What is Truth? Norman Geisler Answers

As usual Dr. Geisler uses logic and critical thinking to expose whats wrong with relativism and why truth must be absolute and not subjective!

Theology Matters

Join Devin and Melissa Pellew each week at they discuss topics related to biblical theology, Christian apologetics and worldview issues. This week our special guest was apologist, philosoper, author and professor, Dr. Paul Copan, Professor and Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics at Palm Beach Atlantic University and President of the Evangelical Philosophical Society (EPS). Dr. Copan will be discussing how to answer some common objections to Christianity as discussed in his book, When God Goes To Starbucks, a wonderful guide on doing conversational apologetics. We will also discuss his book, Is God A Moral Monster, and how to make sense of what appears to be a contradition in the character of God from the Old to the New Testaments. We will discuss a number of topics that will help to strengthen your faith as well as provide answers to questions that you may have regarding the Christian Faith. You don't want to miss this exciting and informative show!

Bart Ehrman vs Atheist The Infidel Guy Part 1

Bart Ehrman gets into a disagreement with atheist the Infidel Guy over the Historical Jesus on the Infidel Guy Show

Both are Atheists in regard to Christianity. Dr. Ehrman has written numerous books attacking the reliability of the bible.

Bart Ehrman vs Atheist The Infidel Guy Part 2

Bart Ehrman continues to take the infidel guy to school!

Ravi Zacharias Answers Stephen Hawkings Claims

Dr. Lennox and Dr. Zacharias demonstrate the bankruptcy of Hawkings claims. This is why philosophy is so useful and such a needed tool. They use the tools of logic and reasoning to show the bankruptcy of "scientism".

The John Ankerberg Show: Christian Muslim Debates

Topics: 1. Concept of God, 2. Is Muhammad True Prophet of God?, 3. Is Jesus God or Prophet of God?, 4. Is Quran The True Word of God?, 5. Is Bible the True Word of God?.

Muslim part: Dr. Jamal Badawi and Dr. Hussain Morsi.

Christian part: Dr Anis Shorrosh and Dr. Geason Archer

J.C. Ryle-The Cost

"For lack of counting the cost, the hearers of powerful evangelical preachers often come to miserable ends. They are stirred and excited into professing what they have not really experienced. They receive the Word with a "joy" so extravagant, that it almost startles old Christians. They run for a time with such zeal and fervor, that they seem likely to outstrip all others. They talk and work for spiritual objects with such enthusiasm that they make older believers feel ashamed. But when the novelty and freshness of their feelings is gone — a change comes over them. They prove to have been nothing more than stony-ground hearers. The description the great Master gives in the parable of the sower is exactly exemplified: "But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word — he quickly falls away!" (Matthew 13:21). Little by little their zeal melts away, and their love becomes cold. By and by their seats are empty in the assembly of God's people, and they are heard of no more among Christians. And why? They had never counted the cost."

J.C. Ryle

10 Really Bad Youtube Objections to the Kalam Cosmological Argument

These are the top 10 really bad youtube objections to the Kalam Cosmological Argument*:

# 10 - "A God is not needed to create the universe, the universe created itself."

# 9 -- "KCA is nothing more than a 'God of the Gaps' argument."

Bad Refutation #8 comes in five parts because they all speak on the identity of the First Cause.

# 8a -- "How do you know God caused the universe? We don't know what caused the universe but it sure as hell ain't God."


#8b -- "It doesn't make sense to describe something in negative terms."


# 8c -- "Ha! Ha! You just made an argument for the Flying Spaghetti Monster as the cause of the universe! Who knows, I can say it's an invisible unicorn that caused the universe. You really don't know if God had anything to do with it!"


#8d -- "You don't know if this God is the God of Christianity, Islam, or Judaism. What good is this argument?"


#8e - "The KCA doesn't argue that this God answers prayers, forgives sins, reads our thoughts, etc."

# 7 - "The Kalam Cosmological Argument commits the fallacy of composition."

# 6 -- "If the actual infinite cannot exist then how can God exist if he's infinite?"

# 5 -- "The KCA engages in circular reasoning and begs the question."

# 4 -- "The Kalam Cosmological Argument is guilty of equivocation."

#3 - "The First Law of Thermodynamics (the conservation of energy) refutes the first premise of the Kalam Cosmological Argument that whatever begins to exist has a cause."

#4 and #3 again -- "KCA, The First Law of Thermodynamics, and Equivocation."

# 2 -- "Quantum Mechanics proves something can come from literally nothing."

# 1 -- "Since everything needed a cause, what caused God?"




All responses made by William Lane Craig.

