Dr. Gary Habermas, one of the world's leading experts on the Resurrection of Christ, tells us what he would do if he had a brief amount of time to defend the Resurrection.
- Nelis
Friday, October 28, 2011
SERIES - OneMinuteApologist - "With Gary Habermas - The Resurrection?"
We are continuing with our One Minute Apologist Series, featuring short videos from some of Christianity's leading thinkers and defenders of the faith.
- Nelis
- Nelis
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Series - "Ancient Historical Evidence for Jesus of Nazareth" (pt.3)
We continue looking at the historical evidence for Jesus. In the last post we looked at the ancient historians Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus and Thallus and saw a few exerts of their writings. In the next post we will be looking at the Government Officials, Pliny the Younger, Emperor Trajan and Emperor Hadrian.
Pliny the Younger
He was a Roman author and administrator who served as the governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor, Pliny the younger was the nephew and adopted son of a natural historian known as Pliny the Elder. The younger Pliny, is best known for his letter, and Bruce refers to him as "one of the world's great letter writers, whose letters...have attained the status of literary classics."
Ten books of Pliny's correspondence are extant today. The tenth book (http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/pliny-letters.asp#GenPartX), written around 112A.D. , speaks about Christianity in the province of Bithynia and also provides some facts about Jesus. Pliny found that the Christian influence was so strong that the pagan temples had been nearly deserted, pagan festivals severely decreased and the sacrificial animals had few buyers.
Pliny dealt with personally with the Christians who were turned over to him. He interrogated them, inquiring if they were believers. If the answered yes he asked them again two more times, threatening to kill them. If they continued firm in their believe, he ordered them to be executed.
Pliny also added in his letters that Christianity attracted persons of all social ranks, all ages, both sexes and from both city and the country. He also mentioned that true believers could not be forced to worship the gods of the emperor. While Pliny does not relate many facts about Jesus, he does provide a look at a very early example of Christian worship. Believers were meeting regularly and worshiping Jesus.
Emperor Trajan
Trajan responded to Pliny's letters (http://www.bible-history.com/quotes/edwin_m_yamauchi_1.html) and tells him that his actions were generally correct. If confessed Christians perish in their faith, they must be punished. However, three restrictions were place on Pliny. (1) Christians should not be sought out or tracked down. (2) Repentance coupled with worship of the gods sufficed to clear a person. (3) Pliny was not to honor any lists of Christians which were given to him if the accuser did not name himself.
These conditions imposed by emperor Trajan gives us some insight into early official roman views about Christianity. While persecution was certainly an issue and many Christians died without committing any actual crimes, it is interesting that, contrary to popular opinion, the first century was not the worst period of persecution for believers. Trajan's restrictions on Pliny at least indicate that it was not a wholesale slaughter. Nonetheless, the persecution was real and many died for their believe.
Emperor Hadrian
The existence of trials for Christians, such as those ones held in the time of Pliny, is confirmed by another historical reference to Christians. Serenius Granianus, proconsul of Asia, wrote to Emperor Hadrian (117-138 A.D.), also in reference to the treatment of believers. Hadrian replied to Minucius Fundanus (http://www.earlychurchtexts.com/public/hadrian_rescript_to_caius.htm), the successor as Asian proconsul and issued a statement against those who could accuse Christians falsely or without due process. in the letter, preserved by third century church Historian Eusebius, Hadrian asserts:
"I do not wish, therefore, that the matter should be passed by without examination, so that these men may neither be harassed, not opportunity of malicious proceedings be offered to informers. If, therefore, the provincials can clearly evince their charges against the Christians, so as to answer before the tribunal, let them pursue this course only, but not by mere petitions, and mere outcries against Christians. For it is far more proper, if any one would bring an accusation, that you should examine it".
Hardian explains that, if Christians are found guilty, after an examination, they should be judged "according to the heinousness of the crime". Yet, if the accusers were only slandering the believers, then those who inaccurately made the charges were to be punished.
