Category: ChrisBolt
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Covenantal Apologetics and ‘God of the Gaps’
Some opponents of covenantal apologetics contend the method relies upon so-called ‘God of the Gaps’ (GoG) argumentation. GoG is actually a form of the fallacious ‘Argument from Ignorance.’ But covenantal apologetics have nothing to do with GoG.
- GoG pertains to the natural world, whereas covenantal apologetics address topics well outside the narrow realm of naturalistic science.
- GoG arguments generally work in accord with natural theology, while covenantal apologetics preclude this use of natural theology, with arguments based instead upon the presupposition of the existence of God.
- GoG begins with alleged gaps in knowledge of the natural world. Covenantal apologetics do
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We’ve Got Mail: When does rational discourse come to an end?
…I was having a discussion with a friend, and he made the statement that using the Bible as one’s ultimate authority was self-referential and therefore invalid (like you’ve never heard this one). 🙂 I responded by explaining to him that his method of determining truth, autonomous reason, was circular and as it appealed to nothing higher than himself, arbitrary. What he said next floored me. He agreed that using his own reason as his ultimate authority was arbitrary. It did not concern him in the least. How do you reason with someone who (arbitrarily) says that their (arbitrary) reasoning is
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Prayer and the Apologist
One of the most powerful tools available to the Christian apologist is prayer.
When is the last time you prayed for one of your opponents?
God hears prayer, answers prayer, works through prayer.
God will also humble you through your prayers for another.
Apologists are inherently against a multitude of people in various senses. But let’s not lose focus of how we are for them.…
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Addressing a Common Evidentialist Retort
My brother-in-law went to school with an atheist who excelled in virtually every subject he studied. This particular atheist was a sharp thinker. He was also firm in his atheistic convictions. But he liked to drink. A lot. One night he had a bit too much. By the end of the night he was weeping and crying out about how there has to be a God. Plenty of his friends witnessed the event. They brought it up later. His response was to grumpily tell them not to talk about it.
My old Sunday School teacher had a friend who came …
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“The Giglio Imbroglio”
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“First atheist church opens in London”
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Why do we expect the future to be like the past?
Why do we expect the future to be like the past?
“Because in the past, the future has always been like the past.”
This response begs the question. It assumes the very point to be proven. In the past the future has always been like the past, yes, but why do we expect that in the future the future will be like the past?
“We don’t know for certain that the future will be like the past.”
This response misrepresents the question. It assumes the question is asking about certainty with respect to the future. But the question …
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Some Questions for Matt Oxley
Matt Oxley describes himself as a “former Christian helping others work through the battle of a lost faith.” One aspect of his mission is “to promote intelligent discussion.” So he won’t mind my probing a bit concerning his claim, “I’m a former Christian.”
Recall Scripture states, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” (1 John 2.19) Recently a professing Christian cited this verse for Matt. The implication …
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“The Liar Paradox and Presuppositional Apologetics 4”
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“The Liar Paradox and Presuppositional Apologetics 3”