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[Chaplain]

On the other hand the God in the Old Testament is vastly different from Jesus in the New Testament.

Do you think God in the Book of Jonah "is vastly different from Jesus in the New Testament"?

Edited

 

[SpongebobSquaredance]

Do you think God in the Book of Jonah "is vastly different from Jesus in the New Testament"?

Edited

The Book of Jonah isn't the entire Old Testament though. I have to read it again to make a more compelling argument, but as I remember it the God in the Old Testament has a vastly different character then Jesus, yes.

 

[SpongebobSquaredance]

The scriptures were also recorded/interpreted/written by imperfect human beings. So, perhaps our understand of Jehovah just isn't clear, and the Bible seems to suggest that it never will be.

There were also constantly verses taken out and kept in again. Almost impossible to find complete original with everything inside. There is an uncensored bible though that has verses that were taken out. It's on the dark web.

 

[Chaplain]

The Book of Jonah isn't the entire Old Testament though. I have to read it again to make a more compelling argument, but as I remember it the God in the Old Testament has a vastly different character then Jesus, yes.

Understood. I take a different position. I think their God/Jesus' character are identical IF scripture's entire metanarrative is taken into account. Especially when read in light of Jesus' comments in Revelation 2 and 3 and his Second Coming in Revelation 19. Some in-depth analysis of those chapters:

• Revelation 19:17-21 - Jesus' Victory At The Battle Of Armageddon
• Revelation 19:11-16 - The Second Coming Of Christ
• Revelation 19:6-10 - The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb
• Revelation 19:1-5 - Celebration in Heaven over Babylon's Fall
• Revelation 3:21-22 - A Timeless Message For The Church
• Revelation 3:18-20 - Jesus Is Treated Like A Guest In His Own Home
• Revelation 3:17 - How Affluence Can Lead To Spiritual Bankruptcy
• Revelation 3:14-15 - Self-Satisfied And Unwilling To Acknowledge Dependence On God
• Revelation 3:11-13 - Jesus Gives A Sneak Peek Of Heaven
• Revelation 3:9-10 - Jesus Discusses The Great Tribulation
• Revelation 3:8 - Examples Of Spiritual Purity
• Revelation 3:7 - Jesus' Letter To The Church In Philadelphia
• Revelation 3:5-6 - Is Your Name Written In The Book of Life?
• Revelation 3:4 - Wrapped In The Identity Of Christ
• Revelation 3:2-3 - Jesus' Cure For Spiritual Lethargy
• Revelation 3:1 - The Spiritually Lethargic Church
• Revelation 2:22-29 - Jesus' Response to Spiritual Adultery
• Revelation 2:19-21 - Things Jesus Hates
• Revelation 2:18 - Jesus Introduces Himself To The Church At Thyatira
• Revelation 2:16-17 - Jesus' Call To A Reorientation Of The Will
• Revelation 2:13-15 - What Does Jesus Think About Moral Relativism?
• Revelation 2:12 - The Church At Pergamum
• Revelation 2:11 - Jesus' Reassuring Word To All Suffering And Persecuted Christians
• Revelation 2:10 - Jesus Will Vindicate Those Who Are Persecuted
• Revelation 2:9 - Enduring Pain While Suffering Unjustly
• Revelation 2:8 - The Persecuted Church
• Revelation 2:7 - Jesus' Promise To Those That Are Victorious
• Revelation 2:5-6 - Jesus' Call To Soul-Searching Repentance
• Revelation 2:2-4 - How A Church Ceases To Love God
• Revelation 2:1 - Jesus introduces Himself to the church at Ephesus

 

[GeekyDad]

There were also constantly verses taken out and kept in again. Almost impossible to find complete original with everything inside. There is an uncensored bible though that has verses that were taken out. It's on the dark web.

I remember decades ago when I was still in college there was a Catholic Bible I checked out from the library that had all sort of additional books not in the King James (and the like) Bible. I forget what it was called. Some very different stuff in there for sure.

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:






Ratzinger’s Cross

For Ratzinger, Catholic theologians were ultimately at the service of the Catholic Church’s faith—not the other way around. No faith can be a playground for advancing one’s academic career or building one’s “platform.”

Video: Purgatory: A Protestant Perspective

Roman Catholic apologists often appeal to church history to support Catholic teaching concerning purgatory. Many Protestants are less familiar with church history on this question, and tend to focus on making biblical arguments. In this video I offer an overview of a Protestant perspective on purgatory, putting special focus on the development of this doctrine throughout church history.

Video: I spoke in a mosque with a Muslim, a Hindu, a Sikh, and a Jew

A Christian apologist, Jewish Rabbi, Ahmadiyya Muslim, Hindu, and a Sikh all walk into a room and sit down at the front. What would otherwise be the setup for a bad joke was the reality of the event I participated in recently.

Video: A New Approach to the Divinity of Jesus

Did Jesus really understand himself to be divine? Or was this a later addition by his followers or the early church? Is Bart Ehrman right that Jesus was a man who the church later deified? In this interview, I talk with Dr. Mikel Del Rosario about his new "minimal facts" approach to the claim that Jesus is divine.

Video: The Golden Key

Root gives a beautiful defense of the imagination that edifies our need to explore fantasy, fiction, and beauty as spiritual beings. G.K. Chesterton, J.R.R. Tolkien, W.H. Auden and C.S. Lewis were all profoundly influenced by the Scottish preacher and storyteller George MacDonald; in fact, Lewis claimed that MacDonald’s stories had “baptized” his imagination. “The Golden Key” tells of the boy Mossy who finds a golden key at the edge of a forest and sets out to discover its lock. He is soon in his quest by a young girl named Tangle. As they search for the lock, they open their own capacity for wonder and beauty, even as they long for a country never seen.

Video: Episode 7 | Mary's Voice in Advent | Amy Orr-Ewing

Welcome to this series exploring the theme of Mary's voice throughout Advent, we can listen to and learn from this extraordinary witness, who had a front row seat on the events surrounding the life of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God. And in Advent we want to prepare our hearts to welcome and worship the Christ child. It's a season of reflection, and a season of longing often. And today, we're thinking about some of the words that Mary spoke, “the Mighty One has done great things for me.” Mary’s words recapture the wonder of the Christian Christmas Story as she brings together the transcendence and the imminence of God -- isn’t that exactly what we see in the incarnation of God coming to dwell among us in human flesh as Jesus the Christ?

Video: Episode 8 | Mary's Voice in Advent | Amy Orr-Ewing

“Holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him from generation to generation.” Looking at these next words in Mary’s Magnificat, we come to see the deeply rich, theological and prophetic insight Mary offers us into understanding who God is in his holiness. We also see his mercy and who Jesus will be through what he’s come to do...

Video: Advent Meditation Week 1: What Does the Genealogy of Jesus Teach Us?

What is Advent? It’s the season when we look back to Christ’s first coming, as a baby born in Bethlehem, and look forward to his second coming when he will return to renew and redeem every part of fallen creation. The advent season is therefore a time to reflect upon the promises of God and to anticipate the fulfillment of those promises. It is a time for remembering and rejoicing.

Video: Advent Meditation Week 2: Jesus Fully God and Fully Human

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

Video: Why do Catholics and Protestants have different books in their Bibles?

Catholics and Protestants have the same 27 book New Testament. However, if one was to look at the Old Testament you'd notice a couple of differences. In short, Catholics have 46 books in their Old Testament while Protestants have 39. Why is this and does it matter?

Video: Q&A with Stephen Meyer: Does Science Point to God?

Does the multiverse discount the evidence for God? Did Stephen Hawking disprove the need for a cause for the universe? Join Stephen Meyer and me to take your toughest questions on science and the evidence for intelligent design.

Video: Alan Noble & Kelly Kapic: How to be human in an inhuman world

Why are we increasingly anxious, stressed and obsessed with identity? What can Christianity offer to re-humanise us? These and more questions get addressed in a conversation between Alan Noble, author of 'You Are Not Your Own' and Kelly Kapic, author of 'You're Only Human'.

Video: On Religious Freedom | Mark Sneddon & Dr. Sarah Irving Stonebraker

In this Conversation, John is joined by Mark Sneddon and Sarah Irving-Stonebraker for a unique deep dive into the issue of religious freedom in Australia. Both highly regarded in their respective fields, Mark and Sarah unpack the vexed issue currently front of mind for politicians, activists, religious believers and Australians concerned about civil liberties. They discuss the necessity of protections for religious freedom, the many worrying recent anti-religious legal and political developments and the fundamental importance of religious tolerance in Australian history.

Video: Episode 9 | Mary's Voice in Advent | Amy Orr-Ewing

In today’s Advent reflection, we’re taking a closer look at the next phrase in Mary’s Magnificat where Mary demonstrates for us that this coming of Jesus doesn’t occur randomly, but rather Jesus’ coming is the fulfilment of a long awaited prophesy of God’s mighty plans to save his people. Let us reflect today on the words of Mary as we are reminded of the strength of God, and on his faithfulness to save us.

Video: Is He Worthy (Live at Sing! 2019) - Andrew Peterson

Lyrics
Do you feel the world is broken? We do
Do you feel the shadows deepen? We do
But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through? We do
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? We do

Is all creation groaning? It is
Is a new creation coming? It is
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? It is
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? It is

CHORUS
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s Root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this? He is

Does the Father truly love us? He does
Does the Spirit move among us? He does
And does Jesus our Messiah hold forever those He loves? He does
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? He does

CHORUS
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s Root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
From ev’ry people and tribe
Ev’ry nation and tongue
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God to reign with the Son
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory?

Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this? He is

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[Chaplain]

Video: Living Out Identity In Christ Conference 2018 - Talk 1: Culture and Identity - Tim Keller



Video: Living Out Identity In Christ Conference 2018 - Talk 2: Christ and Identity - Tim Keller

 

[Chaplain]

It's time. When the theater chains told us they wanted to extend our run in theaters, our response was, “That's great, but those who can't see it in theaters have waited long enough.” So we'll see you LIVE Sunday night, Dec. 12, 8:00 ET, for Christmas With The Chosen: The Messengers. How awesome will it be if people all over the world sing along with the dozen artists performing Christmas songs and then experience our portrayal of the birth of Christ? Merry Christmas.

 

[Chaplain]

Resources:

Jesus the master craftsman

Jesus’s use of stories in his teaching is well documented in the Gospels, but how much notice do we give to how these stories are constructed? A closer look reveals how Jesus was the master of his craft. Here we take a look at just one story, the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31), to see at least three ways in which Jesus’s stories show his skill as a craftsman.

The Green Knight and the Paradigm of De-souled Symbolism

Today we no longer feel this truth, and this is reflected in our approach to artistic expression, which is often the exact reverse of what I’ve just described. Outward form no longer reveals a pre-existing inner order. One of our primary techniques now is to piece together symbolic mosaics from a grab bag of outward forms from the past and drop them over the narrative structures of our own creation. (Well, not entirely of our own creation, since these structures consist largely of negations of the archetypes.) The symbols of the past, once deeply connected to an underlying spiritual reality, have become the modular building blocks of a sheer aesthetic outer surface under which the trending narratives of the day are inserted. The archetypal symbols are now simply skins, design themes that can be tapped into for their visual effect, for their vibe. Every piece of artistic output is an opportunity to paint over the expanding metaphysical vacuum of postmodernism with a unique combination of the de-souled images of our rejected past.