Here we see the persecution of the church as early as the first century and is still going on today, believers standing for their believe in Jesus Christ.
In the next post we will be looking at Other Jewish Sources: The Talmud and Toledoth Jesu.
Until next time, HAVE INTELLIGENT FAITH!!!
- Nelis
Pliny the Younger
He was a Roman author and administrator who served as the governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor, Pliny the younger was the nephew and adopted son of a natural historian known as Pliny the Elder. The younger Pliny, is best known for his letter, and Bruce refers to him as "one of the world's great letter writers, whose letters...have attained the status of literary classics."
Ten books of Pliny's correspondence are extant today. The tenth book (http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/pliny-letters.asp#GenPartX), written around 112A.D. , speaks about Christianity in the province of Bithynia and also provides some facts about Jesus. Pliny found that the Christian influence was so strong that the pagan temples had been nearly deserted, pagan festivals severely decreased and the sacrificial animals had few buyers.
Pliny dealt with personally with the Christians who were turned over to him. He interrogated them, inquiring if they were believers. If the answered yes he asked them again two more times, threatening to kill them. If they continued firm in their believe, he ordered them to be executed.
Pliny also added in his letters that Christianity attracted persons of all social ranks, all ages, both sexes and from both city and the country. He also mentioned that true believers could not be forced to worship the gods of the emperor. While Pliny does not relate many facts about Jesus, he does provide a look at a very early example of Christian worship. Believers were meeting regularly and worshiping Jesus.
Emperor Trajan
Trajan responded to Pliny's letters (http://www.bible-history.com/quotes/edwin_m_yamauchi_1.html) and tells him that his actions were generally correct. If confessed Christians perish in their faith, they must be punished. However, three restrictions were place on Pliny. (1) Christians should not be sought out or tracked down. (2) Repentance coupled with worship of the gods sufficed to clear a person. (3) Pliny was not to honor any lists of Christians which were given to him if the accuser did not name himself.
These conditions imposed by emperor Trajan gives us some insight into early official roman views about Christianity. While persecution was certainly an issue and many Christians died without committing any actual crimes, it is interesting that, contrary to popular opinion, the first century was not the worst period of persecution for believers. Trajan's restrictions on Pliny at least indicate that it was not a wholesale slaughter. Nonetheless, the persecution was real and many died for their believe.
Emperor Hadrian
The existence of trials for Christians, such as those ones held in the time of Pliny, is confirmed by another historical reference to Christians. Serenius Granianus, proconsul of Asia, wrote to Emperor Hadrian (117-138 A.D.), also in reference to the treatment of believers. Hadrian replied to Minucius Fundanus (http://www.earlychurchtexts.com/public/hadrian_rescript_to_caius.htm), the successor as Asian proconsul and issued a statement against those who could accuse Christians falsely or without due process. in the letter, preserved by third century church Historian Eusebius, Hadrian asserts:
"I do not wish, therefore, that the matter should be passed by without examination, so that these men may neither be harassed, not opportunity of malicious proceedings be offered to informers. If, therefore, the provincials can clearly evince their charges against the Christians, so as to answer before the tribunal, let them pursue this course only, but not by mere petitions, and mere outcries against Christians. For it is far more proper, if any one would bring an accusation, that you should examine it".
Hardian explains that, if Christians are found guilty, after an examination, they should be judged "according to the heinousness of the crime". Yet, if the accusers were only slandering the believers, then those who inaccurately made the charges were to be punished.
Here we see the persecution of the church as early as the first century and is still going on today, believers standing for their believe in Jesus Christ.
In the next post we will be looking at Other Jewish Sources: The Talmud and Toledoth Jesu.
Until next time, HAVE INTELLIGENT FAITH!!!
