“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.” – Titus 3:3-8
Jonathan Morrow
What is Irreducible Complexity?
“By irreducibly complex I mean a single system composed of several well-matched, interacting parts that contribute to the basic function, wherein the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to effectively cease functioning.” —Michael Behe (from Darwin’s Black Box)
Christ and the Challenge of World Religions by Craig Hazen at Biola University
Here is very helpful video on apologetics by Dr. Craig Hazen (and a link to one of his books below). Also, check out the M.A. Biola Apologetics program.
The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach by Michael Licona
Here is a thoroughly researched and extensively documented new book on the Resurrection by Michael Licona that needs to find a home in your library if you are a pastor, apologist, or teacher.
Book Description:
The question of the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection has been repeatedly probed, investigated and debated. And the results have varied widely. Perhaps some now regard this issue as the burned-over district of New Testament scholarship. Could there be any new and promising approach to this problem? Yes, answers Michael Licona. And he convincingly points us to a significant deficiency in approaching this question: our historiographical orientation and practice. So he opens this study with an extensive consideration of historiography and the particular problem of investigating claims of miracles. This alone is a valuable contribution. But then Licona carefully applies his principles and methods to the question of Jesus’ resurrection. In addition to determining and working from the most reliable sources and bedrock historical evidence, Licona critically weighs other prominent hypotheses. His own argument is a challenging and closely argued case for the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. Any future approaches to dealing with this “prize puzzle” of New Testament study will need to be routed through The Resurrection of Jesus.
The Brother of Jesus on the Logic of Sin
“But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” – James 1:14-16
We have all experienced the logic of sin James lays out in this passage. Memorizing it and quoting it (out loud) when confronted with what we know to be sin will help us overcome in that moment (cf. 1 Cor 10:13). That was what Jesus did when he responded to Satan’s lies with an “it is written…” (Luke 4).
How is your arsenal of “it is written’s?” Anything for the Holy Spirit to bring to mind?
I’m reloading mine. If Jesus needed to hide God’s word in his heart (Psalm 119:9-11), then certainly I do!