Apologetics and Evidence

Travis Dickinson, Ph. D., is a professor of philosophy at Dallas Baptist University, and recently put a YouTube video out titled, “ Why the Christian/Muslim/same God question is a BAD Question .” In one theological sense, we Christians do not worship the same God, because of the difference between a unitarian view (Muslim) and a Trinitarian view (Christian). But in another sense, as far as philosophical reference is concerned, we are discussing the same necessary being to some degree. The idea is that the being we call “God” can be described in several different ways, and though some of those ways can be false, we are still philosophically pointing to the same “thing.”   Dickinson briefly mentions that sometimes Jews are included in the first part of his discussion, and I think this is actually a steelman argument for this first part, simply based on the fact that it is likely that more people will say that Jews and Christians worship the same God (see below for more), as opposed t...

I am often surprised at the reactions of people when I show and tell them how I read. They are frequently very interested in my methods and practice. It took me a long time to develop my reading method, but early on in my studies I was going through a Navigators course that suggested that you dig into the text when you read. This has resonated well with me since I was an excavator and bulldozer operator by trade for a few decades, which much of this took place while I was enrolled as a college student.   Excavating the Text In this article, I would like to spill the beans on my digging method, and I’ll start by listing the four tools I use to do so. First, the main tool is a highlighter. Below, in the picture is the brand I prefer because I can operate the marker, opening, highlighting, and closing, with one hand (reminds me of cracking a plastic egg open). This allows me to be more efficient in reading, because I can still hold the book with one hand, highlight with the other, and...

I frequently run into the discussion with Christians that some cult members seem to produce spiritual fruit, and this brings into question for them whether or not such people are actually saved.  In their minds, a person could not produce spiritual fruit unless they were actually saved. Jesus’ words, “You will know them by their fruit” is often referenced and the question arises, how is it that some Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses seem to produce spiritual fruit if they are not saved? Because, on the one hand it really seems like some of them truly have their lives in order and appear to live biblical lives.   Jesus says, in Matthew 7:15-20,   “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad...

The Bible teaches   at least   two different methods that the Holy Spirit uses to reach people.     In John 16:4-15, John Records Jesus saying,    “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you...