- Nelis
Monday, October 24, 2011
Series - "Ancient Historical Evidence for Jesus of Nazareth" (pt.2)
As mentioned before, there are no less that 17 NON-CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL SOURCES that detail the life of the historical figure, Jesus of Nazareth. In the previous video about the ancient historical evidence for Jesus, Pastor J gave us an overview of some of those sources. Over the next few posts, we will be going more into detail on each of the 17.
They are divided into 5 categories namely Ancient Historians, Government Officials, Other Jewish Sources, Other Gentile Sources and Gnostic Sources.
First we have the Ancient Historians: Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus and Thallus. Let’s look at each one in more detail.
Tacitus: Cornelius Tacitus
He was a Roman historian who lived (ca. 55 - 120A.D.) through the reigns of over half dozen Roman emperors. He has been called the "greatest historian" of ancient Rome.
Tacitus is best known for two works- the Annals (http://classics.mit.edu/Tacitus/annals.mb.txt) and the Histories (http://classics.mit.edu/Tacitus/histories.mb.txt)
Tacitus recorded at least one reference to Christ and two to early Christianity, one in each of his major works. The most important one is found in the Annals, written about 115 A.D.
Several facts are of interest in the writings. Tacitus had to receive his information from some source and this may have been an official record. It may even have been contained in one of Pilate's reports to the emperor, to which Tacitus would probably have had access because of his standing with the government. Of course, we cannot be sure at this point, but a couple of early writers do claim to know the content of such a report.
Suetonius
Another Roman historian who also makes one reference to Jesus and one to Christians in Gaius Suetonius Tranquillas. Little is known about him except that he was the chief secretary of Emperor Hadrian (117 - 138 A.D.) and that he had access to the imperial records.
The first reference occurs in the section on Emperor Claudius (41 - 54 A.D.). Writing about the same time Tacitus. The second reference from Suetonius is again to the Christians who were tortured by Emperor Nero.
Josephus
Jewish historian Flavius Josephus was born 37or 38 A.D. and died in 97 A.D. He was born into a priestly family and became a Pharisee at the age of nineteen. After surviving a battle against the Romans, he served commander Vespasian in Jerusalem. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., he moved to Rome, where he became the court historian for Emperor Vespasian.
The Antiquities,( http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/josephus/index.htm#aoj) one of his major works, was written around 90 - 95 A.D. It makes two references to Jesus. The first is very brief and is in the context of a reference to James, "the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ". The second reference is easily the most important and the most debated:
"at this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. His conduct was good and he was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. But those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he has appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive".
Thallus
At least the death of Jesus was mentioned in an ancient history composed many years before
Tacitus, Suetonius or Josephus ever wrote and probably prior to the Gospels. Circa 52 A.D. Thallus wrote a history of the Eastern Mediterranean world from the Trojan War to his time. This work itself has been lost and only fragments of its exist in the citations of others. One such scholar who knew and spoke of it was Julius Africanus, who wrote about 221 A.D.
"On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the third book of history, calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun".
Africanus objected to Thallus' racialization concerning the darkness that fell on the land at the time of the crucifixion because an eclipse could not take place during the time of the full moon, as was the case during the Jewish Passover season.
In the next post we will be looking at the Government Officials: Pliny the Younger, Emperor Trajan and Emperor Hadrian. If you need more details on the writings of any of the historians mentioned above please email us, we will be glad to provide that for you.
I hope that this will help you in your search for the truth about Jesus of Nazareth.
See you guys next time, and remember, have Intelligent Faith!!
- Nelis
They are divided into 5 categories namely Ancient Historians, Government Officials, Other Jewish Sources, Other Gentile Sources and Gnostic Sources.
First we have the Ancient Historians: Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus and Thallus. Let’s look at each one in more detail.
Tacitus: Cornelius Tacitus
He was a Roman historian who lived (ca. 55 - 120A.D.) through the reigns of over half dozen Roman emperors. He has been called the "greatest historian" of ancient Rome.
