Gregory Koukl's Blog, page 22
March 2, 2016
Links Mentioned on the 3/02/16 Show
The following is a rundown of today's podcast, annotated with links that were either mentioned on the show or inspired by it:
Guest: Frank Turek ��� CrossExamined Instructor Academy (0:00)
Frank Turek
CrossExamined Instructor Academy ��� August 18-20 in Costa Mesa, CA
Frank Turek and Michael Shermer Defend Their Debate to Gay Activists by Wintery Knight
Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl
Questions:
1. Is it possible to write a good devotional? (0:23)
10 Serious Problems with Jesus Calling by Tim Challies
Jesus Calling (Review) by Tim Challies
Our Daily Bread
Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon (Audio app)
2. Is it always wrong to violate your conscience? (0:40)
The Life and Spirituality of John Newton: An Authentic Narrative by John Newton (Spiritual autobiography)
Amazing Grace (Film)
3. How do you fear God? (0:49)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Listen to today's show or download any archived show for free. (Find links from past shows here.)
To take part in the Twitter conversation during the live show (Tuesdays 4:00���6:00 p.m. PT), follow @STRtweets and use the hashtag #STRtalk.
March 1, 2016
Loving Someone Doesn���t Mean Accepting Their Behavior
We all have people in our lives with whom we disagree. We���re against some people���s ideas. We���re against some people���s behaviors. We���re against some people���s attitudes and inclinations. Despite our differences, though, in most cases we���re still in a relationship with them. We might not say we ���love��� them, but oftentimes we do love them in a non-romantic, I���m-committed-to-you kind of love.
Sometimes I think our hypersensitive and superficial world wants to change that, though. If you say someone is wrong, you���re labeled as mean, hateful, or some other pejorative term. This is especially true when it comes to homosexuality. If you believe your friend or family member���s homosexual behavior is morally wrong, you���re probably thought of as unloving. Indeed, it���s no longer enough to tolerate a person who satisfies their same-sex attraction; you���re expected to celebrate them.
It���s not just non-believers who think this way. I hear this kind of talk even from Christians who adopt pro-gay theology, the view that the Bible is gay-affirming or neutral about homosexual sex. They usually baptize this idea by saying God loves everyone and we���re all His children. While it���s certainly true God loves everyone, He also makes moral demands throughout the Bible.
In fact, all through Scripture we see God and Jesus point out sin but still love the people who engage in it. Romans 5:8 says, ���But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.��� We not only engaged in wrong behavior, our attitudes and inclinations were against God. That���s because we���re all born with a spiritually genetic condition that produces a natural inclination towards beliefs, desires, and behaviors that God says are wrong. We���re all born that way. We all have an orientation towards sin. Despite our moral crimes and hostility towards God, He still loves us.
Why is it, then, that gay-affirming Christians don���t accuse God of being unloving when He condemns immoral thoughts, desires, and behaviors? He, of all personal beings in the universe, makes the most number of moral demands on the lives of free people. He also levies the harshest judgments. Given this harsh record, He���s still described as loving.
That���s why it���s possible for us, human beings made in God���s image, to do the same. In fact, we���re commanded to love people even though every person we encounter does wrong. Certainly there are some people who don���t love others with whom they disagree, but that doesn���t mean there aren���t many Christians who love people they think are violating God���s commands. I can think of all sorts of situations where I���m against a person���s ideas, desires, inclinations, or behavior but still genuinely love them. Here are three quick examples.
The Church: I���ve been going to church for a long time. I���ve worked with pastors, elders, and other staff. I���ve worked in youth ministry, participated on a pastoral search team committee, and served on a commission board. During this time, I���ve met many fellow believers who are ��� let���s just say ��� not my type. We didn���t get along. Our quarrels were over who they were, what they believed, and what they want to accomplish in the church. Despite my grievances with them, I loved these brothers and sisters. I worked hard to treat them with respect and show them I care in light of our many disagreements.
