oddXian: Challenge the Consensus

The theological self-destruction of the church never starts with a pastor who doesn't even believe in the existence of God. It begins with denials of one doctrine here, another there. Before long, the unwillingness of the church to call its churches and ministers to account leads to further theological concessions. The cowardice of church bureaucrats opens the door to any and all theological aberrations. The next thing you know, there is an atheist in the pulpit. A church afraid of "a protracted discussion about the meanings of words that in the end will produce little clarity" is itself the guilty party in that lack of clarity. The church bears the responsibility to make the issues clear and to defend the faith -- otherwise it isn't a church at all. The Dutch have become famous worldwide for their liberal approach to assisted suicide and euthanasia. In this case we see something new -- the suicide of a church. full article here

The bizarre nature of quantum physics has attracted some speculations that are wacky but the theory suggests to some serious scientists that reality, at its most basic, is perfectly compatible with what might be called a spiritual view of things. Quote taken from: What do you get if you divide science by God? Although the Templeton Prize is said to be awarded for contributions to "affirming life's spiritual dimension", I was still surprised (pleasantly) to see this article run in the BBC. Interesting read. Note atheist physicist Steven Weinberg's perspective: "The more the universe seems comprehensible, the more it seems pointless."

Anecdotal evidence indicates that psychics, astrologers, palm readers, Tarot card shufflers, numerologists and other paranormal specialists have become the rage as investment advisers and brokers appear clueless . Speak of an understatement?!! (Quote from here )

Great article worth the read: natural science While the essay is not written from a Christian perspective, one cannot avoid seeing the Christian perspective and biblical truth surface repeatedly not just in the essay but in the discoveries and struggles of man. A good article for seeing how opposing worldviews are at work in various fields of study and yet the tensions that Christian truth (/worlview) presents cannot be avoided, though many attempt to stand on one side of the argument only, only to run into problems. What's interesting is the tension throughout and the fact that no matter how hard man tries and no matter what attempts he makes, he cannot separate himself from biblical truth and the limits and constraints with which God created and governs man. Again, we see, human wisdom cannot do away with God; rather the beginning of wisdom is the fear of God.

It is only because of historical accident that atheism is not widely recognised as a world-view in its own right. This world view is essentially a very general form of naturalism, in which there are not two kinds of stuff, the natural and the supernatural, but one. The forces that govern this substance are also natural ones and there is no ultimate purpose or agency behind them. Human life is biological, and thus does not survive beyond biological death. Quote taken from The New Atheist Movement is destructive Apparently from reviews, atheists aren't too happy about this article. In addition to encouraging Christians to read this article for information, my desire here is to draw out some points worth noting from one of the paragraphs in the article dealing not so much with the new atheism but with the author's own atheistic beliefs. In atheism (this author's view) 1. If there is "no purpose" behind what governs then how can things happen by "historical ac...

Amazing. They act as is they believe baptism actually means something. See BBC Article "...Mr Hunt has become the pioneer in a rejuvenated campaign for a way of cancelling baptisms given to children too young to decide for themselves whether they wanted this formal initiation into Christianity. However, baptism is proving a difficult thing to undo. The local Anglican diocese, Southwark, refused to amend the baptismal roll as Mr Hunt had wanted, on the grounds that it was a historical record. "You can't remove from the record something that actually happened," said the Bishop of Croydon, the Right Reverend Nick Baines."

Pastor Mark, I must first profess the high esteem that I have for you, your teaching and your mission. I frequently utilize your videos and books in my classes/courses and feel you are the right man "for such a time as this". A light in the darkness. I praise God for you, your family and your ministry. Christ is honored and God glorified through you and Mars Hill. I have read some of your responses to the recent Time article , particularly how you draw distinctions between the "old" and "new" Calvinism . I tend to agree with the high level summaries you utilized, however I do have some "heartburn" with how you characterized the "new" Calvinist as seemingly 100% continuationist . From the exposure I have had to your theological positions, I believe that you are probably at least partially cessationistic . The reason I believe this is because I, until very recently, would have also characterized myself as a continuationist until I was exp...

It’s hard for Americans to be humble,” Mike Boehm reflects, while talking with me on the phone about his humanitarian work. ... Boehm’s efforts are those of a nontheistic humanitarian, one who bristles at the mention that he is doing God’s work. “That notion offends me,”... Quote taken from here in an article entitled "The Humanitarian Impulse: Not “God’s Work” for this Veteran." Often, unbelievers ask the question "What about the person who participates in good works though he doesn't believe in God?" This true life illustration highlights how individuals and their works (apart from consideration of faith and motive) may APPEAR pleasing, righteous and good; but when viewed in whole not only show how the individual would FALL SHORT of meeting God's righteous standard but would BE OFFENSIVE to (and condemnable before) God! (This is the first time I've seen such an expression of the heart so clearly and overtly communicated. Thanks to "the Humanis...

