Why Sandy Hook makes me glad (and more sure) Christianity is true

The unspeakably tragic shooting in Connecticut leaves me praying for the families involved, but also praising God for the truth of the Christian worldview.

Atheism's blindspot

I have just listened to a pretty poor debate between Peter Hitchens and atheist Alex Gabriel (you can find it here if you're interested).

Anti-bullying week

I've been asked to speak at a High School and was informed that it's anti-bullying week this week (they should have one of those every week!)

If not God then not good

I was listening to a man say that the clearest verse in the Bible that Jesus Christ did not consider Himself to be God is Mark 10 v 18:

Getting away with murder

I've had something on my mind that I feel I'd better write about.  Northern Ireland now has its first private abortion clinic (see here).

How do you know?

I encounter this question a lot in various contexts.

The intermediate state in Luke 16

It's one of the biggest questions that humanity asks - what happens to us when we die?  The Bible gives us the authoritative answer.  It affirms that there will be a resurrection of the saved and a resurrection of the lost, but it also assures us that everybody will be conscious in the intermediate state between death and resurrection.
 

I'm good...?

It's one of those things that annoys the more easily annoyed among us - the influx of American phrases.  This means that when you enquire about someone's health you will sometimes hear the response "I'm good."  The fact is you aren't!

Making reservations

We've all made reservations in life - sometimes the reservation was costly, sometimes the event, hotel, restaurant or whatever exceeded our expectations, and other times it was a big disappointment.  Sometimes we've left it too late, other times we've cancelled our reservation.  But I want to leave with you two verses from Peter's letters about the most serious reservations that will ever be made.

New news about old news that was really no news

It has made headlines, and like anything that is potentially damaging to Christianity or disturbing to Christians, it was gullibly swallowed and gleefully spread by the media. I'm talking about this document purported to be from the fourth century in which Jesus says the words "my wife".

Now why should a document be given any credence when that document, even if authentic, isn't from the time of Christ or the land in which He lived, and doesn't even explicitly say He was married, and, even if it did, contradicts everything written about Him by those in the first century! It just displays the objectivity of the popular media I suppose (yes, my tongue is firmly in my cheek, and I'll keep it there as I say, watch all the media outlets report on the link below!!)

Dan Wallace has the following information (here), check it out, and let's move on! 
For further sources see this.  

Ghosts, weeping statues and the resurrection, part three

Life has been pretty busy, and I will perhaps let you know soon about some of the things that have been happening, but just now I will continue with the subject of the previous two posts.

Ghosts, weeping statues and the resurrection, part two

The previous post set out the background to this challenge - why do Christians believe only in their own miracle reports and not any of the other millions of reports which have just as much or better evidence. We are looking at reasons why the evidence for the resurrection of Christ is unlike any other religious or supernatural claim, and the first reason was in light of the culture.

Ghosts, weeping statues and the resurrection, part one

I have encountered (and written about) a challenge people sometimes make to the reports of miracles in the Bible and particularly the resurrection.  I have recently met it again and want to offer a few thoughts on it again.  The challenge is this - there are loads of reports of supernatural or miraculous events, and you don't believe them, so why do you believe in the resurrection?

Little Bilney's text

Today is the 481st anniversary of the execution of Thomas Bilney.

Still without a leg to stand on

I wrote last year about a man (Robbie) with whom I had a long and interesting conversation (see here, here and here).  Well, I just spoke to him again today, and sadly he still holds to the same denials of reason and reality, all the while denouncing those who disagree as unintelligent.

Richard Dawkins vs Richard Dawkins

Richard Dawkins has engaged in a fourth debate with John Lennox, which I have yet to see.  But it is very interesting to see Professor Dawkins getting involved with Professor Lennox.  This is obviously a different Richard Dawkins who refused to debate William Lane Craig last year!

All relationships are equal, but some are more equal than others?

It has become a mantra in our society, it's repeated by celebrities, politicians, and protesters. It has become a kind of continuous drone that gets into the subconscious, and makes anyone who questions the statement or probes into the assumptions look devoid of sense and full of hate. It is the slogan, "I believe in equality."

A fake realist

I've been away for the last two weeks and haven't been able to get email access - very therapeutic! However, on my trip I got into a very interesting conversation with a man who runs a chip shop.

The twists, tricks and tragedy of Watchtower indoctrination

I was intrigued to listen to a debate on the Unbelievable? radio show over the last couple of weeks on “Jehovah’s Witness” doctrine.  I found it quite striking that they had to get a disfellowshipped American to defend the Watchtower beliefs because no one from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society in the UK was prepared to participate.  Anyway...

Carrying the torch

It comes every four years, it is a global event, the pinnacle of sporting greatness, the peak of competitive achievement, so when it comes to your doorstep even the least sporting amongst us take some notice.  The Olympic Games, as you know, are being held in London this year, and while most of us won’t be there, in a sense something of the Olympics has come to us.  The Olympic Torch has made its journey around the UK on route to London, and millions have come to get a glimpse of it.  The flame will ignite the cauldron at the Olympic Stadium, which will continue to burn for the duration of the Games.

