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A New Day for Apologetics (from Christianity Today)
By admin | July 3, 2008
People young and old are flocking to hear â and be changed by â winsome arguments for the Christian faith.
Troy Anderson | posted 7/02/2008 08:50AM
Despite all the recent attacks on faithâor, perhaps, because of themâthese are definitely the best of times for Christian apologists such as Lee Strobel, William Lane Craig, Ben Witherington III, Darrell Bock, and J. P. Moreland. They are making documentaries, writing books, giving media interviews, attending debates and conferences, and presenting the public with what they say is a growing mountain of scientific and archaeological evidence documenting the truth of Christianity.
“There has been a resurgence in Christian apologetics as a direct result of the challenges Christianity has faced in the form of militant atheism in college classrooms, on the Internet, and in TV documentaries and best-selling books,” says Strobel, former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and most recently the author of The Case for the Real Jesus: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks on the Identity of Christ.
Dinesh D’Souza, who wrote What’s So Great About Christianity? (CT, March 2008), says the New Atheists are raising new types of questions requiring “21st-century apologetics.”
“The apologetics of the 1970s and ’80s are useful if you are teaching in a church camp, but it’s not that relevant to the claims the New Atheists are making, which are very different,” D’Souza says. “The New Atheists are really surfing the waves of 9/11, equating Islamic radicalism with Christianity. These are not questions addressed by C. S. Lewis or Josh McDowell.”
This spate of attacks has also kindled an unexpected surge of interest in apologetics among youth.
“It wasn’t too many years ago that scholars were writing off apologetics because we live in a postmodern world where young people are not supposed to be interested in things like the historical Jesus,” Strobel says. “The biggest shock is that among people who communicated to me that they had found faith in Christ through apologetics, the single biggest group was 16- to 24-year-olds.”
Last summer, hundreds had to be turned away from a Focus on the Family- sponsored apologetics conference for teenagers that drew an overflow crowd of 1,500. Meanwhile, the hotbeds of apologetics educationâBiola University and its Talbot School of Theology (CT, June 2003), Southern Evangelical Seminary, and Liberty Universityâare crammed with students pursuing graduate degrees in philosophy and apologetics.
More here.
Topics: Apologetics | No Comments »
News from the Apologetics Network in Tauranga
By admin | July 2, 2008
Hi Everyone,
We had a good meeting on Thursday night, with roughly 50 people turning up to view âUnlocking the Mystery of Lifeâ followed up by some interesting discussions afterwards. For those who asked about getting their own copy of the DVD â you can do so for $25.95 DVD or $14.95 VHS from the Focus on the Family online shop.
Coming events
Thinking Matters Planning and Progress Meeting
To discuss progress after our first events, and table new ideas and suggestions. Anyone interested in being involved in this ministry is welcome.
When: Tuesday 8th 7:30-9pm (note later than normal start time)
Where: Meeting Room, Bethlehem Community Church Centre, 183 Moffat Rd.
More Info: Click here
DVD screening of âThe Privileged Planetâ
A high quality documentary exploring the evidence of a grand designer in the cosmos.
When: Tuesday 15th 7-9pm
Where: Bethlehem Community Church Centre, 183 Moffat Rd.
More Info: Click here
Website Recommendation
The BeThinking website is a fantastic source of hundreds of recorded presentations and written articles from high calibre speakers (including William Lane Craig). Recordings and articles are classified into Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced and grouped under the following topics:
¡ What is apologetics?
¡ Culture & Worldview
¡ History & Jesus
¡ Islam
¡ Other Religions
¡ Resurrection & Miracles
¡ Right & Wrong
¡ Science & Christianity
¡ Spirituality
¡ Stories & Illustrations
¡ Suffering
¡ Truth & Intolerance
¡ Who am I?
¡ Who are you God?
The content on this site is a must for all who are searching for greater understanding and knowledge. After listening to some of the recordings on the computer, you will be inspired to purchase an I-Pod or MP3 player (if you donât already have one) so you can listen to these in the car and while walking the dog/husband.
Hope to see you at the coming events!
Topics: Apologetics, Meetings | No Comments »
Bill Craig - Bill Cooke Debate
By admin | June 17, 2008
It happened in Auckland…
http://mandmandmandm.blogspot.com/2008/06/battle-of-bills-review-of-craig-cooke.html
My small idea of getting Dr William Lane Craig to have a debate at Auckland University ended up being an event that far exceeded my expectations. Despite the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists (NZARH) booking a larger lecture theatre at the last minute we still had to open up three additional lecture theatres with live video feeds and we still had people sitting on the floor! Question time had to be extended because of the interest. The range of people in attendance was excellent; hardened skeptics, evangelical Christians and everyone in between, young and old, high school students through to tertiary faculty.
