Why Divine Determinism is False
One significant debate in the church today involves God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. At face value, these two concepts might appear to be mutually exclusive, and thus, many churchgoers feel the need to “pick a side.” This debate usually divides the Church into two opposing forces: Calvinism vs. Arminianism. Calvinists are quick to affirm the exhaustive providence of God; … Continue reading Why Divine Determinism is False
Freethinking in a Chinese Room
The Freethinking Argument deductively proves that the human soul exists and that we possess libertarian free will. Many seem determined to oppose these deductive conclusions as they possess a revulsion against the idea that humans are actually responsible freethinkers. Given this revulsion, these determinists desperately try to find a way to refute one of the four … Continue reading Freethinking in a Chinese Room
The Legacy of Eric Smallwood
Eric D Smallwood (April 18, 1965 – March 31, 2015) was one of the most intelligent men to have ever walked this earth. I was blessed to be sharpened by him as a friend and mentor. We didn’t look like brothers, but we were! I always say that Christ unites us more than DNA, and in … Continue reading The Legacy of Eric Smallwood
Make America Great
Doesn’t matter what the press says. Doesn’t matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn’t matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right. This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the … Continue reading Make America Great
An Open Letter To My Gay Brother In Christ
Dear Isaac, Thank you for your open letter to me published in The Huffington Post. The first thing I want to make clear is that I really do love you, brother! Although you disagree with some of my thoughts and beliefs, I truly do feel loved by you. My prayer is that you know you are … Continue reading An Open Letter To My Gay Brother In Christ
Homosexuality, Tattoos, & the Sabbath
In a television episode of The West Wing, President Josiah Bartlet (played by Martin Sheen) is aggravated by a conservative female talk-radio personality who defends calling homosexuality an “abomination” by citing Leviticus 18:22 — “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” This aggravates the liberal president who later … Continue reading Homosexuality, Tattoos, & the Sabbath
Islamic Terror, Homosexuality, & the Consequences of Ideas
Sunday morning I awoke to horrific news on my Facebook feed: an Islamic terrorist brutally gunned down and murdered around fifty of our fellow human beings at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. This broke my heart and made me extremely angry! I cannot imagine the sorrow, pain, and anguish the friends and family members of … Continue reading Islamic Terror, Homosexuality, & the Consequences of Ideas
Substance Dualism, Interaction, & Idealism
A common objection to the notion that a human being is composed of both a material and an immaterial aspect of existence (substance dualism) is the problem of interaction. The naturalist will object and question: “How can an immaterial soul cause matter to do anything?” Even though we have scientific evidence suggesting this occurs, explaining exactly how … Continue reading Substance Dualism, Interaction, & Idealism
Transgender Bathrooms & Basketball
Disclaimer: I am not a politician; I am an aspiring logician who strives to be reasonable. I am not a Republican and I am no Democrat either. I am a freethinking Independent who is not bound by any political dogma. I am not taking political sides in this article, but simply pointing out logical inconsistencies … Continue reading Transgender Bathrooms & Basketball
Robots & Rationality
Determinists determined to defend determinism often counter the Freethinking Argument by proclaiming that computers seem to be rational and they do not possess libertarian free will. They state this is sufficient refutation of premise (3) of the Freethinking Argument, and therefore, the conclusions: free will exists, the soul exists, and naturalism is false, do not follow. This article exposes … Continue reading Robots & Rationality
The Ontologi-Kalam-alogical Argument
Is it logically possible that God exists? That is to say, is the concept of God logically incoherent or not? God is defined as “something which nothing greater can be conceived.” Or rather, in more idiomatic English: “God is the greatest conceivable being.” With this definition in mind, is there anything logically incoherent about the concept of … Continue reading The Ontologi-Kalam-alogical Argument
TEN Problems with the Canaanite Objection
“Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword” (Joshua 6:21). Why would God command the execution of all the Canaanites (along with the children) in the Old Testament? Many think this is one of the biggest objections … Continue reading TEN Problems with the Canaanite Objection
The Law of Identity & the Human Soul
Do humans survive the death of their bodies? As a pastor, I have officiated several funerals over the past few years and I have attended many recently. This topic is always sure to come up while talking to the surviving relatives. Questions such as these are regularly asked: Will we see our loved one again? Although the body … Continue reading The Law of Identity & the Human Soul
Lex Luthor’s Lousy Logic
“If God is all-powerful He cannot be good, if God is good He cannot be all-powerful!” – Lex Luthor in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice Why does Lex think such a thing? He reaches this conclusion based on all the evil and suffering in the world (especially the suffering he experienced as a child). Lex … Continue reading Lex Luthor’s Lousy Logic
How Does a Soul Provide Free Will?
Here is a question I received regarding The Freethinking Argument in my article entitled, “Freethinking Atheists are Oxymorons” : In your argument, you make the case that “If the soul does not exist, libertarian free will does not exist.” Underneath that argument, you do not mention the word “soul” again. You go on to argue that rationality … Continue reading How Does a Soul Provide Free Will?
THE GENESIS DEBATE: How Old is the Earth?
One of the greatest debates behind church doors is regarding the first book of the Bible. Christians are split regarding what the author’s original intent of the first three chapters of Genesis really was. Are these “creation days” supposed to be taken literally? In the book, “The Genesis Debate: Three Views on the days of Creation,” … Continue reading THE GENESIS DEBATE: How Old is the Earth?