Pornography is one of the most insidious dimensions of American culture today. It is a plague that is ruining lives, marriages, and public morals. It endangers women, children, and the most vulnerable among us. Putting one who can only be described as an extremist for pornography in such a high position in the Department of Justice -- Deputy Attorney General of the United States -- sends a clear signal at home and around the world. If David Ogden is confirmed, the U.S. Senate becomes a party to this disaster. What signal does President Obama intend to send by this nomination, and to whom? In addition to making it harder to prosecute those who sell images of child molestation and rape, Ogden has sought to ensure that pornography can be easily distributed and readily accessed in almost any medium or location. He has fought cases in Puerto Rico to allow Playboy to broadcast explicit programming on TV. He represented Philip Harvey, a man who runs the nation’s largest mail-order pornography...

In the discussion about what constitutes science and what doesn't, we read this: After observing and collecting data, you form a hypothesis that fits the available facts. Then you come up with experiments, or you propose other ways of confirming the hypothesis with data currently not available. Once the hypothesis has been shown to predict outcomes or new evidence, it becomes a theory. Then you write a scientific paper documenting the evidence and making your best argument according to the scientific method. Then you submit the paper for publication and peer review. Skeptics will pick it apart, but if there is real substance, some legitimate scientists will adopt the theory. Read on to see how I become a Golfologist...(with apologies to David Berlinski, pg 56 - The Devil's Delusion) ...... When looking at people playing golf, I saw that some were good players and others were hacks (like me). After spending many hours watching golf live and on TV, I saw that all golfers had some...

Had to post this here as well. From The Biblical Studies Blog :

One of the reasons why it is important for us to establish global partnerships is because of what we in the West need to receive, and not just because of what we have to give. And one of the things we have to receive is the courage and conviction of faithful, orthodox believers in other parts of the world. I concur wholeheartedly with Dr. Ryken's comment, taken from here . Believers today need to be intentional about keeping and establishing global relationships in the interests of the kingdom.

Food for thought - I'll let you draw your own conclusions: Romans 1 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing to be wise, they became fools, For both Cicero and Posidonius, these devices were of religious and philosophical importance. Cicero wrote about them to make the argument that just as it would be clear to anyone that they had a intelligent creator, so then did the universe itself. And Posidonius belonged to...

The coming evangelical collapse is an article worth the read, though one must keep in mind differences between expressions and movements associated with the Christian faith and the faith itself. Reminds us that our ultimate hope is not in the things of this world, but in Christ, who not only brings redemption but will bring restoration, and who though he calls us to faithful service in this world and also tests us, even bringing about division and events of raising up and bringing down, that progression will continue to come, all the while with doing so in a manner that his kingdom presence, objectives, manifestations and fruit continue to remain, occur, and advance. With this in mind, it's a read that gives good food for thought and consideration on a variety of issues.

Scientists Locate 'God Spot' in Human Brain If it is true that "religion ... evolved along with other belief and social cognitive abilities" , then why do evolutionists fight so hard against it?

Many unbelievers will probably think recent polls suggesting More Americans Say They Have No Religion will be taken as bad news by Christians. Quite the opposite though, for no true believer will lose their faith. The current trends fueled by post modern philosophies and an environment in which it's deemed more acceptable for people to express their own (true) beliefs only provides: 1. a more honest situation in which the identity, unbelief, and faulty foundations of unbelievers will be more exposed and hence more open to evangelism and correction 2. a greater distinction in which the value and distinctions of the Christian faith can be greater appreciated 3. a greater purity to the visible church as false professors separate themselves from the church.

A scenario came up in a discussion board I frequent concerning a biology teacher that would challenge his students whenever the topic of evolution arose. He would challenge the students that if they objected to his veiws they should speak up and that their silence was basically an acceptance of evolutionary theory. I have tried to think up a brief, yet impactful rebuttal - this is was I have, thus far: I'd probably start with the fact that evolution is not intellectually satisfying on its face in that the theory relies on the unguided increase of information to accomplish what it theorizes, which is counter to the observation of natural processes. I'd also say that I object to the premise of evolution, that is, "from goo to you" as well as the implications - that is - social Darwinism (Nazi-ism, Communism, the French reign of Terror - more deaths in the last century - over 100 million or so - than the sum of all previous religious or political movements in human histo...

Many states adopted abstinence-only education in return for federal funding, but 13 years after Congress designed the programs in 1996, teen pregnancy rates are on the rise and critics say kids are simply not listening to the abstinence-only message. "It's bad — we have the ninth-highest pregnancy rate in the country and it's clear that our students need more information," said Emily Pelino, education director for the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina (APPCNC). Quote taken from here . A good example to remind the church that while it's nice when the schools reinforce what is taught in the church, the church cannot and should not look to the world to carry forth it's mission. It shouldn't surprise us at times when teaching abstinence only education in schools apart from the foundations of righteousness, of honoring God, of accountability along with the reality of new life in Christ and power through his Spirit that pregnancy rates ...