Gregory Koukl's Blog, page 85
July 22, 2014
Links Mentioned on the 7/22/14 Show
The following are links that were either mentioned on this week's show or inspired by it, as posted live on the @STRtweets Twitter feed:
Quote from Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
God, Time & Eternity (CD) by William Lane Craig
STR's new Facebook page
Alan Shlemon's twitter Q&A event at #STRask
reTHINK Student Apologetics Conference
J.P. Moreland's website
The Soul: How We Know It's Real and Why It Matters by J.P. Moreland
Evidence for the Soul by Greg Koukl
Is There Any Evidence for the Soul? by J. Warner Wallace
Is Free Will Just an Illusion? (Includes info on the 1924 Clarence Darrow case Greg referred to)
Listen to today's show or download any archived show for free. (Find links from past shows here.)
To follow the Twitter conversation during the live show (Tuesdays 4:00–7:00 p.m. PT), use the hashtag #STRtalk.
Challenge: Christians Fight Too Hard for Inerrancy and Inspiration
Here’s a challenge from our comments section:
Christians fight too hard for inerrancy and inspiration. I am willing to suspend judgment on whether or not the Bible is the "Word of God," yet I can still benefit from its teachings where applicable. I can also believe in Christ without buying that the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God. Factually, it is indeed a library of books written by men; whether they were "inspired" by God is a matter entirely up to one's opinion.
I believe Beethoven's music is inspired, but I can't prove it. Nor does that change anything about it.
Does the question of whether or not the Bible is inspired make a difference? Should it be debated? Give us your thoughts in the comments below, then we’ll hear Brett’s response on Thursday.
July 21, 2014
How Should One Combat Apathy within a Young Adult Training Setting?
Brett shares how to inspire an interest in apologetics among students.
July 19, 2014
Apologetic Arguments Can Reshape What Our Culture Considers Plausible
In a post at the Gospel Coalition on “Apologetics and the Role of Plausibility Structures,” Joe Carter explains that even when the current set of beliefs held by atheists prevent them from seeing any argument for God’s existence as plausible (no matter how reasonable), those arguments still have an effect on our culture:
Everything that we believe is filtered through our plausibility structures — belief-forming apparatus that acts as a gatekeeper, letting in evidence that is matched against what we already consider to be possible. Plausibility structures filter out claims that we believe cannot be reasonable or potentially true….
Oddly enough, while atheism is a minority view and has been so throughout the history of the world, it is assumed that pluralism requires that we adopt it as the default plausibility structure for almost all areas of human culture. Everything from science and education to politics and public policy is assumed to begin with the assumption that either God does not exist or that his existence is irrelevant. This idea that soft atheism is the neutral ground from which all sectarian matters must be addressed is patently absurd. Not only does this claim fail to recognize that atheism is not religiously neutral, it fails to acknowledge that atheism is quite implausible.
It is this implausibility that needs to be continuously pointed out and brought into the open. Apologetic arguments for the existence of God aid in this effort by pointing out that the belief in God's existence is more probable, more plausible, more reasonable, and more rational than its denial. We should be lovingly generous to individuals who adhere to skepticism or atheism. But when these mystical and improbable beliefs are brought to the public square they should receive the utmost scrutiny and a forceful presentation of their irrationality….
Whether [apologetic arguments] are directly useful in leading unbelievers to Christ, they can be indirectly useful in reshaping the plausibility structures of our culture.
Read the rest of his post.
July 18, 2014
Twitter Event with Alan on Tuesday, July 22
Join us on Twitter this coming Tuesday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (PT) to ask Alan Shlemon questions about abortion, homosexuality, or Islam. Just tweet your questions to @AlanShlemon during that hour, using the hashtag #STRask.
If you don't have a Twitter account, you can still watch this page on Tuesday to view the questions and responses as they're posted. (Then get a Twitter account. What is this, 2005?)
More info here.
July 17, 2014
Being Salt and Light in 19th Century England
Titus Salt was a contemporary of of John Cadbury, whom I wrote about last Thursday, and there are similarities in their stories.
Salt expanded his father's wool manufacturing business and became quite successful. He innovated a method of manufacturing alpaca wool, which Charles Dickens even mentioned in one of his books.