And is about to happen in Palmy…
http://christiannews.co.nz/2008/debate-bill-craig-and-bill-cooke/
Topics: Apologetics, Atheism, Debates, Meetings, Philosophy, Science | No Comments »
Five Sacred Crossings: A Novel Approach to Reasonable Faith
By admin | June 7, 2008
Dr. Craig Hazen has written this novel as an apologetics work, and it is really cool (well, I’m half way thru right now).
You can grab a free chapter download here:
http://www.conversantlife.com/files/resource_downloads/FiveCrossing.pdf
Lots of reviews of the book here:
http://www.conversantlife.com/five-sacred-crossings-novel-approach-reasonable-faith
Video interviews for you to watch at the same link.
Oh, and i t is quite a short book — 169 pages ad a really enjoyable and exciting read. Perhaps a first for an apologetics book?
Topics: Books | No Comments »
Looking for a good church in Palmerston North?
By admin | June 1, 2008
Then check out Christ Sanctuary! Lots of young people, and lots on intelligent thinking, which is rather scarce in evangelical churches 
http://www.christsanctuary.org.nz/index.php
We are currently going through a series on The Apostle’s Creed…
Excellent stuff!
Topics: Churches | No Comments »
Palmy Conference on Islam and the Church
By admin | May 24, 2008
Come and hear three Australian Christian leaders and a former Iranian Muslim better inform you about Islam and how to relate positively to Muslim people.
To be held at St. Albans Church, 339 Albert Street, on June 10th (Tuesday) and 11th (Wednesday).
Only $50 to attend. (are there student rates available? Or what about just the evening talks?)
Hear the testimony of Iranian convert Dr. Shayesteh, now a follower of Christ, on Tuesday 10th at 7pm.
For more info and to register, contact Steve Jourdain 357 3571.
Topics: Islam | No Comments »
William Lane Craig Comprehensive Debate List
By admin | May 14, 2008
Stolen from here. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Debates | 6 Comments »
Darwin or Design Show Notes
By admin | April 1, 2008
These are some useful interviews by an Aussie! Webpage here: http://thesciphishow.com/darwinordesign
The author of Darwin or Design is Jason Rennie. Jason is also the host of The Sci Phi Show a podcast that looks at questions of science fiction and philosophy. He lives in Sydney Australia and works as a software engineer when he isn’t busy doing things like this.
If you want to contact Jason in regards to Darwin or Design he can be reached at darwinordesign@gmail.com. He checks his email regularly so you can expect a speedy reply.
An overview of Evolution
Chapter 1 : PZ Myers, An overview of Evolution and ID 15:48
Chapter 2 : Sean Carroll, What is Evo Devo ? 20:17
Chapter 3 : Nick Matzke, Can the flagellum evolve ? 29:27
Design in the ID advocates own words
Chapter 4 : Salvador Cordova, What is ID ? 20:20
Chapter 5 : Mike Behe, What is Irreducible Complexity ? 17:51
Chapter 6 : Angus Menuge, Agency and how to identify it 18:28
Chapter 7 : Guillermo Gonzalez, The Privileged Planet 17:26
Chapter 8 : Joey Campana, Does ID research actually exist ? 26:17
Non-Darwinian approaches to Evolution and Common Descent
Chapter 9 : James Shapiro, Sentient Cells ? 33:50
Chapter 10 : Mike Gene, What is Front Loading ? 23:37
ID’s critics
Chapter 11 : Elliot Sober, ID and the Philosophy of Science 10:46
Chapter 12 : Scott Turner, The problem of Design 24:02
Chapter 13 : Glenn Morton, Can ID work in Biology ? 15:19
Chapter 14 : Ryan Nichols, Are ID and Theology Inseperable ? 14:28
Chapter 15 : Georgia Purdom, Isn’t ID just Creationism in Disguise ? 21:44
ID, The Philosophy of Science, History and The Law
Chapter 16 : David Livingstone, Evolution and Christianity, The History 32:37
Chapter 17 : Del Ratzsch, Can ID be Science ? 25:38
Chapter 18 : Massimo Pigliucci, Evolutionary Epistemology and ID 28:34
Chapter 19 : Henry Schaefer, Science and Religion 14:40
Chapter 20 : Donald McConnell, Intelligent Design, Creationism and The Law 34:42
Chapter 21 : Steve Fuller, ID & Social Epistemology 19:11
ID in the Wild
Chapter 22 : John Davison, The Price of Dissent 35:26
Chapter 23 : Denyse O’Leary, ID & The Media 22:51
Chapter 24 : Geoff Simmons, Darwinism, ID & Medicine 27:40
Chapter 25 : Rob Sawyer, Calculating God 25:27
Topics: Creation/Evolution/ID, Science | No Comments »
Dr. Brad Harrub 4-night Bible & Science Seminar
By admin | March 26, 2008
Dr. Brad Harrub will be conducting a 4 night Bible & Science Seminar at the Riverdale School hall starting on Sun. 20 April, Mon. 21, Tue. 22, Wed. 23 at 6pm.
