GOT HOPE? Christianity Delivers
Do we have free will? Both Christians and atheists have varying views on this question, which are sometimes related to their beliefs in various types of determinism. The intention of this blog is to examine biological and theological determinism and to explain the relationship of the latter to God’s omniscience and our free will. Biological …
Continue reading "A Response to an Atheist Argument on God’s Omniscience, Determinism and Free Will"
In 2001, 75% of those polled by the Pew Research Center indicated that religious institutions have played a role in solving important social problems (Stonestreet, 2016), yet by 2016, the percentage had dropped significantly to only 58% (Lipka, 2016). This figure is disappointing, suggesting that the memories or knowledge of positive Christian influences have diminished. …
Continue reading "The Significant Contributions of Christianity to Healthcare and Education"
In the book of Acts (5: 34-39), Luke records the prescient words of a Pharisee called Gamaliel, who had questioned the wisdom of the persecution of Peter and other apostles: “But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men …
Continue reading "Early Christian Martyrdoms: Persecution in the Roman Empire"
Of all of the books of the Old Testament, only the book of Isaiah has been fully preserved in the Dead Sea Scrolls. To me, that is significant, given the fact that Isaiah is the source of some of the greatest prophecies of Jesus, which were made over six hundred years prior to his earthly …
Continue reading "An Explanation of Jesus’ Anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane"
In the early history of the Christian Church, the church fathers asserted that Matthew was the first to write the gospels, yet in recent years many have asserted that Mark was the first author. The intention of this blog is to examine the arguments for both so readers can develop their own conclusions. I will …
Continue reading "Was Mark or Matthew the First to Write the Gospel?"
The foundation upon which Christianity rests is in Jesus’ resurrection. If the resurrection did not occur, early Christian disciples would have remained in hiding, fearful of persecution. If the resurrection did not occur, they would likely have returned to their positions prior to Jesus’ ministry and their cause would have died down as the realization …
Continue reading "Early Secular Sources Support New Testament Accounts of Jesus’ Divinity"
In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul gave the Corinthians excellent advice when he told them to follow his example, as he was following the example of Christ. Leading by example is not a new concept, yet it’s an often forgotten concept. As parents, we know that telling our children to “do as I say, but not …
Continue reading "“Follow My Example, as I Follow the Example of Christ”"
"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" - Psalm 118:22 This morning I was tagged on social media by a person who calls himself Elisha Ben Abuya. Mr. Ben Abuya considers himself an expert in Old Testament exegesis and he has amassed many fans within the atheist community. He resides in Israel and …
Continue reading "The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53: A Response to Elisha Ben Abuya"
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last” – Matthew 20:16. According to first-century Jewish historian Josephus, women in ancient Jewish societies were considered inferior in all matters (c.f., Green, McKnight & Marshall, 1992). They lacked rights, lacked an education, and played a small role in society aside from child-bearing. Josephus …
Continue reading "So The Last Will Be First, And The First Will Be Last: Women in the Gospels"
Of all of the kings who have ever lived and reigned, only one lives and reigns forever: Jesus Christ. But who is Jesus Christ? How did the humble son of a carpenter (and a handful of fishermen, a tax collector, a tent maker and a few others) make such an impact that by 312 AD, …
Christian Apologist 