tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74067850456447315432024-02-07T02:05:27.924-08:00Bringing Back the TaoMusings on Culture, History, Science, Youth and ReligionGabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-57000468320424139452011-09-10T17:53:00.000-07:002011-09-11T07:59:03.131-07:00My 9/11 Memorial: Christianity Offers Authentic Hope In The Face Of Suffering<b>Terror's Aftermath</b><br />
Today, we will be remembering one of the great tragedies in the history of our nation. Ten years ago, a senseless act of violence turned tools of travel into tools of terror. Many people died. Some instant<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">ly,</span> some slowly and in much pain.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_Y-S-kULcm1IrqE4pE8KZKjxcjJhTZ_ExpjZffP8tOvMyf7tWhQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_Y-S-kULcm1IrqE4pE8KZKjxcjJhTZ_ExpjZffP8tOvMyf7tWhQ" width="200" /></a>Like many, I remember exactly where I was when I heard about the first plane crashing into the WTC. Even more vividly, I can recall watching the second jet aim at the second tower. I had hoped, watching the 2D television screen, the plane would pass behind the building<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">,</span> that it would miss. Instead, pieces of ceramic, metal, and plastic shot out of the other side of the building intertwined in flames. When I remembered to breathe, I realized I had not felt so much pain in my relatively young, sheltered life. I was across the continent, but I mourned with all who experienced this act of terror.<br />
<br />
Over the next few weeks, I tried to make sense of what I had witnessed. The world hadn't really changed much. There were always people who wanted to hurt others, but the reality of evil was much more tangible, more pungent even. Before, I had been able to ignore evil when it occurred to others, but this had hit home. This showed me the reality of pain and suffering all over the world.<br />
<br />
I was struck by how futile our efforts at comfort can be. When tragedy strikes, people often ask bigger questions than they have before. But who, if anyone, has the answers to give authentic hope?<br />
<br />
<b>Failed Answers</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSaUGHc4iMAPC1RAT6MwErpiI4yjUatbI4cosJXrm1delHSJPVO8g" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSaUGHc4iMAPC1RAT6MwErpiI4yjUatbI4cosJXrm1delHSJPVO8g" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Baker Eddy believed<br />
evil <a href="http://www.philosophyofreligion.info/arguments-for-atheism/the-problem-of-evil/does-evil-exist/">was an illusion</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Every worldview must have an answer to pain and suffering. Any worldview that ignores the true human need to make sense of the world of evil we live in rings hollow and disingenuous. Unfortunately, some worldviews seem to pretend there is no such evil, but only how we react to situations (Atheism). Other worldviews may say that evil is just as powerful as good, or even, just another side of the same coin (Pantheism). In the specific instance of 9/11, many followers (though not all) of Islam would contend the falling of the towers was actually a good, and not in fact an evil act.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRqzfeuRJjCSGfF1MIEbOxaVTbr6WWpIZFIZYXvmwQJI3OCHTWHjA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRqzfeuRJjCSGfF1MIEbOxaVTbr6WWpIZFIZYXvmwQJI3OCHTWHjA" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Provine believes there<br />
is no God, and thus, <a href="http://bevets.com/equotesp5.htm" target="_blank">no ethics</a><br />
(or ways to measure good and evil).</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
All of these answers are found lacking in the face of the horrors of suffering. As people jumped from the burning buildings, falling to their death, not a bone in my body did not react in shock at the evil of it all. Later as the buildings collapsed, trapping thousands in a dusty, fiery grave, it was clear evil was and is real.<br />
<br />
<b>A Better Answer</b><br />
Christianity's answer to suffering and evil does not insult our intelligence or emotions. It does not pretend we are too dumb to understand the reality of evil, nor does it pretend evil does not exist and sweep it under the rug. Christianity knows that evil is a very real problem. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Though </span>evil and suffering are real, Christianity contends justice and good will triumph in the end. Christians have an authentic hope in seeing the end of evil and suffering.<br />
<br />
The hope one has is only as good as the object in which the hope is placed. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20146:5-6\\&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 146:5-6</a> sums up the source of hope for the Christian. Our hope is in the God of the universe, the Creator. We believe God will keep his promises regarding the future.<br />
<br />
But what has God actually promised to do about evil and suffering? Although there are many passages which may give a Christian hope, two passages stand out to me. The first passage is <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev%2021:3-5&version=ESV" target="_blank">Revelation 21:3-5</a>. This passage promises that God will make his living place with man. As he dwells with his people, he will "wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." God is making things new again, and he promises "these words are trustworthy and true." This passage resonates with anyone who longs for the end of unnecessary pain. We know there is something wrong with this world. All is not as it should be. But the Christian is waiting, yearning, longing for the day in which all things will again be new, and the glory of God will be revealed in its fullest nature.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRU5gLax5xmzP2nJkWp5X1rE9IJtghqqKP3crwhPG5oUph6JtNngw" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRU5gLax5xmzP2nJkWp5X1rE9IJtghqqKP3crwhPG5oUph6JtNngw" width="200" /></a>Similarly, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:18-25&version=ESV" target="_blank">Romans 8:18-25</a>, is another passage a Christian looks to for hope.. This passage is one of the most memorable of all of Paul's writings. He contends that present suffering is not even worth comparing to the future glory of God's people. In fact, all of creation is waiting for the unveiling of his children in their final form. God has promised that we will see justice, glory, and goodness. This outcome is so assured, so great, it isn't worth even considering the sufferings of this present age against it. This is a grand promise to give a great hope.<br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for Hope</b><br />
I know many who read this will not be satisfied with the explanation of hope for the Christian. They may say, "If Christianity was true, these passages would give me hope, but I am not sure Christianity is true." The Christian should not be found speechless in cases like this. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20pet%203:%2015&version=ESV" target="_blank">1 Peter 3:15</a> tells us to be ready to give reasons for our hope to anyone who asks. As such, <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2009/08/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-1.html" target="_blank">here</a> <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/03/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-2.html" target="_blank">are</a> <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/03/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-3.html" target="_blank">some</a> <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/03/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-4.html" target="_blank">reasons</a> <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/04/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-5.html" target="_blank">why</a> <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/04/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-6.html" target="_blank">I</a> <a href="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/does-god-exist/" target="_blank">believe</a> in God. And here is a post on the reality of the <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2011/04/resurrection-quick-defense.html" target="_blank">Resurrection of Christ</a>, showing the truth of Christianity in particular. Many other people have even better posts about the reality of Christianity.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREemOWABkkLf2dLf0zLj5HeICzCF8SZRRuhrAnm3_vszWwIKh83A" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREemOWABkkLf2dLf0zLj5HeICzCF8SZRRuhrAnm3_vszWwIKh83A" width="200" /></a></div>However, the most compelling reason for me personally has been my transformation through Christ. I grew up in a Christian home, and accepted the Messiah at an early age. He is my Lord and Savior, and He has consistently work<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">e<span class="Apple-style-span">d upon my heart a desire to serve</span></span> Him better and more fully. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">While many have not tried or explored Christianity openly and decide it is false,</span> I have tried it, and found it true. <br />
<br />
So, I will yearn for Jesus to make all things new, I will groan for the future glory. I know my redeemer lives, and hope for the day when there will be no more pain, suffering, tears or 9/11s. I will remember 9/11/01, and all other pain and suffering, with a longing for the promises beyond.<br />
<br />
_________________________________________________________________________________<br />
This post is part of a coordinated effort on the part of Christian apologist bloggers. I hope my post has been helpful, but for more perspectives, check out the following:<br />
<ul><a href="http://neilmammen.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/where-was-god-on-9-11/" style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img height="200" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/188022_209713302389111_3474462_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li><a href="http://lukenixblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/atheism-evil-and-ultimate-justice.html" target="_blank">Atheism, Evil and Ultimate Justice</a><a href="http://sarcasticxtian.com/2011/09/do-all-roads-and-flights-lead-to-god/" target="_blank">Do all roads (and flights) lead to God?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://apologetics315.blogspot.com/2011/09/resources-on-problem-of-evil.html" target="_blank">Resources on the Problem of Evil</a></li>
<li><a href="http://rob-lundberg.blogspot.com/2011/09/three-faces-of-evil-and-christian.html" target="_blank">Evil's Three Faces and a Christian Response</a></li>
<li><a href="http://neilmammen.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/where-was-god-on-9-11/" target="_blank">Where Was God on 9-11? A response to Rabbi Kushner</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thegospeloferik.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/did-god-allow-the-attacks-on-911-for-a-greater-good/" target="_blank">Did God Allow the Attacks on 9/11 for a “Greater Good”?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.reasonsforgod.org/2011/09/ground-zero/" target="_blank">The Two Ground Zeroes</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.apologeticsguy.com/2011/09/religion-in-america-after-911-is-religion-evil" target="_blank">America After 9/11: Is Religion Evil?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thinkingchristian.net/2011/09/911-full-cognitive-meltdown-and-its-fallout/" target="_blank">9/11: "Full Cognitive Meltdown" and Its Fallout</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jwwartick.com/2011/09/10/9-11-11/" target="_blank">On September 11th, 2001 harmless things became fearful</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.cltruth.com/blog/2011/9-11-where-is-god-during-catastrophe" target="_blank">9/11: Where Is God During A Catastrophe?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thepointradio.org/point-blog/entry/37/17820" target="_blank">Christianity and 9/11: Guilt by Association?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hieropraxis.com/2011/09/suffering-and-the-cross/" target="_blank">Suffering and the Cross of Christ</a></li>
<li><a href="http://rtbtaketwo.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/remembering-911-a-young-californians-perspective/" target="_blank">Remembering 9/11: A Young Californian’s Perspective</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.randyeverist.com/2011/09/need-for-moral-choices-and-consequences.html" target="_blank">Possible Worlds: The Need for Moral Choices and Consequences</a></li>
<li><a href="http://winteryknight.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/ground-zero-why-truth-matters-for-preventing-another-911-style-attack/" target="_blank">Ground Zero: Why truth matters for preventing another 9/11-style attack</a></li>
<li><a href="http://defendchristianfaith.blogspot.com/2011/09/if-god-why-evil.html" target="_blank">If God, Why Evil?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-911-memorial-christianity-offers.html" target="_blank">My 9/11 Memorial: Christianity Offers Authentic Hope In The Face Of Suffering</a></li>
<li><a href="http://valleygirlapologist.blogspot.com/2011/09/tiptoes-of-tolerance.html" target="_blank">The Tiptoes of Tolerance</a></li>
<li><a href="http://talithakoumfiles.blogspot.com/2011/09/9-11-jihad-and-christian.html" target="_blank">9-11, Jihad, and the Christian</a></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: left;"></div><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></u>Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-62622470126959630192011-08-04T09:40:00.000-07:002011-08-04T10:02:19.200-07:00A Letter to the EditorThis week I wrote a letter to the editor of the USA Today opinion section in response to <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2011-07-31-atheism-morality-evolution-religion_n.htm">an article</a> by Dr. Jerry A. Coyne of the University of Chicago. I do not know if it will be published, but I had a great time writing it.<br />
<br />
