The Day After the Elections of 2008

Does Islam or Christianity oppress women? Jay Smith and Mohamed Ali

From http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable, here is the MP3:

http://media.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/6e95c37b-33f7-4fdf-adb2-b628ab78914b.mp3

Tas Walker in Palmy North 26 Sept

Tas Walker from Creation Ministries international is in Palmy North on Friday night.

Details: Friday 26 September, 7.30pm, public meeting, Central Baptist Church, 190 Church Street, Palmerston North.

More here.

Frank Turek comments on the Hitchens-Turek Debate

On Tuesday night, I debated atheist Christopher Hitchens, author of God is not Great:  How Religion Poisons Everything, at Virginia Commonwealth University. The topic was, “Does God Exist?” 

Thanks be to God (and to you for your prayers) because I don’t think the debate could have gone much better. There were several atheists who approached me afterwards to say that I had won. 

One young lady actually apologized for being an atheist!  Her position was not well represented, and she said that the arguments for God were. 

Hitchens was his usual charming and witty self (I really like him and said as much), but he did not answer any of the eight arguments that I presented for the existence of God.  And as many in the audience acknowledged, he dodged nearly all of my questions.  

Here is the introduction of a long e-mail sent to me two hours after the debate by a VCU Philosophy professor who attended (this professor told me that he is completely “non-religious”):

Dear Dr. Turek, I wanted to say once again that I greatly enjoyed your talk and that, in my judgment, you clearly and unequivocally prevailed against Hitchens. Your two mind-body arguments were, I thought, very good, as were your modernizations of the cosmological argument and the teleological argument. I was also moved by your argument that, given how vanishingly close to zero are the chances of there being any sort of life, let alone intelligent life, it is more reasonable to infer that there is a God than it is to infer that there isn’t — the first an inference, but not the latter, being an ‘inference to the best explanation’, as philosophers of science would say.

Read the rest here.

North Island ‘Evidence For Design’ Tour with Dr Tas Walker

Friday 26 September, 7.30pm, public meeting, Central Baptist Church, 190 Church Street, Palmerston North.

Dr Tas Walker has been working for CMI–Australia since 1999 and is one of the conrtributing editors for the world-renowned Creation magazine which has subscribers in over 140 countries.

Tas is an engaging speaker, answering many questions such as, ‘Is the creation/evolution debate just a side issue?’ or ‘Doesn’t evolution remove the need for a designer?’ In his easy-to-understand illustrated presentations, Tas will show how you can be confident in the Bible, strengthen the faith of your family, and witness with enthusiasm to your neighbours and friends.

This is your chance to hear a scientist talk about:

• evidence for the accuracy of the Bible

• evidence for creation and against evolution

• evidence that geologic observations confirm the event of Noah’s Flood

A Hitch in Hitchens: Observations From the Turek-Hitchens Debate

Here are some observations from a Hitchens fan who was at the debate. Sounds like Turek won the debate, but Hitchens was not in great form (unwell perhaps?). Enjoy.

http://rudyhenkel.livejournal.com/2726.html

Anyone know where the MP3s are?

Debate between Frank Turek and Christopher Hitchens at VCU

This should be really exciting for those who like a lively debate!

Frank is from this site: http://www.crossexamined.org/

Check it out. Frank is “in ya face!” and so is Christopher Hitchens — so this should be a fun debate. See a short video of Frank on his website above.

Another debate — Frank Turek versus Christopher Hitchens

http://crossexamined.org/calendar_event.asp?d_ID=121

Debate with Christopher Hitchens: Does God Exist?

Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Virginia Commonwealth University
VCU: Commonwealth Ballroom in the Student Commons
Richmond, VA

Islam Expert Patrick Sookhdeo in Palmerston North

Patrick Sookhdeo from the Barnabas Fund will be in Palmerston North in September.

Venue: Kingston Street Community Church (website), Palmerston North.

Date:  Wednesday, 3 September

Start time:  7 p.m.

Event sponsored by Global Connections in Mission.

ARN - Real Science-4-Kids

What is Kogs-4-Kids?

Kogs-4-Kids is a workbook set that has just been released that supports the Real Science-4-Kids curriculum. This workbook set helps students make cognitive connections between the scientific discipline they are studying (chemistry, biology, physics, and earth and space) and other disciplines such as critical thinking, language, technology, the arts, philosophy, and history. Kogs-4-Kids plus Real Science-4-Kids work together to create not only a foundation for scientific knowledge but also a framework for scientific literacy.

Order the complete Chemistry 1A Bundle today or the individual workbooks of interest (recommended for grades 3-5).  You can also download sample chapters for each topic.  Find out why kids are going krazy for kogs.

Muslim Awareness Week

I decided to go to a “Koran and Bible” talk at Massey University tonight, held as part of Islam Awareness Week. It was mildly interesting, and perhaps would have been more so had the material been easier to follow. Here are a few thoughts about the meeting:

• Most of the people there were Muslim, with a small handful of others I suspect were non-Muslim.
• The speaker made it abundantly clear, several times, that he did not want to offend anyone.
• He also made it abundantly clear that he was not there to convert or try to convert anyone.
• He made an intense effort to show Muhammad within the Bible, in prophecies and other verses.
• I met several people there who I had taught over the last couple of years, and had a quick and pleasant chat to a few of them.