Video: 2 Scientists Clash Over the Origin of Life and Evolution. Is Evolution Compatible With Christianity?

Dr Lamoureux posits that God instituted and sustained the evolutionary process.

Video: Does science support God or atheism? | John Lennox



Video: The Christian Story is Inevitable || Jonathan Pageau || RESET

In this interview, Glen Scrivener talks to Jonathan Pageau. Jonathan is an icon carver, editor of the Orthodox Arts Journal and a public speaker. Through his YouTube channel, he regularly explores symbolism and the meaning crisis. Here, Glen and Jonathan discuss symbolism in the book of Genesis, and why we often miss it.

Video: Is Christ's Nature Contradictory? James Anderson vs. Jc Beall

In this informal discussion, Jc Beall and James Anderson discuss the nature of Christ. Is Christ's nature contradictory?

Video: The Royal Priesthood

After Jesus’ disciples receive the Holy Spirit, they become God’s temple and the physical embodiment of Jesus on Earth. The New Testament writers show us that followers of Jesus carry the responsibility to live as royal priests forward into eternity, reclaiming the lost calling God gave humanity to represent him and rule the world on his behalf. And the story of the Bible ends where it began: in a garden with humans serving and ruling as God’s royal priests forever.

Video: Real Questions and Answers about the Bible

Are the Gospels anonymous? Is the Bible hopelessly filled with contradictions? Has the text of the New Testament been corrupted over time? In this video, I interview Dr. William Mounce regarding his recent book "Why I Trust the Bible."

Video: Talking to atheists about Christmas: Rebecca McLaughlin

Rebecca McLaughlin author of 'Is Christmas Unbelievable?' talks to Justin Brierley about the evidence for the Gospel birth narratives, and how churches can offer a welcome to skeptics at Christmas.

 

[Chaplain]

Resources:




Video: Christianity's Amazing Influence on Global Education w/ J. Warner Wallace

Perhaps the least exciting (sounding) aspect of this concerns education. In this episode, we look at the impact that Jesus had on current and past educational systems throughout the world and what that says about Christianity.

Video: John Lennox answers your questions on God, science and faith

Justin hosts a Premier Unbelievable? Live Q&A with Prof John Lennox. In partnership with Kharis Productions and Pensmore Films, producers of Against The Tide, the movie documentary of John's life . Hundreds of viewers watched live and submitted questions to John. Iain Morris, director of Against The Tide also joins the conversation.

Video: Can I believe in science and the Christmas story? with John Lennox

The thought of virgin births and guiding stars can sound a lot like a fairytale. So how can someone who takes science seriously also believe the gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus? We ask renowned thinker and speaker, John Lennox to help us make sense of the Nativity narrative.

Video: Episode 14 | Mary's Voice in Advent | Amy Orr-Ewing

Do you trust God today? Do you need reminding of his good character, of his faithfulness? As we come to the last line in Mary’s Magnificat, Mary ends her Magnificat on this theological flourish, on this top note, saying this is a God worthy of our worship; this is a God that can be trusted. That this is a God who keeps his promises to his people. Let us take a moment to reflect on this today and remind ourselves of God’s fulfilling word, seen through Jesus that brings hope to us all.

Video: A Christian and an Atheist in Conversation: Race & Religion with Coleman Hughes

Although Sean and Coleman Hughes have different worldviews, they discuss some of the most challenging topics today including Qs such as: Is America racist? Should we be a color-blind society? Is critical race theory a genuine concern? Why is there something rather than nothing? And who was Jesus?

Video: Christmas isn't pagan and here's why

It's commonly asserted that Christmas has pagan origins. This idea, although popular on the internet and on History Channel (has HC really done any history in the last two decades or is it just all Ancient Aliens and Pawn Stars now?), the reality is that when you actually dig into the origin of these supposed pagan roots they really start to fall apart

Video: "The Sermon on the Mount" According to the World

This is my somewhat artistic/poetic perspective on how people can say they follow Jesus, but don't do what He says.

Video: Chad McIntosh - Natural Theology and Theistic Arguments

Tonight we are talking with Chad McIntosh who has a PhD in Philosophy at Cornell University. As we haven't yet discussed philosophical arguments for God's existence we thought Chad would be a good person to discuss them with.

Video: A Prayer for Spiritual Power (John MacArthur)

 

[Chaplain]

"It's a honor to be joined by @Paul VanderKlay and @John Vervaeke for a discussion on what the word "God" means and why we all should want to move past common Christian vs atheist debates that seem to reduce what "God" means to a conception of a Doctor Manhattan-like supreme being in an arena of other beings." (12/14/21)

 

[Chaplain]

Resources:

9 Things You Should Know About Christmas Carols

’Tis the season when Christians around the world engage in singing Christmas carols (the phrase “’Tis the season” comes from the lyrics of the 1862 Christmas carol “Deck the Halls”). Here are nine things you should know about this holiday tradition.

Video: The Night Before Christmas || Poem by Glen Scrivener

The poem is based on a chapter from Glen Scrivener's new book, The Air We Breathe. The chapter is called 'The Night Before Christmas' and you can read it now for free by going to the link(s) below: US: https://www.thegoodbook.com/breathe

Video: Episode 15 | Mary's Voice in Advent | Amy Orr-Ewing

We come today to think about and remember the moment that Mary actually gave birth to Jesus, the son of God come to dwell among us in human history. And I want to take a moment to look at the vulnerability of Mary as she shares the details of Jesus’ birth with us. Luke’s Gospel says, “she wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.” And let’s not skip over this little detail today. Sometimes we seem to adhere to this idealized view of the baby in the manger, this sort of Christmas tableau, but actually a manger was an animal feeding trough. And so we have a profoundly theological point being made visually in this story; we see a mother who is so poor that she has no cradle where she's staying to lay this baby in, that she has to use the animal food receptacle to put her newborn son in, and yet this very detail is used by God as the signifier in the angels celebratory announcement of the Christ born in Bethlehem given to the shepherds in the fields nearby. So Mary helps us to discover who Jesus is and what this says of God, of Jesus, in his vulnerable entrance into this world and of his understanding of our vulnerability in our own lives.

Sermon: "How Joseph Gave Us Christmas" - Matthew 1:18-25 (12/18/21)

In the Christmas story, Jesus understandably gets top billing. Mary follows as a close second, again rightfully so since she was a young virgin girl who miraculously turned up pregnant with Israel’s Messiah. But then there’s Joseph. Though he is part of the nativity scene, he is regarded as almost incidental or supplemental, like a bystander. Today, we will follow Joseph’s uneasy emotional journey from Nazareth to the manger as we consider his role and reaction to it.

Video: Advent Meditation Week 4: The Fruit of Submission (Tim & Kathy Keller)

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

Leading social critic and author, Os Guinness, presents a timely teaching on the new era in which we find ourselves. As a child of missionaries and ongoing student of both history and theology, Os brings an enlightening perspective on what God is calling His people to do in the world today. We live in a time of upheaval, but much of what we see today has happened before. We can look at what God did in the past to learn the ways of God, which can inform our calling moving forward.

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources

Sermon: Its Darkest Just Before Dawn! - Matthew 4:13-17 (12/22/21)






Ten Words for a Broken Society

"It is not only society that suffers from godlessness. It is also our cultural institutions. When individuals manage life without reference to God, our sins and foolishness coalesce at the cultural level to infect institutions systemically."

The light has dawned

“What Christians celebrate at Christmas is that this Word, this grand-ordering Logos, became flesh—that the very organizing principle of the universe that Jordan Peterson is grasping for is not a mystery, but revealed.”

It’s still a wonderful life

“George Bailey recognizes the important—if partial—truth that it is in living a life characterized by other-centered acts of self-giving that we find our best chance of living a good life—even a wonderful one.”

Most Australians may doubt that Jesus existed, but historians don’t

If Jesus is a “mythical or fictional character”, that news has not yet reached the standard compendiums of secular historical scholarship. Take the famous single-volume Oxford Classical Dictionary. Every classicist has it on their bookshelf. It summarises scholarship on all things Greek and Roman in just over 1,700 pages. There is a multiple page entry on the origins of Christianity that begins with an assessment of what may be reliably known about Jesus of Nazareth. Readers will discover that no doubts at all are raised about the basic facts of Jesus’s life and death. Or take the much larger Cambridge Ancient History in 14 volumes. Volume 10 covers the “Augustan Period”, right about the time that Tiberius, Livia, Pliny the Elder, and — yes — Jesus all lived. It has a sizeable chapter on the birth of Christianity. The entry begins with a couple of pages outlining what is known of Jesus’ life and death, including his preaching of the kingdom of God, his fraternising with sinners, and so on. No doubts are raised about the authenticity of these core elements.

Video: Video: Episode 18 | Mary's Voice in Advent | Amy Orr-Ewing

For our final Advent reflection today, as we wrap up this series thinking about Mary’s Voice, I wanted to take a look at the opening verses of John’s Gospel, which are traditionally read during the advent season. These verses recount the truth that Mary was the primary witness to: that the Word became flesh. That the one through whom everything came into existence, the one who was with God from the very beginning, the Word, became flesh and came to dwell with us in our world through the birth of Jesus Christ, born to Mary. Let us reflect today on the wonder of the Christmas story, this truth, and the incredible hope that Jesus brings as was captured through Mary’s Voice itself.

Video: The Suffering Servant | John MacArthur

In this session, John MacArthur preaches on the conference theme, the doctrine of Christ. He preaches from Isaiah 53

Video: The Excellency of Christ | David Miller

In this session, David Miller preaches on the conference theme, the doctrine of Christ. He preaches from Hebrews 1:1-4

Video: Worship the Son of God | Voddie Baucham

In this session, Voddie Baucham preaches on the conference theme, the doctrine of Christ. He preaches from Revelation 1:4-8

Video: The Anti-Christ of Black Liberation Theology | Darrell Harrison & Virgil Walker

The 2021 G3 Conference was a massive success and with the theme being – “Christ” – it was great to hear so many great messages on the deity of Christ. With the primary focus on the deity of Christ, Darrell and Virgil took a different route in order to focus on the anti-Christ agenda that is fully at work in the hearts of the “culture” that seeks to elevate “blackness” as its cultural savior.

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[Chaplain]

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

Video: Repeat the Sounding Joy, A Concordia Christmas 2021

Repeat the Sounding Joy: The vocal and instrumental musical ensembles of Concordia University Irvine and friends invite you to join us for a festive collection of music that repeats the sounding joy heard at the first Christmas... This narrated special includes arrangements of favorite Christmas carols performed by Concordia’s choirs, orchestra, handbells, student soloists, and the Americana, jazz, and commercial music ensembles. Merry Christmas!

Video: The Birth of God (Philosopher William Lane Craig, 12/23/21)

Dr. Craig teaches on the doctrine of the incarnation, discussing its historicity and expounding on its theological significance. This Advent lecture was provided for an online apologetics evangelistic event organized by the Hong Kong Centre for Christian Apologetics in partnership with churches in Hong Kong.

