oddXian: Challenge the Consensus

With me the horrid doubt always arises whether the convictions of man's mind, which has been developed from the mind of lower animals, are of any value or at all trustworthy. Would any one trust in the convictions of a monkey's mind, if there are any convictions in such a mind? Charles Darwin, The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin Something to think about... but then you must think also about how much trust to put in your thoughts. If the cosmos evolved by chance with no anticipation of man, and if there was no created correspondence between the human mind and the physical cosmos, is there any good reason to trust the mind's conceptual apprehension of the cosmos? Can naturalism provide a connection between the human mind and the universe, other than what must be considered an incredible coincidence? Kenneth Samples "A World of Difference"

Note some of the comments in the article Why We Are All Insane Natural selection wants us to be crazy — at least a little bit. That's nice. Cooperative relationships were critical to ensuring access to food, whether through farming or more strategic hunting, and those with blunt social skills were unlikely to survive, Do we really see family lines in humanity die off because of "lack of social skills"? In some cases, do we not find those with less social skills having more children? ...nature cares about genes, not joy, Now, matter possesses "personality". But even if 16 million men today can trace their genes to Genghis Khan (nature's definition of uber-success can be measured by his prolific paternity), very few potential despots achieve such heights. Success defined by naturalism - prolific paternity of this nature? Certain types of depression, however, Geary continued, may be advantageous. That's nice. Remember this the next time naturalists look ...

Article on Abortion If one knows killing is wrong, but does not know when life begins, wouldn't it be more prudent to not support opportion? Could the politician's attempt to put the blame with the Catholic church be political maneuvering? Can God tell the difference? ===== And how about the other politician's statement - "but there’s been gradations of whether it was wrong. You know, from venial or mortal sin, as we Catholics say, and versions of it.” Any consideration of what God says?

Thinking about how many people take "pride" in being "tolerant" today, I wonder... If by "being" tolerant of others (regardless of whether others' beliefs are true or not), some mistakenly (or without thoughtfulness) think taking such a position and/or participating in such a practice keeps one safe from God's judgement (as if it doesn't exist or will not be fully and/or finally extended to them). (It's not unusual for individuals to create their "own little world" and begin to think or act as if their world is all there is... but then be suddenly and without warning awakened to the truth)

From A Teacher on the Front Line as Faith and Science Clash Mr. Campbell defended his fellow writers against complaints that they had not included alternative explanations for life’s diversity, like intelligent design. His attempt at humor came with an edge: “We also failed to include astrology, alchemy and the concept of the moon being made of green cheese,” he said. “Because those aren’t science, either.” “Faith is not based on science,” Mr. Campbell said. “And science is not based on faith.

Unlike "Borat," or even a Moore film, “Religulous” is a dead end. In the last quarter, the laughs peter out as we realize the exploration is pointless. Roger Friedman Quote from Bill Maher's Anti-Religion Movie Trailer clips of Bill Maher's movie "Religulous" reveal the fact that though Maher may borrow an interesting style from Borat (putting faces and realism on much of what is already known and experienced in religion around the world); the film will be short on substance (i.e., nothing new will be unveiled when it comes to Maher's proposition that "All Religion are Bad" and "They are Ruining Everything".) Specifically, Maher will, as usual, in appealing to the public (argumentum ad populum) make sweeping generalizations (dicto simpliciter), yet fail to present and prove this point, particularly showing evidence and/or reasons leading to sound argument and proof that (1) Biblical Christianity is irrational; (2) Biblical Christi...

Good article by Al Mohler on moral responsibility from determinism perspective and Christian perspective. As Mohler points out, determinism: ... also renders human existence irrational. How can we understand ourselves, our children, our spouses, our friends, or our neighbors if moral responsibility is undermined by determinism. Our legal system would completely collapse, as would the entire experience of relating to other human beings. Lessons: 1. Any worldview that depends on or sets determinism as an explanation for ethics will prove unstable. 2. Christianity proves stable in the area of ethics. ...... Type rest of the post here ......

Case in Point: Religious Man Eaten After Trying to Receive Blessing From Crocodile While the consequences of this idolatry were obvious, consider what was said about those who worshipped the golden calf... "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people." Be careful WHO you worship!

