Faith Interface

Audio Interview on Apologetics 315

When it comes to comprehensive multimedia resources for Christian Apologetics, without a doubt the absolute top of the pile is Brian Auten’s Apologetics 315. There are few other places on the net that can match the wide scope and completeness of the subjects covered by the resources and links on Apologetics 315.

Recently, I was honoured to participate in an audio interview with Brian Auten regarding Christian apologetics, the intersection of the Christian faith with science, philosophy and culture, the balanced Christian life, and the aims and objectives of the Faith Interface blog.

You can listen to the interview by visiting Apologetics 315 here or by subscribing to the Apologetics 315 podcast here.

Last year I was also honoured to be interviewed by Chris Reese of Cloud of Witnesses blog. You can read the interview here.

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us
the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known
to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer)

Lectionary (Year C)

Isaiah 6.1-13

Psalm 138

1 Corinthians 15.1-11

Luke 5.1-11  

What Is Epiphany?

Recommended Reading

Contending with Christianity’s Critics: Answering New Atheists and Other Objectors
Paul Copan (Editor), William Lane Craig (Editor)

Contending with Christianity’s Critics, book two in a series on modern Christian apologetics that began with the popular Passionate Conviction has been published and is now available at Amazon and other book stores. This second installment, featuring writings from eighteen respected apologists such as Gary Habermas and Ben Witherington, addresses challenges from noted New Atheists like Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion) and other contemporary critics of Christianity concerning belief in God, the historical Jesus, and Christianity’s doctrinal coherence.

WILLIAM LANE CRAIG is Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California. He has authored or edited more than thirty books and many articles in professional journals of philosophy and theology.

PAUL COPAN is a professor and the Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Marquette University.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Preface vii

PART 1 THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

Chapter 1 Dawkins’s Delusion
William Lane Craig 2

Chapter 2 At Home in the Multiverse?
James Daniel Sinclair 6

Chapter 3 Confronting Naturalism: The Argument from Reason
Victor Reppert 26

Chapter 4 Belief in God: A Trick of Our Brain?
Michael J. Murray 47

Chapter 5 The Moral Poverty of Evolutionary Naturalism
Mark D. Linville 58

Chapter 6 Dawkins’s Best Argument Against God’s Existence
Gregory E. Ganssle 74

PART 2 THE JESUS OF HISTORY

Chapter 7 Criteria for the Gospels’ Authenticity
Robert H. Stein 88

Chapter 8 Jesus the Seer
Ben Witherington III 104

Chapter 9 The Resurrection of Jesus Time Line
Gary R. Habermas 113

Chapter 10 How Scholars Fabricate Jesus
Craig A. Evans 126

Chapter 11 How Badly Did the Early Scribes Corrupt the New Testament? An Examination of Bart Ehrman’s Claims
Daniel B. Wallace 148

Chapter 12 Who Did Jesus Think He Was?
Michael J. Wilkins 167

PART 3 THE COHERENCE OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE

Chapter 13 The Coherence of Theism
Charles Taliaferro and Elsa J. Marty 184

Chapter 14 Is the Trinity a Logical Blunder? God as Three and One
Paul Copan 205

Chapter 15 Did God Become a Jew? A Defense of the Incarnation
Paul Copan 218

Chapter 16 Dostoyevsky, Woody Allen, and the Doctrine of Penal Substitution
Steve L. Porter 233

Chapter 17 Hell: Getting What’s Good My Own Way
Stewart Goetz 249

Chapter 18 What Does God Know? The Problems of Open Theism
David P. Hunt 265

Contributors 283
Author Index 287
Scripture Index 290

Roger’s comment:

This is a absolute MUST READ for any thinking Christian (what I like to call “Renaissance Christian”) who lives in the world and interacts with non-Christians of any persuasion (i.e. EVERY Christian). Almost every criticism and challenge to the Christian faith has been more than adequately answered by Christian scholars, Christian theologians, Christian philosophers and Christian apologists. No Christian should ever feel that their faith in unjustifiable, unreasonable, irrational or indefensible. This book represents a concise yet comprehensive resource which will allow Renaissance Christians - Christians with a well-considered and well-supported faith - to confidently answer the questions, challenges and criticisms levelled at them regarding their faith and trust that they have in Christ.

