One of the most troublesome questions Christians face when engaging in evangelism or apologetics is the problem of evil. This difficulty relates to two likely causes: lack of sufficient biblical knowledge on the topic; and, a pervasive spirit of empiricism, secularism, and militant atheism in Western civilization today. What is meant by "evil?" In a …
Disturber of the Peace
Written by Steven Barto, B.S. Psych. WE HAVE HEARD OF many names for Satan. He started as Lucifer—his name is derived from the Hebrew word (helel), which means "brightness." In Latin, it means "shining one, light-bearer." This is also the Latin name for the planet Venus, the morning star in the ancient Roman era, often …
The Angry Atheists
When Jerry Falwell died on May 15, 2007, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper asked the caustic atheist Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011) for his reaction. Cooper said, "I'm not sure if you believe in heaven, but, if you do, do you think Jerry Falwell is in it?" Hitchens held nothing back. He took a deep breath, smirked, and …
Challenges From Atheism
Atheism remains an important challenge to faith throughout the Western world, especially in the United States. Many of its critics believe that the movement has lost its way and that its intellectual credentials and cultural appeal have dwindled in recent years. I completely disagree. Atheism is, of course, a "godless" worldview under which nearly every …
Are Science and Christianity at Odds?
This question has been the fuel for countless discussions, arguments, and debates for centuries. I spend several hours a week viewing YouTube documentaries on apologetics, postmodernism, Israeli-Palestinian relations, Islam, creationism, evolution, and atheism. Having undertaken a systematic study of worldviews, I'm reminded that nearly no one simply creates his or her own worldview. We inherit …
Is Faith Irrational?
The truth about God is too important not to be seriously investigated and honestly and fairly discussed. Unfortunately, it doesn't take long for friendly conversations about religion to escalate into shouting matches—and this helps no one. Belief and unbelief are two sides to the same coin. The debate over faith and spirituality is here to …
Atheism: The End of Reason
There's a new atheism taking root in America, a movement more powerful and subversive than the atheism of Madalyn Murray O'Hare in the 1950s and 1960s. This militant atheism is led by individuals such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris. Harris' bestselling Letter to a Christian Nation absolutely and unflinchingly attacks all religions—but …
Apologetics: Defending the Faith Today (Part One)
"But sanctify the LORD God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15, NASB). CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS SEEKS TO build bridges to unbelievers by presenting reasons and evidence that Christianity is true, …
Continue reading "Apologetics: Defending the Faith Today (Part One)"
An Argument for the Existence of God
Routinely, three tests for truth are applied regarding the existence of God: (1) logical consistency, (2) empirical adequacy, and (3) experiential relevance. When submitted to these tests, the Christian message meets the demand for truth. Belief in a world birthed by accident, a life that has no purpose, morality without a point of reference except …
The Genesis Problem: The Methodological Atheism of Science
"There is no such thing as philosophy-free science. There is only science whose philosophical baggage is taken on board without examination." – Daniel Dennett, Darwin's Dangerous Idea YOU DECIDE TO SIT DOWN and examine science in order to come to a better understanding of the empirical world around you. This seems to be a sound proposition, …
Continue reading "The Genesis Problem: The Methodological Atheism of Science"