My family: I have family relationships with people I have issues with. My kids sometimes misbehave (boast, lie, cheat, etc.) and I discipline them for their immoral behavior. Do I still love them? Absolutely! In fact, I would argue that if I didn���t love them, I wouldn���t discipline them when they act immorally. I���ll offer an even more extreme example. If my daughter (when she is older) moved in with her boyfriend, I���d be vigorously opposed and angry with my daughter. She might try to tell me she���s in love with him, that it���s natural to be together, and that they���re made for each other. There���s no excuse she could give me that would make me condone her behavior, but there���s also nothing she could do to stop me from loving her. I���ve also had situations where I thought my wife���s behavior or attitude was wrong (and, by the way, many times where she���s thought my behavior or attitude was wrong!). Sometimes my concerns with her have lasted many months. Despite these issues, I love my wife, dearly! I���ve even had family members (who claimed to be Christian) divorce for unbiblical reasons, rendering them ineligible to remarry. When they asked me to attend their next wedding, I told them I couldn���t because of what Scripture teaches about marriage, divorce, and remarriage (Matthew 5:32, Luke 16:18, etc.). That���s a big deal, but I still love that family member. If you were to ask them today, ���Does Alan love you?��� I can guarantee they���d emphatically say, ���Yes!��� Why? Because I can oppose people���s attitudes and behaviors, but still love them.
My friends: I���ve had non-Christian friends throughout my life. All of them engage in behaviors I would describe (because Scripture describes) as sin. I know some of them have sex before marriage. Some cheat on their taxes. Some steal movies by downloading them illegally. Some find it natural to lie when they get in trouble. Some find it natural to lust when they see attractive women. The list goes on. But I love those friends. I spend time with them, go to the movies with them, play tennis with them, talk about my hopes and dreams and fears with them, and basically behave how you���d expect someone to behave with a friend they love. I don���t celebrate their sinful behavior, but I do love them. Is it hard for me to love them? No. I love to love them! Why? Because Christians who uphold classical Christianity and classical Christian values routinely love people whom they believe are in rebellion towards God. It���s not that hard when the Holy Spirit lives in you.
It doesn���t matter how a friend who identifies as gay describes himself to me. He might say he���s a gay man, has a natural attraction towards the same sex, engages in gay sex, or something else. It doesn���t matter if his description is about his behavior, identity, inclination, sexual attraction, gender, or whatever. I know I love him (or her, in the cases where they identify as lesbian) even though Scripture claims his inclinations are misdirected and condemns his behavior.
I���m not denying there are Christians who are hateful towards homosexuals. I know there are. I���ve met a few and spoken to them about their feelings. But these people are not the same as the vast majority of conservative Christians I���ve talked to across the country over the last decade who unapologetically affirm Scripture���s condemnation of homosexual sex, yet vigorously love those who engage in it. Ignoring this distinction is irresponsible and assumes the worse of people who practice true civility.
Give Greg a Call Today
Greg is live on the broadcast today, looking forward to talking with callers.
Ask your question. Share a piece of your mind. Call with your question or comment at (855) 243-9975, outside the U.S. (562) 424-8229. The broadcast is live today 4-6 p.m. P.T. ��� commentary and your calls. Streaming live online.
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The program is two hours now, and one hour podcast episodes are posted on Wednesday and Friday.
February 29, 2016
Are Predestination and Salvation "To Everyone Who Believes" Compatible?
How can only the chosen and predestined be saved by grace, while "it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes"?
February 27, 2016
Updated Article on Jesus��� View of Homosexuality
I���ve said before that one of the biggest challenges the Church faces is itself. Christians need to stand firm against the pressure to compromise their convictions. Too often, though, I see believers capitulating to culture, especially on politically incorrect matters. I���m sympathetic to that impulse. I would love to go with the flow as well. That���s not what Christ commands us to do, though. We���re not to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2).