In Christian Theology Students Forced off Campus by Mob of Islamic Hard-liners, it's stated The government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, which relies on the support of Islamic parties in Parliament, is struggling to balance deep Islamic traditions and a secular constitution. With elections coming next April, the government seems unwilling to defend religious minorities, lest it be portrayed as anti-Islamic in what is the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. The point is you cannot serve two masters. Serving mammon doesn't provide motivation to do the right thing in this situation. Serving God would. Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Borrowing a phrase from John Sire, "Is God one to be worshiped (i.e., he is a personal nature), or merely an intellect or force to be recognized?" It seems some suggest God is simply an "energy" or "force", but one than can be "known" and is worthy of "worship".

Homosexuals, in trying to get society to accept or "normalize" their behavior and practices, often offer the argument that homosexuals are smart, talented, athletic, good cooks, artists, community organizers, etc. While one does not deny the other things may be true (and good), that doesn't mean that society should accept or normalize their homosexual practice. Case in point: In Convicted Child Molester Gary Glitter Refuses to Leave Thailand After Being Denied Entry to Country , it's shown that Glitter has talent and produced a song reaching the top ten list in America; however, just because of his talent or song, does that mean we should accept, overlook, or "normalize" his practice? I don't think so. If the argument doesn't hold up for Glitter, it doesn't hold up for others with sinful behavior either.

Borrowing terms from Peter Medawar, I submit that atheists (/humanists, etc.) err in substituting the sufficiency of reason for the necessity of reason.

Here's an article that probably only gets a brief scan if that from most readers: China Confiscates Bibles From American Christians Note the following though: 1. The "officially atheistic government" claims religous freedom but then confiscated 300 Bibles. (Consider the 8th & 9th Commandment) 2. An officer of the "officially atheistic government" denied confiscating the Bibles. She said authorities were just "taking care" of them. (If so, why did they give the individuals back one Bible each? Did they not also need to be "cared for"?) (Consider the 9th commandment) 3. The "officially atheistic government" prohibits proselytizing and is worried that if the spread of religion goes unchecked, believers might ultimately challenge the Communist Party's authority. Seems this "officially atheistic government" denies(/opposes) freedom, lies to cover it up, operates out of fear, shows intolerance, seeks to intimidat...

Short but good Article by John Lennox showing how one's presuppositions affect how one views scientific evidence.

Read this article, then take the jump to see the "surprise ending": THE TWO PARTIES Two political parties today proffer their principles and their candidates, as the remedy for the troubles that afflict the nation. Each claims that its policy is the sure pathway to peace and prosperity, and each seeks to justify its measures as not only expedient but right. The Republican party is the party of order, of liberty, of justice, and public faith; their opponents represent the reactionary ideas of privilege and caste, suggest repudiation and propose to win, if at all, by violence, intimidation, and fraud. In the interests of mere natural justice we rejoice in the inevitable success of the Republican party, but only because it will delay impending ruin and prolong, for a little, our chances of reformation. The parties differ only in that one proposes to carry us to ruin a little less rapidly than the other. Our great national crime is rebellion against God and rejection of His law. ...

Unknown ingredient CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas— As newlyweds in 1997, neither Hannah Overton nor her husband Larry wanted to move back to this port city. Both had grown up here, but Hannah wanted to do missionary work abroad and Larry remembered as a kid how its churches were disunited. Yet they thought God wanted them back—perhaps to unify the city, though they couldn't say how. Disobeying God, they agreed, was worse than living in Corpus Christi. They moved into a house on the south end of town that Larry remodeled. They started a family that now includes five children born to them. It's a family Hannah Overton hasn't seen much of lately. Last month, she became No. 01478117 in Gatesville Women's Prison, serving a life sentence for a crime she says she's innocent of—and her conviction has further divided the community she hoped to unite. Ironically, family is where her troubles started: She had always wanted a big one. In June 2006 the Overtons decided to adopt 4-year-ol...