__________________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://uanews.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Jerry-Coyne-300x252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://uanews.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Jerry-Coyne-300x252.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Jerry A. Coyne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I found Dr. Coyne’s article, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As Atheists Know, You Can Be Good Without God</i>, to be a fascinating and engaging read. His story about instinctively helping the Federal Express delivery man was instructive as well as heartwarming. The article was articulate and I found much of it impressive.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">However, I do not think Dr. Coyne has adequately critiqued the theist’s view of morality. While much of what he writes is emotive and seems to be true at first glance, he has either chosen to ignore, or has not fully understood the theist’s true position. Either way, the position he has so thoroughly knocked down has turned out to be a straw-man, while the true nature of the theist’s argument is alive and well.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A Misunderstanding of the Theist’s View<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Coyne begins by explaining that many theists point to instinctual morality as evidence for God’s existence. He then argues the theist says evolution could not give instinctual morality, “for if we were merely evolved beasts, we would <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">act </i>like beasts.” He explains how many theists believe immorality is “laid at the door of Charles Darwin.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">While Coyne is right in his assertion that theists believe morality comes from God, I think he has attacked a straw man in saying theists believe immorality is the fault of Darwin, and that beasts would act like beasts. Some theists may believe that people would behave as beasts without God, and that may be true, but Coyne has taken on a very weak position here.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.tillhecomes.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Red-in-tooth-and-claw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://www.tillhecomes.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Red-in-tooth-and-claw.jpg" width="200" /></a>Thinking theists do not argue that atheists, like Charles Darwin, are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">immoral</i>, but instead that if they are right that there is no God, that everyone, atheist and theist alike, is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ammoral</i>. See, our view is that there is no such thing as morality if there is no transcendent grounding for these things we call morals. It is not that all atheists are bad, or that we would behave immorally if we evolved from beasts, but instead that none of us would have a standard to argue about what is right and wrong and wouldn’t know the difference between behaving “red in tooth and claw” and not, because there would not be any standard to differentiate between the behaviors without God. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A False Dichotomy<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Dr. Coyne uses a familiar example in his attempt to show God is not necessary for the existence of morality. Plato’s Euthyphro Dilemma, as it is often called, tries to show a problem in God’s commanding of morality. One side of the dilemma is that if God arbitrarily picks how we should behave, then he can change this anytime, meaning the good behavior was never truly good to begin with. On the other hand, if the morals we should follow are truly good and even God himself is subject to them, then they are to be followed, not God. According to Coyne, this dilemma shows that God cannot be the ground of morality. At first glance, his idea seems to be hard for the theist to overcome.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">However, Plato’s dilemma is a false dichotomy. There are more than just the two options Plato has given us. A third option is that God has given these moral commands, not arbitrarily, and not because he is subject to them, but instead because morality is completely wrapped up in his character and personality. In other words, morality is the way it is, because God is essentially the way he is. Morals cannot change because they are an essential part of his nature, nor are these morals more important or essential than he, because they are wrapped up in his existence. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CfqYIVRZL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CfqYIVRZL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Dr. Coyne also accuses the Christian and Jewish God of sanctioning, even ordering, “immoral acts in the Old Testament.” He furnishes numerous examples of God’s immorality. Lack of space and time prevent a thorough defense of all of these examples, but it is not true that “Christians and Jews pass over” these passages with “judicious silence.” There have been numerous Christians who have endevoured to answer these types of objections. Not the least of which is the recent work by Paul Copan in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-Moral-Monster-Making-Testament/dp/0801072751/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312476890&sr=1-1">Is God a MoralMonster: Making Sense of the Old Testament God</a></i>. I refer Dr. Coyne to this work for many of these answers.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">In response to Dr. Coyne’s idea that “religiously based ethics have changed profoundly over time,” I fail to see this as evidence for his point. The followers of God can be wrong about ethics just as much as anyone else, thus when someone misinterprets the Bible to defend immorality, it is not the ethics that have changed, but instead our understanding. Thus, when God’s people truly follow God’s moral system, many of them fought to see justice (i.e. William Wilberforce and others in regards to slavery). Coyne then makes the assertion that “secular improvements” forced religion to “clean up its act.” What were these improvements? It is easy to assert this, but he does not provide any evidence of such occurances.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A Rocky Conclusion<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">In conclusion, Coyne explains that evolution and secular reasoning aresupposedly enough to account for the morals we exhibit and follow. He explains our “big-brained” animals have reasons to behave nicely towards other like minded, bodied, and specied individuals. He explains that we need to throw out trivial ideas about what we “eat, read or wear,… or whom we have sex with” for more important “matters of genuine moral concern, like rape and child abuse.” After all, “isn’t it better to be moral because you’ve worked it out for yourself—in conjunction with your group—the right thing to do?”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Unfortunately, Coyne has fallen into a very common problem here. He has confused epistemology and ontology/metaphysics. He has explained very well that we can know what needs to be done, and that there are certain things that are really wrong (rape and child abuse), but he has not given a satisfactory reason for why this is the case.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I agree, rape and child abuse are wrong. However, Coyne has said we get it by evolutionary genetics, and maybe by figuring it out in conjunction with our group. While these explainations might be adequate in explaining how we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">know</i> what is right and wrong, they are woefully inadequate in explaining <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why</i> these actions are actually right and wrong. In other words, while he has shown reasons we might <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">recognize</i> rape and child abuse as wrong, he has not given us a reason that this recognition <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is the truth. </i><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://commonsenseatheism.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/calvin_arguing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://commonsenseatheism.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/calvin_arguing.png" width="200" /></a>The examples of evolution and secular reasoning are not capable of grounding true morality.<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span>For example, if my group comes to the conclusion through secular reasoning that rape is wrong, but another group decides it is not only ok, but a preferred action to propagate their lineage, how can I argue against their idea?<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span>I might just be able to say “my group does not prefer rape,” but can I actually argue that it is wrong according to evolution or group consensus?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">On the other hand, if rape is wrong because it contrary to the way God created the world, in accordance with his nature, then we have a universal grounding as the source for the knowledge that rape is actually wrong. The idea that we can figure this out apart from some such source is wrong.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Because God is needed as the ultimate ground for morality, if he does not exist it is not clear that anyone, atheist or theist, can be good without God. </div>Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-22650216248903139532011-04-22T08:13:00.000-07:002011-04-22T08:13:01.958-07:00The Resurrection-- Quick DefenseAs a High School teacher, I spend a lot of time around students who have a lot of questions. In my 10th grade Bible class, we recently spent almost two weeks learning about the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and why other theories do not fit the evidence we have.<br />
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<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTYQBYyHIcPXAa0ZS7Gm52vzjKxEDnJZTN9O8mD1oB3d45POXMf" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTYQBYyHIcPXAa0ZS7Gm52vzjKxEDnJZTN9O8mD1oB3d45POXMf" /></a>While in the middle of teaching this to them, I started to think about very quick ways to defend the reality of the Resurrection, in case one does not have the time to explain to someone all of the nuances of the arguments of Gary Habermas, or Mike Licona (Mike Licona has recently written <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Resurrection-Jesus-New-Historiographical-Approach/dp/0830827196/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1303482313&sr=8-1">a book on the resurrection</a> that is 718 pages.) So, if a friend does not want all of the evidence, or like me, you might just have an audience that wants things short and to the point, then here is my attempt at a very quick defense of the Resurrection. Hopefully this can be like hitting the easy button for the resurrection.<br />
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<b>Prophecy-Circumstantial (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2022&version=ESV">Psalm 22</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2053&version=ESV">Isaiah 53,</a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dan%202:44&version=ESV">Dan 2:44</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2012:40&version=ESV">Mt 12:40</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:18&version=ESV">Jn 10:18</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%208:31&version=ESV">Mk 8:31</a>, etc)</b><br />
There are many different forms of evidence. The OT prophecies concerning Jesus' death and resurrection, as well as Jesus' own prophecies that he would die and raise again are all forms of circumstantial evidence. Circumstantial evidence is evidence that is suggestive of a specific thing, but it is not proof of the event itself.<br />
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These prophecies suggest that Jesus would die on a cross and live again later. Again, this does not prove it happened, but it is a building block for the case.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTfTSAHvrsVaGDlWLhw_QcXeRBigvKJVeIaNHvmrLImMsnNTZBT" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTfTSAHvrsVaGDlWLhw_QcXeRBigvKJVeIaNHvmrLImMsnNTZBT" width="200" /></a></div><b>We Know Jesus Died (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%2015:16-41&version=ESV">Mk 15:16-41</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2019:1-37&version=ESV">Jn 19:1-37</a>, etc) </b><br />
Because the Bible is historically reliable, we know that Jesus actually died on the Cross. He suffered through 39 lashes from a Roman whip, was beaten, forced to carry his cross beam, hung on the cross, stabbed with a spear into the heart. The Romans were excellent killing machines, they knew when people died and there is no reason to believe Jesus did not die. <br />
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<b>Jesus' Tomb was Known (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2019:38-42&version=ESV">Jn 19:38-42</a>, etc)</b><br />
Jesus was buried in a place where everyone knew. He was buried in a rich man's family tomb, sealed in it, and a guard was placed outside. This is a very important fact, because it means the if Jesus' body was still in the tomb, everyone would know where it was and be able to show it to the people, when the disciples claimed he had risen again.<br />
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<b>People Saw Jesus Alive Again After He Died (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020:11-18&version=ESV">Jn 20:11-18</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2024:34&version=ESV">Lk 24:34</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2021&version=ESV">Jn 21</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2028:16-20&version=ESV">Mt 28:16-20</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Cor%2015:3-7&version=ESV">1 Cor 15:3-7</a>, etc.)</b><br />
<a href="http://www.whatsoeveryoudo.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/resurrection-6.99104729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.whatsoeveryoudo.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/resurrection-6.99104729.jpg" width="200" /></a>The most important thing to remember here, is that the people who claimed to have seen Jesus alive again, were not in the frame of mind to make a story like this up. The disciples had just seen their Lord executed, and had then hidden for fear of persecution. These men are not likely to make the story up (because then people just show the body is in the tomb), steal the body (they were afraid already), or hallucinate (hallucinations are not group events). Instead they experienced something that made them tell everyone that the man who was dead was alive again.<br />
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Not only the disciples, but two enemies of the gospel claimed to see Christ as well. Saul (a persecutor of Christians) claimed to see Christ a couple years later, and James (the unbelieving brother of Christ) claimed to have seen him as well. The hardest people to convince of any event are the enemies. To convince Saul and James is very telling evidence.<br />
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<b>Conclusion</b><br />
So, what we know is this. At point "A" Jesus was alive. At point "B" Jesus is dead and buried in a known tomb. At point "C" he is seen alive again, and no one produced his body afterward.<br />
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The Resurrection is the only explanation that fits these known events. The other theories somehow miss on at least one of these points.<br />