That���s why it���s frustrating to see so many believers beguiled by bad arguments defending pro-gay theology. It seems there are two categories of these arguments: first generation and second generation. First generation arguments became popular in the 1980s and continued for a few decades. Second generation arguments take a little more time to explain why they���re wrong. Greg and I co-wrote a two-part Solid Ground series responding to some of these second-generation arguments here and here. Both generations of arguments are bad and mistaken. My point in this post is not to go into detail about all of them.
Rather, I want to point you to an article I recently updated that responds to a first-generation argument that still lingers around. It���s the claim that since Jesus didn���t say anything about homosexuality, that means that homosexual behavior is morally permissible.
I know I���ve written about this in the past, but I���ve now bolstered my case with a few more points. There are now seven arguments responding to the claim that Jesus never said anything about homosexuality. You can read the article here.
February 26, 2016
Links Mentioned on the 2/26/16 Show
The following is a rundown of today's podcast, annotated with links that were either mentioned on the show or inspired by it:
Guest: Tom Gilson ��� Critical Conversations: A Christian Parents��� Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens (0:00)
Critical Conversations: A Christian Parents��� Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens by Tom Gilson
Critical Conversations website
Thinking Christian ��� Tom Gilson's website
Stream.org
Understand the Same-Sex Marriage Issue by Amy Hall
Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids by Kara Powell
It's Not about Equality by Amy Hall
Marriage in Polygamy Is Still One Man, One Woman by Amy Hall
Why Is It Okay to Wear Mixed Fibers? by Amy Hall
What Was the Purpose of the Commands against Mixed Threads? by Amy Hall
Did Paul Know about Homosexuality? by Amy Hall (Quoting Kevin DeYoung)
��� Announcements:
STR Cruise to Alaska ��� August 6-13, 2016
Listen to today's show or download any archived show for free. (Find links from past shows here.)
To take part in the Twitter conversation during the live show (Tuesdays 4:00���6:00 p.m. PT), follow @STRtweets and use the hashtag #STRtalk.
Risen ��� The Movie
We (most of the STR office staff) just got back from seeing the movie Risen. I think it���s one of the best Christian movies I���ve seen, and it���s a movie that would be interesting (and not embarrassing) to bring a non-Christian to. There���s one omission, but it���s a significant one.
The Roman tribune Clavius is Pilate���s right hand keeping order in Jerusalem. So on Friday afternoon, Pilate sends him out to Golgotha to finish up the crucifixions taking place. He���s there to make sure everyone is dead and is surprised to find Jesus already dead.
On Saturday, Pilate calls on him to secure the tomb Jesus is buried in to appease the Jewish leaders��� concerns about His body being stolen. It���s interesting how the character of Clavius is used to walk through the evidence���the overwhelming evidence���why Jesus is dead and the tomb is secure. There���s no question a demoralized rabble is getting into that tomb.
Pilate sends him out to the tomb on Sunday to investigate how the tomb was opened and the body stolen. Clavius is an intelligent man and begins a thorough investigation. He examines the evidence at the tomb, and it can't be explained by a grave robbery. He interviews the witnesses and eventually interrogates Mary Magdalene and Bartholomew. Bartholomew has a silly smile on his face. Some of our staff thought that made him seem silly. I thought that if He���d actually seen Jesus alive after mourning his death that he would be giddy and have a smile nothing could wipe off his face. Clavius is finally confronted with incontrovertible evidence, and he���s literally stunned.
The movie doesn���t leave it inconclusive for the audience to decide. The evidence for Jesus��� resurrection is about facts and reality, not subjective opinion. That���s a unique take for a movie about Jesus and, I think, one of the most significant things about this movie. It���s consistent with the Bible���s claims about the resurrection. It happened. He was physically resurrected, not a specter or spiritual presence. The reality and Clavius��� response to it aren���t left open for the audience to decide for themselves. It happened, and there���s ample rational evidence to believe that.
Early in the movie, it���s clear Clavius is a pluralist. He���s a typical Roman���there are many gods and it���s subjective which ones you pray to. Even Yahweh is one more in the pantheon, no more true or superior to the others. But what Clavius confronts in the evidence he finds is objective truth. It calls for abandoning all the other gods and following the true way. This is very similar to our own culture now. Kind of amazing that we have so much in common with the Romans. This is the Christian message���a claim about reality and truth.