Celebrate Christmas with your kids – they already believe in God

"Bruce Hood, a professor of developmental psychology at Bristol University, studied the beliefs of children in the United Kingdom and concluded that "children have a natural, intuitive way of reasoning that leads them to all kinds of supernatural beliefs about how the world works." Olivera Petrovich, an Oxford University psychologist, surveyed several international studies of children aged 4 to 7 and found that the belief in God as a "creator" is "hardwired" in children and that "atheism is definitely an acquired position." Paul Bloom, a professor of psychology and director of the Mind and Development Lab at Yale University, writes, "The universal themes of religion are not learned… They are part of human nature... Creationism – and belief in God – is bred in the bone."" (J. Warner’s Wallace)

The Revolution in the stable

The incarnation, celebrated by Christians at Christmas, was described by CS Lewis as not only the central thing about Christianity, but, if true, “the central event in the history of the Earth — the very thing that the whole story has been about”. It is perhaps for this reason that one hears so little about it, even at Christmas. It is far easier to talk platitudes about a “season of goodwill” than think about something which, if it is worth talking about at all, must redefine our entire understanding of reality.

Seeking and Finding at Christmas

Each Christmas, the reality of the virgin birth in the humility of the stable invites us, like the wise men, on a search for the child – that is, to discover His identity and to worship Him. A sincere search is an act only of those who genuinely want to find. Who truly searches for what they do not want to find? We seek because we recognise our ignorance, helplessness and our need. Unless we love the truth enough to search for it, we cannot know it. The brilliant 17th century scientist, mathematician and Christian thinker Blaise Pascal put it this way: If there were no obscurity man would not feel his corruption: if there were no light, man could not hope for a cure. Thus, it is not only right but useful for us that God should be partly concealed and partly revealed, since it is equally dangerous for man to know God without knowing his own wretchedness as to know his own wretchedness without knowing God.

Blog: The Limits of Civil Obedience

Francis Schaeffer therefore poses the critical question that suggests itself: “Has God set up an authority in the state that is autonomous from himself? Are we to obey the state no matter what? … In this one area is indeed man the measure of all things?” Clearly not! Because authority is from God and exists because of Him, we are immediately alerted to the fact that in this teaching Paul is radically altering the pagan political understanding of his Gentile readers. He is placing all authority under the triune God in its operation – it is therefore delimited immediately by God and His law-Word. This gives the Christian a positive duty to obey civil authority in things lawful that the unbeliever does not appreciate.

Video: Conversion Therapy & Canada’s Assault on Christianity | Guest: Dr. Joseph Boot | Ep 538

Today we're discussing Canada's recent ban on "conversion therapy" with theologian, pastor, and Founder & President of The Ezra Institute, Dr. Joseph Boot, who lives in Canada and has been speaking out against the ban. We discuss what the law actually says and how its vague wording can be used to restrict anyone from seeking help that's based in the biblical view of sex and gender. Incredibly, not a single conservative member of the Canadian Parliament voted against this bill, showing the depths of progressive corruption in that country. We also look at a story from the U.S. in which a dedicated mother rescued her daughter from gender confusion that was spiraling out of control. Under Canada's new law, that mother would be considered a criminal.

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[Chaplain]

Merry Christmas!

“The Christian story is precisely the story of one grand miracle, the Christian assertion being that what is beyond all space and time, which is uncreated, eternal, came into Nature, into human nature, descended into His own universe, and rose again, bringing Nature up with Him.” (Scholar C.S. Lewis)

In Hoc Anno Domini

And the voice from Galilee, which would defy Caesar, offered a new Kingdom in which each man could walk upright and bow to none but his God. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. And he sent this gospel of the Kingdom of Man into the uttermost ends of the earth. So the light came into the world and the men who lived in darkness were afraid, and they tried to lower a curtain so that man would still believe salvation lay with the leaders. But it came to pass for a while in divers places that the truth did set man free, although the men of darkness were offended and they tried to put out the light. The voice said, Haste ye. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you, for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

HOPE: A TRANSCENDENT REALITY

“Hope’s value is often placed in the distant future. Its footprint in the past and present are less notable. Yet in Christianity, hope is transcendent. Its significance is timeless, and its relevance is inescapably woven into the Christmas narrative.”

Christmas Future

Christmas shouldn’t be just about the first coming of Christ. It should also be about the second coming of Christ. Just as God fulfilled his promises from the Old Testament, he will fulfill his promises from the New Testament. Just as Jesus fulfilled his promise to come the first time, he will fulfill his promise to come a second time.

The Most Stubborn Day of the Year

“His birth haunts the calendars of the professing secular today. Perhaps the goodness that Christmas whispers lingers in the subconscious, leaving even calloused hearts longing for such a rescue.”

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[AJUMP23]

Merry Christmas

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:




Video: Christ Became a Curse - Paul Washer (12/26/21)

In this session, Paul Washer preaches on the conference theme, the doctrine of Christ. He preaches from 1 Timothy 4: Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

Video: On Good & Evil: Discussing the Nature of Morality and God | C. Stephen Evans and Gideon Rosen

C. Stephen Evans (Institution) and Gideon Rosen (Princeton) discuss the nature of morality and God in “On Good & Evil: Discussing the Nature of Morality and God ”. Forum hosted by The Veritas Forum at Princeton University (11/18/2021).

Video: Did Christianity Birth Western Morality? With Tom Holland and Dan Snow

Author and historian Tom Holland sits down with Dan Snow to talk about the history of Christianity, and how the religion has shaped morality in Western culture to this day. In this thought provoking interview, Dan quizzes Tom on the birth and rise of Christianity, the debate on religion and science, and whether liberal and socialist values can be divorced from Christian teachings.

Video: Interview with John Lennox (S2:E2) | How to think like a mathematician—about God

Does everyone have faith? Dr. John Lennox, theologian and mathematician at Oxford University, thinks so. Join us as we talk with Dr. Lennox about the pursuit of evidence, the nature of God, and the importance of fostering communication across differences.

Video: How Christmas Reorganizes the Gods

We look at how Christmas changes the functions and orientation of the heavenly beings, both in the gospel story and in the way we celebrate Christmas in the Nativity Troparion.

Video: What Makes the Perfect Gift? | Andy Bannister

...Andy Bannister discovers the key to the perfect gift—and shows how the gift of Jesus that first Christmas meets every criteria. Happy Christmas from all of us at the Solas Centre for Public Christianity!

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[Chaplain]

"Live for God's glory in 2022. 1. Rejoice in God (1 Chron 16:10). 2. Submit to Christ (Phil 2:9-11). 3. Pray expectantly (Jn 14:13). 4. Confess sins (Josh 7:19). 5. Obey God (2 Cor 9:13). 6. Grow in faith (Rm 4:20–21). 7. Live with purpose (1 Cor 10:31)." (Historian Dustin Benge)​

New Resources:

A Plan to Read through the Bible in 2022

Christians need the Bible like humans need water. The Bible is our life-blood. The Lord Jesus plans to perfect His people by means of His word. That is why He prayed, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Since the Bible is the word of God written, our progress in sanctification relies on our contact with the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. Every Christian, therefore, should make it a priority to master this book.

Trauma, Attachment, and Self-Care: What Everyone Should Know

The world is full of traumatized people, inside and outside of the Church, and there are approaches inside and outside of the Church that make it worse. Simplistic insistences to trust God and “get over it” can be stumbling blocks to people, just as diagnosing yourself via memes and medicating yourself via Amazon can make things much worse. Sometimes professionals are helpful; in contexts where they are easily available I think that often they at least manage to provide a structure and a path for healing, if one is willing to walk down it. The goal of trauma healing is, ultimately, to be able to have joyful relationships with others and freedom from crippling or self-destructive habits, and a lot of different things will get different people to that goal. All of us need to take care of ourselves as God meant for us to and be people that others can rely on to be with them as they carry their burdens and heal their wounds.

Video: Tom Holland: Christianity, persecution and the meaning of the cross

Historian Tom Holland tells how his experiences among persecuted Christians and Yazidis in Iraq impacted his own intellectual and personal journey with Christianity.

Video: Jordan Peterson, God, and Christianity with Word on Fire | The JBP Podcast - S4: E69

Dr. Christopher Kaczor, Dr. Matthew Petrusek, and I discuss their new book “Jordan Peterson, God, and Christianity”—the first systematic analysis of 12 Rules for Life and my biblical series from a Christian perspective. We also cover—just to name a few—truth in fiction, time before consciousness, faith, evolution, love, and acting as if God exists.

Video: The Latest Research on Handing Down the Faith (with Christian Smith)

What relationships and experiences build faith in kids? What wrecks it? What role do parents play in comparison to teachers, youth pastors, and other significant adults? And what practical steps can be taken to equip the next generation? In this interview, I talk with sociologist Christian Smith about his new book HANDING DOWN THE FAITH (Oxford Press).

Video: Interview with Rosalind Picard (S2 E3) | Is A.I. intelligent?

Should we be worried about robots taking over the world? Dr. Rosalind Picard, an A.I. researcher at MIT, says no. But, there are real things to consider about our relationship with technology. We talk with Dr. Picard about the past, present, and future of machine learning and artificial intelligence and hear how her current work is literally saving lives.

Video: Do You Love Me? - Romans 12:9-21 - Neil Ortiz



Video: Timothy Keller Sermon: A Reason for Living | Dec 30, 2021


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[Chaplain]

"This head-to-head debate will reflect on an age-old question which has been considered by philosophers and theologians for millennia: does God exist? Our two speakers (Professor Richard Swinburne & Professor Peter Millican) will discuss the philosophical arguments for and against the existence of God, from moral and logical arguments to those posed by observed phenomena of the universe." (1/2/22)

 

[Chaplain]

Smuggling Jesus Back into the Church Part 1: At the very moment the church is becoming “worldly,” Christians are neglecting this key biblical concept. So, what is worldliness and how does it happen? In this Master Class, Andrew Fellows diagnoses the different forms of worldliness that exist today. As he highlights the dangers for the church, we will examine how Christ provides the remedy. This first session examines what the New Testament writers mean when they write about ‘the world’. When the church tests positive for the virus of worldliness, there is always a disordering of the distinctive life Christ calls us to.

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

The Pilgrims Tried Socialism and It Failed

The desire of “spreading the wealth” and for government to plan and regulate people’s lives is as old as the utopian fantasy in Plato’s Republic. The Pilgrim Fathers tried and soon realized its bankruptcy and failure as a way for men to live together in society. Instead, they accepted man as he is: hardworking, productive, and innovative when allowed the liberty to follow his own interests in improving his own circumstances and that of his family. And even more, out of his industry result the quantities of useful goods that enable men to trade to their mutual benefit.

Is Deconstruction the Same as Deconversion? A Few Reflections on Reforming the Church

...it seems we can distinguish between two kinds of “deconstruction”: Total Deconstruction. This kind of deconstruction is essentially the same as deconversion and ends up undermining, and denying, core doctrines of historical Christianity. Even if a person insists on calling themselves a “Christian,” they have effectively left the faith. Reforming Deconstruction. This is the kind of deconstruction that affirms Christianity’s historic Christian beliefs, but also acknowledges that there are still real and serious issues that the church needs to address. In other words, the church has more reforming to do.