So far so good

It's a common phrase, and it came to mind the other day as I was reading in Psalm 103.  Verse 12 states

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

So far? So good!

Spot the differences

I have been engaged quite a bit recently with those who deny conscious eternal punishment, and I have noticed a recurring problem with their view. When they see texts in the New Testament that appear to teach eternal conscious punishment they will often cite similar language from the Old Testament in which it seems quite clear that it is talking about a temporal punishment, and then they will say that this shows the New Testament isn't talking about eternal conscious punishment at all.

Use intelligence about intolerance

It's been a while since I've written here - sorry!  Things have been particularly busy lately.  I want to issue an appeal in this post, and it springs from a conversation I heard on the Unbelievable? radio show a while ago between David Robertson (Christian) and Mike Lee (atheist).

Cross words

I've been thinking recently about different Bible doctrines that are confirmed and proven by a consideration of the cross of Christ.

When it's all over, they're still there

This will be brief, but it's another post on the subject of eternal punishment.

Where's purgatory?

I was in a conversation recently with a lady from a Roman Catholic background, and she asked me my views on purgatory.

Open to interpretation?

I had a conversation with a woman yesterday about the Gospel, and she said she hadn't really looked into the Bible for herself, but with so many denominations and opinions, what's the point?  Everyone thinks they're right, and they all disagree, so the whole thing is just a matter of interpretation.

Eternal punishment and a click of the fingers

As you know, if you look on this blog from time to time, over the last while I have been writing quite a bit on the reality of hell.  I know that for some of you who come here you are looking for a simple outline of what the Bible says about the way of salvation, and how to be brought into a right relationship with God, and there is a lot on the site that is too involved or specified for you.  Can I encourage you to look at the labels, and click on Gospel or Salvation, and you'll find there how to know your sins are forgiven.

No rest for the wicked

I have been thinking quite a bit recently about the subject of hell.  One of the most straightforward and serious passages of the Bible on the subject is found in Revelation 14 v 10-11:

I'm glad he's not my dad!

I was listening to a debate between William Lane Craig (Christian) and Shabir Ally (Muslim) (found here).

Glorying in a cross?

But God forbid that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ

Galatians 6 v 14

Going through hell?

The last few posts have been on this serious subject of hell, and I want to put something else up on it.

"Oh no! Not hell!"

I want to pass on a story my friend told me, which is quite appropriate considering my last couple of posts.

More on the fire fighters!

I am going to address another issue relating to the subject of annihilation.

Clutching at straws

I just want to address an argument I have recently heard (here - 3rd March) advanced in support of annihilationism (i.e. the view that the unbeliever will not consciously suffer eternally for their sins.)

Dawkins, determinism and dominoes

I listened to Richard Dawkins' dialogue with the Archbishop of Canterbury recently.  The most interesting thing about the whole exchange was Dawkins admitting that his atheistic, materialistic worldview provides no grounding for believing in free will.

What's the use?

The "Unbelievable?" radio show on 18th February was on the subject, "Is apologetics a waste of time?"

Funny but meaningless; Sad but meaningful

You might have heard about the Radio 4 fuss the other morning. 

Loving till it hurts

I think love is one of the most misunderstood and misused words there is!

You're brainwashed, the TV told me!

I met a man yesterday who has similar characteristics to the man I told you about in my last post. 

"I did a google search and destroyed Christianity!"

I was talking to a man recently about salvation. When the subject was raised the man (Victor) took on a scholarly air and spoke in solemn tones and told me that, according to his research (more on that in a minute), Christianity didn't have much going for it, and neither did any other religion..

Reaching the top of the mountain

It is not a science book, but it is interesting that when the Bible touches on issues of science and the natural world it is always right, often long before science confirmed it, and long before they could have naturally known it!

Table manners and torture

I was talking to a really nice lady yesterday about a wide range of subjects relating to God (which I will hopefully write about here soon), and we got to talking about the basis of morality. I found it quite revealing. By the way, the conversation was robust and our disagreements were frank, but the tone throughout was respectful and friendly, which is as it should be!

Sola, sola, sola, So long Martin!

481 years ago (last Tuesday) Pope Leo X excommunicated Martin Luther from the Roman Catholic church.

The argument from outer space!

I was listening to atheist Dr Stephen Law in discussion with a Christian by the name of James Orr a few weeks ago (here). They were talking about why people believe strange things. The conversation then focused on the resurrection of Christ, and this is where Dr Law, in my humble opinion, needed to stop throwing stones or else get out of the glass house he was in, because hearing his reasons for denying God's existence and Christianity leaves him no room or right to talk about other people holding beliefs for inadequate reasons!

I would make a lousy bird

I was chatting to a man yesterday who claimed to believe the Bible, but he admitted he was not saved, that is, he had never been delivered from the danger his sins had brought him into.  Naturally I wanted to know why!

Light up your life

I had a very interesting conversation with a friend a couple of days ago about the way or ways to God. He was telling me that he thought that different religions were like beams of light coming out of a prism, and were all different paths to God.