In this video, I explain how some evangelical apologists misrepresent a common phrase (and what it really means. ?
rhetoric
The Many Confusions of Alisa Childers
In this video, I interact with an excerpt from a new Sean McDowell interview with Alisa Childers in which she makes vague references to “the world” as a mere foil for her own views and appears to endorse a bracing moral skepticism. ?
Are We In a Post-Truth Culture? My Response to an Evangelical Talking-Point
?
Who Would Jesus Insult?
In Matthew 5:22 Jesus says: “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” Call your […]
Is Bart Ehrman a Spiritual Terrorist?
“Religion Flies Planes into Buildings.” And My Response.
A Short Word on Good Arguments
What is a “strong argument”? This is a question that every apologist should consider. You should start with premises that are true or plausibly true. Next, a conclusion that follows from the premises. That makes it a *valid* argument. But there’s more. After all, a valid argument with premises which cannot be understood by the […]
“I believe because it is absurd”: On atheist abuse of Christian rhetoric
I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen an atheist cite 3rd-century theologian Tertullian’s statement “I believe because it is absurd” as evidence that “faith is irrational.” That’s equivalent to citing unemployed Miguel as evidence that “Mexicans are lazy.” What is more, it’s quote-mining which does violence to Tertullian’s point. The passage (which appears […]
Is abortion a genocide?
Dear fellow Pro-Lifers, Please do not refer to support for elective abortion as a “genocide”. The word “genocide” has a specific meaning in international law: it refers to the attempt to destroy an ethnic, religious, or cultural identity. To be sure, genocidaires may use abortion as a means to destroy an ethnic, religious and/or cultural […]
Is the Lock Him Up Chant a decline in civility?
Here is a link to a Twitter survey that I posted on the Lock Him Up chant: What do you think of the actions of baseball fans who chanted "Lock him up!" when Trump's presence was announced at the World Series game yesterday? — Tentative Apologist (@RandalRauser) October 28, 2019 And now for my thoughts: […]
Christianity is a religion, not a relationship
This morning, I read the following tweet: Christianity is not a religion, let alone one religion among many. It is God's good news for the world. – John Stott (The Gospel: A Life-Changing Message) — Bruxy Cavey (@Bruxy) July 20, 2019 It’s a common refrain among some Christians. Christianity is not a religion, it’s […]
Atheists who poison the well by calling things magic
Have you noticed how atheists often like to refer to theistic accounts of various aspects of reality as “magic”? It’s an irritating practice, a juvenile case of poisoning the well. And it’s even more irritating when a professional philosopher like Stephen Law engages in the practice. Here’s the summary of my recent twitter exchange on […]
Does it degrade public discourse to call people buffoons, fools, and clowns?
This article consists of an exchange I had on Twitter with a fellow named “Jar Jar” (whether the surname is “Binks” is TBD). Here’s my initial offending tweet: Remember when Trump said he hires only the best people? The sheer ignorance of #BenCarson is deeply distressing. #KatiePorter, on the other hand, is amazing. Once again, […]
On Retreating into Mystery: A problem for Christian apologists?
Ever since Antony Flew published his short parable of the invisible gardener, atheists have complained that theism is a hypothesis forever in retreat. Or, to shift metaphors, rebutting theism is like nailing the proverbial jelly to the wall: as soon as you drive the hammer in, the jelly breaks free, sliding on to greener pastures […]