Ten Words for a Broken Society (#4: No Neglect of Rest and Worship)

Socially and politically, the Lord’s Day offers Christians an irreplaceable opportunity to bear witness to Christ’s kingship. Every time the church gathers around Word and Table, it is making a profound declaration: Jesus is Lord (and Caesar is not!).

Audio: Facing the Reality of Atheism - Jon Noyes' Story

Former atheist Jon Noyes was driven to fully live out his life-long atheism, but his pursuit was challenged when he began to consider which worldview best fit with reality.

Video: Leading Expert on The Trinity Answers YOUR Questions Live

Dr. Eric Yang is a leading expert on the logical problem of the Trinity. In this livestream, Dr. Yang joins me to answer YOUR questions on The Trinity.

Video: Desiring with a Disordered Affection - Andrew Fellows

Hedonism encourages us to live by our appetites alone with the promise that this is the way to achieve the pleasure God made us for. The church’s enculturation means we have forgotten that Christ is our supreme good. This is part 4 of Smuggling Jesus Back into the Church, a Master Class by Andrew Fellows. At the very moment the church is becoming “worldly,” Christians are neglecting this key biblical concept. So, what is worldliness and how does it happen? In this Master Class, we diagnose the different forms of worldliness that exist today. As we highlight the dangers for the church, we examine how Christ provides the remedy.

Video: Sanctification: The Honorable Obsession



Video: 1 Corinthians 5 - Skip Heitzig

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

Cultural Marxism: Imaginary Conspiracy or Revolutionary Reality?

...due to its deployment by people like Jordan Peterson, Cultural Marxism has come to function as “shorthand for left-wing ideology,” particularly as this manifests in a range “progressive” developments and social justice causes.4 For this reason, most on the “left” side of the contemporary culture war not only hear Cultural Marxism as an accusatory “snarl word” (which it often is) but dismiss its validity, describing it as “a uniting theory for rightwingers who love to play the victim”5 or “a conspiracy theory with an anti-Semitic twist”6 or “the ultimate post-factual dog-whistle.”7 Others still, without disputing the phenomena behind the term, argue that calling it “Marxism” is historically inaccurate and conceptually confusing.8 What are we to make of all this? Is Cultural Marxism a misnomer? Is it an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory? Or is it an accurate way of describing a real ideology that is making a very real impact on our world? And, if the latter, how should we regard it and respond to it? This article will first outline the basic elements and legacy of classical Marxism. Second, it will explore Antonio Gramsci’s development of Marxist thought after WWI. Third, it will examine the key ideas and impact of the German neo-Marxist think-tank known as “the Frankfurt School.” Fourth, it will offer some reflections on (1) the links between these thinkers and various contemporary developments, (2) the helpfulness of employing the term Cultural Marxism to explain these developments and (3) what Christians should do in light of the “culture wars” that are currently polarizing the Western world.

Trials Prove True Joy

Does Christian Hedonism help us understand the Bible? That is, does the emphasis on magnifying the worth of Jesus by delighting in him above all else help us to know “the secrets of the kingdom” (Matthew 13:11)? I believe it does, and Matthew 13 is a great example why. Matthew 13 is the “parables” chapter of the Gospel. In it, Jesus gives seven public parables (to the crowds), three private explanations (to his disciples), and two surprising statements on the purpose of parables. And in the midst of all of that, he also gives us two startling lessons about joy in God. What is joy in God — and what is it not? And how do we distinguish between true and false joy?

Zombies and the Eucharist

...the most basic thing about zombies, which is that they are undead. It’s an inversion of the Christian apocalypse, where instead of having creatures that come back to life after death with a glorious body, they come back to life with a dead body and only a semblance of significance. They have a simulacrum of meaning in their zombie existence. For example, zombies don’t have the capacity to interact with other people. They can’t even establish a communion with other zombies, they just follow the mass. They don’t even have the capacity to talk, so they lack access to the Logos, the ability to make sense of things. Zombies don’t have access to those patterns. They evidently don’t have complex relationships with others that have meaning, no family or what have you. They are reduced simply to the passions, like the desire to devour things, most notably brains, and this is super significant because the brain is the material organ that permits us to perceive meaning in the world. It’s a mediator between the spiritual world and the material world. Our perceptions pass through the brain. So zombies want to devour this organ because it is the only remainder for a materialist to approach meaning. It’s super common, I even heard a term for it once: “neuromania”.

Will the human rights industries finally stand up for Christians?

These two cases — Ashers and Onuoha — though very different legal questions, both raise the same fundamental principle: religious liberty. In neither case did the believers attempt to impose their convictions on anyone else: they simply asked to be left alone to practice their faith. If anything, it was they who were being aggressively preached to, whether by efforts to compel them to engage in expression contrary to their conscience or to hide modest manifestations of Christian piety even as other forms of religious articulation were encouraged.

Video: The Hard Question: God and the Problem of Evil (with John Lennox)

"The cardinal need is to change the prevailing view of human beings, which sees them as inherently good creatures unaccountably burdened with a history of violence and oppression. Here we reach the nub of realism and its chief stumbling-point for prevailing opinion: its assertion of the innate defects of human beings. Nearly all pre-modern thinkers took it as given that human nature is fixed and flawed, and in this as in some other ways they were close to the truth of the matter. No theory of politics can be credible that assumes that human impulses are naturally benign, peaceable or reasonable... I think and do evil. If, then, there is a God, why does he tolerate me?" (Atheist John Gray, former professor of European thought at the London School for Economics)

Video: Suffering & God in the Intensive Care Unit: Dean Mayes & Dan Paterson

Could the story of Christianity really be true? How do we make sense of suffering if so? Dan Paterson is the author of 'Questioning Christianity'. which seeks to make sense of Christianity to skeptics and doubters. He engages with Dean Mayes who was an atheist, but whose intellectual journey and work as a nurse in intensive care have caused him to reconsider Christianity in recent years.

Video: How Sarah Zagorski Escaped Abortion (and why she speaks out now!)

What would it be like to discover that you had survived an abortion? How would that affect your self-image, relationships, and view of women who get abortions? In this powerful interview, Sarah tackles these questions and many more.

Video: A Sermon on Six Legs - Proverbs 6:6-11 - Skip Heitzig (1/8/22)

Most people think of ants as a nuisance to be eliminated, but Solomon saw them as teachers to be emulated. Writing to his son (see Proverbs 6:1), Solomon warns him that though rest is good, too much of it can be bad. As we conclude our Hustle and Grind series, we focus on the comparison between the industrious ant and the inactive sluggard and why work and rest must be kept in careful balance.

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[Chaplain]

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

Secularism Proves Christianity’s Influence

When equality is divorced from the Christian story, it risks becoming a radical individualism. Ancient people considered their identity in collective ways, and individuality got lost in the shuffle. We have the opposite danger. We consider our society as a loose association of individuals who each have equal rights before the law. It can become very atomistic: I begin my thinking with myself and my identity. Where, in other cultures, I would look outward to discover my identity, in our culture I look inward. Where other cultures major on responsibilities, we major on rights. No wonder a sense of community suffers. No wonder all forms of institutional affiliations are tanking across the board (not just church attendance).

Evangelicals & Post-Christianity

Within the story of American secularization, there have been three distinct stages: Positive World (Pre-1994): Society at large retains a mostly positive view of Christianity. To be known as a good, churchgoing man remains part of being an upstanding citizen. Publicly being a Christian is a status-enhancer. Christian moral norms are the basic moral norms of society and violating them can bring negative consequences. Neutral World (1994–2014): Society takes a neutral stance toward Christianity. Christianity no longer has privileged status but is not disfavored. Being publicly known as a Christian has neither a positive nor a negative impact on one’s social status. Christianity is a valid option within a pluralistic public square. Christian moral norms retain some residual effect. Negative World (2014–Present): Society has come to have a negative view of Christianity. Being known as a Christian is a social negative, particularly in the elite domains of society. Christian morality is expressly repudiated and seen as a threat to the public good and the new public moral order. Subscribing to Christian moral views or violating the secular moral order brings negative consequences.

Audio: EP # 116 | The Church and Culture

We hear that phrase that Christians are ‘in the world, but not of the world’—but do we really understand what is meant by that? Do we have any idea from where that concept is derived in Scripture? In this episode of the Just Thinking Podcast, Darrell Harrison and Virgil “Omaha” Walker look closely at what Christ meant by this phrase. This episode takes a close look a the “Church and Culture.”

Video: Have You Ever Wondered Why Suffering and Evil Seem So Wrong?

When we witness atrocities in far-flung conflict zones or experience betrayal on a personal level, we all have the same response: "This is wrong!" But, why is it wrong? An atheist can only really point to changeable social norms or the personal preference to avoid pain. But the Bible and the Christian worldview affirms our instinct; it tells us there is real evil in the world.

Video: Lord Rowan Williams: Former Archbishop of Canterbury | Full Address and Q&A | Oxford Union

Lord Williams is a Welsh Anglican bishop, theologian, and poet. He was the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012 having previously served as Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales. As Archbishop of Canterbury, he was viewed by many as a progressive voice and notably attempted to allow the appointment of women as bishops in the Church of England. He has also served as President of Magdalene College, Cambridge.

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

Is It Ethical to Transplant a Pig Heart into a Human?

Just because something has been done for centuries, of course, doesn’t mean it’s morally legitimate. But the reason it’s been done without much public outcry is that many Christian bioethicists (as well as Jewish and Muslim bioethicists) don’t consider such transplants to be unethical or going beyond proper natural limits. A procedure that does goes beyond such limits is the creation of animal-human chimeras. Chimeras are animals composed of cells that originate from two or more different species. To create an animal-human chimera, scientists introduce cells from one species into the developing embryo or fetus of another.

Vocation: Discerning Your Calling By Tim Keller

As Christians, we are stewards of the resources God gives us for serving the human community. Our vocations are one avenue for doing God’s work in the world. Stewardship is the cultivation of resources for God. The Bible tells us that one of the most important resources God has given us is our gifts, aptitudes, talents and abilities. One of the sacraments of the medieval church was the Sacrament of Holy Orders, which divided the world into the “religious” and the “secular.” Those who went into full-time church ministry as priests, monks or nuns were on a completely different spiritual footing from those who did not. One of the Protestant Reformation’s main planks was to overturn this view with the biblical teaching of the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9). Martin Luther insisted that all forms of work are God-honoring callings. To be a farmer, a craftsman or an artist was just as much a vocation, a calling from God, as to be a preacher. Why?

Video: The Prophetic Vocation of Jonathan Pageau

Jonathan Pageau is an icon carver, symbologist and youtuber. We've spoken in the past. I wanted to ask him about how he sees is vocation.

Video: Rebecca McLaughlin | The Secular Creed

Rebecca McLaughlin led a breakout during TGC21 titled “The Secular Creed” based loosely on her recently released book by the same title. Framing her teaching within current cultural critiques of modern evangelicalism and its history, she encourages Christians to both take the critiques seriously and avoid simply defending our tribe.

Video: How God is Present (and Active) in the World Today: A Conversation with Tim Muehlhoff

Where is God amidst human suffering, pandemics, and personal tragedy? Why is God seemingly silent? In this interview, I talk with Dr. Tim Muehlhoff about his latest book EYES TO SEE. We talk about recognizing God's common grace in our broken world.

Video: Jonathan McLatchie vs Jonathan Pearce: Do extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence?

'Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence' is often used as a maxim by skeptics against modern miracle claims and Biblical miracles. Christian apologist Jonathan McLatchie and atheist blogger Jonathan Pearce debate the 'prior probabilities' involved in miracle claims and the evidence for the resurrection.

Video: Warriors MUST answer these questions..

John Lovell interviews Dr. William Lane Craig -- one of the world's foremost Christian philosophers, apologists, and authors. As Warrior Poets are lovers and defenders of truth, it is critically important that we know what we believe really is true. If we do not do adequate work as warrior philosophers, we may not really do the work of discovering what is really worth living and dying for.

Video: 1 Corinthians 6 - Skip Heitzig

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[Chaplain]

New Resources:



Audio: The Power of Prayer in Africa

Across Africa, the church is undergoing attacks on its members and their meeting places. Yet despite the destruction, our Christian brothers and sisters exhibit an overwhelming joy in Christ. Sean Paton and Jeremy Malkin continue the conversation from on VOM’s efforts to help our persecuted brothers in Burkina Faso, Benin, Sudan, and Mozambique. Listen as Jeremy and Sean share how Christians are responding to the persecution in these regions—and also share encouraging stories of God’s work in Africa during the past year. Animistic ideology and belief in the spirits of their ancestors is prevalent in Benin. Christianity is often seen as destroying that culture. New believers are rejecting the rituals and practices of animism and holding fast to their faith in Christ, and therefore being targeted. In Burkina Faso, thirteen churches were destroyed within a week last year by mobs who wanted to rid the area of Christianity. Yet our brothers and sisters gathered to worship the Lord amidst the destruction because of their hope in Him. Listen as Jeremy shares their stories and how we can pray for them. In Mozambique, there has been horrific persecution of Christians by Islamic extremist groups who have pledged allegiance to ISIS. This has forced many Christians to flee, and VOM is helping to meet physical needs and spiritual hunger for God’s Word. In Sudan, political tension continues to grow, which has given a window to provide spiritual encouragement and support to Christians through Bibles and other evangelistic resources. Pray for our brothers and sisters to be bold and courageous for Christ in Africa as they face animistic and Islamist persecution, and to be reminded that what men intend for evil, God can use for good.

Video: BGEA LEAR Law Enforcement Retreat Presentation

In this presentation given at a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Law Enforcement Retreat, J. Warner talks about the essential nature of Law Enforcement and the truth of Christianity. How can officers weather difficult times? How can we elevate our performance? Where can we find hope and encouragement? What role (if any) does Christianity play in this?

Video: Discovering Theology 3: The Sources of Theology

The third in a series of 18 short presentations in which Oxford theologian Alister McGrath introduces the study of theology. This presentation offers a short explanation of the three main sources of Christian theology: the Bible, tradition, and reason.

Video: Signals of transcendence | Dr Os Guinness | 2021.11.22

"Most of us feel instinctively that we should seize the day but is the day worth seizing and should it be grabbed so unreservedly? Os Guinness is a wise and thorough guide to the deep issues surrounding this ancient maxim and helps us gain a clearer perspective on what it means to live life to the fullest." -Steve Turner, journalist, author, and poet.

Video: What Kind of People Will We Be? The Church and the Culture at a Crossroads

We live in an unsettled age. The challenges of the last few years have revealed how thin and fragile our social fabric has become. At the same time, the church has struggled to maintain its integrity, much less its influence. How can the church be the church in this time and place? What is required of us? How can we champion what is true and good when we are being silenced in so many ways?

Video: David Wood / Acts17Apologetics vs TJump | Better Foundation for Ethics, God or Secularism?


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[Omega Supreme Holopsicon]

New Resources:

Is It Ethical to Transplant a Pig Heart into a Human?

Just because something has been done for centuries, of course, doesn’t mean it’s morally legitimate. But the reason it’s been done without much public outcry is that many Christian bioethicists (as well as Jewish and Muslim bioethicists) don’t consider such transplants to be unethical or going beyond proper natural limits. A procedure that does goes beyond such limits is the creation of animal-human chimeras. Chimeras are animals composed of cells that originate from two or more different species. To create an animal-human chimera, scientists introduce cells from one species into the developing embryo or fetus of another.

I thought the recent pig transplant was altered genetically to allow it to more easily be accepted by the human body, think the article comments as such. I do know that many in such research are indeed developing humanized chimeras too.

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

The Gods of the Prosperity Gospel

The so-called prosperity gospel is a perversion of the biblical gospel, according to which Jesus is a means to the blessings of health, wealth, and power. The preachers of this “gospel” may quote God’s word, but twist it to support their false theology. By taking passages out of context, applying a naively literal hermeneutic, embracing an over-realized eschatology, and misapplying their texts, prosperity preachers distort the Scriptures and exploit those who follow them. The best way to challenge prosperity theology — and protect ourselves from it — is to teach Christ-centered biblical theology, which reorients our worldview and desires to cherish Jesus above all.

Is religion still relevant today?

"Every single recent generation has been touched by the difficulty of living life when you struggle to hope that things will improve. Immanuel Kant was right to think that hope was important. Hope is a deep human longing... Peter Kreeft once wrote that, ‘The deepest hope of the human heart is heaven.’ I wonder, if this is because heaven is the only world that we tend to imagine which does not include death. A good consensus of psychologists and sociologists, like Ernest Becker, have identified death as one of the greatest fears of 21st Century human beings. So, if hope is held alongside what we fear and if what you fear is stronger, then it’s hard to live in hope or to feel very hopeful." (Tom Price)

Video: Why Music and Movies Point to God: A Conversation with Gavin Ortlund

Apologists often point to science and history as pointing towards the existence of God. But there are two lines of evidence that often get ignored: the beauty of music and the nature of movies. In this interview, I talk with Gavin Ortlund about these two lines of evidence for the divine.

Video: An Argument for God from Biology, Dr. Sy Garte

Dr. Sy Garte was our third presenter at CCv1. In this talk, he presents an argument for God from biology. After his talk, we took a few questions from the audience.

Video: Breaking Down a New, Exciting Argument for God

In this livestream, Dr. Josh Rasmussen and Dr. Josh Sijuwade discuss a new argument for God that Dr. Sijuwade has developed from metaphysics.

Video: Christ, Scripture and the LGBTQ+ Movement with Owen Strachan

Jonny Ardavanis is the Dean of Campus Life at The Master’s University and hosts the podcast Dial In with Jonny Ardavanis. He is passionate about the Gospel and God’s Word and desires to see people understand and obey it.

Video: Jayne Ozanne vs Peter Lynas: Should 'Gay Conversion Therapy' be banned?

The UK Government has published proposals to ban 'gay conversion therapy'. Should such a law be welcomed by churches as a protection for LGBT+ people, or a cause for concern at the potential criminalisation of prayer? Peter Lynas of the UK Evangelical Alliance and Jayne Ozanne of the Ban Conversion Therapy coalition debate the proposed legislation.

Video: Such Were Some of You - John MacArthur

"YouTube has censored a Bible-based sermon, labeling it as "hate speech" because it isn't pro-LGBTQ+. Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, CA, preached a sermon Sunday about biblical sexuality, which as CBN's Faithwire reported was part of an effort by pastors across North America to protest a new Canadian law that took effect Jan. 8 after being pushed through Parliament with little debate. The concern is that Canada's Bill C-4 is broadly worded and could, in effect, ban biblical teachings on sexual ethics, and might even limit personal communications on the subject. Preachers are protesting the law at the pulpits, with 4,000 pastors affirming their opposition as well as willingness to speak out against it, Fox News reported." (Source)

Video: 1 Corinthians 7:1-28 - Skip Heitzig

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

The Decline and Renewal of the American Church: Part 2 – The Decline of Evangelicalism

— Progressive Christians see the social traits as the normal and necessary result of the theological beliefs and so all conservative Protestants not like Progressives are or will become fundamentalists. — Fundamentalist Christians see the social traits as the normal and necessary result of the theological beliefs and so all conservative Protestants not like Fundamentalists are or will become Progressives. — So while conservatives tend to ignore the social marks, progressives try to merge the theological and social. Either way, the very idea of an evangelicalism or conservative Protestantism that is not fundamentalism disappears.

Video: Here's Everything You Need to Know About the Evangelical Deconstruction Project, with Neil Shenvi

What do books like "Jesus and John Wayne, The Making of Biblical Womanhood, The Color of Compromise, After Evangelicalism, and White too Long have in common? Neil Shenvi breaks down how the goal of these books is to deconstruct common evangelical understandings of Christianity and the gospel.

Video: The Faith Story of a Financial Guru: A Conversation with Brent Beshore

Why would a leading businessman become a Christian? How does his approach to business inform the way he thinks about faith? In this interview, I talk with Brent Beshore, the founder of Permanent Equity and the author of "The Messy Marketplace."

Video: Don Carson | Our Empathetic High Priest | TGC Podcast

Don Carson delivered a message during TGC21 titled “Our Empathetic High Priest.” Focusing in on three passages from Hebrews chapters 4-7, he emphasized three major points as it pertains to Christ’s role as our Great High Priest: —He is able to encourage us to persevere despite our weakness, brokenness, and sin. —He is able to encourage us by anchoring our hope, in his immutable promise and oath. —He is able to encourage us by being uniquely qualified to save us completely.

Video: The Darkness of a Broken Family - 1 Samuel 24 - Skip Heitzig

One of the darkest rooms anyone can enter is dealing with a broken family. To be part of a family that is fragmented and malfunctioning feels bleak and miserable. The by-products of being in such a family are feeling unwanted, unloved, and isolated. But did you know that many people in Scripture came from such families, including David? The good news is that God is in the business of fixing broken things, including broken families. David’s darkroom of family difficulty is what we consider here.

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

Audio: Olympics Begin; Chinese Christians Still Suffer

Fu is the Founder and President of and author of . Listen as he shares how the communist government has cracked down on Christians in recent years and how Christians have suffered ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. Bob says persecution of Christians in China today is the worst it’s been since the 1960s and 70s Cultural Revolution. Xi Jinping and other officials are increasing efforts to imprison and detain unregistered church leaders and members—but leaders in state-sanctioned TSPM churches are also persecuted. Communist ideology is also enforced through digital surveillance. Every Chinese person is required to install a “health app” on their phone, and surveillance cameras throughout the country monitor movement. Online meetings with any religious purpose are now required to register and be approved by provincial authorities, and Bible apps have been forbidden. As the eyes of the world turn toward China during the Games, join Christians around the world to pray for Chinese Christians—and for their persecutors. Go to to learn more about what is happening in China and how you can pray for Christian brothers and sisters there.

Video: Is there medical evidence for miracles? Craig Keener, Michael Shermer & Elijah Stephens

Elijah Stephens, director of the documentary Send Proof, joins Justin to discuss his investigation into supernatural healing claims. Miracle researcher Craig Keener shares extraordinary stories - but is it enough to convince atheist skeptic Michael Shermer?

Video: Can you prove God exists? with Max Baker-Hytch

In this QC Conversation, we talk to Oxford philosophy tutor Max Baker-Hytch, about whether there are any good arguments for the existence of God.

Video: This Historian has NEW Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus

In this livestream, I'm joined by expert historian Dr. Gary Habermas to discuss some new evidence he's found in support of the resurrection of Jesus.

