Ehrman's Problem: A Critique by Clay Jones

In his book, God’s Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question—Why We Suffer, Bart Ehrman makes the case that neither Christians nor the Bible can answer why God, if He were to exist, would allow “the cesspool of misery and suffering” that many people endure. Ehrman says he couldn’t reconcile his faith with horrendous evils, and his book presents the reasons why.

Clay Jones, Associate Professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University, offers a multi-part critique of Ehrman's book. Find links to the "Ehrman's Problem" posts here:

• Problem 1: He Misreads the Bible and Impugns God’s Fairness
• Problem 2: Free Will and Natural Evil
• Problem 3: God Could Have Made Us So We'd Always Do Right
• Problem 4: Why Won't We Abuse Free Will In Heaven?
• Problem 5: God Should Intervene More To Prevent Free Will's Evil Use
• Problem 6: He’s Confused About the Free Will Defense
• Problem 7: The "Classical View" and the Holocaust
• Problem 8: The Strawman
• Problem 9: He Minimizes the Horror of Sin
• Problem 10: Special Pleading

Enjoy.

Clay Jones Interview: The Crusades - part 3

Apologetics 315 is happy to welcome Clay Jones for a series of three interviews. Clay is assistant professor at the Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics program at Biola University - and he teaches courses in Theodicy & the Issue of Evil, apologetics research and writing, and defending the resurrection. He has been interviewed in the past on Apologetics 315 on the problem of evil.

Today's interview is the third and final in a series of three short podcasts (see part one here, two here) dealing the atrocities committed in the crusades, Luther's insights on the crusades, the idea of a Christian nation, and the complex lessons of the crusades.

Clay Jones Interview on the Crusades - part 3 (12 min)

Clay recommends a few resources for those who want to learn more:
God's Battalions: The Case for the Crusades - Rodney Stark
What Were the Crusades - Jonathan Wiley Smith
The New Concise History of the Crusades - Thomas Madden
First Things: Rethinking the Crusades (article)

For more interviews, subscribe to the Interviews podcast here or in iTunes.
Enjoy.

Clay Jones Interview: The Crusades - part 2

Apologetics 315 is happy to welcome Clay Jones for a series of three interviews. Clay is assistant professor at the Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics program at Biola University - and he teaches courses in Theodicy & the Issue of Evil, apologetics research and writing, and defending the resurrection. He has been interviewed in the past on Apologetics 315 on the problem of evil.

Today's interview is the second of a series of three short podcasts (see part one here) dealing with the general perception of the Crusades, what the Crusades were, motivations behind them, Augustine's concept of "just war," the atrocities of the Crusades, and their overall outcome.

Clay Jones Interview on the Crusades - part 2 (14 min)

Clay's blog is here.

For more interviews, subscribe to the Interviews podcast here or in iTunes.
Enjoy.

Clay Jones Interview: The Crusades - part 1

Apologetics 315 is happy to welcome Clay Jones for a series of three interviews. Clay is assistant professor at the Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics program at Biola University - and he teaches courses in Theodicy & the Issue of Evil, apologetics research and writing, and defending the resurrection. He has been interviewed in the past on Apologetics 315 on the problem of evil.

Today's interview is the first of a series of three short podcasts dealing with some of the attacks against Christianity because of events such as the Crusades, witch hunts, and other historical events. This introductory episode begins to unpack how we as Christians should approach and think through the issues.

Clay Jones Interview on the Crusades - part 1 (12 min)

Clay's blog is here.

For more interviews, subscribe to the Interviews podcast here or in iTunes.
Enjoy.

Biola University Chapel Audio in iTunesU

Those interested in apologetics are most likely familiar with Biola University and their Masters Program in Christian Apologetics. With that in mind, it is possible to find great audio resources in their chapel archives, which can be browsed on the Biola website or automatically found in iTunesU here. Some audio of interest includes:
• Understanding Intelligent Design : Sean McDowell
• Was Jesus an Advocate of Blind Faith? : Craig Hazen
• Will Heaven Be Worth It? : Clay Jones
• On Suffering & Following Jesus : Steve Porter

Also check out the Defending the Faith channel in iTunesU, which includes video of some of these lectures as well.

Enjoy.

Apologist Interview: Clay Jones

Today's interview is with Clay Jones (his blog is right here), assistant professor at the Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics program at Biola University, teaching courses in Theodicy & the Issue of Evil, apologetics research and writing, and defending the resurrection. But the area of focus he is known for is the topic of evil and suffering. In this interview he talks about the issue of evil, his recommended resources for learning about the issue of evil, the judgment of the Canaanites, and more.

Full Interview MP3 Audio here. (53 min)

Clay mentions a few books that may be of interest:
• The Many Faces of Evil by John S. Feinberg
• The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis
• Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold by C.S. Lewis
• When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada

Giveaway for FREE Apologetics Products
The Graduate Program in Christian Apologetics is giving away two Clay Jones "Why God Allows Evil" lecture CDs to two people. To be entered in this contest, leave a comment on this post. Each person will only be counted once, even if multiple comments are left. Giveaway ends on May 21 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be chosen at random using random.org and notified by email.

10% off anything in the Biola apologetics product catalog Apologetics Resources.

Only $75! Biola’s Certificate in Christian Apologetics. $20 discount. Special Discount

Biola’s apologetics program will honor such rates until the end of May for all readers and friends of Apologetics 315. If you want to receive the 10% discount off of anything in the apologetics product catalog that is not clickable above, please order by phone (562-906-4570) or email.

For more interviews, subscribe to the Apologetics 315 Interviews podcast here or in iTunes.