Category: Historical Jesus
Reforming Radical Islam?
This past October 31st marked the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation sparked by Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the door at the Church in Wittenberg. Luther realized that the church had completely “gone off the rails” and was not in line with the original teaching of Christ found in the New Testament. … Continue reading Reforming Radical Islam?
Happy Reformation Day!
This October 31st (2017) marks the 500 year anniversary of what is known as the Protestant Reformation. As one who considers himself to be aligned with the original Reformation movement, this is a glorious anniversary and one I am excited to celebrate! In the 16th Century, to be a part of the Reformation meant that … Continue reading Happy Reformation Day!
Book Review: The Updated “Evidence That Demands A Verdict”
Evidence that Demands a Verdict has been a staple of any Christian apologetics library for over forty years. I first became aware of this monumental work when I was just beginning my apologetics journey. I discovered the earlier edition of the book titled “The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict” while browsing the local Christian … Continue reading Book Review: The Updated “Evidence That Demands A Verdict”
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
The Eclipse & the Crucifixion of Jesus
There is a growing excitement in the US about the unique opportunity on August 21, 2017, to see a total solar eclipse, the first opportunity on American soil for 38 years. Air transportation, motel reservations, and car rentals have seen a surge in business in cities located along the path where the eclipse will be … Continue reading The Eclipse & the Crucifixion of Jesus
The Stratton Myth
How well do you know Tim Stratton, founder and president of FreeThinking Ministries? Let me list some facts about Tim: Christian apologist who blogs at FreeThinking Ministries Enrolled in the Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics program at Biola University from 2012 – 2014 Graduated with Highest Honors on December 19, 2014 Heavily influenced by … Continue reading The Stratton Myth
Historical Evidence of the Resurrection: A Debate with a Skeptical Friend
While attending Biola University, Dr. Clay Jones gave me the assignment to engage in a friendly and respectful debate with a skeptical non-believer regarding the historical resurrection of Jesus. A deep-thinking friend of mine (who happened to be an atheist who would debate my views quite often) graciously accepted my invitation to have this conversation. The following is my conversation with … Continue reading Historical Evidence of the Resurrection: A Debate with a Skeptical Friend
Is the Historical Jesus Fact or Fiction?
As a pastor who spends a lot of time on the college campus, I hear the following challenges quite often from young skeptics: “There is no good evidence to think that Jesus ever existed,” or “Christianity has pagan roots!” One might put these common challenges as two questions: (1) Did Jesus of Nazareth really exist? … Continue reading Is the Historical Jesus Fact or Fiction?
Historical References to Christ From Non-Biblical Authors
1. Thallus, the Samaritan-born historian One of the first Gentile writers who mention Christ is Thallus, who wrote in A.D. 52. He wrote a history of the Eastern Mediterranean from the time of the Trojan War to his own time. However, his writings have disappeared, and we only know of them from fragments cited by … Continue reading Historical References to Christ From Non-Biblical Authors
Inerrancy Debate
One of the best professors I have ever had is Dr. Michael R. Licona. The two of us have become good friends since my time in his classroom and he continues to sharpen my thinking today. Recently I shared his written debate with skeptical scholar Bart Ehrman on social media. The debate was regarding the reliability of the Gospels (I … Continue reading Inerrancy Debate