Video: Do Science & God Mix? | John Lennox and Alex Tuckness at Iowa State University

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

Video: Christian Hodler - Should Christians invest in Bitcoin? - Critical Witness

Tonight we talk to Christian Hodler (name changed for privacy reasons) to discuss whether Bitcoin is something Christians should get involved with. We will also discuss why Bitcoin is connecting some people to Christianity for the first time.

Video: John Lennon, Bob Dylan and God: Steve Turner & Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart, lead guitarist for Sleeper, examines the spiritual journeys of Bob Dylan and John Lennon in his new book 'Dylan, Lennon, Marx & God'. Veteran music journalist Steve Turner talks about the search for God in the music of the 60s and 70s and engages with Jon's own journey in and out of faith.

Video: Rising from the Ashes of Sex Abuse and Trauma: The Story of Lisa Michelle

Lisa Michelle experienced both sexual exploitation and incest. How could she overcome these dark secrets and deep pain to become a warrior who fights for justice? In this interview, Sean talks with Lisa about her past, how God transformed her life, and how she now fights against sexual exploitation. She offers hope and healing for others who have experienced such hurt.

Video: Debunking the Hallucination Hypothesis: Leading Doctors Speak on Jesus

Can the appearances of Jesus be explained away as hallucinations? Two leading doctors offer a medical critique. Dr. Harold Koenig is one of the world's experts in the intersection of science, theology, and spirituality. He has written 575 peer-reviewed scientific journals and 55 books. Craig Fowler, M.D., is Professor & Chair of Surgery at the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine. He has received both Best Doctor in America and US Top Ophthalmology awards.

Video: 1 Corinthians 9 - Skip Heitzig



Video: Is Religion Intellectually Dangerous? Featuring Dr. John Lennox at the University of Toronto



Video: TMS Chapel | John MacArthur | The Primary Pursuit of a Worthy Walk

 

[paolo11]

Nice topic. Saving this.

Have a blessed Sunday

 

[NecrosaroIII]

Can someone explain the trinity to me lime I'm 5? My wife and I were discussing it and we can't figure it out. Online resources don't help either.

From what I can tell

Father - the creator of the world
Son - Jesus
Holy ghost - God's voice inside your head.

 

[Chaplain]

Can someone explain the trinity to me lime I'm 5? My wife and I were discussing it and we can't figure it out. Online resources don't help either.

This should help: Professor Alister McGrath - On The Trinity

"Many Christians, as well as many outside the church, find the doctrine of the trinity baffling. In this lecture, Professor Alister McGrath will open up this area of Christian doctrine, exploring why Christians have found this way of thinking about God to be both helpful and important. Drawing on writers such as C.S Lewis and Dorothy L. Sayers, McGrath will develop approaches to the Trinity that are easy to grasp and help us understand exactly why the Christian Church has found the doctrine of the Trinity so rich and rewarding." (6/26/18)

Audio: Mere Christianity on the Trinity

In the seventh episode of the second series of The C.S. Lewis Podcast, professor Alister McGrath speaks to Ruth Jackson about Lewis’ understanding of the nature of God and the Trinity, looking at why his thoughts are still relevant to our prayer life and Christian journey today.

• "God is a Being which contains three Persons while remaining one Being….The First Person is called the Father and the Second the Son. We say the First begets or produces the Second; we call it begetting, not making, because what He produces is of the same kind as Himself…. The Son exists because the Father exists: but there was never a time before the Father produced the Son….(He is always), so to speak, streaming forth from the Father, like light from a lamp… or thoughts from a mind. He is the self-expression of the Father – what the Father has to say. And there was never a time when He was not saying it….Much the most important thing to know is that it is a relationship of love. The Father delights in the Son; the Son looks up to His Father….What the Christians mean by the statement "God is love" (1John 4:8) ... is that the living, dynamic activity of love has been going on in God forever and has created everything else….In Christianity God is not a static thing… but a dynamic, pulsating activity, a life, almost a kind of drama. Almost, if you will not think me irreverent, a kind of dance." (C.S. Lewis)
• "The union between the Father and the Son is such a live concrete thing that this union itself is also a Person. I know this is almost inconceivable, but look at thus. You know that among human beings, when they get together in a family, or a club, or a trade union, people talk about the ‘spirit’ of that family, or club, or trade union. They talk about it's ‘spirit’ because the individual members, when they are together, do really develop particular ways of talking and behaving which they would not have if they were apart. It is as if a sort of communal personality came into existence. Of course, it is not a real person: it is only rather like a person. But that is just one of the differences between God and us. What grows out of the joint life of the Father and the Son is a real Person, is in fact the Third of the three Persons who are God…. This third Person is called, in technical language, the Holy Ghost or the ‘spirit’ of God. Do not be worried or surprised if you find it (or Him) rather vaguer or more shadowy in your mind than the other two. I think there is a reason why that must be so. In the Christian life you are not usually looking at Him. He is always acting through you. If you think of the Father as something ‘out there’, in front of you, and of the Son as someone standing at your side, helping you to pray, trying to turn you into another son, then you have to think of the third Person as something inside you, or behind you. Perhaps some people might find it easier to begin with the third Person and work backwards: God is love, and that love works through men – especially through the whole community of Christians. But this spirit of love, from all eternity, is a love going on between the Father and the Son." (C.S. Lewis)

New Resources:

Audio: Muslims Asking Questions, Finding Jesus

Across the Middle East, Muslims have questions about their faith. But Islamic teaching doesn’t encourage or allow such questions. As a young man in Morocco, Brother Rachid had questions also; he found answers through a Christian radio broadcast and chose to follow Christ. Today he hosts an Arabic-language TV program airing all over the Middle East. On the first broadcast, he asked Muslims to call in with questions about Islam and Christianity. In the first half hour of the program more than 800 people called with questions! Listen to hear how Rachid learned to see outside his own worldview and break down Islamic ideologies he was taught. Over time, his actions and ideas changed; others noticed that his entire life had been transformed. Persecution came swiftly. When his family found out he was a Christian, they kicked him out of the house. Rachid connected with other Christians, which gave him joy and excitement knowing he had a new family, but also fear he could be imprisoned or persecuted for his faith. Rachid will advise how we can help Muslim friends find answers to their questions in Christ. Pray for breakthroughs in the hearts of Muslims as the gospel is shared through TV and radio broadcasts all over the Middle East.

Video: A New Ontological Argument, Dr. Josh Rasmussen // CCv1 Session 5

Dr. Josh Rasmussen was our fifth presenter at CCv1. In this talk, he presents a a new ontological argument based on the positivity of a perfect being.

Video: A Book Observed: Out of the Silent Planet (Dr. David C. Downing)

Dr. David C. Downing, co-director of the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College, leads this discussion on The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis.

Video: Is Atheism Dead?

"Is Atheism Dead?" is a highly entertaining, impressively wide-ranging, and decidedly provocative answer to the famous 1966 "Time" magazine cover that itself asked “Is God Dead?” In a voice that is witty, muscular, and poetic, Metaxas echoes C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton in cheerfully and logically making the case, along the way presenting breathtaking new evidence and arguments against the idea of a Creatorless universe. Taken all together, he shows that much we have assumed about the biggest questions of human existence is in fact dramatically outdated—and is in need of the most urgent reevaluation.

Video: The Most Honest Q&A on the Problem of Evil You May Ever Watch

Daniel Speak (Ph.D., University of California, Riverside) is Professor of Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. He specializes in metaphysics (especially the metaphysics of free will) and the philosophy of religion. He also has research and teaching interests in ethics and epistemology. His book The Problem of Evil was published in 2014 by Polity Press. In addition, he is the co-editor (with Kevin Timpe) of Free Will and Theism, a collection of essays focused on central issues of overlap between the philosophy of religion and the philosophy of action (Oxford University Press, 2016). He has published chapters or articles in The Oxford Handbook of Free Will (2nd Edition), Faith and Philosophy, Res Philosophica, The Philosophical Quarterly, Religious Studies, The Routledge Companion to Free Will, and (as they say) elsewhere.

Video: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 - Skip Heitzig

"For some of the Israelites, the realities of life as they passed from Egypt to the Promised Land were unacceptable (Numbers 11:1-20). They began to look back on their days in Egypt with something approaching nostalgia! They thought that liberation from Egyptian captivity would mean the end of all their problems. Instead, they found themselves with a new set of problems. Some people begin the Christian life with the mistaken idea that all will be marvelous thereafter. When things get tough, they begin to doubt. Yet what we are promised in the gospel is not an easy ride through life. [Therefore], the Christian life is difficult and demanding. Liberation from bondage to sin and the fear of death opens up the prospect of a new life and a new lifestyle—but they are not easy options. Our responsibilities to God are demanding, and the challenges he lays before us are considerable. But we are promised that, whatever life may hold for us, God will be present to support and sustain us. I simply cannot express adequately how comforting and important that is." (Theologian Alister McGrath)

Video: What do the Dead Sea Scrolls Prove? The Mystery Behind the Old Testament Fragments

What can we learn about the transmission of the Old Testament from the Dead Sea Scrolls? What questions remain about the reliability of the OT from the DSS? In this interview, I talk with Dr. Anthony about why there is good reason to believe the text of the OT was stable long before the time of Jesus.

Edited

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

To Stay and Serve: Why We Didn’t Flee Ukraine

“We have decided to stay, both as a family and as a church. When this is over, the citizens of Kyiv will remember how Christians have responded in their time of need.”

Video: Understanding the Ukraine Invasion from a Christian Perspective (2022)

In this video, Dr. Dustin Crummett joins me to discuss the reprehensible Russian invasion of Ukraine. We discuss the motive behind the invasion, where it might go next, and how we should think about it from a Christian perspective.

Video: 1 Corinthians 10:11-11:1 - Skip Heitzig

"Our association of freedom with doing, being, or saying whatever we want is often cut off from any sense of connection with a larger community. We isolate freedom to the realm of personal freedom, with little constraint or thoughtfulness to corporate consequences or responsibility. We do not often associate our gift of freedom with the opportunity to serve others, but rather understand it as a freedom from constraint. From the earliest writings of the apostle Paul to the young Christian communities, this question of how to understand freedom emerged. His letters to the Christians at Corinth and Galatia reveal this crucial discussion of personal freedom. He exhorted these early Christians that “all things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his or her own good, but that of his or her neighbor….” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24). In his letter to the Galatians who were tempted to trade freedom for the grip of the law, Paul reminds, “[Y]ou were called to freedom; only do not turn your freedom into and opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself'” (Galatians 5:13-14). Paul’s understanding of freedom for love and service seems to fly in the face of understanding freedom as doing whatever one wants to do... Those who claim to follow Jesus are called to freedom whether or not they live under democratic governments. But the apostle Paul’s wisdom is useful to remind all people that freedom need not simply be an expression of self-interest. Rather, it is a freedom grounded in love for the sake of another.”

Video: Have You Ever Wondered If Jesus Actually Existed?

Have you ever wondered whether the New Testament Gospels, those four biographies of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, are trustworthy? Andy Bannister dives into archaeology and eyewitness testimony to show why so many historians and scholars consider that the Gospels have "the ring of truth" and at the very least, need to be given the benefit of the doubt and an open-minded read.