For more defenses against objections of the Kalam Cosmological Argument: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=916E17EE70E98A68

40 Years Later

Today marks 40 years of abortion in this great country. The "battle cry" for "choice" has taken the lives of 55 million people. To watch the nation and numerous Christians celebrate yesterday as President Obama was inaugurated on Martin Luther King day made me sick to my stomach. It is NOT a step "forward" to allow babies to be destroyed on the alter of selfishness. It is NOT a step "forward" for the president to put his hand on the Holy Scriptures and then pledge to fight for "gay rights" in his next breath, is an absolute mockery of scripture. Far from celebrating last night our leaders should be repenting of their wickedness and abhorrent policies that have allowed the killing of 55 MILLION babies to b destroyed and yet our commander in chief would not only have it remain legal but would make laws to make it easier for women to have abortions. Anyone that claims the name of Christ should be on their knees pleading to God that He not destroy us as a nation for our wickedness and arrogance. The LAST thing we should be doing as Christians is to be celebrating. This is not an attack on our president as I do pray for him and his family and will spend much of this terribly sad day continuing to do so. I would invite my friends to join with me in prayer today

Bible vs Book of Mormon

Order the DVD at www.Sourceflix.com.

The Book of Mormon claims to be "a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible." Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faith--the very word of God.

These claims have historically been taken on faith. But is there any evidence to support them one way or the other? Is it even possible to "test" a rule of faith? More to the point, is there any basis for placing one's faith in the Bible or the Book of Mormon?

It's an important question. It's an eternal question. This presentation puts the Bible and the Book of Mormon to the same tests. History, archaeology, textual criticism, and other disciplines combine to shed light on what is true...and what is false.

Truth never fears investigation. Faith need not--and should not--be blind. Discover for yourself which of these books is worthy of being called "scripture" and which is worth of your trust.

Norman Geisler interviewed by Apologetics315

 Norman Geisler, Distinguished Professor of Apologetics at Veritas Evangelical Seminary and author of over 70 books. He answers a variety of questions and topics: how he got into apologetics, his greatest influences on his own thinking, the change on the apologetics landscape in the past decades, his suggested required reading for all apologists, the kinds of arguments he has encountered and how they have affected him, advice for studying arguments, the growth of apologetics in the church, the top three topics to focus on, skills apologists should develop, pitfalls to avoid, areas that should be strengthened, the necessity of theology, what he feels the strongest argument is for God's existence, learning from those who disagree, one's prayer life and integrity, favorite illustrations, advice for studying in the field, and more.

For more apologist interviews, visit Apologetics315.com

Is the New Testament Reliable?

Dr. Frank Turek gives four arguments as to why we can trust the New Testament.
Dr.s Turek and Geisler wrote the book " I don't Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist" in which they address the 12 points that demonstrate Christianity is true, here are the 12 points

Twelve Points That Show Christianity is True

•Truth about reality is knowable.

•The opposite of true is false.

•It is true that the theistic God exists.

•If God exists, then miracles are possible.

•Miracles can be used to confirm a message from God
(i.e., as an act of God to confirm a word from God).


•The New Testament is historically reliable.

•The New Testament says Jesus claimed to be God.

•Jesus' claim to be God was miraculously confirmed by:
a. His fulfillment of many prophecies about Himself;
b. His sinless and miraculous life;
c. His prediction and accomplishment of His resurrection.

•Therefore, Jesus is God.

•Whatever Jesus (who is God) teaches is true.

•Jesus taught that the Bible is the Word of God.

•Therefore, it is true that the Bible is the Word of God
(and anything opposed to it is false).

I highly recomend that you buy this book and Visit Dr. Tureks website, crossexamined.org

Does God Exist Debate: Matt Dillahunty vs John Ferrer

Last night we had a very interesting debate between the president of the "Atheist Experience" and my friend John Ferrer. We plan to do more in the future.  Hope you enjoy!

Join Devin and Melissa Pellew each week at they discuss topics related to biblical theology, Christian apologetics and worldview issues. This week, we will have a crossfire debate between an atheist and a Christian apologist on God's Existence & The Nature of Morality. Defending the atheist position will be Matt Dillahunty, a self- proclaimed former fundamental Christian turned atheist and host of the popular television show, The Atheist Experence. Defending the Christian position will be John Ferrer, who received an M. Div in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary. We will discuss arguments for/against God's existence as well as the question of whether Theism or Naturalism best explains the nature of morality. Be sure to join us for this interesting dialogue and as always, the chat room and phone lines will be open for your questions and comments.