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Praise the Lord, He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed.Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-18508484922742799412011-04-15T09:08:00.000-07:002011-04-15T09:08:41.268-07:00A Great Opportunity-- What is Truth?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div id="breadcrumb" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #999999; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline; word-spacing: 4px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; text-transform: none; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px;">As I wrote <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2011/03/great-opportunity.html" style="color: #336699;">earlier</a>, I was given the opportunity to write three short blurbs for the <a href="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/" style="color: #336699;">Smart Faith Apologetics</a> conference. I had an amazing time writing these, and have said I would post them here. The last question asked "What is Truth?" My response is below:</span></b></span></span></div><div id="breadcrumb" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline; word-spacing: 4px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; text-transform: none; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>What is Truth?</b></span></div><div id="breadcrumb" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline; word-spacing: 4px;"><a href="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/sfc_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/sfc_logo.gif" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; text-transform: none; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Truth is when a statement corresponds with reality. Or, in other words, truth is the way things really are. Finding out the truth is one of the most important things anyone can ever do. No one wants to live in a lie. If you were really (I mean REALLY) dumb, would you want everyone to pretend you were the smartest person in the world? Even if this wasn’t true? Wouldn’t it be hurtful that they didn’t want to help you become smarter, but they instead lied to you about life? When we know the truth, we can determine the best way to live.</b></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>But doesn’t everyone have different truths? What if I think one thing is true and you think another thing is true? Can’t we just believe what we want?</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://dailybayonet.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/flat-world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://dailybayonet.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/flat-world.jpg" width="190" /></a><b>Actually there are two different kinds of truth. There is subjective truth and objective truth. Subjective truth is truth inside of me. It is about preferences. I prefer chocolate, you prefer strawberry ice cream.</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Objective truth is truth outside of ourselves. It is about the way the world is. It isn’t about preference, it doesn’t change no matter what anybody thinks about it. The earth is round even if I pretend or don’t believe it isn’t.</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Claims of religions are claims about objective reality. These claims may be true or false, but they are claims about the real world. For example, Christianity claims Jesus Christ is God. Well, he may or may not be God, but this fact doesn’t change based on my like or dislike of him. Or, Mormonism claims there are many gods, and this does not change based on my preferences either.</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Since religions make objective claims about the world, evaluating the evidence for and against each religion becomes very important. If there is a God who loves you and me and he asks us to live in a certain way, there may not be a more important journey for anyone’s life. To understand and know the truth is the most important thing in the world.</b></div>Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-70237700839988951412011-04-04T22:04:00.000-07:002011-04-04T22:04:27.645-07:00A Great Opportunity-- Does God Exist?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/sfc_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/sfc_logo.gif" /></a></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px;">As I wrote <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2011/03/great-opportunity.html" style="color: #336699;">earlier</a>, I was given the opportunity to write three short blurbs for the <a href="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/" style="color: #336699;">Smart Faith Apologetics</a> conference. I had an amazing time writing these, and have said I would post them here. The second one is on the question <a href="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/does-god-exist/">Does God Exist?</a> Here is my response to that question:</span></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Does God Exist?</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>I can fully understand why it is hard to know if God exists. We can’t see, smell, touch, or hear God. This makes it hard for us to be as certain about God’s existence as we are about the existence of our family, friends, or other people. It may seem that it would take a lot more evidence to believe in the existence of God.</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Can I prove God exists? I don’t think I can prove it with 100% certainty, but I do think I can show it is completely reasonable to believe in God. In fact, I think I can show it is more reasonable to believe in the existence of God rather than not believe in Him.</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Imagine a huge, very complicated Lego castle. If you were to come across this castle and wanted to know where it came from, what question would you ask? You would probably ask, “Who built this?” Castles don’t build themselves. They are the sort of things that need creators or designers. In fact, if we destroyed the castle, and put all the pieces in a box, do you think a castle would ever be created without outside influence? Even if we shook the box, I don’t think a Lego castle will ever be made without a mind/personality creating it on purpose.</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>The universe is much more complicated than a Lego castle. If something as comparatively simple as a Lego castle requires a designer, how much more would something as complicated as the universe need a designer? The universe is designed in just the right way. All of the laws of physics are arranged perfectly in order to promote the existence of life and the universe. These laws were designed by something more powerful and bigger than the universe itself. In other words, God!</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Similarly, life is so complicated only God could have created it. This is because even the most basic forms of life contain a lot (and I mean A LOT) of information. Even the simplest cell is many times more complicated than our Lego castle.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.the-atheist.com/wp-content/themes/NewTA/God.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.the-atheist.com/wp-content/themes/NewTA/God.png" width="200" /></a></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>The existence of morals also suggests the existence of God. There are certain things that are just wrong. Murder, rape, and torturing babies are examples of things that are just wrong. Anyone who commits these acts has broken a moral law. But laws need lawgivers. Just as we saw earlier the existence of the laws of physics is best explained by a designer, so also the existence of the laws of morals is best explained by the existence of a lawgiver. This lawgiver is God. Only God has the power and knowledge to create these kinds of laws.</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>These are only three of the many different arguments for the existence of God. All of these arguments can give us a confidence that it is completely reasonable to believe in the existence of God.</b></div>Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-74307885100468612812011-03-15T09:16:00.000-07:002011-03-15T09:16:13.116-07:00A Great Opportunity-- Are All Religions the Same<a href="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/sfc_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="84" src="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/sfc_logo.gif" width="200" /></a>As I wrote <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2011/03/great-opportunity.html">earlier</a>, I was given the opportunity to write three short blurbs for the <a href="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/">Smart Faith Apologetics</a> conference. I had an amazing time writing these, and have said I would post them here. The first one is on the question <a href="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/are-all-religions-the-same/">Are All Religions the Same?</a> Here is my response to that question:<br />
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<b>Are All Religions the Same?</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px;"></span></b><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Are all religions the same? The short answer is no. Don’t get me wrong, there are some obvious similarities between many religions such as loving one another, and belief in some kind of god, but religions often differ in their most important aspects. Even in religions which seem to be very similar at first glance, there are big differences that are very important. It really is the differences that define the religion.</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Let me explain. Most people assume all religions believe in God. However, the existence of God is where a lot of differences occur. For example, there are three major monotheistic (one God) religions in the world: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Although all three agree about the existence of only one God, who they say God is differs. Christians say Jesus is God, Jews and Muslims say he isn’t. Either Jesus is God and Christianity is right, or Jesus isn’t God and the other religions are right. There is no way all three of these religions are correct about who and what Jesus is, and they certainly are not the same.</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>In the same way there are major differences among other religions as well. Whereas Christianity believes in one God, Hinduism and Mormonism believe in many gods, and traditional Buddhism is atheistic (no God). So, there are religions that believe in only one God, some that believe in many gods, and some that don’t believe a God exists. How can they be the same? These types of differences distinguish each religion as unique, and this uniqueness cannot be denied.</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Although there are some similarities between the religions, it is really where they are different that is the most important. It is the differences that count.</b></div>Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-76695068777850270472011-03-11T12:01:00.000-08:002011-03-11T12:01:14.627-08:00A Great Opportunity<a href="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/sfc_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/sfc_logo.gif" /></a>I recently had an amazing opportunity to write three short articles for the website of an upcoming <a href="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/">apologetics conference.</a> This conference will run from June 9-10 in Phoenix, Arizona. It is a conference aimed at answering many of the questions that youth today have regarding faith. There will be some amazing speakers there (<a href="http://strplace.org/">Brett Kunkle</a>, <a href="http://www.confidentchristianity.com/">Mary Jo Sharp</a>, <a href="http://www.noblindfaith.com/">Neil Mammen</a>, and others) speaking on a wide range of topics.<br />
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For my part, I was asked to answer three questions in a short conversational way. These answers would be used on the website to kind of whet the appetite for the sort of answers Christianity has for some of life's greatest questions. Over the next couple days I will post these answers here, but if you can't wait, head on over to <a href="http://smartfaithapologetics.org/">SmartFaithApologetics.org</a> and follow the links to see the answers.<br />
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I would recommend any student entertain the idea of attending this conference. It will not disappoint.Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-67133723506191589152011-03-01T14:00:00.000-08:002011-03-01T14:00:59.224-08:00Christ is better than...! So, why go back???My church and I have been reading through the Bible this year. In this endeavor we have read Genesis, Mark, Exodus, Leviticus, Acts, and parts of Proverbs and Psalms. This has been extremely rewarding, and although it is time consuming, I have found ways to read/listen to everyday's reading. Today, we will begin a four day journey through the book of Hebrews. I can't wait.<br />
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Hebrews is a fascinating book. It may be the very best example of eloquent Christian writing. It exhibits a profundity I find to be in a class of its own. <br />
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In order to recall much of the information about Hebrews, I thought I would write about some of the finer points of this enthralling work. Much of this information is gleaned from a work by Norman Geisler.<br />
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<b>Author</b><br />
No one is quite sure who wrote the book of Hebrews. Many people have been proposed as the author, but no proposal fits the book perfectly. There are always some minor inconsistencies to the contents/style of the book with the proposed author. Most often, scholars propose Pauline authorship, while there can be a very good case made for Apollos being the author.<br />
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In any case, we can know some pretty important things about the author of Hebrews. This author is <i>extremely</i> educated. They exhibit a phenomenal command of the Greek language, while still being knowledgeable about the Old Testament Jewish system. This combination gives the book its amazing eloquence and style.<br />
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<b>Purpose</b><br />
Hebrews was written because Jewish Christians were considering going back to the Jewish way of life. They had experienced the beginnings of persecution because of their new faith, and this made them long for "the good ol' days" of the old Jewish system.<br />
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In tandem with the persecutions, many Christians began to wonder if Christ was sufficient. They doubted the saving power of Christ alone. When doubt crept in, they searched for new ways to ensure to themselves they would be saved. They wanted to substitute their own power for God's power, works for Grace, religion for relationship.<br />
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<b>Main Theme</b><br />
In my view, the theme of Hebrews can be summed up in one main theme: <i>Christ is Better Than...!</i> There are many different important things in the book, but it seems to me that all of these points surround one major interweaving theme. The author is using a sophisticated argument to show not only the sufficiency of Christ, but also the superiority of Christ. When he concludes the book there is no doubt that Christ is better than the old way of living, better than religion, works, and our own power.<br />
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<b><i>Christ fulfills God's Requirements!</i></b><br />
The first part of Hebrews focuses on the fact that Jesus fulfills what God required for the people and his servants. In this way Christ is able to be the best indicator of how to follow the one true God.<br />
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<b>Christ is better than the Prophets! (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%201:1-4&version=ESV">1:1-4</a>, Key Verse: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%201:2&version=ESV">1:2</a>)</b><br />
This is the first thing Christ is better than. The prophets were the OT way of God's revealing plans to the Israelites. Without them the nation of Israel would not have known the requirements for holiness, repentance, or service to their Lord. There are not many things the Jews would hold higher than the prophets.<br />
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So, it could come as a shock to the readers of this letter that the author is so matter of fact about the superiority of Christ over the prophets. In the first four verses of Hebrews, the author makes it clear that the prophets can't hold a candle to Christ. The prophets could not fully communicate what God wanted to communicate to the people. But in Christ, we have the full explanation of the Father (John 1:18). No one has seen the Father, except through the Son. We have been given the full message of God the Father when Christ was incarnated.<br />
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No matter how effective the old way of revelation was, we now have the climax. Christ is the heir, the helper of creation. He is the living revelation!<br />
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<b>Christ is better than angels! (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%201:4-2:18&version=ESV">1:4-2:18</a>, Key Verse: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%201:6&version=ESV">1:6</a>)</b><br />