I liked the disciples��� joy. That would be the response to seeing the man they loved alive again. They are changed men and not afraid of anything, ready to obey His Great Commission.
The one omission is the Gospel���the reason Jesus suffered that tortuous death and then rose to defeat death. Forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with the Father. It���s one detail, but it���s a glaring omission. The message we hear Jesus teach in the movie is love. There were a few great moments in the movie where a simple exchange of words could have conveyed Jesus��� purpose. The movie does convey that the evidence compels a decision about Jesus.
The movie goes the whole length of the course and then stumbles an inch from the finish line. But it may as well be a mile because of the significance of that omission.
It���s well worth seeing. The violence isn���t too graphic, so it���s suitable for older children. It does what so many portrayals of Jesus��� life don���t do���it deals in the realm of facts and reality. But Jesus��� message wasn���t about loving each other. It was about how great the Father���s love that He gave His only begotten Son to take the penalty of our sin so we could enjoy reconciliation with Him.
February 25, 2016
February 24, 2016
Links Mentioned on the 2/24/16 Show
The following is a rundown of today's podcast, annotated with links that were either mentioned on the show or inspired by it:
Guest Hosts: Brett Kunkle and Amy Hall ��� Are Atheists the Only Rational Ones? Are There Answers to the Challenges to Christianity? (0:00)
An Atheist Speaks at a Christian Church (Video) ��� Brett Kunkle
Questions:
��� Announcements:
Ligonier's 2016 National Conference ��� February 25-27 in Orlando, FL (Greg is speaking)
Upcoming events with STR speakers
1. Is getting a picture from God through prayer a biblical approach for getting direction in evangelism? (0:14)
MA in Christian Apologetics at Biola (On-campus and distance-learning options)
Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
2. Dealing with challenges in church as a pastor (0:32)
1 Timothy 4:12 ��� ���Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.���
3. How can I improve my Bible reading? (0:51)
The Bible: Fast Forward (DVD/Streaming, CD/MP3) by Greg Koukl
You Want to Be a Good Apologist? by Amy Hall (Spoiler: Read through the Bible once a year.)
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
James Gray on Mastering the Bible by Fred Sanders
Memorizing the Bible Changes You by Amy Hall
Listen to today's show or download any archived show for free. (Find links from past shows here.)
To take part in the Twitter conversation during the live show (Tuesdays 4:00���6:00 p.m. PT), follow @STRtweets and use the hashtag #STRtalk.
February Newsletters: Columbo, Evolution, and Adam
Alan���s, Tim���s, and Brett���s February newsletters are now posted on the website:
The Gospel According to Columbo by Alan Shlemon: ���At Stand to Reason, we���ve always been intrigued by Columbo���s inquisitive style and believe it���s a powerful way to engage people. Here���s what I believe he���d say if he were to present the Gospel. He���d ask three questions. Do you believe people who commit moral crimes ought to be punished? Have you ever committed a moral crime? Would you like to be pardoned? Let���s look at the reasoning behind each question.��� (Read more.)
Was Adam a Real Person? by Tim Barnett: ���What���s at stake in denying the historicity of an original Adam? Theistic evolutionists insist that there is no great loss. For instance, in his book Evolutionary Creation, Denis Lamoureux states, ���My central conclusion in this book is clear: Adam never existed, and this fact has no impact whatsoever on the foundational beliefs of Christianity.��� I adamantly disagree. In fact, I believe that there are serious consequences in rejecting Adam as a historical person.��� (Read more.)
Students Don���t Have to Be Intimidated by Evolution by Brett Kunkle: ���Christian students are often intimidated by Darwin���s theory. When their high school biology teacher or college professor covers evolution, they cower. They feel ill-equipped to counter the scientific case for evolution. They don���t even know where to begin. So I give them a simple starting point: define evolution.��� (Read more.)
You can subscribe to their newsletters here.