A new trend I'm seeing among elites is to discuss aspects and preferments between individualism and collectivism. See here and here . Often when the world examines the two (individualism & collectivism), they side with one or the other, and pit one against the other, often leading to faulty and disastrous results. The better solution is to recognize the co-relationship and involvement of both individualism AND collectivism, as the two each have their place within the whole, and as the two come together for the betterment of the whole and the individuals. Why is this? Because the triune God is both one nature and three persons, both humanity and our relationships stem from and reflect these aspects of God. For example, as a person, I'm not only an individual but at the SAME time I'm also part of a greater humanity. Even in my family, I'm not only an individual (distinct from others) but an integral part of my collective family. As with other tensions of realit...

Can man save himself? The answer is no, but many preach it. Great post on this subject by Jim Bublitz at 'Man Saves Man' and Decisions are the Plan Thanks Jim for the way to have brought focus and light to this issue.

Why is it that if man evolves (I'm using an argument from others) that man's nature has not changed? Is this immune to evolution even over thousands (/millions) of years. Man, even know he knows better, still is prone to act out of a sinful nature (malice, coveting, theft, lies, impure, unchaste, etc.) In fact, a case can be made on one level that man is worse in these areas that other beings, for what animals do the things that man does to the extent that man sometimes does? Some things to think about... - If this has not changed, WHY? (Certainly, even for survival purposes this would be a critical aspect for change, and yet it's not changed at all.) - Man is powerless to change his nature, but God can. (Rom 5:6)

The following is a quote from G.K. Chesterton Hell is a monument to human freedom - and, we might add, human dignity. Hell is God's tribute tot the freedom he gave each of us to choose whom we would serve; it is a recognition that our decisions have a significance that extends far down into the reaches of foreverness. Far from being determined, coerced, irrelevant or without significance, your response and choices matter.

"It is sad to know that our ancestors played such a major role in the extinction of these species - and sadder still when we consider that this trend continues today," he said. The above quote was taken from an article entitled "Extinction from Man, not Climate" . My question is this: Is it appropriate to talk about events in evolution being "sad"? Were these humans not just "less evolved" and living in keeping with their heritable traits, etc., or is it that man (even those who have gone before us) are moral beings responsible for their actions and stewardship? For if things are left to chance, and if they were not responsible, and if they were simply acting with a view toward survival (or happiness, or whatever other end people [or groups of people choose]), then why is it "sad"? Sadness would assume some measure of stewardship and value in protection of species.

Praise the LORD from the earth...you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars ... (Psalm 148:7-9) Interesting article about rethinking the purpose and use of trees. Interesting also to think about whether using trees in particular ways as suggested is for "man to give them purpose" or whether it's for man to "recognize a purpose and usefulness they meet and are already fit for". Indeed ALL things, the sun, the moon, the stars of the sky, the trees, the organs of the body, etc., ALL have purpose though for a time man may not recognize or understand or appreciate it... but that doesn't mean with wisdom, greater investigation, and insight it cannot be discovered. Indeed, as the Psalmist writes: Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. ...... Type rest of the post here ......

Follow up video to swordbearer's earlier post - starts in earnest about 1 minute in - wow! Part 2

The motto for the 2008 Olympics is "One World, One Dream". The motto seeks to lift up the vision of world harmony. The question is: Can there really be world harmony in a world where core beliefs and values are opposed to one another? While I'm not suggesting that we should not seek harmony where possible, at the same time the world is either naive or simply setting false hopes before man if believes that there will be world harmony. Christ has come because there is not harmony... and he has come to provide that there might again be harmony (but harmony that also includes creation in harmony with its creator). There's lack of harmony where the world opposes those who do not look to this life and to the things of this world as our ultimate satisfaction. There's lack of harmony in places where sin reigns and where man does not seek after or follow the way of peace. There's lack of harmony when it comes to the end to which man should live as well as the so...

So does China allow religious freedom, and are Bibles readily available to any who desire one? Westerners are being assured that Christianity is allowed in China and Bibles are available and that much is true -- provided you are willing to attend the Three-Self Church and are willing to register with the government to receive a Bible. Quote from China, the Olympics and the Bible (Modern Reformation - Dick Staub, c. 2008 Religion News Service) Good article to read... a subject sure to come up in conversation around the Olympics.