The Jews knew angels were able to point out great ways of worshiping God. They were so beautiful, often people would be known to worship the angels instead of God.<br />
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The problem is that angels are only created beings. They are messengers sent by God, ministers of God. They are given their power by someone more powerful, more beautiful. The author of Hebrews asks why we should worship created beings when we can worship Christ?!?! Even the angels worship Christ! They know their betters. He is God!<br />
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Not only is this so, but Christ humbled himself to become lower than the angels in his incarnation. Ironically, this makes him even more worthy of our worship. He is the true Servant-Leader.<br />
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<b>Christ is better than Moses! (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%203&version=ESV">3</a>, </b><b>Key Verses: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%203:3-6&version=ESV">3:3-6</a></b><b>)</b><br />
Moses brought a type of salvation to Israel. He led them out of Egypt! Unfortunately, Moses was not powerful enough to save fully and the people were unable to persevere in this salvation. Moses led the people out of Egypt, the Red Sea, brought the ten plagues on Egypt... and on and on!!! But this power wasn't actually the power of Moses. This salvation wasn't the salvation of Moses. These were to show the Israelites who had the true power, and who would bring the true salvation.<br />
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Why settle for Moses, and his lack of salvific power, when you can have true salvation from Christ? Christ's power saves to the end. It will not be found wanting.<br />
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<b>Christ is better than Joshua and the Sabbath! (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204:1-13&version=ESV">4:1-13</a>, </b><b>Key Verses: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204:9-10&version=ESV">4:9-10</a></b><b>)</b><br />
After Moses was unable to bring about full salvation, the Israelites were promised true rest could be found after their forty years of wandering in the desert. Once they were sanctified, Joshua would bring them into the promised land, the resting place, the place God had always set aside for them. They would find Sabbath rest.<br />
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Unfortunately, Joshua was not capable of bringing the full Sabbath rest. Again the Jews disobeyed, they did not persevere. But Christ brings the full Sabbath rest. From Christ we receive the full inheritance. Why stick with Joshua (the one who saves) when we can be with Christ (the True Savior).<br />
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<b><i>Christ fulfills what we need!</i></b><br />
The second part of the book of Hebrews focuses on the fact of Christ being a better fulfillment of what humanity needs. In this way he was able to bridge the gap between God and man.<br />
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<b>Christ is better than the Priesthood (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204:14-7:28&version=ESV">4:14-7:28</a>, </b><b>Key Verses: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%207:23-28&version=ESV">7:23-28</a></b><b>)</b><br />
In the Old Testament, the Priesthood functioned as a mediator for the people to God. These priests were human to represent humanity, and they made sacrifices on behalf of humanity to ask God for favor. Lamentably, the priests were not fully able to fulfill this function. The problem is two-fold. First, the priests die and therefore are unable to continue their work forever. Second, the priests are also sinners and therefore their representation is not enough.<br />
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But Christ lives forever and is perfect. Why do we settle for anything less? Christ is the perfect mediator.<br />
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<b>Christ is better than the Tabernacle! (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%208:1-5&version=ESV">8:1-5</a>, </b><b>Key Verse: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%208:2&version=ESV">8:2</a></b><b>)</b><br />
When God is instructing the Jews on the building of the Tabernacle the instructions are very detailed and very tedious looking. However, God is being so specific, because the Tabernacle is being made to be a direct reflection of the beauty of God. The tabernacle is the house of God, and it should be made in such a way so we can show God his true worth. Anything less than perfection and beauty would be an insult to him.<br />
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The problem is that the tabernacle is only a copy of the true beauty of God. It is built by man and it is destroyed by man. But Christ's tabernacle is perfect. It is built by God, not man, so it cannot be destroyed.<br />
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<b>Christ is better than the Old Covenant! (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%208:6-9:22&version=ESV">8:6-9:22</a>, </b><b>Key Verse: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%209:15&version=ESV">9:15</a></b><b>)</b><br />
One of the key themes of the Old Testament is that God has promised the Jews would bless the other nations of the world. In this, the Old Covenant, they would be a blessing to all other nations. The problem is the Israelites could not fully bless the other nations because they were fallen, and constantly disobeyed their God. The work they were able to accomplish was merely symbolic of the coming blessing.<br />
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Thankfully, Christ not only fulfills the Old Covenant, but he also surpasses it. When he died upon the cross, a New Covenant was given, sealed by his blood. He died to pay the price, which gives us the opportunity to receive; for all nations to gain the blessing. The inheritance of the children of God is available to us.<br />
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<b>Christ is better than the Sacrifices! (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%209:23-10:39&version=ESV">9:23-10:39</a>, </b><b>Key Verse: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010:12,%2014&version=ESV">10:12, 14</a>)</b><br />
As a result of man's sinfulness, he is utterly disgusting before God. Sin taints everything it emanates from. Therefore, it is necessary for man to be purified. In order to do this, God implemented the sacrificial system. The sacrifices were a way for man to become clean before God. Unfortunately, these sacrifices made them cleaner, but not clean. The purification did not last long, they were made in a corrupted sanctuary, and they were only representations of the true sacrifice.<br />
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Thankfully, Christ is the perfect sacrifice, and his sacrifice is forever. His blood is the perfect purification, instead of "cleaner" man can now be "clean."<br />
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<b><i>Why Go Back?</i></b><br />
Christ is the perfect fulfillment of the whole Jewish system. This foundation was continually pointing to him. Is there anything better than Christ? Why go back to the old ways? Why live as though we don't have him?<br />
We shouldn't drift (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%202:1-4&version=ESV">2:1-4</a>), doubt (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%203:7-19&version=ESV">3:7-19</a>), become dull (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%205:11-14&version=ESV">5:11-14</a>), depart (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%206:1-20&version=ESV">6:1-20</a>), despise (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010:26-39&version=ESV">10:26-39</a>), or deny (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012:18-29&version=ESV">12:18-29</a>) the superiority of Christ!<br />
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But what should be our response??? In the closing chapters of Hebrews, the author explains that because Christ is superior we should go all out for him. We should give our all to him. We should go all out in Faith (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011&version=ESV">11</a>), in Hope (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012&version=ESV">12</a>), and in love (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2013:1-17&version=ESV">13:1-17</a>)<br />
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Why go back? Instead go all out!Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-16389730988572457392010-11-05T06:21:00.000-07:002010-11-05T06:23:00.944-07:00Parent-Teacher Conference NightmareI created a short movie on <a href="http://xtranormal.com/">xtranormal.com</a> about some of the struggles a teacher can feel during conferences with parents.<br />
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Well, it was a hit with my students, so I thought I would post it here. Disclaimer: it is satire, no one should take this too personally.<br />
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<object height="390" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/jwplayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="flashvars"value="height=390&width=480&file=http://newvideos.xtranormal.com/web_final_lo/18f9d59e-e6fc-11df-9013-003048d69c21_2.mp4&image=http://newvideos.xtranormal.com/web_final_lo/18f9d59e-e6fc-11df-9013-003048d69c21_2.jpg&link=http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7547347&searchbar=false&autostart=false"/><embed src="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/jwplayer.swf" width="480" height="390" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="height=390&width=480&file=http://newvideos.xtranormal.com/web_final_lo/18f9d59e-e6fc-11df-9013-003048d69c21_2.mp4&image=http://newvideos.xtranormal.com/web_final_lo/18f9d59e-e6fc-11df-9013-003048d69c21_2.jpg&link=http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7547347&searchbar=false&autostart=false"></embed></object><object height="390" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/embedded-xnl-stats.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/embedded-xnl-stats.swf" width="1" height="1" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></object>Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-83733947418386641492010-10-18T18:13:00.000-07:002010-10-18T18:13:04.375-07:00The Symptoms of "Secular Seep"<b>What is "Secular Seep"</b><br />
I could be wrong, but I think I have coined a term. "Secular Seep" is a phrase I use to describe the little things in a Christian's life that are out of place according to the all-encompassing nature of our faith. Christianity is a religion which proposes to be a way of looking at all of life (in fact, it proposes to be <b>the way</b> of looking at all of life). This being the case, there isn't a part of a Christian's life that Christ should not be the center. When we let in an aspect of the world into our lives, we open the door to not only let that aspect in, but, just a little, the door is open to push Christ out.<br />
<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSTZ19lmRx1hv8KYfqtVEupG4weDBqCqUXZGAhjSqIxut6S8V4&t=1&usg=__mLHu19zU0Qe9JhawZtjEcaNX8lQ=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSTZ19lmRx1hv8KYfqtVEupG4weDBqCqUXZGAhjSqIxut6S8V4&t=1&usg=__mLHu19zU0Qe9JhawZtjEcaNX8lQ=" width="200" /></a><br />
"Secular Seep" is not an easy disease to diagnose. It is a slight, subtle, subversive, parasitic infection often undetected for years. The key element is a general trend toward compromise, so slow the sick do not understand their sickness.<br />
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However, it is <b>highly contagious (virulent)</b>. It does not spread by touch, or cough, or even blood transfer. No, as of now, it is the only disease I know that transfers at the rate and speed of thought and communication. A friend pressures a Christian into compromise, and "secular seep" has started in the Christian's life. Whole local Churches can be infected in a very quick amount of time.<br />
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It is also, <b>highly resilient (resistant)</b>. Once secular seep has infected a subject, or a body of subjects, it is extremely painful to extract or cure. It fights to continue its parasitic life off the life of the host.<br />
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<b>What are the Symptoms of SS? Do I have SS?</b><br />
SS is almost impossible to spot for those who have it. It often takes a trained, outside observer to correctly diagnose SS. However, it is possible to recognize some of the symptoms of SS before it is too late. <br />
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<i>Watch What You Watch</i><br />
If you find yourself watching TV shows that glorify sex, money, or fame and justifying it as "not that bad" you may have symptoms of SS. One good rule of thumb is, if your TV shows imply sin in their titles, you could have SS (<i>Gossip </i>Girl, <i>Sex </i>in the City). Remember, not all of these titles are inherently sinful, but instead there is sin implied by their titles. Sinful talking about someone (gossip), and having intimate relationships God does not want you to have (I mean what else was Sex in the City all about???) are clearly implied in these titles to anyone who has watched even 5 minutes of these shows.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSvPtFk9t6xT1uc8H8nIFAootjpMPN6HoFDsSNE91mHM1ecmew&t=1&usg=__ip5OzI0efSA2zbe9ZAuU00zl-AE=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSvPtFk9t6xT1uc8H8nIFAootjpMPN6HoFDsSNE91mHM1ecmew&t=1&usg=__ip5OzI0efSA2zbe9ZAuU00zl-AE=" width="187" /></a></div>Even one of the best reality shows on television (American <i>Idol</i>) implies a sinful relationship before God. How is it there wasn't an outcry by Christians about the title of this show? For the most part, American Idol is only a show about some people trying to make it big. However, many of these people strive for fame at the expense of others and better lives for themselves. Also, some people who follow the show are so obsessed with it, it truly has become an idol to them.<br />
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It is possible to watch TV or movies like this, and be able to keep SS at bay, but it is extremely difficult. One must be constantly on guard against attacks against their soul, evaluating the content of what they watch against the word of God. For some (maybe even most), it is better to be safe by not watching, than sorry for watching.<br />
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This is an area I find to be one of the least consistent for Christians. I know of many people who will avoid the Harry Potter movies because they contain spells (forgetting about the overall message of Good and Evil being different things and battling for the hearts and minds of people), but they are far too eager to watch Glee (forgetting that the message is about how some evil things, sex outside of marriage for example, are actually good and should be pursued at all costs).<br />
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<i>Take Stock of Your Friends</i><br />
Do your friends want you to succeed in your spiritual life? Or are they constantly asking you to compromise? If they are putting you in situations against God's word, then you might have already contracted SS. True friends urge you to glorify God. True friends do not ask you to live against his standards for your life.<br />
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This does not mean we should not have friends who are not Christian. It does mean, however, that non-Christian friends (or Christian friends that are not constantly following Christ) should not have influence in our lives. These unChristian friends cannot be motivating to us. We cannot spend so much time with them that we adopt their thinking without knowing we are doing so. Jesus was stronger than we are, thus he could spend more time the the "tax collectors."<br />
