Jesus never talks about same-sex relationships, but he does talk about marriage (e.g. Matthew 19:1-10, Mark 10:1-12). And when he describes marriage, he always does so within the context of an indissoluble male/female covenantal bond. His understanding of the indissolubility aspect is an important topic in the conversation, But here I want to focus on […]
The Tentative Apologist
Should a Christian use the Name and Preferred Pronouns of a Trans-Gender Person?
Five years ago, I delivered a plenary address titled “What Would Jesus Say to Caitlyn Jenner?” According to many Christians, the first thing he’d say is “Hiya, Bruce!” For example, Robert Gagnon defends the view that using the preferred pronouns and name for a transgender person constitutes blasphemy against God: by referring to Jenner as […]
God the Liar
I recently posted the following question on Twitter: If a Muslim imam prays for a man stricken with cancer, and the tumor immediately disappears, can a Christian interpret that as a miracle wrought by the Christian God? — Tentative Apologist (@RandalRauser) October 18, 2021 One commenter noted that, in his view, if the Christian God […]
Do Lacktheists have a Burden of Proof?
One of my many pet peeves: self-described atheists who are at pains to insist they have no burden of proof. That also applies to those who claim they ‘lack belief’: ?
One Day Sale: Jesus Loves Canaanites
It’s 6 months since Jesus Loves Canaanites was released. To celebrate, Amazon is selling the Kindle for $1.99 for today only. Unfortunately, the offer is only available in the United States. Pass it on! Click here to purchase.
How Biblical Divinely Commanded Genocide Undermines Moral Knowledge
Is it intrinsically evil to slaughter infants or does it depend on the context? Our moral knowledge says one thing, biblical passages like 1 Samuel 15:3 seem to say something else. ?
Prolife Christians Who Support Child Killing
Defending the morality of the Canaanite genocide has disastrous consequences for a consistent Christian ethic as I explain in this video. ?
Quick Replies to William Lane Craig’s Bad Talking Points on the Canaanite Genocide
William Lane Craig has made truly impressive contributions to a range of deep philosophical and theological topics. His defense of biblical atrocities like the Canaanite genocide is a notable exception. In this article, I offer some responses to excerpts from his response to a listener question about the Canaanite genocide. Craig says: “The slaughter of […]
How Getting Beaten Up Taught Me an Important Life Lesson
I’m a relatively effective communicator and for the most part, that has served me well in life. Back in 1989, my friend and I were in a guitar shop when my friend was targeted by a guy who didn’t like him for some reason. When we left, that guy followed us out of the store […]
Why Christian Fundamentalism Is Not Your Father’s Orthodoxy
Today, I was reading the entry on “Fundamentalism” in Alan Richardson, A Dictionary of Christian Theology (SCM Press, 1969) when I came across a passage that provides a trenchant critique of fundamentalism. One of the key attractions of fundamentalism, at least according to its adherents, is the belief that fundamentalism is rooted in the faithful transmission of […]
A Brief Defense of Blind Faith
Let’s Talk About Blind Faith. ?
A Snapshot of Humanity: On the Existential Experience of Reading Old Postcards
When I find myself with some free time on my hands, I like to kill an hour at the flea market, flipping through old postcards and reading the messages scrawled on the back. These moments in time often give a poignant snapshot into the human experience. One of my favorites was a 1960s postcard from […]
The World Will Know His Name: A Devotional Reflection for Truth and Reconciliation Day
Today, September 30, 2021, is Canada’s first annual Day of Truth and Reconciliation, a time of reflection as we consider the legacy of historic oppression against First Nations peoples. In honor of the day, I have posted a devotional reflection: “The World Will Know His Name.” ?
Fundamentalist Bible Reading and Literally False Descriptions of God
In this video, I explain how a passage like Exodus 32 forces fundamentalist Christians to abandon their “literalist” approach to Bible reading or face stark theological consequences. ?
