For the second part on the reliability of the Bible, we are going to take a look another favorite subject that skeptics like to bring up; the authorship of the books in the Bible. The idea of this type of attack is that if the skeptic can make win the question who wrote a particular book of the Bible then the text cannot be reliable. Again, please keep in mind I am keeping these arguments at a layman’s level of someone who has had little prior exposure to these type of challenges. This is a primer to give reason to one’s faith and to answer basic challenges. It will not equip you to debate an experienced or hard-core skeptic. Read the rest of this entry »
Practical Apologetics – Reliability of the Bible, Part 2
Posted: November 23, 2015 in ApologeticsTags: Apologetics, Bible, Biblical reliability, blind faith, Christmas, Discovery Channel, Easter, history, History Channel, religion, theology
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Practical Apologetics – Reliability of the Bible, Part 1
Posted: November 16, 2015 in ApologeticsTags: Apologetics, Bible, Biblical reliability, blind faith, Christmas, Discovery Channel, Easter, history, History Channel, theology
Welcome to the first topic of what I hope will be a series of articles on “Practical Apologetics.” This series is not intended to be any sort of a scholarly work. Its goal is to be a source of practical application for the layman in simple articles that can be easily digested. To prepare against the hit pieces making their way through the various documentary channels (especially since it is Christmas season as I write), this first article addresses a favorite attack made against Christians; the reliability of the Bible. Read the rest of this entry »
Practical Apologetics – The Peter Principle
Posted: November 9, 2015 in ApologeticsTags: Apologetics, Bible, Biblical reliability, blind faith, Christmas, Discovery Channel, Easter, History Channel, religion, theology
I have written in the past about the dangers of abandoning apologetics in the Church (see: Apologetics: Never Having to Say You’re Sorry). In that article I had taken issue with the number of believers who rely on a blind faith rather than being able to “give an account for the hope that is within you,” as Peter put it (1 Peter 3:15). Another part of the problem is the mental connection that apologetics has with academia. Not only does this connection tend to relegate apologetics to higher education or the clergy, it also compartmentalizes apologetics into an intellectual or theoretical endeavor that does not have real and practical use for the layman. I have the highest respect for the professional apologist, and indeed, rely on their knowledge and research. I also think that without a practical application for all Christians, the field would be nothing more than knowledge for knowledge’s sake. Unfortunately, far too few laymen know enough about was apologetics is – much less the actual arguments themselves – to make practical use of it. As I write this, we are coming into the Christmas season. This is one of the two times of year that we begin seeing special after special on channels like Discovery or History about the holiday. These shows speak much to the historical events of Christmas or Easter and devote a great deal of effort to show us the “historical Jesus.”
Sounds good, right? Read the rest of this entry »
The episode titles are clues. I’ve got a “jump,” but depending on the how you get there, you may go straight to the article. You’ve been warned!
If you are watching Blindspot, you may not know it, but there are clues in the episode titles. You might find them “spoilery,” though I believe that if the writers are putting them there by intent, they are part of the show. So far, I’ve been very hooked on this show, though I didn’t think I would like it. They are moving the story along quickly, which I like, but was worried if they could sustain it. I understand the show will follow the “short season” model, so that hopefully means we will get story and not filler.
If you want the clues, follow the jump… Read the rest of this entry »
Babylon 5 Meets the X-Men
Posted: July 21, 2015 in Sci-Fi and FantasyTags: #JMS, Bab5, babylon 5, comics, marvel, Sci-Fi, SciFi, x-men
Ok, I’ve been watching the old X-Men animated series at the same time Antonio is knocking off season 5 of Babylon 5. That combination watch has made me not ice something I have not seen before.
Is it just me or had anyone else noticed the similarities between Lyta Alwzander and Jean Grey?
The Lyta from The Gathering and pre-Vorlon version were middling enough, though admittedly not as annoying as Jean. Though my wife does point out that if you include Talia, the theory is right on target. The. Once the Vorlins get hi, she becomes this enhanced super-guardian of Light.
But what really tipped me off was now in season 5 where Lyta is going all Dark Phoenix on us. Heck, Pat Tallman could have easily play Jean Grey in the movies.
When you consider JMS’ fondness and relationships with comics, is this just s coincidence? Admittedly, Lyta hasn’t been killed as much as Jean, but then who has? I can’t hp but wonder.
What are your thoughts on it?