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<i>What Do You Listen To?</i><br />
<a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT_LVwF1s_yxuhKQT0WELCEd2bND0tEwlWtaJ4_OLk31g0X2D0&t=1&usg=__10ylGhDTqzUtPI6BQfVTrI_yQJQ=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT_LVwF1s_yxuhKQT0WELCEd2bND0tEwlWtaJ4_OLk31g0X2D0&t=1&usg=__10ylGhDTqzUtPI6BQfVTrI_yQJQ=" width="200" /></a>In a similar way to the movies or TV you watch, the things we listen to can tell us a lot about our health and ability to fight off SS. Does your music better you as a person, or does it make comments that are not consistent with a godly view of the world? SS is so subversive, in part, because it is hard to tell where the problem has come from, and there may be nowhere harder to see this than the music we listen to. Our music can give us thoughts we didn't know we even had. Christians are children of God, why live or settle for so much less?<br />
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The music you listen to can subtly change your worldview to the point where you wouldn't recognize yourself if you are not careful. We say we "only listen to the beat," and to be sure, Satan loves that we think this is the case.<br />
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<i>Where Does Your Money Go?</i><br />
When was the last time you asked God about a decision regarding how you spend your money? Remember, Christianity claims to be a way of looking at all of life, and this includes your money. However, as Americans, we often think we are entitled to use our money the way we want to, we think it is ours because "we earned it".<br />
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Instead, Christ should be the center of all our transactions. There is no purchase too small, to ask God if there is something else he would rather us do with this money. For many of us, we have never even asked God about what he thinks about our purchasing a car, let alone a candy bar, but if Christianity is truly the center of one's life, then even buying a candy bar is a spiritual act.<br />
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<i>There May Be Other Symptoms</i><br />
There are many other things which can be associated with SS. Many of them are not inherently wrong. However, the key question to ask yourself is, what does Jesus have to do with the way I live my life? Satan loves when people do not understand they are in a war for their hearts and minds. If he can keep us from believing there is a war, then we will die comfortably, but die nonetheless.<br />
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<b>How to Treat SS</b><br />
<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSR6GHSm9sVnFptz6l-JIoHKU3FDamMV6c3Q0_WP0_70Dd6EVg&t=1&usg=__H5bWoiiwbqLPdyOIRCujMrnmFe4=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSR6GHSm9sVnFptz6l-JIoHKU3FDamMV6c3Q0_WP0_70Dd6EVg&t=1&usg=__H5bWoiiwbqLPdyOIRCujMrnmFe4=" width="162" /></a>If you think you, or someone you know, may have contracted SS, do not panic, but know it takes a lot of work to eradicate the disease. Surround the subject with people who truly love them, who want to see them succeed in the life of Christ. Get into a mentor relationship with someone who will challenge you on the areas you struggle with. Delve into God's word in a deep way. Read more, listen to Christian radio.<br />
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In some extremes, it may be necessary to rid oneself of TV or popular music, or even the internet. However, remember this is a small price to pay to follow the creator of all the universe, who knows how you were made and can give the abundant life.<br />
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The truth is, this transformation comes from God himself, and we need to surrender to his leadership in our life. We can truly live for him, only through his power. It is not our salvation, but His salvation to us, His life to us.Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-61914759454303232112010-09-22T23:12:00.000-07:002010-09-23T06:36:21.509-07:00Why I Teach!, or My Desire to See the End of High School Education<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My "Job"</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<div><a 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" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></b></span></span>I am a High School teacher. I teach History and Bible at a small Christian school in southern California. I absolutely love it. As far as I know, there is no better job in the world. I am able to be an integral part in so many minds, at such a formative age. To see these minds grow and learn to glorify the Creator is a true joy in life.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The job is not without its issues however. Many students do not care as I care. They do not find interest in Thoreau or Chaucer, revolution after revolution: French, Glorious or Industrial, mitochondria or rough ER, physics: theoretical or applied. Many do not see the joy of debating the ideas of existentialism versus nihilism, and they thus do not see the connection between the two. Even when it comes to knowing the God of the universe, they do not share my enthusiasm for delving deep into the great mystery, to know Him better, and thus to understand ourselves in deeper and truer ways, to find true beauty before all other beauty, and to learn to love the good and the true.</div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>The Problem</b></div><div><b></b>Sometimes the students only sleep through class, if not literally, then at least mindlessly. These students hurt my heart, because they are missing out.<br />
Those students, however, do not nearly make me as sad as the student who finds their only motivation to learn is to "get an 'A.'" This student does well in class, maybe too well. When they have graduated, they will have earned all the awards, but not learned who they are. They might be looking toward getting that "good job," but they have no love of learning. They might find a way to make a lot of money, but the pursuit will not make them satisfied.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTFsYGs-PgGLgjjqlwf7BrkOid7eghOfmzBElgbu0cNQ16bv-A&t=1&usg=__KAbQQpzBEdxwvKzZIhC0l7hLKmU=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTFsYGs-PgGLgjjqlwf7BrkOid7eghOfmzBElgbu0cNQ16bv-A&t=1&usg=__KAbQQpzBEdxwvKzZIhC0l7hLKmU=" width="200" /></a></div>I hate grades! I hate to give them, I hate to get them. But I'm told I have to give them. They do not make sense to me. Isn't the education I give supposed to help a student discover themselves, and find true joy (or at least the classical idea of happiness)? How do these grades motivate the student to delve into their own psyche, or even soul, and investigate what makes them tick? How do grades help them communicate with God?<br />
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Grades give an artificial barometer of a student's progress. They give us something to reach, something which will not satisfy. When you get the 'A' there is always someone smarter than you. Or even if not someone smarter than you, another school has someone else smarter than you. Or even if you are the smartest, there will always be another 'A' to reach. When will this satisfy?<br />
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<b>A Broken System</b><br />
Our whole system of education seems broken. From the very beginning, we tell students they need to go to school to get into a "good" college. They may ask, "Why?" To which we respond, to get a "good" job. "Why?" To support your family. "Why?" So, they can get a "good" education. Uh, oh, the cycle begins again.<br />
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I think our students are asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking "why," they should be asking "what." What do the teachers mean when they say "'good' education?" Or job? Does making money seem all that good? Is making money enough to satisfy? I know too many people with money or "good" jobs to know these are not sufficient roads to happiness, as well-traveled as they may be.<br />
<br />
When did a liberal arts education become about making money? I seem to remember Universities developing to try to make sense of the world. They were looking to find the Unity in the Diversity. This means a liberal arts education was not a means to an end, but instead <i>an end in itself</i>. It was about finding one's place in the world, and living a full, well-rounded human life. This full life would lead to happiness, because we would be living in harmony with our purpose.<br />
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<b>Why I Seek to End High School Education</b><br />
High school education today is involuntary, and, it seems to me, it gives promises it cannot keep. Now, realize, I do not actually want all HSE to end. I just would love to see us stop lying to ourselves about it. HSE makes promises it cannot keep, we tell you an "A" will make you happy, or the right college will make your life right, but they will not.<br />
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Instead, I would love to foster a love for learning, in all its glory. This would mean a student who does not enjoy history, would not have to take my class. I am now walking on thin ice, because most students do not enjoy history. This could mean my job would no longer be needed, because no students signed up for my class. I feel it would be worth the risk. Let me give you one example why:<br />
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I had a student who typifies my struggle with our educational system. He was extremely bright, exceedingly polite, exorbitantly astute, and enormously motivated. However, if I engaged him in a conversation of any real depth, he was candid about his motives and perceptions. "I just need the 'A'" or "Why does this matter to me?" are typical of the statements and questions he made. He was pressured by the system (and his parents) to learn things in which he saw no value. Unfortunately, this means he memorized trivia, and never learned any lessons and therefore never grew. (Coincidently, his parents seemed to act this same way, and although fairly wealthy, they were no closer to living happy or satisfied lives. Interestingly, they were the ones always pushing for extra credit.)<br />
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This is akin to the student who asks the calculus teacher, "I'm not gonna be a rocket scientist, when will this show up in my life?" This is a student working for a paycheck, before a paycheck is even reachable.<br />
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What makes us think the student will suddenly find satisfaction when they reach the workplace? Many are the drones who work to find a paycheck, but never find happiness. These drones do not work for honey, but instead the weekend.<br />
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<b>My Solution (A Work in Progress)</b><br />
I propose we seek to help students find out who they are, not memorize trivia. This requires several things:<br />
1. It requires teachers who love what they do. They are not in the career for the paycheck, but instead to mold minds into harmony with their purpose.<br />
2. It requires less emphasis on grades, especially from parents. Grades are wonderful for measuring your memorization, yet horrible for measuring a life well-lived.<br />
3. It requires a knowledge of the one true God. All knowledge finds its home in the Creator, thus any system of education which does not find its center in God will not fill any heart.<br />
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" 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" width="200" /></a>4. It requires us to let students have more responsibility at an earlier age. Students whose lives are forced upon them by parents and teachers do not have time to think deeply about who they are. To truly learn one's desires and inner workings requires the ability to make mistakes and learn from them. I know of way too many students who are allowed to stay a Toys 'R' Us kid well into their 20s and sometimes even 30s. How do we expect them to grow up if we don't baby them?<br />
5. It requires lots and lots of time. The education I propose is based around relationships. Unfortunately, this is much more time consuming than trivia and thus most people would rather be lazy.<br />
6. It requires lots and lots of prayer.<br />
<br />
<b>P.S.-- A Side Benefit, Avoiding Alex Trebek Syndrome</b><br />
<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRhPFkwMvQJoqG5TaAsAWvqAjhnUNEN3wRd4HBwTou0UNNN8HY&t=1&usg=__BJsQc72LAoJlcpavrVflnmD8_J8=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRhPFkwMvQJoqG5TaAsAWvqAjhnUNEN3wRd4HBwTou0UNNN8HY&t=1&usg=__BJsQc72LAoJlcpavrVflnmD8_J8=" width="133" /></a>My dad loves Jeopardy. I have to admit, I enjoy the show as well. However, I have real problems with Alex Trebek and others like him. I call these people 'smug memorizers.' Alex is always so condescending to people who get wrong answers, because Jeopardy is a results driven show. In a Jeopardy world, there is no room for growth, because we are only as good as our last correct answer. Thus, those who do not have the answers are looked down upon. <br />
<br />
But a world in which we spend our time in relationship, and thus we find our worth in our growth and treatment of others as an act of worship to our Father, avoids the 'smug memorizers' which keep people trapped into boxes in which they do not fit.<br />
<br />
Here is a link to a person who thinks somewhat similarly to me: <a href="http://examinedlife.wheatstoneacademy.com/2010/09/school-should-make-us-happier/">http://examinedlife.wheatstoneacademy.com/2010/09/school-should-make-us-happier/</a></div>Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-5705186599963804852010-09-06T12:03:00.000-07:002010-09-06T12:03:47.911-07:00Quick Post: Jesus as Savior for All in the Birth Narratives<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Evidence of the Birth of Christ as Precursor to Saving the World</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It is impossible to read through the narrative of the birth of Christ without seeing it was intended for Jesus to be the savior of the whole world, not only the Jews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is clear throughout the narrative that Jesus was going to be the Messiah, although many times it seems that he is only the savior for the Jews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Verses such as <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:32-33,%2046-55,%2068-69,%2071,%2074,%2077,%202:38&version=NASB">Luke 1:32-33, 46-55, 68-69, 71, 74, 77, 2:38</a>, and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%201:21-23,%202:6&version=NASB">Matthew 1:21-23, and 2:6</a> all point to a savior of the Jews coming to earth, and that Jesus was this savior.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">However, it is also clear this salvation was not only for the Jews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202:8-20&version=NASB">Luke 2:8-20,</a> the angels announce the birth of Jesus, commenting in verses 10 and 11 that Jesus was/is a source of “great joy which shall be for all the people” for he was born “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The angels then sing in verse 14, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coupled with the above verse we can see that Jesus would be peace for all who were saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It is also telling, that peace with our fellow man follows after God is pleased and glorified.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Later, a man named Simeon tells of the salvation of the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202:29-32&version=NASB">Luke 2:29-32</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This shows the salvation was not reserved for the Jews, but instead for all that would please God, which we find out later in the Gospels happens by trusting in Jesus as savior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-55448208371223898932010-09-01T22:17:00.000-07:002010-09-02T18:48:48.403-07:00In the Fullness of Time-- Christ's Impeccable TimingOne of the themes of the NT narrative is the idea that Christ arrived on the scene just at the right time. He wasn't too early, he wasn't late. Instead, he came when the world was ready, even ripe, for the truth he brought. This idea can be found in the NT in passages such as <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark1:15&version=NASB">Mark 1:15</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal4:4;Eph1:10;1Tim2:6;Titus1:3&version=NASB">Gal 4:4, Eph 1:10, 1 Tim 2:6, and Titus 1:3</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRORDxHOgDEEuaVknPxeeaU0zRPF74KARhiB2E6-eRLUaUQ_vU&t=1&usg=__dCpBvmRENVWZ4VS_Z2nbQg0njLU=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRORDxHOgDEEuaVknPxeeaU0zRPF74KARhiB2E6-eRLUaUQ_vU&t=1&usg=__dCpBvmRENVWZ4VS_Z2nbQg0njLU=" width="200" /></a>When one studies the historical context surrounding the entrance of Christ, we find indeed, the best possible time for the entrance of the incarnated Son of God was around AD 3-4.<br />
