The majority of Americans are pro-life. The current president is the most pro-abortion president in history…
A new Gallup Poll, conducted May 7-10, finds 51% of Americans calling themselves “pro-life” on the issue of abortion and 42% “pro-choice.” This is the first time a majority of U.S. adults have identified themselves as pro-life since Gallup began asking this question in 1995. Also, fewer think abortion should be legal “under any circumstances.”
I Came across this CNN article Former fundamentalist ‘debunks’ Bible. It appears Bart Ehrman is at it again…just in time for the latest round of religious skepticism served up in Angels and Demons (new movie based on Dan Brown’s book).
Ehrman clearly has an axe to grind. And his is self-admittedly the Problem of Evil in the world. This finds its way into his writing. Other equally credentialed New Testament Scholars are not convinced by his arguments; in fact they see the NT as highly reliable historically. Bart Erhman makes a living by overstating the implications of issues biblical scholars (conservative, moderate, or liberal) have known about for decades. See for example our previous post on this issue here when Bart was on the Colbert Report.
Ben Witherington has responded with a six part review of Bart’s claims in Jesus Interrupted (Bart Interrupted)
part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 5 part 6
For a wonderful book exploring these claims in accessible fashion, see Reinventing Jesus by Dan Wallace, Ed Komoszewski, and M. James Sawyer.
“For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.”–Hebrews 10:34
a couple of short observations:
The Joy of the LORD was their strength. That is encouraging that it is possible and challenging in that I need to do some growing in my ability to experience joy in all circumstances.
“To relish and rejoice in the beauty of God alone accounts for why we exist. Enjoying God is the soul’s sole satisfaction, with which no rival pleasure can hope to compete. Glorifying God by enjoying him forever. It’s the Christian Theory of Everything.”-Sam Storms
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”–Jesus (cf. John 15:11)
Trying to explain this to someone who has never experienced the true joy of knowing and loving God is very difficult. It is like trying to describe a fillet Mignon steak to someone who has never eaten one. But that is what we try to do. We invite those who don’t know God to taste and see. Much of Christian understanding is preceded by experience (though both are necessary for the knowledge of God).
Today we have reached a blogging milestone…200 blogs to help us think Christianly. Thank you for your prayers and support.
My other thought for today is more of a question…what happened to my news????
“News organizations once provided citizens with information and thoughtful commentary so they could make informed choices, but today, real-life tragedies and the mundane failures and heartaches of ordinary people are hyped like new movie releases, complete with special effects…”–Dick Staub
What this means is that stories are selected and arranged to sell commercial dollars and drive ratings…not just inform the public. Now some informing does occur, but it doesn’t matter your news of choice–CNN, FOX, NBC, or ABC–the goal isn’t pure, unbiased reporting. There is always an agenda. So we even need to add a cup of discernment to our nightly news.