges to the doctrine and its details, and the practical implications of embracing the doctrine.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (05/08 - 05/15)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, May 08, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (05/01 - 05/08)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, May 01, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (04/24 - 05/01)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, April 24, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (04/10 - 04/24)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Book Review: Peril in Paradise by Mark S. Whorton

The problem of suffering and evil is one of the most persuasive challenges against the Christian worldview. As defenders of the true worldview, Christians need to be prepared to address this challenge. Interestingly enough, this challenge does not only come from unbelievers but also from those within the Church. The idea that animals died before humans arrived on the scene (and fell into sin) is a stumbling block for many to coming to Christ, yet the natural world tells of a history of animal suffering and death prior to humanity. It seems as though the scientific evidence and the claims of Christianity are at odds with one another. In his book Peril In Paradise (paperback and Kindle), Mark S. Whorton addresses this supposed incompatibility directly. His confrontation of the issue is in the context of a long discussion with Christians who support such an incompatibility (which appears to give the unbelievers' concern credibility). The book is 233 pages divided into four parts and sixteen chapters. This review will provide a chapter-by-chapter summary of the book's content, but it is not meant to replace reading the book to dig more deeply into the details of the arguments presented by the author for his conclusions. The review will conclude with this reviewer's thoughts and recommendations.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (03/27 - 04/10)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, March 27, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (03/20 - 03/27)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, March 20, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (03/13- 03/20)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, March 13, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (03/06- 03/13)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Friday, March 06, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (02/27- 03/06)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
KINDLE DEALS:
The Cell's Design by Fazale Rana - 2.99 on Kindle
Five Views on Apologetics - 2.99
• Worldview Conversations: How to Share Your Faith and Keep Your Friends - 2.99
Finding the Real Jesus: A Guide for Curious Christians and Skeptical Seekers by Lee Strobel - 1.99
Why Trust Jesus? by Dave Sterrett - 0.99
Does God Exist? by William Lane Craig - 0.99
Is the Bible Sexist, Racist, Homophobic? by Jonathan Morrow - 0.99
VeriTalks books, cheap on Kindle
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel - 1.99

WEEKLY LINKS:
Easter Resources 2015
Jesus is not your invisible magic friend
The Christian Faith Is An Evidential Faith
Claims of Contradictions May Display Prejudice
The Case For The Real Jesus, Free Audio Book
Common Objection #24- "There is no evidence for God."
Using a Detective’s Approach When Deciding How to Interact
Confident Christianity Apologetics Conference Auckland - April 2015
Debate Audio: Dr. Gordon Stein vs. Dr. Greg Bahnsen- Does God Exist?
What do ancient non-Christian sources tell us about the historical Jesus?
Mike Licona explains the As, Bs, Cs, Ds and Es of New Testament reliability
Video: How Did the Bible Become Compiled into One Volume? by Mike Licona
New study: scientists discover that inverted retina / blind spot is not a “bad design”
Chapter One Review: The Resurrection of Jesus- A New Historiographical Approach by Mike Licona

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us?
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Book Review: Stealing from God: Why Atheists Need God to Make Their Case by Frank Turek

It was with great anticipation that I began reading Frank Turek’s latest book, Stealing from God: Why Atheists Need God to Make Their Case. It was just this past October I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Turek speak in Mt. Airy, MD on the topic of “Is Jesus Intolerant?” I walked away from that talk impressed with Turek’s ability to address culturally “hot button” issues with razor sharp logic coupled with winsome grace. I hoped that Turek’s book would offer more of the same and I wasn’t disappointed.

Introduction
From the very onset of the book, it is clear that Turek has the so-called “new atheists” in his crosshairs and his main contention is that “atheists are using aspects of reality to argue against God that wouldn’t exist if atheism were true. In other words, when atheists give arguments for their atheistic worldview, they are stealing from a theistic worldview to make their case. In effect, they are stealing from God in order to argue against Him.” [p. xviii]

Friday, February 27, 2015

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (02/20- 02/27)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• 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.
Canada here. UK here.

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

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

Blog Archive

Amz