<br />
There are 3 main reasons for this.<br />
<br />
<b>The World was Prepared Politically</b><br />
Since the "known world" was conquered by the Romans, the world was politically stable enough to receive Christ. The Romans had enforced a peace enabling Jesus to carry out his ministry, and subsequently the peace also enabled the spread of the Gospel.<br />
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Many people had immigrated to the cities, where ideas were being exchanged freely in the melting pot of the cultures. This meant Jesus would be heard in the cities as another voice. Thus many nations would quickly hear about the teachings of Christ.<br />
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Not to be overlooked, the Romans also established an extensive system of roads. These roads made it possible for easier travel between cities. It also helped the authorities enforce laws and thus reduce thievery of travelers.<br />
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All in all Rome created a safe haven for the spread of the Gospel.<br />
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<b>The World was Prepared Intellectually</b><br />
When Alexander the Great had conquered the "world" he did something very beneficial to the ministry of Christ. Having died in 323 B.C. Alexander left the world more "greek" than it was before he had conquered it. One of his goals was to make the world "greek," and as such, he had soldiers marry native women, and teach all of the people the Greek language. Also, the Old Testament was translated into the Greek by 280 B.C. As such, when Jesus arrived the people had a common language to communicate their ideas. Jesus probably spoke Aramaic most often, but a common language meant his life and ideas could be communicated easily.<br />
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Philosophically, the world was also ready for the person of Christ. Greek philosophy had taught a few positive things which helped whet the people's appetite for Jesus of Nazareth. Socrates taught about morality, Plato taught about a soul and an immaterial realm, and Aristotle argued for the existence of a "prime mover" or God. All of these things impacted the world positively for Christ.<br />
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On the other hand, philosophy had not met the needs the people had. Regular Joes did not find fulfillment in philosophy, it was a system for the elite, strong, and affluent. It did not make any promises to people who understood their sin, and were looking for love and redemption.<br />
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Lastly, the Greeks had also shown the world that not every religion would cut it. The religion of the Greeks and Romans had failed the people in so many ways. They offered a polytheism with vengeful, spiteful, egotistical gods that seemed to rather hurt people than help them. If one of these gods said they loved you, you would cower or run for fear of rape (Zeus was especially known for his lust for mortal women)! These gods did not meet man's needs. Instead this type of religion made the masses hunger for something much more satisfying to their needs and intellectual capacities.<br />
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<b>The World was Prepared Religiously</b><br />
The Jews had sufficiently kept the ideas of Judaism in a way as to be able to share them with the world. They had preserved monotheism. They had given the world the Old Testament in the common language of the time, and had developed an extensive system of worship throughout the known world. This led to many gentiles embracing Judaism in the synagogues. The influence of these synagogues was important in preparing the world for Christ.<br />
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<b>Christ's Impeccable Timing</b><br />
Jesus came to this earth when just the right circumstances came together to maximize his impact on this world, thus changing the face of Western Civilization, and consequently the whole world. His life ignited a world-wide movement, spreading like wild-fire. We need to continue preaching the Gospel, waiting for his perfect timing when he comes again.Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-37988127438515091342010-08-23T18:31:00.000-07:002010-08-23T18:31:18.254-07:00Two Posts to Read on the Trinity??? How fun!Today I came across two separate posts on the Trinity. <a href="http://strplace.com/">Brett Kunkle</a> posted a <a href="http://is.gd/ezOPn">video </a>on the definition and rationality of the Trinity, and <a href="http://scriptoriumdaily.com/">Fred Sanders</a> posted about his new book on the Trinity, with an <a href="http://www.scriptoriumdaily.com/2010/08/23/the-deep-things-of-god-how-the-trinity-changes-everything/">excerpt </a>from his first chapter.<br />
<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcStli92KemRutB7y3MbZsTJq6VRz_6vyCk-Fx_MElJUDq80Ang&t=1&usg=__GvQQkDy1kVEeiS-U_59I7mZ_3MU=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcStli92KemRutB7y3MbZsTJq6VRz_6vyCk-Fx_MElJUDq80Ang&t=1&usg=__GvQQkDy1kVEeiS-U_59I7mZ_3MU=" width="320" /></a><br />
I found both posts enjoyable and informative, although they took entirely different approaches. Kunkle aims to help educate students in the definition of the Trinity, while Sanders seems to most tackle the methodology of our learning of the Trinity in his post.<br />
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Either way, both posts are attempting to clarify a deep theological truth of the Christian faith. Christianity rests upon the idea of the Trinity and we need more people to help explain what it is, and how it affects every day life.Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-90917136617373521642010-08-20T18:04:00.000-07:002010-08-20T18:04:05.307-07:00It is reasonable to believe in God. Conclusion<b>The End of a Long Road</b><br />
Alright, it took me a little longer than I had projected to finish my short discussion on the reasonableness of belief in the existence of God. Somehow, though its finished. One last thing, lets wrap it up.<br />
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We <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2009/08/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-1.html">began</a> the series with my assertion that a very good case for the existence of God can be made cumulatively. That is, these arguments strengthen each other, but all of them do not fall if one of them falls.<br />
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Next, I <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/03/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-2.html">issued</a> the evidence put forth by the Kalam Cosmological argument, with some of the Scientific evidence supporting its claims.<br />
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In review, the basic argument goes like this:<br />
1. Everything that begins to exist has a cause<br />
2. The Universe began to exist<br />
3. Therefore, the Universe has a cause<br />
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Now, this did not prove the existence of God necessarily, but it did have some startling implications. This cause is spaceless, timeless, immaterial, and personal.<br />
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After the Kalam argument, my next two posts were Teleological arguments, or arguments from purpose or design.<br />
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The<a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/03/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-3.html"> first post</a> draws evidence from the complexity of the universe, and it is inconceivable to believe it happened to be this way out of luck. It would take a designer for all of the intricacies to be just right.<br />
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But, if that were not enough, the <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/03/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-4.html">next post</a> explains we find life is also too intricate to arise without a purpose. Life is irreducibly complex, and could not just happen randomly, or in small steps.<br />
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I then <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/04/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-5.html">moved</a> to show evidence from the existence of an objective moral law. Our legislation requires a law giver, why would a moral law be any different.<br />
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Lastly, I <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/04/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-6.html">threw</a> in a few more short arguments I think fun and helpful for belief in God.<br />
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Individually, the arguments are suggestive. Together, as a cumulative case, they make belief in God a completely reasonable stance.<br />
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The question becomes, "Which God?"<br />
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I suggest starting that search with Christianity.Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-90409431521122377322010-08-19T07:24:00.000-07:002010-08-19T18:21:58.660-07:00Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? 15 Passages<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKLUg8HvqV-FrYuaSQK9QasywxRim4tr1dADdo51nagw9NyijE0JJ-7UoqAdCkWXSU7C_y_JPiZmWHCfTKjnXSKLmOqoPvjwZxGLixBfqylLCvtSRWdJN-jAuW2eymkkjt9AApqOj5fQ/s1600/Second+Baptist+2009+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKLUg8HvqV-FrYuaSQK9QasywxRim4tr1dADdo51nagw9NyijE0JJ-7UoqAdCkWXSU7C_y_JPiZmWHCfTKjnXSKLmOqoPvjwZxGLixBfqylLCvtSRWdJN-jAuW2eymkkjt9AApqOj5fQ/s200/Second+Baptist+2009+001.jpg" width="200" /></a>Is Baptism a necessary condition for one to be saved? Scripture declares, no! Here are 15 clear passages showing this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rom%2010:9&version=NIV">Romans 10:9</a> (Confess with your mouth, and believe in your heart Jesus is Lord, you will be saved)<br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Cor%201:13-17&version=NIV">1 Cor 1:13-17</a> (Paul says God did not send him to baptize, but preach the Gospel. This shows the Gospel and Baptism are two different things.)<br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.%202:8-9&version=NIV">Eph. 2:8-9</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philipians%203:9&version=NIV">Philipians 3:9</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal%202:16&version=NIV">Gal 2:16</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rom%203&version=NIV">Rom 3</a> (We are saved by faith, as a gift from God, not works)<br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Cor%2015:1-4&version=NIV">1 Cor 15:1-4</a> (A summary of the Gospel, with no attachment to baptism)<br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2015&version=NIV">Acts 15</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%204&version=NIV">Rom 4</a> (No outward act is necessary for salvation)<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2147015998"></span>Acts 3:12-26<span id="goog_2147015999"></span></a> (Peter doesn't mention baptism as a part of his gospel message)<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%207:37-50&version=NIV">Luke 7:37-50</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%209:1-6&version=NIV">Matthew 9:2</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2018:13-14&version=NIV">Luke 18:13-14</a>;<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2023:40-43&version=NIV"> Luke 23:43</a> (People saved apart from baptism)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2010:44-48&version=NIV">Acts 10:44-48</a> (Many people are saved <i>before</i> being baptized)</span><br />
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Baptism is the normal obedience of one who has trusted in Christ. Because Scripture asks us to be baptized, anyone who is a Christ follower will <i>react</i> to their salvation by <i>obeying</i> Scripture's request for a baptism. <b>This outward sign does not </b><i><b>create </b></i><b>inner transformation, instead it </b><i><b>shows </b></i><b>inner transformation</b>.<br />
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For more on this check <a href="http://www.carm.org/religious-movements/oneness-pentecostal/baptism-necessary-salvation">here</a>, <a href="http://www.carm.org/is-baptism-necessary-salvation">here</a>, <a href="http://www.gospeloutreach.net/bapsal.html">here </a>and if you still want more <a href="http://www.allaboutgod.com/is-baptism-necessary-for-salvation.htm">here</a>. These sites have some good reasons why verses commonly used for Baptismal Regeneration (baptism is necessary for salvation) are not saying baptism is required for salvation.Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-7263615556093932612010-06-07T09:15:00.000-07:002010-06-07T09:15:58.620-07:00Defending Pro-LifeI feel one of the most important "causes" for Christians today is to stand against abortion. As such, it is particularly helpful to have really good resources for training. Here are some pages and audio clips to help:<br />
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<a href="http://apologetics315.blogspot.com/2010/06/three-helpful-audios-on-abortion.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Apologetics315+(Apologetics+315)">Three Audio Lectures</a><br />
<a href="http://www.prolifetraining.com/Pro-Life_Articles.asp">A ton of resources from Life Training Institute</a><br />
<a href="http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5080">An article by Greg Koukl</a><br />
<a href="http://strplace.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/my-abortion-debate/">Alan Shlemon Debate about abortion</a><br />
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Considering the fact that over 150 babies were killed during the 3-4 minutes I wrote this post (120,000 babies a day), I think the legalization of abortion is one of the worlds greatest evils today. It does not take long to train yourself to be able to make a difference. One human life is worth more than all the atoms in the universe, and we need to treat them as such.Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-86000940612634475262010-04-29T21:53:00.000-07:002010-04-29T21:53:03.617-07:00"I'm Still Young"... And Other Bad JustificationsThey are used often, both by the perpetrator and the defender. I hear them said in a lot of different ways. They seem to be something to even desire. These statements are the way people hide behind their youth. Some wear them as a badge of honor, while others just use them to excuse their behavior.<br />