With those comments in mind, here are a few responses:

• First, the Bible tells us the gospel is offensive. That is not to say that we ought to be offensive! 1 Peter 3:15-16 in fact commands the opposite. But we must not let the presentation of the gospel be subdued by the offense it may cause as it is intrinsically offensive.

But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.  Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you. (1 Peter 3:15-16)

• The Bible claims that there is only one true God and that those who do not follow Christ in this life will be absent from Christ’s kingdom and presence in the next life. It makes many other claims that exclude the possibility of both the Bible and Koran being God’s revelation. So, they cannot both be true. They could both be false, but let’s not fool around by suggesting they could both be true. Simple logic dictates that this is impossible.
  So, if a Muslim stands before people and talks as a Muslim, he is implicitly saying that his beliefs are right, and it logically follows that the beliefs of Christians are wrong. So, the Muslim, believing he is right, must believe that the Christian (me) is wrong. So let’s not beat around the bush — he may not explicitly want to convert me, but it is certainly in the back of his mind, because I am following a religion that is not true, or at least not as true as Islam.
  Personally, I would prefer to be more up front. I would love to have gotten up and shared the gospel with these people, whom I happen to quite like and respect by the way. And I would love to have told them that I DO want to convert them, because I believe they are wrong, their religion is false, and their eternity does not rest in good hands. I would love to have told them they need forgiveness — and that they can have it freely — and that it is by grace and not any works they have to do.
• The thrust of the talk covered a lot of verses in quick succession which would all need to be looked up. There are some great talks and debates on YouTube and www.bethinking.org.uk that cover many of the arguments used.
• Lastly, I hope to have more contact with these people - the men at least. I have found the Muslim women very reluctant not only to talk to me, but even to look at me. I find this sad, but Patrick Sookhdeo from Barnabas Fund (soon in New Zealand) gives this advice in his excellent little book “A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Islam“:

The Christian should only seek to talk to those of the same sex. Any conversation with the opposite sex should be at the Muslim’s initiative. Never touch anyone of the opposite sex, even to shake hands, unless the other person initiates it. Try also to avoid eye contact with the opposite sex, even if a conversation develops.Treat both the Bible and Quran with great respect, not placing them on the floor and not writing in them.

William Lane Craig debates John Shook in Canada, 2008

Full videos of the debate are located here.

Thanks to our friends at Apologetics 315.

A Massive compilation of materials

www.apollos.ws

News from the Apologetics Network in Tauranga

Hi Everyone,

We had a good meeting on Thursday night, with roughly 50 people turning up to view “Unlocking the Mystery of Life” followed up by some interesting discussions afterwards.  For those who asked about getting their own copy of the DVD – 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 8^th 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 ‘The Privileged Planet’

A high quality documentary exploring the evidence of a grand designer in the cosmos. 

When: Tuesday 15^th 7-9pm

Where: Bethlehem Community Church Centre, 183 Moffat Rd.

More Info: Click here

Website Recommendation

www.BeThinking.org

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 don’t 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!

Bill Craig - Bill Cooke Debate

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/

William Lane Craig Comprehensive Debate List

Stolen from here. Read more

Dr. Brad Harrub 4-night Bible & Science Seminar

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

Christian Evidences Camp @ Foxton Beach

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/

Cool stuff, stolen from here…

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.

William Lane Craig coming to New Zealand

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!

Oxford Scholar John Lennox on Atheism and Richard Dawkins

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…

Dinesh D’Souza Debates Daniel Dennett

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

Read more

Meeting: December 2007 — Who was Jesus Christ and did He have a Christmas tree?

Hi everyone. We are having our final meeting for the year at 7-9pm, Monday 10^th December at Saint Albans Church, 339 Albert Street, Palmerston North. I have described the next meeting as follows:

Who was Jesus Christ and did He have a Christmas tree?

Merriment aside, the Bible makes comes outlandish claims such as: Jesus was born of a virgin?!?

Why do Christians insist upon this seemingly unreasonable claim? What happens to Christianity if Jesus’ unnatural conception and His resurrection from the dead were falsified? Why did ‘God become flesh’ in the person of the God-man, Jesus Christ? Why has this seemingly outrageous set of claims lasted well into the scientific age?

Joe Fleener (B.Sc., M.Div.) from the Shepherd’s Bible College in Hasting will address this topic.

Letter to a Maladjusted Misotheist (Sam Harris)

Published by permission (http://www.tektonics.org/gk/harrisletter.html)

November 2, 2006

Dear Mr. Harris,

Greetings to you. I am writing to you because I am in possession of your latest work, Letter to a Christian Nation, and I have been asked to deliver a detailed response to it, which I intend to do over the next few days. Before I begin writing you letters in earnest, however, I thought I ought to let you know when the first time was I ever heard of you: I saw your appearance in Brian Flemming’s film, The God Who Wasn’t There.

Now if you know this, you will understand why, quite frankly, I consider you a non-starter as an ideological opponent, rather than any sort of informed, worthwhile threat. For you see, it is my policy as a defender of the Christian faith to ignore those who show little or no interest in presenting a fair, accurate, and above all informed critique of Christianity.

Read more

William Lane Craig/Frank Zindler Debate

Ok, so this is a bit old now, but quite embarrassing for the atheist side. Check it out on the www.apollos.ws website.

Craig is like a machine gun, and Zindler was supposedly the best the atheists could find!

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