Tacitus is best known for two works- the Annals (http://classics.mit.edu/Tacitus/annals.mb.txt) and the Histories (http://classics.mit.edu/Tacitus/histories.mb.txt)
Tacitus recorded at least one reference to Christ and two to early Christianity, one in each of his major works. The most important one is found in the Annals, written about 115 A.D.
Several facts are of interest in the writings. Tacitus had to receive his information from some source and this may have been an official record. It may even have been contained in one of Pilate's reports to the emperor, to which Tacitus would probably have had access because of his standing with the government. Of course, we cannot be sure at this point, but a couple of early writers do claim to know the content of such a report.
Suetonius
Another Roman historian who also makes one reference to Jesus and one to Christians in Gaius Suetonius Tranquillas. Little is known about him except that he was the chief secretary of Emperor Hadrian (117 - 138 A.D.) and that he had access to the imperial records.
The first reference occurs in the section on Emperor Claudius (41 - 54 A.D.). Writing about the same time Tacitus. The second reference from Suetonius is again to the Christians who were tortured by Emperor Nero.
Josephus
Jewish historian Flavius Josephus was born 37or 38 A.D. and died in 97 A.D. He was born into a priestly family and became a Pharisee at the age of nineteen. After surviving a battle against the Romans, he served commander Vespasian in Jerusalem. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., he moved to Rome, where he became the court historian for Emperor Vespasian.
The Antiquities,( http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/josephus/index.htm#aoj) one of his major works, was written around 90 - 95 A.D. It makes two references to Jesus. The first is very brief and is in the context of a reference to James, "the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ". The second reference is easily the most important and the most debated:
"at this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. His conduct was good and he was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. But those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he has appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive".
Thallus
At least the death of Jesus was mentioned in an ancient history composed many years before
Tacitus, Suetonius or Josephus ever wrote and probably prior to the Gospels. Circa 52 A.D. Thallus wrote a history of the Eastern Mediterranean world from the Trojan War to his time. This work itself has been lost and only fragments of its exist in the citations of others. One such scholar who knew and spoke of it was Julius Africanus, who wrote about 221 A.D.
"On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the third book of history, calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun".
Africanus objected to Thallus' racialization concerning the darkness that fell on the land at the time of the crucifixion because an eclipse could not take place during the time of the full moon, as was the case during the Jewish Passover season.
In the next post we will be looking at the Government Officials: Pliny the Younger, Emperor Trajan and Emperor Hadrian. If you need more details on the writings of any of the historians mentioned above please email us, we will be glad to provide that for you.
I hope that this will help you in your search for the truth about Jesus of Nazareth.
See you guys next time, and remember, have Intelligent Faith!!
- Nelis
Friday, October 21, 2011
October 21 2011, end of the world again or one more nail in the false prophet coffin?
Harold Camping predicted the end of the world again on the 21st of October 2011, that just proves that he is a false prophet.
So what is a false prophet?
False Prophets are people who teach false doctrine and lead people away from the true gospel message and teaching of God found in the Bible.
Jesus warned about false prophets in Matt. 24:24 stating that in the last days many false prophets would arise and deceive, if possible, even the elect. Examples of modern day false prophets:
Examples of false prophecies from Joseph Smith (Mormon)
So how do i spot a false prophet?
So what is a false prophet?
False Prophets are people who teach false doctrine and lead people away from the true gospel message and teaching of God found in the Bible.
Jesus warned about false prophets in Matt. 24:24 stating that in the last days many false prophets would arise and deceive, if possible, even the elect. Examples of modern day false prophets:
- Joseph Smith (Mormonism),
- Charles Taze Russell (Jehovah's Witnesses)
Examples of false prophecies from Joseph Smith (Mormon)
- Prophecy about Jesus' return within 56 years
- Prophecy that the temple would be built in Missouri within Smith's Generation
- All Nations would be involved in the American Civil War
- Prophesy that the earth will tremble and the sun be hidden in "not many days"
- Prophecy that Isaiah 11 was about to be fulfilled
- 1899 "...the 'battle of the great day of God Almighty' (
- 1916 "The Bible chronology herein presented shows that the six great 1000 year days beginning with Adam are ended, and that the great 7th Day, the 1000 years of Christ's Reign, began in 1873," (The Time Is at Hand, forward, p. ii).