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"Boys will be boys;" "I want to experience life while I can;" "They're just kids;" "I will always have time to learn about that later, but I want to have fun now;" "I want to live it up while I can!" These, and others like them, are the "I'm Still Young" class of justifications. It is a common idea to believe we will always be able to change later. This is often why youth act like they don't care, they think they will always be able to fix it later.<br />
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However, contrary to this idea, there are many problems with this type of justification. The first problem is easy to see. Being young does not change the morality of an issue. Lying, Murder, Hate, etc. are all wrong no matter your age. This idea is undertaken in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%2011:7-10&version=NIV">Ecclesiastes 11:7-10</a>. The author does say to live well while still young, enjoy your youth, but remember we will be held accountable. Clearly, to be young is not to absolve from responsibility. And I think most people realize this very quickly.<br />
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I am not sure we are as ready and eager to recognize the second (and I think deeper) problem behind the "I want to experience life while I can" set of justifications. I think there is something fundamentally wrong with what we think <i>experiencing life</i> is in reality.<br />
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Far too often I will hear, and even think myself, that life is better while you are young. This seems to be an underlying assumption in our culture today. "Those were (are) the best days of your life" or other like statements adequately describe our attitude toward life. We as a culture honestly think life is at its best in High School and College. This is something that has been documented by Diana West in her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_15?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=death+of+the+grown+up&x=0&y=0&sprefix=death+of+the+gr">The Death of The Grown Up</a>. Also, for a couple shorter treatments of this idea, <a href="http://www.allaboutworldview.org/adolescent-culture.htm">check out</a> these <a href="http://www.summit.org/resources/truth-and-consequences/why-students-dont-get-it/">articles </a>by John Stonestreet.<br />
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For some reason we have bought the idea that life is all downhill after 30. This scares me as I turned 30 this year. But it also scares me, because it means that, if this theory is true, I am now heading into the boring part of life! Is life really best in the 20s???<br />
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<a href="http://www.freedomreeves.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/uncle_rico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://www.freedomreeves.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/uncle_rico.jpg" width="200" /></a>I would venture that it shouldn't be true. And it is a very, very sad thing for people who find it to be true for them. It is painful to be around people who are in the middle of life, still wishing to be in high school. Don't believe me??? To show you life should get better with age, like fine wine or cheese, I submit Uncle Rico.<br />
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Do you know Uncle Rico? In the movie Napoleon Dynamite, a set of loser characters combine to make a memorable movie (though maybe memorable for all the wrong reasons.) In this movie of loser characters, I think we all know the worst one is Uncle Rico. <br />
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Rico is a 30s relative of the main character Napoleon. He is often referring to his high school football days, "I bet I could still throw a football over those mountains." He wishes he could relive his glory days! Unfortunately, <i>those <b>are</b> his glory days</i>. He now lives in a van, and tries to come up with get-rich-quick schemes. It is hard not to understand the pathetic nature of a grown man wishing to be in high school again.<br />
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Even so, we, as a culture, try to hold on to our teen years for as long as possible. This is true enough that it is not actually hard to find an "Uncle Rico" in real life. We can all probably think of someone like this, or we will find one soon.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj312/Spookifish/immature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj312/Spookifish/immature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I think this goes against the idea Christ had in mind when he spoke of having the full life in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010:7-10&version=NIV">John 10:7-10</a>. It seems to be counter-intuitive to urge people to reach for a "full" life, but it doesn't keep getting better as people grow. A full life should only get better. In this case, getting older would be welcome.<br />
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Most cultures have understood the value of growing old. They recognized, that while losing some physical ability, growing old brings an experience and wisdom that is surpassing in its meaning and beauty. This is one reason why many cultures have a more healthy respect for their elders.<br />
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As a culture, we need to recognize the full life begins in Christ, and only gets better as we grow in him. This will help our students to mature earlier, because they will not be afraid of the life still to come.Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-21001241289269810752010-04-23T12:40:00.000-07:002010-08-20T18:03:16.782-07:00It is reasonable to believe in God. Pt 6I have been arguing belief in God is reasonable by putting forth a short, cumulative case for the existence of God. In my <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/04/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-5.html">last post</a>, I argued the existence of universal morals is best explained by the existence of an ultimate creator. Today, I want to focus on some lesser known arguments for the existence of God.<br />
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<b>Quick Extras (Maybe One Not So Quick)</b><br />
There are many, many arguments for the existence of God. Some have been researched more than others. In this space, I will treat some of my favorites in a very short way.<br />
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<b>The Argument From Desire</b><br />
<a href="http://www.csupomona.edu/~plin/ls201/images/michaelangelo_big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://www.csupomona.edu/~plin/ls201/images/michaelangelo_big.jpg" width="200" /></a>One of my favorite arguments for the existence of God is called the argument from desire. Many people have used this argument. It appeals to the desire in all of us for meaning, love, glory, and other desires. Some have put the argument this way: "There is a God-shaped hole in each of us." C.S. Lewis was very good at using this argument.<br />
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The way I put this argument is: For most of the things I want, I find there is a suitable, even perfect, satisfier for this desire. When I am hungry (the desire for food) I can find food. When I am thirsty (the desire for drink) I can have water. I cannot think of one physical desire for which there is not a perfect satisfying element in this universe. You could suggest the world was made in such a way as to be able to work towards satisfying needs/wants of its inhabitants. (By the way this is another form of the argument from Teleology.)<br />
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It is almost as perfect with my non-physical (spiritual) desires. My desire to have loving companionship is fulfilled by my wife. The desire I have to care for, and nurture the creation is fulfilled by my care for my home and dogs. I desire to leave a legacy for new generations, and hopefully someday I will have children of my own to do this with. But unlike my physical desires, these "spiritual" desires are not perfectly fulfilled all the time.<br />
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However, I can see glimpses of how these might be fulfilled perfectly. It leads me to believe, that if all of my physical desires can be met perfectly, might there be a place where my spiritual desires can be perfectly met? After observing how many desires are satisfied, CS Lewis put it this way: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">I find this most compelling for the Christian God when one considers our desire to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, and yet we do not want to lose ourselves. In other words, we all want to live a meaningful life, but be able to be who we are. All other worldviews do not answer this adequately. Atheism tells us to only care for ourselves, while Pantheism tells us to lose ourselves in the cosmic goo. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Only Christianity gives an adequate explanation for this desire. The Christian God is the perfect example of this in the Triune nature. God is a unified being in three persons. All members of the Trinity are fully God (unity), but are fully distinct persons (individuals). No other worldview answers this question in a satisfactory manner.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"><b>The Argument From Beauty</b></span><br />
<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:MGK0vmV14XcB3M:http://chamorrobible.org/images/photos/gpw-200702-49-NASA-ISS007-E-10807-space-sunset-20030721-Pacific-Ocean-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:MGK0vmV14XcB3M:http://chamorrobible.org/images/photos/gpw-200702-49-NASA-ISS007-E-10807-space-sunset-20030721-Pacific-Ocean-large.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">I think I like the way Peter Kreeft and Ronald Tacelli put this. It goes something like this: There is the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Therefore, there is a God. Seriously, check it out in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830827021/theofficiapet-20">this book</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Beauty, like the beauty represented by this picture from space needs an explanation. The best explanation is it was created by a designer.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">I know there is a lot more to explain in this argument, but these are supposed to be <i>quick extras</i> and I already really screwed that up.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"><b>The Argument From Consciousness</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">The fact that there is something unphysical about us points to an unphysical cause. Our mind needs an adequate explanation for existence. The existence of mind (not our brains) cannot be explained by physical means. The best explanation is another mind.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">There are a lot more of these arguments. I find some of them more compelling than others, but in a cumulative case all contribute to the case for the existence of God.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Next: <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/08/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god.html">Conclusion</a></span></span>Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-83725229525119119262010-04-21T18:00:00.000-07:002010-04-21T18:00:49.484-07:00Biblical Interpretation in a Nutshell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Bible-Interpretation-in-a-Nutshell-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Bible-Interpretation-in-a-Nutshell-small.jpg" /></a></div>Over at Parchment and Pen, Michael Patton has posted a <a href="http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2010/04/bible-interpretation-in-a-nutshell/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+ParchmentAndPen+(Parchment+and+Pen)">concise summary</a> of correct Biblical Interpretation. I have been working on several posts about <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/03/on-reading-bible-well-pt-1_18.html">Biblical Interpretation</a>, where I have claimed there are <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/04/on-reading-bible-well-pt-2.html">5 steps</a> to correct Biblical Interpretation.<br />
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Patton has suggested there are really only 3 steps to correct interpretation: Exegetical Statement (What It Meant To Them), Theological Statement (What It Means To Everyone) and Homiletical Statement (How This Applies To Me). These actually are basically the same steps I advocate said in a different way. However, Patton has been working at this longer than I, and therefore has much insight and experience I cannot give. <br />
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It seems to me, that many (not all) of the problems we have when reading the Bible would be solved, if we just read it more carefully.<br />
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I highly recommend giving this post a read through.Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-21564996151788543032010-04-21T12:20:00.000-07:002010-04-21T12:20:16.003-07:00The Power of a Cumulative CaseAs I am <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2009/08/it-is-reasonable-to-believe-in-god-pt-1.html">building a Cumulative Case argument</a> for God's existence, I find <a href="http://lukenixblog.blogspot.com/">Luke Nix</a> has an article on the power of the c<a href="http://lukenixblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/power-of-cumulative-case-part-1.html">umulative case approach to worldviews</a>.<br />
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He does a very good job of explaining the reasons for preferring the cumulative case to other arguments. Anyone wondering about the pros and cons of the cumulative case approach should read this article.Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-22025550799070573632010-04-19T18:54:00.000-07:002010-04-19T18:54:20.565-07:00When Things Take the Place of People, Or How to Suppress the Truth In Unrighteousness pt. 2A <a href="http://bringingbackthetao.blogspot.com/2010/03/warning-where-are-you-sending-your.html">little while ago</a>, I commented on an article by Al Mohler about the gender-neutral leanings of many universities in the United States today. I suggested this was a clear case of exchanging the truth of God for a lie as we are told happens in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%201:18-32&version=NIV">Romans 1:18-32</a>. When people stop recognizing God's created order, even though it is plain to see we can tell they are suppressing the truth in their unrighteousness.<br />
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<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:h8cUprvjQbtoOM:http://wondersofpakistan.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/wef-bill-gates1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:h8cUprvjQbtoOM:http://wondersofpakistan.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/wef-bill-gates1.jpg" /></a>Well, add another example to the list! Today, Robin Phillips of <a href="http://salvomag.typepad.com/blog/">Signs of the Times</a>, has found <a href="http://salvomag.typepad.com/blog/2010/04/bill-gates-vaccines-can-help-decrease-surplus-population.html">another way</a> our society has decided to believe a lie.<br />
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The debate about global warming has been pretty heated for quite a while now. Often I have wondered if proponents of the climate change phenomenon care more about the environment than people. Well, it seems as though we have confirmation of this. At least one global warming/enviro friendly person does care about trees and Mother Nature more than he does about his fellow man.<br />