Not All Bias Is Equal

Can the charge of bias be levelled at Christians? Certainly, and sometimes the charge is justified. Whenever someone has already taken sides on an issue, it is possible that he/she  has not been evenhanded in their analysis. It is not fair, though, to assume someone has distorted the facts simply because they have a stake in the matter. People who are not neutral can still be fair and impartial. Instead, you have to show that they have faltered by looking at the evidence itself.

Not all forms of bias are equal. When a Christian deals with issues like science and history, it is fair to say they are biased because they bring certain assumptions to the process like everyone else. A Christian’s bias, though, does not inform their conclusions in the same way that biases inform the conclusions of scientists or historians restricted by a committment to materialism.

The current bias of science arbitrarily eliminates certain answers before the game even gets started. Many scientists and historians must come up with conclusions that leave the supernatural out of the picture because their philosophy demands it. A theist is not so encumbered. The theist believes in the laws of nature, but also is open to the possibility of supernatural intervention. Both are consistent with their worldview. The theist can judge the evidence on its own merits, unhinderred by a philosophy that automatically eliminates supernatural options before the evidence even receives a hearing.

Ironically, the Christian’s bias broadens their categories, making them more open-minded, not less. They have a greater chance of discovering truth because they can follow the evidence wherever it leads. That’s a critical distinction. Can bias make a person more open0minded? Under the right set of circumstances, absolutely.

Adapted from Tactics (Greg Koukl, 2009, Zondervan).

Mo Ghrá Thú (Salm 17)

Mo Ghrá Thú (Salm 17) - sung by Aoife Ní Fhearraigh

Lyrics (Irish Gaelic):
   
(Curfá)

Mo ghrá Thú, a Thiarna 
Mo neart Thú
Mo ghrá Thú, a Thiarna
   
Mo Dhia Thú mo charraig is mo dhídean 
Mo sciath, adharc mo shlánaithe, mo dhún 
Glaoim ar an Tiarna dar dIeacht moladh 
Agus déarta mo shaoradh ó mo naimhde 
   
(Curfá)
   
Go maire an Tiarna, is é mo charraig É
Go raibh Dia mo Shlánaitheoir á mhóradh
Thug sé caithréim an dá Rí 
Agus nocht sé a ghrá dá ungthach 
   
(Curfá)

English Translation:

(Chorus)

I love You, oh Lord
You are my strength
I love You, oh Lord

You are my God, my rock and my shelter
My shield, ark of my salvation, my strength
I implore the Lord worthy of all praise
And I’d like to see myself safe from my enemies

(Chorus)

May the Lord prosper, He is my rock
May God be adored, my Savior
He gave victory to the two Kings
And showed His love to those He anointed

(Chorus)

“Making Sense of It All: Pascal and the Meaning of Life” (Thomas V. Morris)

“Making Sense of It All: Pascal and the Meaning of Life” (Thomas V. Morris)

214 pages, from Eerdmans.

Thomas V. Morris discusses life, death, religion, the nature of faith and more.

This captivating book is ideal both for thoughtful unbelievers who consider Christianity unreasonable, and Christians wanting to know how to share their faith with sceptics. Writing in an engaging, conversational style, Morris takes an intriguing new look at the big questions that keep coming up - questions about life, death, God, religion, the nature of faith, the formation of an adequate worldview, and the meaning of life.

Morris explores these kinds of questions in an earnest yet thoroughly entertaining and easily readable way, relating numerous personal anecdotes, incorporating intriguing material from the films of Woody Allen and the journals of Tolstoy, and using the writings of the seventeenth-century genius Blaise Pascal as a central guide.