- 1918 "Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection," (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p. 89).
- 1922 "The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures than 1914," (Watchtower, Sept. 1, 1922, p. 262).
- 1923 "Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures. As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to base his faith than Noah had upon which to base his faith in a coming deluge," (Watchtower, Apr. 1, 1923, p. 106).
- 1925 "The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during this year.(Watchtower, Jan. 1, 1925, p. 3).
- Present time " 1925 has come and gone and we are still here"
So how do i spot a false prophet?
- True prophets don't lie. What they say will happen comes to pass. (Jer. 28:9)
- A true prophet doesn't prophesy in their name. They prophesy in the name of the Lord . (2 Pet. 1:21)
- True prophets don't give their own interpretation of the prophecy. They give God's interpretation. (2 Pet. 1:20)
- A true prophet doesn't water down prophecy, but points out the sins and transgressions of God's people. (Isa. 58:1)
- True prophets edify, counsel, and advise the church in spiritual matters. (1 Cor. 14:3, 4)
- True prophets are in harmony with all the other prophets that have gone before them. (Isa. 8:20)
- True prophets acknowledge that Jesus is God's Son. (1 John 4:1-3)
- They are known by their works. (Matt. 7:16-20)
- True prophets only do God's will and act accordingly. (Deut. 18:19)
Have Intelligent Faith!!
- Nelis
SERIES - OneMinuteApologist - "Is it possible to know for sure that you are going to Heaven?" (Erwin Lutzer)
Here we are continuing with our One Minute Apologist Series, featuring short videos from some of Christianity's leading thinkers and defenders of the faith.
Here we have Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer again explaining if we can know FOR SURE if we are going to heaven? Do you have a "one-way ticket"? Dr. Lutzer explains us how to get that "one-way ticket". Make sure you know where you will by "flying" to the minute you breathe your last breath.
- Nelis
Here we have Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer again explaining if we can know FOR SURE if we are going to heaven? Do you have a "one-way ticket"? Dr. Lutzer explains us how to get that "one-way ticket". Make sure you know where you will by "flying" to the minute you breathe your last breath.
- Nelis
SERIES - OneMinuteApologist - "How to respond to an Atheist ?" (Erwin Lutzer)
Here we are continuing with our One Minute Apologist Series, featuring short videos from some of Christianity's leading thinkers and defenders of the faith.
Here we have Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, senior pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, giving us another way how to respond to atheists. It's a simple challenge, but could have an eternal affect.
- Nelis
Here we have Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, senior pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, giving us another way how to respond to atheists. It's a simple challenge, but could have an eternal affect.
- Nelis
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Coming Soon: Nelis Ebersohn, Intelligent Faith 315 Leader to begin posting!
A good friend of mine, and a valuable member of the Intelligent Faith 315 team, Nelis Ebersohn, will begin contributing and posting content/training resources for the site in the upcoming weeks. I am very busy with a variety of ministries and responsibilities, so Nelis voluteered to help by taking the lead in continuing to supply good quality resources to the IF315 site.
He is a good friend of mine from South Africa, has a passion and growing knowledge for defending the faith, and is a valuable member of our IF315 team. I look forward to his contributions and insights to helping you become equipped to more effectively defend and explain your faith to those around you.
Remember...... have an INTELLIGENT FAITH!
- Pastor J.
He is a good friend of mine from South Africa, has a passion and growing knowledge for defending the faith, and is a valuable member of our IF315 team. I look forward to his contributions and insights to helping you become equipped to more effectively defend and explain your faith to those around you.
Remember...... have an INTELLIGENT FAITH!
- Pastor J.