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It seems as though Bill Gates has decided we need to decrease the human population, in order to ensure the survival of the planet. In fact, he is advocating the use of vaccines to help achieve this goal!<br />
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I want to be clear, I recycle (sometimes because my wife makes me), I do care about the world we live in. It seems clear to me we are supposed to be stewards of our environment. This world is not ours to destroy, it is God's and he has asked us to rule over it (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201:28&version=NIV">Genesis 1:28</a>).<br />
<a href="http://www.earthfirst.org/images/EF%20fist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://www.earthfirst.org/images/EF%20fist.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
However, it is also clear humans are the epitome of the created order. God has given us creation to rule over, which logically means we are greater. A lesser cannot rule a greater! It has been said, that one human being is worth more than all the molecules in all the universe. This being so, we cannot stand by and watch as people suggest we are worth less than what God has said. He created us in His image, and we must stand for the truth.Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-19256321977726939622010-04-16T17:49:00.000-07:002010-04-16T17:49:39.083-07:00A Holocaust Denier-- Now???A Catholic Bishop has been convicted of <a href="http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2010/04/bishop-convicted-for-denying-h.php">denying the Holocaust</a>. In Germany this is a crime.<br />
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From <a href="http://www.beliefnet.com/">Beliefnet.com</a>:<br />
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<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif !important; font-size: 14px !important; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">BERLIN - A German court convicted ultraconservative British Bishop Richard Williamson on Friday for denying the Holocaust in a television interview.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:Uo4QF_dhLZKZaM:http://www.deathcamps.org/gas_chambers/pic/bigauschwitz02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:Uo4QF_dhLZKZaM:http://www.deathcamps.org/gas_chambers/pic/bigauschwitz02.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">A court in the Bavarian city of Regensburg found Williamson guilty of incitement for saying in a 2008 interview with Swedish television that he did not believe Jews were killed in gas chambers during World War II.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">The court ordered Williamson to pay a fine of (EURO)10,000 ($13,544).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Roman Catholic bishop was barred by his order from attending Friday's proceedings or making statements to the media.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">His lawyer, Matthias Lossmann, told The Associated Press after the court ruling that Williamson has yet to decide if would appeal it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Denying the Holocaust is a criminal offense in Germany.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">The court last year ordered a fine of (EURO)12,000 for Williamson, without a trial. But the Bishop appealed that ruling, <i>forcing his case to be tried publicly</i>. [Italics Mine]</span></div></span></blockquote>What really caught my attention about this article was this last line. What person in their right mind would want to have a trial regarding their denial of the historicity of the Holocaust while people who actually lived through the Holocaust <i>are still alive</i>??? The one time where historical revisionism is virtually impossible is while eyewitnesses are still alive.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ilianrachov.com/ikons/images/ascension%20of%20jesus.privat%20collection%20usa..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.ilianrachov.com/ikons/images/ascension%20of%20jesus.privat%20collection%20usa..jpg" width="129" /></a>This is the exact reason why <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%2015:3-8&version=NIV">1 Cor. 15:3-8</a> is so important to our belief in the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Scholars have dated this passage very early after the time of the crucifixion and resurrection (within 5 years by many estimates). So, it would be very hard for historical revisionism to creep into the account by this time. <br />
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Moreover, Paul issues a challenge in this passage. He names a bunch of eyewitnesses! He is basically saying, "Jesus lives. If you don't believe me, go ask all the other people who saw Him! They will verify my story." <br />
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Eyewitnesses make it extremely difficult to deny a historical event. Praise the Lord for showing himself to many after the resurrection!Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-54217280983782267822010-04-16T10:24:00.000-07:002010-04-16T10:24:11.058-07:00Some Thoughts on the Brown - Ehrman DebateYesterday, at Ohio State University, Dr. Michael Brown debated Dr. Bart Ehrman on the premise <a href="http://www.thegreatdebate.me/">Does the Bible Provide an Adequate Explanation to the Problem of Suffering</a>. Overall this was one of the best debates I have seen on this topic. Both sides were passionate, and came armed with Biblical text to support their position. Overall, I enjoyed this debate very much, and it is hard to declare either presenter the clear winner.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.webcastgroup.com/images/webcast_window/client/logo_1324.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="http://www.webcastgroup.com/images/webcast_window/client/logo_1324.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As I was watching this debate a couple things struck me about all debates on the problem of suffering or evil.<br />
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<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:rY4MxeSdGTVd4M:http://americansfortruth.com/uploads/2009/07/michael_brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:rY4MxeSdGTVd4M:http://americansfortruth.com/uploads/2009/07/michael_brown.jpg" /></a>First, one should not use the problem of evil/suffering as a primary reason for or against the belief in a supreme deity. There are multiple reasons why this is a poor justification for or against the existence of God. There is a lot of evidence for the existence of God which come from other lines of inquiry, and just because we don't like the theistic answers to the problem of pain, does not negate any of these other lines of evidence. Just because you might not like the answers to the problem of pain, does not negate the evidence for God from cosmology, philosophy, science, and experience. In the same way, because you might want there to be a God who will bring justice, does not actually entail other evidence against his existence wrong. Here is a hypothetical about how this might go:<br />
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Atheist: God does not have an adequate answer to the problem of evil. So he doesn't exist!<br />
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Theist: God does exist, so he has an adequate answer to the problem of evil.<br />
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Atheist: But there can be no adequate answer for suffering, so there is no God.<br />
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Theist: Heaven is an adequate answer for suffering.<br />
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Atheist: No, its not!<br />
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Theist: Yes it is!<br />
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<a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:tOryZ4d6WneagM:http://www.ou.edu/cls/fm/png/ehrman_headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:tOryZ4d6WneagM:http://www.ou.edu/cls/fm/png/ehrman_headshot.jpg" /></a>Very quickly, this digresses into a subjective preference about whether the answers given are adequate or not. The logical problem of evil has fallen out of favor for this exact reason. There could be a logical reason <em>wh</em>y God could allow pain, but whether or not we accept it comes down to whether or not we believe there is a God and if he is good. There are better lines of evidence for/against God, and we might want to ask about the problem of evil after we have decided about whether or not God actually exists.<br />
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The second observation I had from the debate was how often people mistake the ontological/metaphysical for the epistemological. At one point Dr. Brown made a remark about the meaning of life if God did not exist. The comment was made to point out, that if God does not exist, then there is no ultimate meaning to suffering or kindness or life in general. To this point, Dr. Ehrman said Dr. Brown's assertion was "obscene" and offensive. He commented that he, himself, had much meaning in his life even though he did not believe in God. Ehrman's answer shows he was confused about Dr. Brown's point.<br />
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I am not sure theists have done a good job explaining ontological issues like these yet. And when we try to use them, we often let the non-theist get away with changing from the ontological to the epistemological in their answer.<br />
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Let me explain what I mean. The ontological is the way reality <i>really</i> is, while the epistemological is our knowledge of things. When Brown argued there would be no meaning without God, he was making an ontological claim He was saying ultimate meaning cannot exist if there is no God, because everything will end in the end, and we will cease to exist. Anything we do in this life will be ultimately worthless, because we do not have a standard of worth to measure by, and in the end, everything will be destroyed.<br />
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Ehrman answered with an epistemological claim, specifically saying he knew his life had meaning. But this does not answer Brown's assertion that there is no meaning without God. Instead, this is actually an implicit admission as to Ehrman's intuitive knowledge of God, because he knows his actions have true value.<br />
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Theists need to learn how to explain this better. We need to learn to include ourselves in the argument. We are not saying atheists have no value because they don't believe in God. We are saying, that neither the atheist, nor the theist, has any ultimate value if there is no transcendent grounds to give us worth. An atheist or a theist who does work for the poor, ultimately does nothing, without a God in existence in reality, because it will all be for naught when it is all destroyed. We are not saying your belief in atheism means you do not have worth, we are saying neither you nor I have any worth if we are all products of natural processes. Mother Nature does not care about you or I, because Mother Nature is really mother nature!!!<br />
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<a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:q_drGVk6kMkIHM:http://funpresident.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/the-great-debate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:q_drGVk6kMkIHM:http://funpresident.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/the-great-debate.jpg" /></a>But if there is a God, then both the theist and the atheist have value, because of the transcendent nature of the Creator. Inventors create with a purpose, and the Creator is no different. He has a purpose for both the atheist and the theist.<br />
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Overall, I the debate was enjoyable and thought provoking. In the end, is there much more you can ask for in a debate?<br />
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If you are interested in listening to the debate, <a href="http://apologetics315.blogspot.com/">apologetics315.blogspot.com</a> has already linked to an <a href="http://apologetics315.blogspot.com/2010/04/michael-brown-vs-bart-ehrman-debate.html">MP3</a> of the event.Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7406785045644731543.post-52248361671863875962010-04-15T09:08:00.000-07:002010-04-15T09:08:06.283-07:00The Great Trinity DebateOver at <a href="http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/">Reclaiming the Mind</a>'s blog, <a href="http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/">Parchment and Pen</a>, they have begun an exercise I think will be awesome. <a href="http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2010/04/the-great-trinity-debate-an-introduction/">The Great Trinity Debate</a> features a Trinitarian, Rob Bowman, and a Unitarian, David Burke, debating the biblical merits of the doctrine of the Trinity.<br />
<a href="http://www.ovrlnd.com/Images3/Trinity2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://www.ovrlnd.com/Images3/Trinity2.gif" width="320" /></a><br />
From the Introduction to the Debate<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6f5129; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0em; padding-left: 0em; padding-right: 0em; padding-top: 0em;">Here is the format for our debate:</div><div style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0em; padding-left: 0em; padding-right: 0em; padding-top: 0em;">Week #1 (begins April 11): Dave and I have separate posts introducing the subject, explaining our views of Scripture, interpretation, doctrine, and of the nature of God (i.e., his attributes).<br style="margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0em; padding-left: 0em; padding-right: 0em; padding-top: 0em;" />Week #2 (begins April 18): Dave and I will have separate posts on our views about Jesus Christ.<br style="margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0em; padding-left: 0em; padding-right: 0em; padding-top: 0em;" />Week #3 (begins April 25): Dave and I will have separate posts where we may continue to present arguments supporting our views about Jesus Christ.<br style="margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0em; padding-left: 0em; padding-right: 0em; padding-top: 0em;" />Week #4 (begins May 2): Dave and I will have separate posts on the Holy Spirit.<br style="margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0em; padding-left: 0em; padding-right: 0em; padding-top: 0em;" />Week #5 (begins May 9): Dave and I will have separate posts presenting our case for our differing theologies of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (mine in support of the Trinity, Dave’s in support of Biblical Unitarianism) and critiquing each other’s theologies.<br style="margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0em; padding-left: 0em; padding-right: 0em; padding-top: 0em;" />Week #6 (begins May 16): Dave and I will have separate posts offering closing statements, with comments open to the general public.</div></span></blockquote>I will eagerly be awaiting each and every post. If the first two posts are any indication this will be a fulfilling and rewarding exercise. I will continue to link each new post as they arrive.<br />
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<a href="http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2010/04/the-great-trinity-debate-an-introduction/">Introduction to the Great Trinity Debate</a><br />
<a href="http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2010/04/the-great-trinity-debate-part-1-rob-bowman-on-god-and-scripture/">Week 1-Rob Bowman</a><br />
<a href="http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2010/04/the-great-trinity-debate-part-1-david-burke-on-god-and-scripture/">Week 1-David Burke</a>Gabriel Pagelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11964324614701151556noreply@blogger.com0