The Aristophrenium

Proclaiming the truth of the gospel and the centrality of Christ in all things

Witnessing Archive

Sunday

20

January 2013

0

COMMENTS

Churches For Apologetics: A Petition.

Written by , Posted in Apologetics, Christian activism, Education, Witnessing

The leadership and overall community of the Christian Apologetics Alliance [1] are highly motivated to encourage and equip the church in defending the faith using the tools available through Christian apologetics. It is their desire to see local churches everywhere creating and fostering a safe environment of questioning and learning in which members of Christ’s body are enabled and empowered to confront the hard questions that target the faith and consequently grow in strength, knowledge, and confidence. Apologetics in the church is no less important and relevant today than it was over 150 years ago when Wilberforce noted the following: [2] In an age in which infidelity abounds, do we observe them [parents] carefully instructing their children in the principles of faith which they profess? Or do they furnish their children with arguments for the defense of that faith? They would blush on their child’s birth to think him inadequate [...]

Sunday

25

November 2012

0

COMMENTS

Taking Back the Season—For the Gospel

Written by , Posted in Christology, Religion, Theology, Witnessing

It is one month to go until Christmas. In preparation for that, I wrote this for my church’s December newsletter. I am reposting it here on The Aristophrenium for the benefit of all the brethren. Christians seem to have all sorts of attitudes when it comes to Christmas. Many lament the secularization and commercialization of the holiday, and do their best to “put Christ back in Christmas.” Others try to dissociate themselves from the holiday altogether, citing its association with non-Biblical traditions as reason for doing so. Others just want to go about celebrating the holiday as usual, singing Christmas hymns, buying presents for loved ones and taking time out to be with them. I will argue that the one thing that is missing from all of these perspectives is the missional focus. Christmas is a time when we remember God’s incarnation in the person of Jesus, as this coming [...]

Monday

12

November 2012

1

COMMENTS

God’s Chisel

Written by , Posted in Soteriology, Witnessing

Friend and occasional commenter on The Aristophrenium, Rick Baskett, had shared this skit via Facebook two or three years ago. This is a ‘remastered’ version. It’s a great clip and I still find it quite moving even to this day.

Sunday

5

August 2012

0

COMMENTS

Play The Man, Not The Ball

Written by , Posted in Apologetics, Persecution, Theology, Witnessing

Normally I would say the opposite. Play the ball and not the man. But sometimes I think it is better to play the man rather than the ball. In sporting terms this phrase refers to going after the player in order to put them out of the game through injury rather than trying to best their skills with the ball in order to win the game. But when it comes to debates/challenges/arguments, often you will find that attacking the person (their character) rather than addressing their argument/point is considered poor form, making you look weak and your point of view weaker. But recently it has occurred to me that there may be some situations where “playing the man” first is a wise move. It all comes down to the person’s attitude in their opening volley. If their argument or claims are littered with vitriol and contempt for you or anyone [...]

Tuesday

22

May 2012

0

COMMENTS

Have you ever converted anyone?

Written by , Posted in Apologetics, Witnessing

The following is a somewhat paraphrased account of a recent, and I might add, enjoyable discussion, with a non-Christian friend. “So, have you ever converted anyone?” “Well”, I said, “that’s kind of the wrong question.” [Laughing] “Am I only supposed to ask questions that match your predetermined answers?” “No. What I mean is, it depends what you mean by ‘converted’. It’s like if I asked you if you’ve stopped beating your wife yet. The question supposes something; that you beat your wife. In the same way, asking me if I’ve ever converted anyone supposes that I am capable of converting anyone to Christianity in the first place. My understanding is that God is the one who does the actual ‘converting’. That is, He prepares the heart and the mind to receive the gospel – but Christians see themselves as tools involved in the process.” [More laughter] “So, what you’re saying [...]

Monday

2

April 2012

0

COMMENTS

Sententias: Why I am a Christian

Written by , Posted in Apologetics, Christian activism, Witnessing

Max Andrews at his blog Sententias is developing a new series which he would like to see grow in response to the running series called “Why I am an atheist” from Paul Zachary “PZ” Myers at Pharyngula hosted by Freethought Blogs. I wanted to start a counter-series here on your story. The series will be, “Why I’m a Christian.” All you would need to do is send me an email … and tell me why you became a Christian and why you continue being a Christian. Your story can be however long you want it to be. Unless you note otherwise (if you want last name, last initial, anonymity, etc.), I’ll only use your first name. I hope to spread your stories to demonstrate the glory and work of God in your lives. Another benefit in doing this is so we can encourage other Christians to persevere in the faith [...]

Saturday

26

November 2011

0

COMMENTS

In Christ alone, by grace through faith alone

Written by , Posted in Apologetics, Soteriology, Witnessing

Not because of who I am, but because of what you’ve done Not because of what I’ve done but because of who you are (lyrics from “Who Am I?” by Casting Crowns) In the comments area to a previous article I had written last year about Christianity being singularly unique in its salvation by grace (and not of works), a visitor left the following question (emphasis mine): This does not help. I need to believe in Christ in order to receive what he did for me. Okay. But if I don’t believe and repent, then I can’t be saved. Correct? So when it comes down to it, I have to do a work in order to be saved. Please don’t change and switch words around in order to fit a point of view. This is a very serious matter. So, how am I to truly receive salvation? I need to [...]

Wednesday

28

September 2011

3

COMMENTS

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Written by , Posted in Apologetics, Metaphysics, Witnessing

What a big question. A question that I wager almost all of us have struggled with at some time. I certainly do not intend to probe the full depth of this question here – at least not in one article. And nor do I think I would be capable of doing it justice, as to study this question only raises a multitude of others that need to be addressed – Who/What is bad? Who/What is good? Why should we expect only good things to happen to good people? Is suffering bad? Is there an objective purpose to our existence? And the list goes on. Instead, my goal here is far more modest. To share with you a reflection that was motivated by a brief conversation with a friend of mine. A non-Christian as far as I know – yet not someone who I have any reason to think is at [...]

Wednesday

15

June 2011

0

COMMENTS

Lose the histrionics about Jews and your point loses all its force

Written by , Posted in Anthropology, Politics, Soteriology, Witnessing

(HT: @Shinar_Squirrel) Cathy Lynn Grossman of USA Today published an opinionated response to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president Albert Mohler who seized upon Congressman Anthony Weiner entering “treatment” to make a point about Jesus Christ being the only answer for the problem of sin. Mohler tweeted the following on June 11, “Dear Congressman Weiner: There is no effective ‘treatment’ for sin. Only atonement, found only in Jesus Christ.” Grossman’s scurrilous opinion piece about Mohler began by describing his tweet as throwing “an evangelistic dig at Jews like Weiner and other non-Christians.” That sounds rather scandalous, does it not? But if you remove her spurious histrionics about Jews it loses all its force. For instance, consider if Grossman had instead described his tweet as throwing “an evangelistic dig at people like Weiner and other non-Christians.” But that risks representing Mohler and his tweet accurately—gasp!—which targeted Weiner as a person, not as [...]

Friday

22

April 2011

0

COMMENTS

His Wounds Have Paid Our Ransom

Written by , Posted in Soteriology, Theology, Witnessing

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us ~ Phillips, Craig and Dean How deep the Father’s love for us How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son And make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss The Father turns His face away As wounds which marr the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory Behold the man upon the cross My sin upon His shoulders Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life I know that it is finished I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward I cannot give an answer But this I know with all [...]