SERIES - OneMinuteApologist - "What is the New Atheism?" (D'nesh Dsouza)
Here we are continuing with our One Minute Apologist Series, featuring short videos from some of Christianity's leading thinkers and defenders of the faith.
Here, popular author and speaker D'nesh Dsouza explains some interesting and troubling features of the New Atheism movement. Hopefully this will make you better acquainted with the New Atheists' approach the next time you encounter it.
- Pastor J.
Here, popular author and speaker D'nesh Dsouza explains some interesting and troubling features of the New Atheism movement. Hopefully this will make you better acquainted with the New Atheists' approach the next time you encounter it.
- Pastor J.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
For 'Maranatha' - "Christianity is Unique in 5 Ways: #2 - It is COMPATIBLE."
(2 of 5) Per his previous request here is a short video for my Canadian buddy, Pastor Les, and his College and Career Group - "Maranatha".
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
SERIES - Closer To Truth - "Is A Human Being Purely Physical/Material?" - Dr. Alvin Plantinga
If you've never heard of him before, you should inscribe his name into your memory of great Christian Thinkers so as to not forget it. Dr. Alvin Plantinga (recently retired from University of Notre Dame) is arguably the greatest Christian philosopher of religion of the 20th century, having made enormous contributions to the philosophical strength of the Christian worldview.
Here, Dr. Plantinga lays out a simple (and infamous) philosophical argument that aims to show that believing in Evolution and Naturalism (only material objects exist in the universe) is incompatible and self-refuting. The argument is deceptively simple, yet powerful, and focuses on what is called in logic the "Law of Identity". The human physical body and the mind/soul/consciousness are the center topics of discussion, investigating if they are really one and the same object, or two seperate things in themselves.
Put on your philosophical thinking caps, and enjoy the lucid thoughts of Alvin Plantinga, a wonderfully bright and kind Christian philosopher.
- Pastor J.
Here, Dr. Plantinga lays out a simple (and infamous) philosophical argument that aims to show that believing in Evolution and Naturalism (only material objects exist in the universe) is incompatible and self-refuting. The argument is deceptively simple, yet powerful, and focuses on what is called in logic the "Law of Identity". The human physical body and the mind/soul/consciousness are the center topics of discussion, investigating if they are really one and the same object, or two seperate things in themselves.
Put on your philosophical thinking caps, and enjoy the lucid thoughts of Alvin Plantinga, a wonderfully bright and kind Christian philosopher.
- Pastor J.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
For 'Maranatha' - "Christianity is Unique in 5 Ways: #1 - It is VERIFIABLE."
(1 of 5) This is a short video for my Canadian buddy, Pastor Les, and his College and Career Group - "Maranatha". It's a shorter version of the video teaching that I already posted, bearing the same title.
I am recording and posting these shorter ones so that Pastor Les can use them to introduce his College and Career group into the subject area of Christian Apologetics.
For those of you who are in "Maranatha" and watch this, feel free to send me any questions you may have at jason@claycup.com . I'd love to help you in any way that I can.
Lastly, your group is blessed to have Pastor Les leading you. He truly loves the Lord, the Word, and God's people. Take good care of him.
- Pastor J.
I am recording and posting these shorter ones so that Pastor Les can use them to introduce his College and Career group into the subject area of Christian Apologetics.
For those of you who are in "Maranatha" and watch this, feel free to send me any questions you may have at jason@claycup.com . I'd love to help you in any way that I can.
Lastly, your group is blessed to have Pastor Les leading you. He truly loves the Lord, the Word, and God's people. Take good care of him.
- Pastor J.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
SERIES - OneMinuteApologist - "How did you get into Apologetics?" and "What are the 3 top issues today for Apologetics?" (Dr. Norman Geisler)
Video #1 - Dr. Norman Geisler, one of the "godfathers" of modern Christian Apologetics and a world-class Christian Philosopher, explains how/why he first started studying apologetics over 50 years ago.