The familiar, unfulfilled prophecy of the 2,100-year-old scroll — “and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” — undoubtedly arouses emotion here. The above quote is taken from the New York Times and Jerusalem Journal article by Isabel Kershner entitled Quandary for Hebrew: How Would Isaiah Text? Here's the question: Is Isaiah 2:4 "unfulfilled" or does it find "fulfillment" in Christ though it's full culmination may not be experienced until his return? It's true that many Jews may look to this verse as supposed proof that Jesus was not the Messiah, for in their view if he was, then we would at least see less fighting and wars here on earth, if not no wars at all. Yet, to accept this position one must first assume that Christ's kingdom is simply a physical, national, or earthly one or at least one directed to providing u...

I've just read " Unapologetic Apologist " and while I'd be interested in hearing the arguments from those who prefer a "less confrontational approach", from what the article says, it sounds like the apologetics being used have MANY POSITIVES to speak of: 1. It involves "active" apologetics. (They are doing "something", & even "publicly".) 2. It involves "informed" apologetics. (They display understanding of Islam & the superiority of Scripture) 3. It involves "engaging" apologetics. (It speaks to an issue sure to gain attention) 4. It involves "gripping" apologetics. (It's takes hold, and doesn't let responders off the hook easily) 5. It involves "resonating" apologetics. (It's done in a way which will get people's attention.) (It's done in a way which will hit home b/c of truth.) 6. It involves "pointed" apologetics. (It points pe...

Worth watching, keeping in mind, sharing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBv9UTDfOfk

Only God has the right to take a life The above quote was from a family member of an executed murderer. Arguments: 1. This position fails to recognise that God may use humans as instruments of his will and that he has authoritatively assigned civil authority the power of the sword(Romans 13:4). 2. This position fails to recognize the accounting God demands from each man for the life of his fellow man (Gen 9:5-6). 3. This position also fails to recognize other areas where either necessity or protection may call for a human taking the life of another such as in self defense (Ex 22:2-3; Lk 22:36) or providing protection for those under one's care (either personally or as one under authority and assigned to carry this out)(Judges 5:8; Ps 144:1; Lk 22:36; Neh 4:17-18).

Wow! Short of some language differences and differences in the vows, this looks very similar in practice to what has become so familiar in the West (particularly in Arminian circles, but even a touch of pentecostalism, TV evangelsing, etc.). Note: 1. While it provides proof of a progressive aspect of Islam and it's adopting Western practices in seeking to win converts, one needs to understand there's a difference between simply appealing to emotion and one possessing a true conversion (which includes a change of heart evidenced by faith and repentance). 2. While this individual may himself "bear witness" that the prophet referred to is the messenger of God, that prophet's message is inconsistent with those who went before him.

"Should pro-life doctors and pharmacists be free to practice their profession according to the dictates of their consciences? Should a woman have the freedom to choose an obstetrician or gynecologist she trusts to provide care consistent with her beliefs?" Forcing Pro-life Doctors Out of Baby Business? Where's the choice?

I thought this was a very interesting pos t from churchrelevance.com: Top 13 Reasons that Unchurched People Choose a Church (research conducted by Ranier) 90% - Pastor/Preaching 88% - Doctrines 49% - Friendliness of Members 42% - Other Issues 41% - Someone Church Witnessed to Me 38% - Family Member 37% - Sensed God’s Presence/Atmosphere of Church 25% - Relationship Other than Family Member 25% - Sunday School Class 25% - Children’s/Youth Ministry 12% - Other Groups/Ministries 11% - Worship Style/Music 7% - Location Top 9 Reasons that Church-Attenders Choose a Church (research conducted by the Barna Group in 1999) 58% - Doctrine/Theology 53% - People Caring for Each Other 52% - Preaching 45% - Friendliness 45% - Children’s Programs 43% - Helping the Poor 36% - Denomination 35% - Like the Pastor 26% - Sunday School Top 6 Things that Keep the Formerly Unchurched Active in the Church (research conducted by Ranier) 62% - Ministry Involvement 55% - Sunday School ...