Each night there will be two 25 minute lessons with a 10 minute break in between. The final lesson will be followed by a question and answer session in which Brad will field questions from the floor.
This proved especially popular last year.
Brad is a well qualified, highly entertaining and engaging speaker. He holds a Ph.D in Neurobiology and Anatomy earned from the University of Tennessee and publishes/co-edits his own Christian apologetics magazine "Think."
I would greatly appreciate it if you would promote Brad’s visit at the next apologetics meeting and amongst any other contacts that you feel might be interested. For more information people can contact me at: 355-4580 or e-mail: nathrachp@xnet.co.nz
Topics: Apologetics, Conferences, Ministries | No Comments »
Christian Evidences Camp @ Foxton Beach
By admin | March 26, 2008
HOSTED BY THE PALMERSTON NORTH CHURCH OF CHRIST
WHERE? FOXTON BEACH BOYS BRIGADE, FOXTON BEACH.
WHEN? SAT. 19TH APRIL TO WED. 23RD APRIL (FIRST WEEK OF THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS)
WHAT? CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES CAMP designed to quip Christians of all ages with the cutting edge scientific discoveries. While everyone is invited to come, we are especially aiming our lessons at our youth and young adults/intermediate/college/university). Families are most welcome. There will be special classes for all ages from cradle roll to adults. During the day there will be various sports activities and other fun events organised.
ACCOMODATION: Although the camp sleeps 70 indoors, there is plenty of space for tents and caravans. You may also like to consider other options such as a beach bach or even a local motel.
DAY CAMPPERS: Simply pay for your meals. Breakfast and lunch cost $5, while tea costs $10.
WHO? BRAD HARRUB & DEWAYNE BRYANT. Two of the leading scientists in the church today. Both men are well qualified, exciting and and experienced speakers. Other special classes for children will be conducted by members of the Palmerston North church of Christ.
COST? $60 PER PERSON. We are trying to keep costs down to an absolute minimum as we want as many people to attend as possible. This covers food and accomodation. 2x 30 people dorms are available and there is plenty of space for tents.
RSVP. Please let us know if before 1 April. There is a limit of 70 people in the dorms and a total of 120 (tent space) so the sooner you let me know the better chance you will have of getting a cabin. There are also three family cabins available which I will give out on a first in first served basis. We are also opening up the camp to members of the public as we believe this is something all people can benefit by.
CONTACT: Nathan Paki, 355-4580 or e-mail: nathrachp@xnet.co.nz
Check Brad out here: http://focuspress.org/
Topics: Conferences, Ministries | No Comments »
MIT Jewish History Course
By admin | March 25, 2008
21H.914 Jewish History from Biblical to Modern Times
Course Description
This course explores how our views of Jewish history have been formed and how this history can explain the survival of the Jews as an ethnic/religious group into the present day. Special attention is given to the partial and fragmentary nature of our information about the past, and the difficulties inherent in decoding statements about the past that were written with a religious agenda in mind. It also considers complex events in Jewish history — from early history as portrayed in the Bible to recent history, including the Holocaust.
Topics: History | No Comments »
John Frame: Apologetics, History of Philosophy, Christian Thought courses for MP3 players
By admin | March 25, 2008
Thanks to those who write to us, especially Rob M from Memphis!
Greetings: I wanted to write a short note to thank you for the excellent resources available on your site. You’ve aggregated some great articles and other materials and have become a really good clearinghouse for students of apologetics.
May I commend to you another resource? I’m about to graduate from Reformed Theological Seminary’s Virtual Campus, and many of their lectures are online and available from Itunes via a link you can reach here:
Of particular interest for your site will be the complete John Frame apologetics course and also his History of Philosophy and Christian Thought course, also complete and free here.
Please do continue to keep up your web site. It’s very helpful not only for your fellow Kiwis, but for those of us in other parts of the world as well.