Video: How to Help Christian Youth with the Biggest Faith Challenges Facing Them Today, with Jeff Myers

Dr. Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries joins me to talk about the biggest faith challenges American youth are facing. We talk about the importance of asking good questions, and talk through the intellectual, cultural, emotional, and theological obstacles that often stand in the way of faith.

Video: Joseph D’Souza & Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd: Hinduism, Caste & Christianity

Bishop Joseph D’Souza from the Good Shepherd Church in India and Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd, political theorist and human rights activist, discuss the current political and religious climate in India and the situation for Christians and the Dalit and Shudra castes.

Video: Jesus, Wokeness, and Sexuality: A Conversation with Arielle Scarcella

Can a Christian professor and lesbian YouTuber have a civil conversation about issues that really matter? The answer is YES! In this interview, I talk with popular YouTuber Arielle Scarcella about her faith, her analysis of wokeness, and topics such as religious liberty. At the end, she asked me how I would respond if one of my kids came out as gay.

 

[Chaplain]

With twinkling eyes, a wild beard, wit, and a profound understanding of the Gospel, acclaimed poet, songwriter and Cambridge Chaplain Malcolm Guite will help prepare our hearts and minds for the sacred season of Lent and Easter. Dr. Guite will point to ways to deepen our prayer life, come alongside others, face the pain of Christ’s suffering and know the joy of the resurrection! His approach to drawing near to Jesus through the Scriptures, poetry and music will move your heart and give your mind much to contemplate.

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

Audio: Episode 31 — Grieving with Hope

We live in an age where grief is handled in bizarre ways, from sentimental cliches with little basis in reality to cold-hearted approaches that effectively see the passing away of a person as little more than the discarding of litter. Many people are caught in the tension between the implications of their own "secular" worldview and their innate desire for some form of religious hope in the face of death. How can Christians think, feel, and speak into this condition well? How can we offer words of comfort and challenge which don't just affirm the empty sentiments of our culture, but feel the real pain of loss whilst also pointing to the only true hope?

Video: How Secularism is Quickly Becoming a New Religion, with Natasha Crain

It seems everyone is looking for answers to many of the problems we are facing. Natasha Crain has just written an important book warning Christians that many of the cultural solutions are promoting secular, rather than biblical ideas. She demonstrates how secularism is not neutral, but religious in nature, with the worship of God being exchanged for the worship of self. How can Christians live faithfully different in today's culture?

Video: Where is God in global suffering? Religious views on the pandemic | John Lennox & Rabbi Elliot Dorff

John Lennox (Oxford), and Rabbi Elliot Dorff (American Jewish University) discuss where is God in global suffering in, “Jewish and Christian Perspectives on the Pandemic”. Forum moderated by Hava Samuelson (Arizona State University) and hosted by The Veritas Forum at Arizona State (2/11/2022).

Video: Jesus, Wokeness, and Sexuality: A Conversation with Arielle Scarcella

Can a Christian professor and a lesbian YouTuber have a civil conversation about issues that matter? The answer is YES. In this video, we discuss the identity of Jesus, Arielle's spiritual views, her critique of wokeness, religious liberty, and much more. Whether you are a Christian or not, you are going to find this civil conversation fascinating.

Video: Ukraine special: The religious roots of Putin's invasion - Fr Cyril Hovorun & Clifford Longley

Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine is more than just a geopolitical conflict. The Russian leader believes in the spiritual destiny of a united 'Holy Rus' that goes back to the conversion of Vladimir the Great in 984. Ukrainian Orthodox scholar Fr Cyril Hovorun and Catholic journalist Clifford Longley discuss how the history of the Eastern Orthodox Church plays into the conflict and what can be done.

Video: How to Find the Meaning of Life: A Conversation with Os Guinness

What is the best way to go on a quest for meaning? How should one seek finding answers to the BIG questions of life? In this interview, I talk with author and thinker Os Guinness about his latest book "The Great Quest." Based on his personal journey, and a lifetime of study, Os offers some insights and practical steps for those wanting to live the examined life.

Video: Making Sense of Life

How do we make sense of the things that matter most? Michael Ots joins Andy Bannister for this Solas webinar.

Video: Paul Twiss | TMS Chapel | The Messiah in Genesis 49



Video: 1 Corinthians 11 - Skip Heitzig

• 1 Corinthians 11:29-34 - Self-Examination, Self-Discipline, and Promoting Unity
• 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 - Self-Examination Before the Lord’s Supper
• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - Institution of the Lord’s Supper
• 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 - Self-Centered indulgence at the Lord's Supper
• 1 Corinthians 11:11-16 - The state of women in worship
• 1 Corinthians 11:4-10 - The Principle of Headship
• 1 Corinthians 11:1-3 - Christ is the authority over every person

 

[Chaplain]

Video: The Need for Prayer

Paul did not hide his vulnerability to the Enemy’s accusations, to pride, or even to depression. In his letters, however, the apostle’s main concern was not for his personal battles. Instead, he continually asked his readers to pray that he might have utterance and boldness to proclaim the Gospel. He understood that the key to his ministry relied on the prayers of God’s people. Alistair Begg encourages pastors and congregants alike to pattern our prayers after Paul’s.

Article: God and Prayer (Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 March 2022)

Are there good reasons for offering petitionary prayers to God, if God exists? Could such prayers make a difference in the world? Could we ever have good reason to think that such prayers had been answered? In this Element, the author will carefully explore these questions with special attention to recent philosophical discussions.

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources #1

Video: Os Guinness | What is this Cultural Moment?

Coral Ridge was joined by Os Guinness for the 2022 Kingdom Come Conference to discuss the current cultural moment.

Video: Alisa Childers | Progressive Christianity

Coral Ridge was joined by Alisa Childers for the 2022 Kingdom Come Conference to discuss progressive Christianity.

Video: Alistair Begg | Worldview and the Gospel

Coral Ridge was joined by Alistair Begg for the 2022 Kingdom Come Conference to discuss worldview and the Gospel.

Video: The surrogacy industry & the ethics of paying for pregnancy: John & Tim Wyatt

This episode was recorded shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine. Prior to the outbreak of war, Ukraine's lax surrogacy laws have made it a major destination for so-called 'reproductive tourism' for infertile and same-sex couples who wish to have a baby. Bioethicist John Wyatt and his journalist son Tim Wyatt join Justin to talk about the ethics of reproductive technology as they launch their new podcast 'Matters Of Life And Death'

Video: Exodus Rediscovered: Documentary

It's time to look into if the Exodus is historical or not! We evaluate all the evidence for the exodus and ask if it is historical or not.

Video: A Christian and an Agnostic Discuss Human Nature (with Jonathan Gottschall)

Why do humans tell stories? And what does this reveal–if anything–about the world we inhabit? In this conversation, I am joined by Jonathan Gottschall, author of The Storytelling Animal, which is one of my favorite books. We discuss how stories are so central to human existence and consider if they are a clue to the kind of world we live in.

Video: A Book Observed: Perelandra (Dr. David C. Downing)

Dr. David C. Downing, co-director of the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College, leads this discussion on The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis.

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources #2

Video: How Consciousness is a Window into Ultimate Reality (w/ Dr. Josh Rasmussen)

In this in-person interview, Cameron sits down with Dr. Josh Rasmussen to discuss why people are more than just their material bodies.

Video: Have You Ever Wondered Why Humans Are So Curious?

Have you ever wondered why human beings are so incredibly curious? Whether it's our desire to explore the highest mountain, deepest ocean trench, or to put humans into space. Or our thirst for knowledge, or for constant technological improvement. There is something uniquely, wonderfully human about our desire to ask "Why?" But where does this come drive come? And is it a clue to where we come from?

Video: Does the Incarnation Make Rational Sense? (Yes)

In this livestream, I'm joined by Dr. Tim Pawl to discuss whether belief in the Incarnation of Jesus makes sense.

Video: Paul Washer - How do we fight sexual temptation?

In this episode Paul Washer, from HeartCry Missionary Society answers the question: “How do we fight sexual temptation?"

Video: God and Our Bodies: Facing the Canon with Sam Allberry

J. John speaks with Sam Allberry, a pastor, apologist, author and speaker, about what God has to say about our bodies.

 

[Omega Supreme Holopsicon]

New Resources #2

Video: How Consciousness is a Window into Ultimate Reality (w/ Dr. Josh Rasmussen)

In this in-person interview, Cameron sits down with Dr. Josh Rasmussen to discuss why people are more than just their material bodies.

I will comment that there is indeed more than mere matter. There is information, for example a book might have ink on its pages, but the information written on it is different from the ink on the pages. The same information can exist in magnetic states within an hdd, or physical pits in a dvd or electric states in ram, etc. Information is independent of physical things.

As for whether the legos can be built into a thought, unlike Rasmussen and the interviewer, I think they can. They can be made to represent a thought, in the same way the brain represents a thought. As the legos can encode information in many ways.

Now to get an idea of how this can be, it is good to remember that sounds, images, video, text can be encoded in a myriad of ways in different physical substrates without resembling in any way their nature. One day if civilization doesn't end, we will have brain computer interfaces, and these will be able to digitally record brain activity and transmit it, essentially transmitting thought and feeling from person to person. Digital information is different from matter, it can exist as ink on a page, or even holes on a page, it can be magnetic, electric, even space or distance measures can encode digital information.

When matter encodes information, it is like a reference to something else that's out there independent of space and time. A copy of harry potter, references the story of harry potter, but destroying the copy does not alter or destroy the story. Even destruction of all copies does not alter or destroy the story, or information. As information is eternal and indestructible, it is immaterial. I think fundamentally some things exist out there in an ideal way, in a way resembling Plato's view.

 

[Chaplain]

How might Christians think about "The Batman"? What worldview ideas are embedded within the film? In this video, Sean and Brett McCracken offer a Christian analysis of the film.

 

[Trogdor1123]

Started going to a local pentacostal church near my house and really like it. I was raised with my dad who says he is an atheist (I’m not sure I believe him in all honesty but whatever) and my mom, who is catholic ( she baptized me herself when I was a little kid cause I wanted it) but not practicing. Never went to church before this year but always wanted to go. Started virtually and am now attending in person . It’s pretty great. I still have lots to learn obviously but it’s nice to actually want to go And be excited for it. I really enjoy the positivity and good messages. It’s also a real practical church that is super community focused. They do lots of free community stuff which is what really brought me and the family to it. Theif youth group is great ( my thirteen year old volunteers there on mondays and Sunday) and I appreciate that. She needs some positivity too as she is super shy and Had some pretty bad friends a year ago. I’m hoping she will come around a bit more too.

my 9 year old wanted a bible so they recommended the Action Bible. Great investment for kids to read with Their parents at night.

one thing I am trying figure out is how to pray. I know that sounds stupid but I don’t want prayer to be like vending machnine where I just ask for stuff. I’d like it to be more. I just don’t know how so any “tips” would be great.

 

[Chaplain]

one thing I am trying figure out is how to pray. I know that sounds stupid but I don’t want prayer to be like vending machnine where I just ask for stuff. I’d like it to be more. I just don’t know how so any “tips” would be great.

I am so glad to hear how God has drawn you into corporate fellowship and the fruits of your obedience.

