100 Questions – Introduction and Question 1 concerning the bedroom.

Darkened bedroom

Introduction to the 100 Questions/Challenges confronting Christians today

Before we get to the 100 questions, let me discuss why this blog exists. The reason for this blog is to demonstrate that it is reasonable and rational to believe the teaching of the  Christian faith because all questions that challenge the faith can be rationally answered. It is neither foolish nor contrary to science to believe what Christianity teaches. Further, the answers are internally consistent and rationally coherent. Up to this point I have focused on challenges presented by secular understandings of science and atheistic misrepresentations. These include challenges from science about things like evolution and the age of the earth to philosophical challenges from the “New Atheists” like Richard Dawkins. Continue Reading

Are young earth evidences needed to defend Christian Faith?

10 Young earth evidences and why they’re needed 

Does the age of the earth matter to your faith? The witnessing approach known as Evangelism Explosion was known for its diagnostic questions[1], so let me take that approach and ask a few diagnostic questions. Answer yes or no to the following:

Question 1: Does the account of the creation of the universe as presented in Genesis depict literal events in a historical manner the way the gospels present the life of Jesus in a historical manner?

Question 2: Is it important to stand up for a “literal” understanding of the creation of the universe as depicted in Genesis the way we stand up for a “literal” understanding of the death and resurrection of Jesus?

Question 3:  Are you as proud and willing to stand for and defend the doctrine of creation  as depicted in Genesis – in 6 days – as you are to stand for and defend the resurrection of Jesus on the third day?

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Will the Church Equip to Fight the Spiritual Culture War?

In an article titled How You Can Equip to Fight The Spiritual Culture War, an author I have a lot or respect for – Tom Gilson – has some advice for the church.  Not only do I have a lot of respect for Tom, but I also like his mission. In another article he states he’s “leading another project specifically geared toward building churches’ spiritual readiness.” Tom is usually right on the money, but he does have a blind spot or two, which is why I chime in on his articles – in hopes that in being a bit of a gadfly like Erasmus, I might nudge him in the right direction.

So back to the topic at hand – which is a prediction meant to motivate people as did  Jonah’s preaching of – “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.” (Jon 3.4) motivated the Ninevites.  Tom is trying to motivate God’s people – Christians – to prepare to deal with the inevitable increasing hostilities we will face as American culture becomes increasingly bold in manifesting its rejection of God’s intent and design for  gender and sexuality.  Tom’s recommendation: be willing to make two sacrifices: Continue Reading

Young earth or Old? The Wrong Approach to the debate that divides Christians

In the beginning… Gen 1.1

Editor’s note:  This is in response to Tom Gilson’s article “Young Earth or Old? The Debate That Divides Christians — But Shouldn’t[1] Normally I wouldn’t bother posting a comment on an article I’ve read to this site, but I’m making an exception here because 1. This is a topic I’ve written on a number of times on this site, so it’s fitting here and 2. For some reason my comment remains marked as “spam” and thus is not visible under Tom’s article, though I’ve indicated it’s not spam. And rather that speculate why it remains unpublished as of this writing I offer it to you here in its entirety, with a few added notes for clarification.
– Duane

Tom, you’re usually right on the mark, but here you’re advocating a very dangerous position. You’re basically advocating “leave it to the experts.” You’re stating this issue is so complex it requires “a high level of expertise in multiple fields, including biblical Hebrew, Ancient Near East literature and culture, and four or five major branches of science.” Continue Reading