Listen to internet radio with The Invisible Conservative on Blog Talk Radio

Jonathan Edwards

“But saints and angels behold that glory of God which consists in the beauty of His holiness; and it is this sight only that will melt and humble the hearts of men, wean them from the world, draw them to God, and effectually change them. A sight of the awful greatness of God may overpower men's strength, and be more than they can endure; but if the moral beauty of God be hid, the enmity of the heart will remain in its full strength. No love will be enkindled; the will, instead of being effectually gained, will remain inflexible. But the first glimpse of the moral and spiritual glory of God shining into the heart produces all these effects as it were with omnipotent power, which nothing can withstand.” 
― Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections

Joe Rogan Mocking Noah's Ark

(WARNING: This Video Contains Explicit Language)


This article is a response to Joe Rogan who is the host of "Fear Factor" and numerous UFC events. Rogan is a comedian and a outspoken atheist. He decides to have a good laugh at the Bible, but as we will see Rogan has no clue when it comes to theology!

.10- Rogan starts by  saying even an eight year old retarded boy would have questions about the story of the Ark. Right from the start he attacking the intelligence of those who hold to the Biblical account of the flood. Sadly instead of going to the actual text and reading what Holy Scripture says he instead has to build fallacious arguments and insert things into the account that the Bible never says.


.30- Rogan Says that God was angry because the world was so wicked and instead of telling them they were doing wrong he decided to drown everybody

Response

I am not sure where Rogan is getting his information. Man knows whats right and wrong because God created man with a conscience that knows right from wrong. Sadly men do suppress the truth:


            (Romans 1:18-23 ESV) 
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.


We also know from early on that man was offering a sacrifice for their sin:

             (Genesis 4:1-7 ESV)

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”
( http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=427 )

Man knows right from wrong and from the beginning were making offerings to God. This idea that those on the earth did not know what sin was and that God just decided to destroy them is ridiculous.

Secondly God gave man 120 years to repent and they refused:

            (Genesis 6:1-3 ESV)

"When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.”

Jesus himself gives us insight when he tells us:

(Matthew 24:37-39 ESV)

"For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."

Men love darkness rather than light (John 3:18-22) and it has been that way since the fall. It is not that men do not know what the light is but rather man hates the light and will not come to it for fear their deeds will be exposed.

@1:03- Rogan claims that all the other boats supposedly did not work

Response

I think we need to keep in mind that this was a world wide flood and it would last for a year meaning it would need to be able to have food and water for survival for a year. It was a boat that would have to be specifically designed for the task at hand.

Here is a great article dealing with the stability and structure of the Ark and why just "any" boat would work
 (http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n2/thinking-outside-the-box)

@1:10- Rogan makes a "straw man" argument where he is building and argument the Bible never makes and then tears it down

Response

The Bible NO WHERE says that Noah brought 2 of every animal. Lets look at a couple issues:

1)-Noah did not take marine animals with him on the ark. The Bible tells us what categories of animal were taken

"The text that follows in Genesis 6:20 goes on to explain. “Of the birds after their kind, and of the cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.” God therefore limited “all flesh” by specifying three categories: (1) birds; (or fowl); (2) cattle; and (3) creeping things."

2)- The text says Noah was to bring two of every "kind" the text does not say "species" which is a man made classification system which was made by Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778).

Noah could take two dogs and from them get several different species of dogs through whats known as "micro-evolution".  To claim Noah would have had to take "millions" of animal on the Ark is fallacious.
Here is a great article dealing with micro-evolution   (http://creation.com/dogs-breeding-dogs )



To see more information on what is a "Kind" and how it differs from "Species" please read
( http://creation.com/variation-information-and-the-created-kind )

@1:15- Rogan mocks the idea that the animals willingly came into the Ark.

Response

Rogan is an atheist and thus rejects miracles and the supernatural working of God. After all if you do not have a God that exists then you can not have acts of God. Rogan's presuppositions of naturalism is driving his world view. If God exists then leading the animals to the Ark is not a big deal. If he created the universe then leading the animals he created to the boat would not seem like a big deal in my opinion. We would have to look at arguments for God's existence and not just dismiss the idea. Mockery and ridicule is not an argument.

Here is a great article addressing Rogan's objection

 (http://icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=view&ID=2470)

@1:30- Rogan says they sailed away for forty days and forty nights and civilization began new.

Response

Rogan again gets the details completely wrong. I understand this is just comedy but at least get the details of what you are mocking straight.  It rained for forty days and forty nights but the majority of the water would have come from the ground and the shifting of the plates underneath. It rained for forty days but the water came from under the ground for 150 days:

               (Genesis 7:11-12 ESV)

"In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights."

             (Genesis 7:24 ESV)

"And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days."

            (Genesis 8:2-5 ESV)

The fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, and the waters receded from the earth continually. At the end of 150 days the waters had abated, and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. And the waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen.

The Bible is clear that this was not some little flood but rather it was a major event in earth's history.   Those interested can read more about Noah's flood and how exactly this event could have taken place.

(http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab/really-a-flood-and-ark)

@1:45- Rogan continues to mock and ridicule by asking how big was the boat to hold the "millions" of animals.

Response

I have already shown his claim of the "millions" of animals is fallacious. As far as the size of the Ark, the dimensions are given in the text.

        (Genesis 6:14-16 ESV)

"Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks."

A cubit is about 18 inches or so. (http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n2/original-cubit)

The Ark would have had no problem holding all the animals. Rogan mocks and ridicules but he does not even know how many animals go on the boat and secondly he does not even know how big the boat is.

It is said  " The total available floor space on the Ark would have been over 100,000 square feet, which would be more floor space than in 20 standard-sized basketball courts."

Also " The total cubic volume would have been 1,518,000 cubic feet [462,686.4 cubic meters] --that would be equal to the capacity of 569 modern railroad stock cars." 

We should also remember that Noah would have took babies and did not have to get the full grown animals such as giraffes.  We are told " Doctors Morris and Whitcomb in their classic book,The Genesis Floodstate that no more than 35,000 individual animals needed to go on the ark. "

( http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-c013.html )

@2:20-Rogan asks what were the animals eating for all that time and animals eat other animals so how would that work

Response

Here is an incredible resource that answers many questions such as what did the animals eat, how did they go to the bathroom, etc...   (http://www.amazon.com/Noahs-Ark-A-Feasibility-Study/dp/0932766412)

            (Genesis 6:21 ESV)

Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.”

Noah and his family had made sure to take enough food with them and God in his grace provided for them so they would be taken care of. As has been shown there was more than enough room to store the food.

As far as his question about animals eating other animal this is a false assumption. We are told that death is the result of man's sin and that everything was created to be vegetarian:

               (Genesis 1:29-30 ESV)

"And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so."

This is why before one launches into an attack on the scriptures they should at least know what it says. I think it can be inferred from the text that it was not till after the flood did the carnivorous activity begin:

             (Genesis 9:1-3 ESV)

"And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything."

@2:45-Rogan mocks the flood by asking where did all the black people come from

Response

Why does he assume they were all white on the Ark? This is an elementary mistake on his part. There is enough genetic diversity among eight people where we could easily get the wide variety of skin colors we see today. Please see (http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab/are-there-different-races)

The funny thing is that Rogan mocks those who believe Noah's Ark as being stupid and yet he makes one bad line of reasoning after another. This is what happens when you are full of arrogance and pride and will not even understand the position that you are mocking.

I am not going to bother addressing the rest of the conversation between Rogan and the archaeologist because I just wanted to deal with Rogan's mockery and misrepresentations of the text.

The Bible is probably the most attacked book on the earth because of it's claims and because of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. People were mocking Noah back in his day and people in 2012 mock God and his word today.   I would ask those reading this to pray for Mr. Rogan, that he would encounter the Lord of glory and repent of his sin and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  

I want to be clear that I am not attacking Mr. Rogan as a person but rather his arguments and as a Christian, I am commanded to do that :

                 2 Corinthians 10:5
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 

Great Discussion on Calvinism/Arminianism

The Exchange - For/Against Calvinism from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.


Michael Horton vs Roger Olson in a discussion on Calvinism!

Is The Super Natural Real?

Excellent exchange between the two!

Theology Matters With the Pellews

Answering the top objections to Christianity!

Here is an exchange between our guest from last night and well known atheist P.Z. Meyers that took place a couple of years ago




Join Devin and Melissa Pellew each week at they discuss topics related to biblical theology, Christian apologetics and worldview issues. This week, we will be discussing the top objections to the Christian Faith and how Christians can confidently and reasonably answer them. On the air with us to discuss this topic will be Jonathan McLatchie from Helensburg, Scotland, who is currently serving as an intern at the Discovery Institute in Seattle, WA. At 23 years old, Jonathan is a graduate of the University of Glasgow with a Master's in Evolutionary Biology & Systems and as a proponent of Intelligent Design, he has written extensively on Evolution News & Views and Uncommon Descent. He is also a contributor to a number of websites of various apologetics ministries including Cross Examined, Apologetics Alliance, All About God and more. We will discuss a variety of topics with Jonathan so you don't want to miss this exciting and informative show!

Listen to internet radio with The Invisible Conservative on Blog Talk Radio