Topics: Apologetics, iPod/MP3/Podcast | No Comments »
Tim Keller — ‘The Reason for God’ book interviews
By admin | March 19, 2008
Topics: Apologetics, Ministries, YouTube | No Comments »
Tim Keller Podcasts
By admin | March 19, 2008
MP3: The Reason for God
MP3: MP3 Questions and Answers page
MP3: Parenting
Here is Tim Keller’s Church website
Here is some material from this webpage:
Dr. Tim Keller (Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City) The most insightful and intellectually honest Bible teachers I’ve heard, deeply theological without a belittling tone to those with differing convictions. Gifted to speak in a winsome Gospel-centered way to Christians and non-Christians alike. Not afraid to read and use pop culture references. Read 14 reasons why I like Keller.
Featured in Newsweek, “The Smart Shepherd: A New York pastor who says he thinks too much wants to bring his Christian message to the world.” (2/18/08 issue; cf. Keller’s comments on this article and Ed Stetzer’s comments)::
With the publication this week of his first book, “The Reason for God,” Keller, who is 57, is in the midst of a dramatic change in direction. Once highly protective of his community’s grass-roots approach to growth—tell a friend, bring a friend—Keller is now pitching himself as a C. S. Lewis for the 21st century, a high-profile Christian apologist who can make orthodox belief not just palatable but necessary. … To put it bluntly, Keller wants to be the Rick Warren of global cities. “It’s hard to say this without sounding snobby…
Featured in the New York Times, “Clergy Again Shoulders Burdens of Consoling and Explaining” (9/11/06 memorial service; cache, sermon text) + “Preaching the Word and Quoting the Voice” (2/26/06; cached pdf; cf. disclaimer from kellered: “Redeemer does not aspire to fame. In fact, Redeemer did not want the article done but the journalist was going to do it whether or not Redeemer helped him to write it. … Redeemer is happy to fly under the radar…”)
Featured in the New York Magazine’s Influentials 2006 List (5/16/06):
Rev. Timothy Keller
Redeemer Presbyterian
Keller has become the most successful Christian Evangelist in the city by recognizing what marketers have known for decades: that young professionals and artists are “disproportionately influential” in creating the country’s culture and that you have to meet this coveted demographic on its own terms. With intellectual, brimstone-free sermons that manage to cite Woody Allen alongside Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Keller draws some 5,000 young followers every Sunday.
Other Keller web pages:: Monergism.com — list of Tim Keller resources, and even a kitchy caricature + the lengthiest Keller bio to date + and Reformissionary’s Tim Keller Resources (via Steve McCoy). Plus, this Google Notebook has Everything I’ve found about Tim Keller >>
Topics: Apologetics, Ministries, iPod/MP3/Podcast | 1 Comment »
Cool stuff, stolen from here…
By admin | March 12, 2008
Cool stuff, stolen from here: http://apologetics315.blogspot.com/
Does God Exist? Greg Bahnsen vs. Gordon Stein
There are a lot of great theism/atheism debates out there. But this one is surely a classic.
For those not familiar with the transcendental argument for the existence of God or Greg Bahnsen, this should be a good introduction.
Here is the transcript of the debate.
Here is the debate on MP3: part 1, part 2, part 3.
Anthony Flew Says There is a God
World-famous atheist Anthony Flew’s recent book "There is a God" has caused quite a stir in the atheist community.
Hear more about his conversion to belief in God in a short MP3 by Probe Ministries.
This article/MP3 is by Michael Gleghorn. Definitely worth a listen. So much for the "weakness" of the design argument…
Christopher Hitchens vs. Mark D. Roberts Debate MP3
If you haven’t heard this debate, I encourage you to listen. Both sides are very cordial, but the exchange is quite lively.
Christopher Hitchens is author of God is Not Great.
Mark D. Roberts’ most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? — which, I might add, is an excellent book.
This debate took place on the Hugh Hewitt show and full transcripts are available.
The audio is compiled into one MP3 here.
Christianity vs. Scientific Naturalism Debate MP3
A debate between Dr. William Lane Craig and Dr. Garrett Hardin.
This was an interesting debate. Hardin’s answer to the question asking for the evidence for scientific naturalism was very telling.
I will leave this one open to your comments. Enjoy the MP3.
Topics: Apologetics, Debates | 1 Comment »
Ultimate Questions
By admin | February 11, 2008
Check it out at: http://ultimatequestions.org/
Topics: Apologetics, Atheism, Blogs & websites, Philosophy, Science | No Comments »
William Lane Craig coming to New Zealand
By admin | February 7, 2008
Christian News has news that W.L.C. is coming to NZ in June. Check it out here.