One thing that I found helpful was understanding what the purpose of prayer is. Quote:

"It is important that we realize the purpose of prayer is not to change the mind of God. It's not to convince God to see things your way. Many people make a great mistake in thinking that by prayer they will be able to change the mind of God. That's not the purpose of prayer at all. You wouldn't want to change the mind of God. God's plan for you is much better than anything you could ever devise for yourself. And for you to think you can improve on the plan of God is sheer folly. Prayer is not to change the mind of God. You say, 'Well, if it isn't to change the mind of God, then why should we pray? What is the purpose of prayer?' The purpose of prayer is to open your heart and your life to allow God to do the things he is wanting to do, the things that he knows are best for you...Prayer opens the door of our will whereby we allow God to do those things He is desiring to do for our benefit and for our good..."True prayer moves in a cycle. True prayer begins in the heart of God, the purposes of God, the desires of God. And God places those desires upon our heart. 'It is He that worketh in you both to will and to do.' So He writes His will on the fleshly tablets of our hearts. As the psalmist says, "Delight yourself also in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." [Psalm 37:4] He puts His desires in our hearts. And as He places His desires in my heart, I then express it to Him in prayer. And as I express it to Him in prayer, . . . the cycle is complete, the door is now open and God has the opportunity to do those things He's wanting to do for you." (Pastor Chuck Smith)

A great place to start would be in the Psalms (the Old Testament Hymnbook). You can pray those psalms by reading them and by placing yourself in the author's place. Practicing this will quickly develop your ability to understand how and what to pray for.



In the New Testament, I would recommend praying when you read. God's Word will tell you His will. Therefore, when you read talk to God about what you are reading, the struggles you are facing in these areas, and ask Him to give you the power to obey His will found in His word.

Hope this helps. ^_^

Edited

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

Article: 'Mass production religion' has left people 'exhausted' - Amy Orr-Ewing

Carl Trueman, theologian and author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, raised the issue of sexual identity politics and the impact on children. He said the emerging ideology represented "a fundamental transformation not simply in the way that society thinks about sex and sexuality but in the way society thinks about what it means to be a human being". "Because if society revises what it means to be a human being, everything changes," he said. "It presents a peculiar challenge to the Church because for many centuries what we might describe as the dominant ethic of the West, the moral code, the means by which we all live together, has been broadly speaking compatible with Christianity. "Yet we now face an era where the terms of engagement in the civic square, the terms of fully accepted membership in civil society, are increasingly running opposite, are increasingly antithetical, to those which embody basic Christian anthropology and Christian ethics."

Video: What Was the Mission of Jesus? A Conversation with Greg Koukl

Did Jesus come to earth to champion the cause for the poor and oppressed? While he cared deeply about bringing justice to the poor, and spreading a message of peace and love, his primary mission was different. And we must get this right! In this conversation, I talk with apologist Greg Koukl about the main reason Jesus came to earth.

Video: How Can You Believe in a Jealous God?

How can God be jealous? Doesn't that make him petty and unworthy of worship? One of the most common misconceptions that Christians and non-Christians have about God is what it means that He is jealous. When this attribute is properly understood, it reveals how deeply God loves us and yearns to be in relationship with us.

Video: The Problem of Evil and how Progressives Fail to Give a Meaningful Answer, w/ Doug Groothuis

Is it possible to find meaning in suffering? This was a question philosopher Doug Groothuis had to grapple with not just from an intellectual standpoint as a seminary professor and author of a respected apologetics textbook. He had to wrestle through this question emotionally when his wife Becky was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia that would take her life. His insights are powerful and profound and ultimately put the goodness and sovereignty of God on display.

Video: Untamed: Becoming a Slave to Your Own Passions

I invited my friend Alisa Childers on my channel to have a conversation about the book "Untamed" by Glennon Doyle. This is a very popular (and trendy) book that has enchanted millions of people. Published in 2020, it's a memoir of Glennon Doyle. One reviewer describes the book in this way: "This testament to female empowerment and self-love, with an endearing coming-out story at the center, will delight readers." So yeeeaahhh... self-help. The scary patriarchy. Radical feminism. White supremacy. Oppressed by religion. Not to mention the Progressive/New Age spirituality scattered throughout the book. With a book so relevant and popular, not just culturally but spiritually, I just had to give my thoughts about it. There was no better person to do that with than Alisa Childers. Hey... Doyle wants us to go untamed, so we decided to take her advice. We weren't tamed in our review. Roar.

Video: Q&A with Dr. D. A. Carson

New Testament scholar and co-founder of The Gospel Coalition D. A. Carson shares challenges to evangelicalism today and answers questions from the audience.

Video: Tim Keller on Reformed Resurgence

Timestamps:
Promoting, Celebrating, & Articulating Systematic Theology [0:00 – 1:30]
Tim Keller Fighting Sin Not Cancer [1:30 – 17:03]
Top Book Recommendations for Forming Pastors and Leaders [17:03 – 21:37]
Tim Keller’s Other Spiritual Gifts [21:37 – 27:13]
British Evangelicalism [27:13 – 34:20]
Reading at a Rural Church; Eating in a Big City [34:20 – 39:41]
Reformed Resurgence: The Young, Restless, & Reformed Movement [39:41 – 51:06]
Evangelical Celebrities [51:06 – 54:33]
How to Define Evangelicalism: Models vs. Institutions [54:33 – 1:00:34]
More About the Pastor Celebrity Experience [1:00:34 – 1:10:20]
Post-Movement Evangelistic Strategies [1:10:20 – 1:12:25]
Encouragement [1:12:25 – 1:15:20]

Video: The Magna Carta of Humanity: A Conversation with Os Guinness

"The survival of the Jewish people in history is a miracle in itself, but Guinness goes beyond that. He argues that the Sinai revolution provides both a precedent and a pattern for the future of humanity. This is a bold argument and a must-read for anyone seeking to understand our present global crisis."

Video: 1 Corinthians 12:1-8 - Skip Heitzig

"Every Christian (“to each one”) receives spiritual gifts. A spiritual gift is an ability (“working” or power) that comes to you freely (“gift”) for the purpose of ministering to needs (“service”) so as to build up Christian community in size and depth (“the common good”). This doesn’t mean gifts only meet needs of Christians. They meet needs “in Jesus’ name,” as a witness and sign of the coming kingdom. Ephesians 4:7–12 says that Jesus’ kingly power—which will eventually heal the world physically, socially, and spiritually—is now distributed into us. The bottom line is that every Christian is in ministry through the church. No one is merely a consumer of services; everyone is a distributor. What, then, is service? Serving is putting the needs of others ahead of our own, or putting the needs of the community ahead of our individual needs. And the Bible says there are several reasons to do this. The first benefit is self-knowledge. Don’t think you know your real gifts and capacities until you do a lot of humble serving in many different capacities around the church. Only as you do that will you come to understand your own aptitudes. The second benefit is community. When you approach the church as a consumer (that is, only to get your needs met), you are in a solitary mode of being, but when you reject the consumer mindset, serving will draw you out of yourself and into relationships. The third benefit is the fulfillment and joy of seeing others touched through you, or seeing something great happen through the part you play in the body of Christ. Paradoxically, if you serve primarily for the benefits to yourself, then it isn’t really serving, and you won’t receive the benefits. The only workable dynamic for every-member ministry is Mark 10:45. Because Jesus served you in such a radical way, you have a joyful need to serve. It’s a form of praise that doesn’t fully enjoy what it admires until it expresses itself in service.." (Theologian Tim Keller)

Video: What’s Wrong with Everybody? (John MacArthur)

 

[haxan7]

These talks by Monsignor Fulton Sheen from the 50s/60s blew my mind how relevant they still are to today's world.

 

[Chaplain]

New Resources:

Audio: Christian Radio in Turkey: “How Can We Be Quiet?”

“I’m proud of being Turkish and, at the same time, I am a follower of Jesus Christ.” Soner Tufan’s words may not seem remarkable to people in Western nations. But in Turkey, where people consider being Muslim an inherent part of their identity and culture, his words immediately capture attention. , the ministry Soner leads, is broadcasting the gospel message all over Turkey, along with the testimony that a person can be a patriotic Turk and also a follower of Jesus. His message is being received—by Turks curious about Jesus and by those opposed to the gospel. Soner received a 14-page threat letter from ISIS. He’s lived under 24-hour police protection. He says more threats come every week. But he’s seen the Turkish church grow from a handful of believers to thousands, and he refuses to turn away from the work God has called him to. Soner became a Christian in 1985 through the witness of his Taekwondo instructor. At that time, there were perhaps fifty Christians in Turkey. Today, there are 7,000, and one of the key ways God is reaching Turks is through radio and TV broadcasting. Listen as Soner shares how God opened the door for Christian radio broadcasts in an Islamic nation—even while constructing a church building was impossible! Soner will share more details of his life as a Christian, the amazing transformation of his brother—who persecuted Soner when he became a Christian—turning to Jesus, and how God has made the impossible happen with Radio Shema in Turkey.

Video: Ep. 117 | Evangelical Deconstruction

In Colossians 2:8, the apostle Paul exhorts believers to not be taken captive through philosophies and deceptions that are rooted in the traditions of men. Deconstruction, a philosophy that has its origins in Marxism, is one of those deceptions. And yet, there are those within evangelicalism today who are actively promoting and advocating that deconstruction is good and virtuous for the church. In this episode of the Just Thinking podcast, hosts Darrell Harrison and Virgil ‘Omaha’ Walker make it clear that they do not concur with that view. Listen as they “turn pages” and discuss what God’s Word has to say about “Evangelical Deconstructionism.”

Video: The Gospel vs. Religion: What is the Gospel and Why Does it Matter?

What is the gospel and why does it matter? Jim Phillips argues that the gospel is the central story of the Bible. He compares the gospel message to the main teachings of various world religions.

Video: Why He Doesn't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, with Frank Turek

Frank Turek, author of the popular book, I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist joins me to talk about the book, and take your questions.

Video: Biblical Clarity in Our Secular Times: A Conversation with Natasha Crain

How can Christians live faithfully in our present moment? What does it mean to stand strong today? In this video, I talk with Natasha Crain about her latest book FAITHFULLY DIFFERENT. We discuss a range of cultural issues and offer some practical advice for Christians to live out their convictions today.

Video: Is Intelligent Design advancing or in retreat? Casey Luskin & Adam Shapiro

Casey Luskin of the Discovery Institute, and editor of 'The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith' argues that the Intelligent Design movement has never been stronger. Science historian Adam Shapiro, co-author of 'Science and Religion: A very short introduction' responds.

Video: The Hidden Unchristian Belief of TOP Progressive Christian Influencers

I spent over a week reading and listening to progressive Christian influencers, trying to find some sort of central belief that connects them all together in a way that makes sense. I think I finally understand it. It's actually pretty simple. And it's not about Jesus.

Video: Discussing the Problem of Evil w/ Dr. Bart Ehrman

The problem of evil was a key turning point in the life of Dr. Bart Ehrman. It's actually a big part of why he's agnostic. In this interview, Cameron Bertuzzi goes in depth with Dr. Ehrman on this problem.

Video: 1 Corinthians 12:9-10 - Skip Heitzig


Video: Alex Montoya | TMS Chapel | The Conduct of the Minister