APOLOGETICS HAS ITS ORIGIN in Greek rhetorical argument where the proponent presents an ordered defense, including the reasons he or she has for belief in a particular philosophy or religion. There are several ways in which an apologetic can be fashioned. Methods specific to an apologetic for Christianity are Classical, Evidential, Cumulative, and Presuppositional. Each …
Change in Direction
TIMES CHANGE, WE CHANGE. God never changes. There is a sustained reality in the universe (some refer to this as "metanarrative") that defines and upholds all that exists. All religions speak of this. It is the responsibility of every Christian to present for consideration the story of Christianity as more than "just another worldview" among …
“Basic Christianity” by John R.W. Stott
Your call is clear, cold centuries across;You bid me follow you, and take my cross,And daily lose myself, myself deny,And stern against myself shout ‘Crucify’.My stubborn nature rises to rebelAgainst your call. Proud choruses of hellUnite to magnify my restless hateOf servitude, lest I capitulate.The world, to see my cross, would pause and jeer.I have …
“I Don’t Go to Church. Too Many Hypocrites!”
MY FATHER DECIDED TO quit going to church "cold turkey" just about a year after I had accepted Christ as my Savior and received water baptism.* I was fourteen and was considering becoming a pastor. My father's choice was based on his opinion that church leaders wanted more of his time and money, and the …
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Podcast Just One Week Away!
I am excited about launching the podcast. Due to some orthopedic issues, I had to delay the launch. Now, I am waiting for delivery of an adapter I need to plug my Blue Yeti USB microphone into the XLR port on the mixer panel. Podcast episodes will be posted on this WordPress blog. I will …
Dark Matter and Other Phenomena
Written by Steven Barto, B.S. Psy., M.A. Theology Religion and science are two of the most significant and contentious cultural and intellectual forces known to man. Leading Christian thinkers at the time of the Renaissance used the metaphor "God's 2 Books" as a way to illustrate allowing both science and religion to tell us about …
The Devoutness of Islam
Written by Steven Barto, B.S. Psy., M.A. Theology NO DOUBT THE ABOVE TITLE strikes you as a bit odd coming from a Christian theology blogger. Please know that I believe Islam to be a false religion; that there is only one God, in three persons, and that Jesus Christ is wholly God and wholly man. …
“Identity Politics” in Social and Biblical Justice
Social justice. We hear about it everywhere. The term seems so “user friendly.” It elicits positive emotions and vibes. Yet, as with so many other things, appearances can deceive. Written by Steven Barto, B.S. Psy., M.A. Theology HOW DOES SOCIAL JUSTICE differ from biblical justice? Is there room in the gospel for social justice? Are …
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Having a “Grace-Receiving” Mentality
Written by Steven Barto, B.S. Psy., M.T.S. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF words and phrases we toss around during our lives. Grace is one of those words. Those who have trusted in Jesus for salvation were never meant to live defeated, despairing, boxed-in, unhappy lives; rather to live in victory through grace. In Romans 5, Paul …
Upcoming Podcast!
I am in the process of starting a podcast regarding the same categories and issues discussed on this blog. I have not yet decided the frequency of postings, but ideally I would like to do one every day. The podcast episodes will be hosted by WordPress, and possibly one other mainstream host site. I am …