Salt was motivated by his Christianity to improve the social and natural environment his employees lived in. He became mayor of Bradford with the goal of improving the poor standard of living. He attempted to innovate ways to diminish the intense air pollution that England's manufacturing spewed out during the industrial revolution. He used a burner in his factories that produced less smoke and tried to persuade other manufacturers to use it, but to little success.
He had more success improving the lives of his employees. Like George Cadbury, Title Salt built a village in Yorkshire he called Saltaire. He moved his factory there and built homes, parks, churches, and shops for his employees. "He was a great philanthropist of the age, helping his workers have unprecedented living standards for the time."
July 16, 2014
Take Christians to Mosques & The Church's Secret to a Joy-Filled Life
Alan’s and Brett’s July newsletters are now posted on the website:
Why Take Christians to Mosques? by Alan Shlemon: “The short answer is that a mosque experience [visiting, not worshipping] entails essential training that rarely occurs amongst Christians. I call it “training” because it prepares believers to engage in the Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20). I believe it’s essential because Christians need to know and understand the people they are called to reach. Since 38,000 Muslims die each day and enter eternity without Christ, it is critical to mobilize Christians to reach them. But doesn’t teaching Christians about Islamic theology and taking them to mosques encourage them to become Muslim? Not at all. In fact, the opposite is true. Let me explain.” (Read more)
The Church's Secret to a Joy-Filled Life by Brett Kunkle: “[L]ike the Philippians, a church that is involved in the work of the Gospel is a joy-filled church. That’s why students come back from the [apologetics] mission trips lit up, infused with so much joy. For a week, they participate in the cause of the Gospel. Day in and day out, they’re having significant conversations about God, morality, Scripture, salvation, Jesus, and more. Nothing has the potential to change a young Christian like living life for the cause of the Gospel.” (Read more)
You can subscribe to their monthly newsletters here.
July 15, 2014
A Motivating Mormon Role Play
I recently had the chance to role play a Mormon for an unsuspecting group of Christians at a church in Southern California. You can watch the encounter below. I'm no longer surprised by how ill-equipped long-time Christians can be, but it still saddens me. However, it also motivates me to get out there and train as many people as I possibly can.
Listen to these Christians engage "Elder Kunkle" and then ask, "How would my church, Sunday school class, small group, youth group, students, etc. do in that situation?" And let it motivate you too.
July 14, 2014
Do Humans Really Have Free Will?
Greg shares the definition of free will and how it relates to theology.
July 12, 2014
Three Free Video Series from Ligonier
Ligonier, R.C. Sproul’s ministry, has some free online video series available. Here are three that will be helpful to you as an apologist (each of these has six lectures):
The Mystery of the Trinity: “Many of us, when asked about the Trinity, unknowingly offer heretical answers. Yet a proper understanding of this doctrine is essential to the health and welfare of the church. In this series, Dr. R.C. Sproul gives a sweeping overview of this important doctrine, explaining difficult concepts, exploring biblical teaching, and defining what the term mystery means.”
The Holiness of God: “The Holiness of God examines the meaning of holiness and why people are both fascinated and terrified by a holy God. This series closely explores God’s character, leading to new insights on sin, justice, and grace. The result is a new awareness of our dependence upon God’s mercy and a discovery of the awesomeness of His majestic holiness. Dr. R.C. Sproul says, ‘The holiness of God affects every aspect of our lives — economics, politics, athletics, romance — everything with which we are involved.’”
[Incidentally, I recommend Sproul’s book by that same name to apologists more often than any other book. I think it’s the key to a multitude of apologetics subjects.]
The Cross of Christ: “In The Cross of Christ, Dr. Sproul discusses the saving work of the Son of God. Unfolding the drama of redemption revealed in the Old Testament, R.C. highlights humanity’s great need for salvation and communicates the way the Cross fulfills that need. And he explains the certainty of redemption for those whom God draws to the Cross. The Cross of Christ will increase your understanding of history’s pivotal event — and your ability to communicate that event’s crucial implications.”
There are many more teaching series, as well. Search the free ones, or browse them all. Each series has at least one free lecture.