Video#2 - Dr. Norman Geisler, explains to us what he believes are the 3 most urgent challenges to Christian Apologetics today: Relativism (no belief in absoltue truth); Pluralism (there are many ways to God); and Naturalism (only physical/natural things exist in the universe - no immaterial/supernatural entities), and how we can begin to answer them.
I hope his short comments provoke you to examine yourself in terms of sharing your own faith, and also to see if you are even aware of what these 3 philosophical challenges to the Christian worldview are. May this challenge you to expand your learning on these issues, and to use your intellect to glorify your Creator!
- Pastor J.
Video#2 - Dr. Norman Geisler, explains to us what he believes are the 3 most urgent challenges to Christian Apologetics today: Relativism (no belief in absoltue truth); Pluralism (there are many ways to God); and Naturalism (only physical/natural things exist in the universe - no immaterial/supernatural entities), and how we can begin to answer them.
I hope his short comments provoke you to examine yourself in terms of sharing your own faith, and also to see if you are even aware of what these 3 philosophical challenges to the Christian worldview are. May this challenge you to expand your learning on these issues, and to use your intellect to glorify your Creator!
- Pastor J.
SERIES - OneMinuteApologist - "What is Apologetics?" (Frank Turek)
Here, Frank Turek, coauthor of "I Don't Have Enought Faith To Be An Atheist" gives a powerful and concise explanation of what Apologetics is, and why it is essential for today's churches in helping the younger generation in their faith. Listen, learn, and enjoy!
- Pastor J.
- Pastor J.
NEW Series - "The One Minute Apologist" (Intro)
Wouldn't it be great to have the leading minds in Christianity give you clear,
concise answers to the most important questions you have concerning the defense of your faith?
This is precisely what "The One Minute Apologist" offers to you. Pastor Bobby Conway, assembles the Christian scholoars and experts from various fields of academic study interviews them on specific topics. The answers are given in short, clear responses and are very easy to digest and remember.
We will be higlighting more of these into the future, with the desire to expose you to the top academic scholars defending the Christian faith today, and hoping you will be able to learn and understand through their concise and cogent explanations. Enjoy!
- Pastor J.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
NEW Series - "Ancient Historical Evidence for Jesus of Nazareth" (pt.1)
- Is Jesus a fairytale invented by first century Jews?
- Did he never historically exist, as many atheists claim today?
Surely, if such an important figure truly existed in history, there would be ample evidence and powerful proof that he actually lived and what he accomplished in his time. Upon investigation of the historical evidence, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE DISCOVER!
Actually, there are no less that 17 NON-CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL SOURCES that detail the life of the historical figure, Jesus of Nazareth. These historical sources include world renowned historians such as Josephus, Suetonius, and even "the Father of History", Tacitus. But they also include two of the most famous men that ever lived, the Roman Emperors Hadrian and Trajan. Beyond these, there are a dozen well established non-christian historical sources that give testimony the life, deeds, death, and impact of the man Jesus of Nazareth.
Though many people are unaware of these historical facts, we are now living in a day and time, when it is simply intellectually irresponsible to doubt the historical existence of the Nazarene. In fact, scholars haved readily admitted that the quantity and quality of evidence we have for Jesus of Nazareth far exceeds accepted historical figures, such as Alexander the Great or Tiberisu Caesar.
This video series will be bringing to light these 17 NON-CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL SOURCES that verify the life and deeds of Jesus of Nazareth, using the research of Dr. Gary Habermas of Liberty University. The goal is to educate Christians and Non-Christians alike on the historical information surrounding the person of Jesus of Nazeth.
For the Christian, this will help you to be better armed intellectually, when confronted by the uninformed criticisms of Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens, who deny that Jesus ever existed.
For the Non-Christian, I hope this information will begin to help you to build a proper understanding of the unshakeable and undeniable historical foundations of the Christian faith and it's Founder, Jesus of Nazareth.
- Pastor J.
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