This is huge news for those interested in apologetics as Craig is one of the best.
Apparently Richard Dawkins was asked if he would debate W.L.C. and replied: "It would look good on his C.V., but not on mine."
Probably what Dawkins really means is that: "Um, I know I will not be able to play fast and loose with this guy like I can with most others, so, um, what derogatory comment can I use to diffuse the question?"
It’s a shame that he turned it down. Craig debated Peter Atkins (MP3)from Oxford University a few years ago, and has done numerous other debates and written and co-written several books.
Check www.reasonablefaith.org for more details!
Topics: Apologetics, Atheism, Debates, Philosophy, Science, iPod/MP3/Podcast | No Comments »
Here is a nice apologetics blog…
By admin | February 6, 2008
http://apologetics315.blogspot.com/
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
The End of Biblical Studies
By admin | December 31, 2007
Still a Child Evangelist
A Survey of the Temper Tantrums of Hector Avalos
James Patrick Holding
…It will become clear, however, why I have chosen my title as I have. Avalos is, like Price and Ehrman, of the worst sort of “fundy atheist” — an atheist who has not abandoned the black and white mentality of the fundamentalist, and so continually errs in his assessments of evidence and arguments, or else feels that it is perfectly fine to manipulate the truth in service of what he thinks the greater good. I have also chosen the title and front-page illustration for a reason, in this vein. Avalos was once a child evangelist, and he remains one to this day: An evangelist, for atheism, with the same fervor and willingness to manipulate emotions and/or truth; and a child, in that his fundamentalist mindset, still retained, has prevented him from truly growing up, being honest, and thinking critically.
More: http://www.tektonics.org/af/avalos01.html
Topics: Apologetics, Atheism | No Comments »
A New Edition of Apologetica Now Available!
By admin | December 27, 2007
Are Christians delusional?
Read the latest edition of Apologetica for a response to Richard Dawkins attempt to answer intelligent design theorists regarding irreducible complexity.
Is Natural Selection sufficient to produce the obvious elements of design found in the universe? Brian Thomas doesn’t think so! He argues that the concept of irreducible complexity eliminates the possibility of a graduated development of biochemical “machines” that are essential to functioning cells.
To find out more read the new edition of Apologetica.
Sign up to receive Apologetica by email: cca@apologeticscenter.org
Topics: Apologetics, Atheism, Creation/Evolution/ID, Ministries | No Comments »
J.P. Moreland on "Kingdom Triangle" at NPC 2007
By admin | December 21, 2007
Topics: Apologetics, Books, Ministries, Philosophy, YouTube | No Comments »
Oxford Scholar John Lennox on Atheism and Richard Dawkins
By admin | December 8, 2007
Well - has science buried God? Of course not. John Lennox answers his own question decisively. No one who understands what science really is and is not could suppose that such interment was ever on the cards. No one who understands what religion really is, beneath its sometimes ugly face, could suppose that it would be good to bury it.
From article:
“He is taken seriously in this not because his arguments are sound but because he is an outstanding rhetorician. It is the art of bamboozlement.”
Source: http://books.guardian.co.uk…
Topics: Apologetics, Atheism, Creation/Evolution/ID, Debates, Philosophy, Science | No Comments »
Dinesh D’Souza Debates Daniel Dennett
By admin | December 5, 2007
Thanks to Richard Dawkins dot net for this material!
Description:
Dinesh D’Souza, Christian and best-selling author, faced off against Tufts professor, author, and atheist Daniel Dennett in a debate on the existence of god. The resolution for the debate was as follows: “God is a manmade invention.” Daniel Dennett argued the affirmative, and Dinesh D’Souza the negative.
Full debate - VIDEO QuickTime format (185 MB, 2:15:12)
Full debate - AUDIO only mp3 (60.9 MB, 2:15:12)
Part 1
Topics: Apologetics, Atheism, Debates, Philosophy, Science, YouTube, iPod/MP3/Podcast | No Comments »
God and the Flying Spaghetti Monster
By admin | December 3, 2007
Dear Professor Craig,
The cumulative case for the existence for God proceeds from some data (physical constants, sentient souls, testimonies for miracles, etc.) to the existence of God as the best explanation of these data. There are some important objections. 1. Such inference does not show why theism is a better explanation than, say, the hypothesis of the existence of a very powerful Flying Spaghetti Monster. 2. Neither it says why some evil being - some powerful, malevolent being, say, something like Satan - is not a better explanation than God; especially when the existing evil is included in the data. How would you counter? Thank you very much.
Answer here: