Tag: God
God and Race: Book Review
I have spent many years wading through the history and ugliness of race relations in our culture and throughout the church. There are some ugly moments, especially in America, for the church to deal with in regard to racism. The evangelical support for Slavery in the mid and late 1800s[1] and of segregation thereafter are … Continue reading God and Race: Book Review
The Best Kind of Love
Question: Dear Dr. Stratton, In your interview with Jorge Gil on Cross Examined’s Hope One, you attempted to answer “all the problems of evil” by appealing to love. In fact, you said that “the best kind of love requires libertarian free will.” Surely this is false, for I can think of a counter-example that clearly … Continue reading The Best Kind of Love
Jesus Endorsed Armed Self-Defense
Is it morally permissible for faithful Christians to carry firearms? Yes. But don’t take my word for it: Jesus himself instructed his disciples to arm themselves with swords for self-defense. Sell Your Cloak and Buy a Sword In Luke 22, Jesus addresses his disciples shortly before his arrest, trial, and eventual crucifixion. He reminds them … Continue reading Jesus Endorsed Armed Self-Defense
An Exercise on the Problem of Evil
Are you under a stay-at-home order? Consider thinking about the problem of evil (PoE). Here is a brief exercise. Suppose someone says the following to you: “God would never permit COVID-19. So, since there is COVID-19, there is no God.” How would you respond? Notice that this is an example of the PoE. But there … Continue reading An Exercise on the Problem of Evil
Thinking about Sickness and Death
Death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:2, NIV) Over the last few weeks, I have made some interesting sociocultural observations. For example, a local grocery store has limited the number of sanitizing wipes available for its customers and has offered to disinfect shopping carts for shoppers entering … Continue reading Thinking about Sickness and Death
The Existentialist Argument
“What sacred games shall we have to invent?” (Nietzsche, The Parable of the Madman, The Joyful Wisdom) “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13) Introduction In this article, I provide an argument from … Continue reading The Existentialist Argument
If Evolution Is True, Atheism Is False
Atheists often appeal to evolution in an attempt to explain the primate complexity we observe today without a need for an Intelligent Designer — God! Indeed, many say the reason they affirm atheism is because they believe evolution is true. Since their hypothesis does not include God as a designer, atheists feel justified in affirming that God … Continue reading If Evolution Is True, Atheism Is False
God’s Origin Story
In my last article, I compared superhero origin stories to the beginning of the universe. Every superhero needs an origin story, and so does the universe. We need a reason why it exists. I argued the best explanation is a God who caused the universe to come into existence. But doesn’t that just push the … Continue reading God’s Origin Story
If You Think Racism is Wrong, You Should be a Christian
In my four decades or so on earth, I do not remember race relations being so tense as they are today. Although I was raised in a small and mostly “white” town in central Nebraska, my parents always taught me that all human beings are created equal in the image of God and that the … Continue reading If You Think Racism is Wrong, You Should be a Christian
Lebronogetics: Who is the GOAT?
Over the last few years a storm has been brewing. This storm that rumbles throughout public forums of debate, social media, gymnasiums, church parking lots, school lunchrooms, and barber shops across the globe comes in the form of a question. One question has captivated the hearts and minds of the people—Who is the Greatest of … Continue reading Lebronogetics: Who is the GOAT?