This book deserves the kind of popularity C S Lewis’s apologetic writings have earned.  (Arthur Holmes, Wheaton College)

Indeed, Morris mines Pascals best-known work, Pensees (Thoughts), for a wealth of insight into human psychology, our relationship to God, and the nature of the good life. The book is certain to challenge faith and heart, and to realize Morris’s desire to help as many people as possible philosophize about their lives and enjoy the process of doing so.

Thomas Morris is professor of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame and the recipient of numerous awards for teaching excellence.

Fourth Sunday of Epiphany

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in
heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of
your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer)

Lectionary (Year C)

Ezekiel 43.27 - 44.4

Psalm 48

1 Corinthians 13.1-13

Luke 2.22-40

What is Epiphany?

Characteristics of a Christian Ambassador

DEFINITION OF “AMBASSADOR”:

. From Latin ambactus (servant).

. An authorised or official messenger and representative.

. A minister of the highest rank sent to a foreign court to represent there his/her Sovereign.

. A diplomatic representative of the highest rank.

.  An official envoy appointed for a special diplomatic assignment.

A CHRISTIAN AMBASSADOR IS… 

. Ready.  An Ambassador is alert for chances to represent Christ and will not back away from a challenge or an opportunity.

. Patient.  An Ambassador won’t quarrel, but will listen in order to understand, then with gentleness seek to respectfully engage those who disagree.

. Reasonable.  An Ambassador has informed convictions (not just feelings), gives reasons, asks questions, aggressively seeks answers, and will not be stumped by the same challenge twice.

. Tactical.  An Ambassador adapts to each unique person and situation, maneuvering with wisdom to challenge bad thinking, presenting the truth in an understandable and compelling way.

. Clear.  An Ambassador is careful with language and will not rely on Christian lingo nor gain unfair advantage by resorting to empty rhetoric.

. Fair.  An Ambassador is sympathetic and understanding towards others and will acknowledge the merits of contrary views.

. Honest.  An Ambassador is careful with the facts and will not misrepresent another’s view, overstate his own case, or understate the demands of the Gospel.

. Humble.  An Ambassador is provisional in his claims, knowing that his understanding of truth is fallible.  He will not press a point beyond what his evidence allows.

. Attractive.  An Ambassador will act with grace, kindness, and good manners.  He will not dishonor Christ in his conduct.

. Dependent.  An Ambassador knows that effectiveness requires joining his best efforts with God’s power.

Adapted from Greg Koukl, Ambassador’s Creed. Stand To Reason.

Religious Belief in Australia

From the Centre For Public Christianity.

Australia has traditionally been thought of as a secular nation. But two recent surveys, one by Nielsen for the Sydney Morning Herald, and one commissioned by CPX, revealed some fascinating, and perhaps unexpected results. See the article here.

We invited Fairfax journalist and author David Marr into the CPX studio to discuss the results of the two surveys and to shed some light on what he thinks the findings might mean.

The Essence of Christian Apologetics

Thanks to Brian Auten of Apologetics 315 for podcasting these excellent talks on Christian apologetics by Os Guiness.

Dr. Guinness is a Christian writer, lecturer and social scientist. He is a co-founder and senior fellow at the Trinity Forum, a non-profit organization devoted to leadership transformation through the context of Christian faith, and is deeply interested in guiding leaders and influencing public policy. His books include Fit Bodies, Fat Minds, The Call and The Gravedigger File.

Dr Os Guinness presents a four part introduction to the essence of apologetics.

In Part 1, Dr Guinness considers reasons that some people are wary of apologetics and highlights some of the limitations that can apply to apologetics. As we listen, it is worth considering to what extent these criticisms and limitations of apologetics apply to our own application of it.

In Part 2 of this series, Dr Guinness considers whether there is a Biblical basis for apologetics, from both Old and New Testaments.

Part 1: The Essence of Apologetics - What Is It?
Part 2: The Essence of Apologetics -  Biblical Basis
Part 3: How to Communicate in Apologetics [coming soon]
Part 4: Persuading the Hard-Hearted [coming soon]

Check out other fantastic resources at Bethinking.org