Atheists often accuse religion in general and Christianity in particular of mass murder. In regard to Christianity they usually cite the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition where 200,000 and (at most) 150,000 people were slain respectively. Author Gregory Koukl stated the following:
Read more: The Problem of Evil - Atheism's Bloody History
“Investigators now think that Lubitz, 27, deliberately flew an Airbus A320 with 150 people on board into a remote corner of the French Alps on Tuesday, provoking a search for answers that is increasingly centering on his health, and his mental health in particular.” —Denver Post, Sunday March 29, 2015
The problem of evil these days is no one wants to call it evil...
Read more: The Problem of Evil
There’s a news story going around this week about a lie told in the social media of the late 1800’s, that is newspapers and magazines. Most of these publications are no longer in existence and were published overseas so it’s difficult to trace and even know if the reporting is accurate, but according to the story the media hyped something called “bicycle face” to keep women from riding bikes. It’s hard to believe, but supposedly men didn’t like the new-found freedom women discovered from biking around town, so they invented a medical condition that amounts to what mothers tell preschoolers – “You keep making that face and its going to get stuck that way.”
Read more: Bicycle Face
A couple weeks ago CNN started a series of “investigative” pieces about our Lord called “Finding Jesus”. When I first saw it advertised I wondered if it might be good material to address here at Think-Biblically.com, until I saw the first episode was on the shroud of Turin. I’ve never been too enamored with the shroud throughout my Christian life because it isn’t mentioned in the Bible, and if it isn’t mentioned there how important can it be, really? What it lacks in biblical importance, however, it makes up for in cultural significance. Like it or not, people talk about the shroud and everyone has a point of view.
Read more: CNN's "Finding Jesus" Episode 1
In this next-to-the-last episode of CNN’s special we are treated to a brief history of the finding and dissemination of the true cross. Their stated goal for this episode is in the form of dramatic narration: “Now for the first time modern science sets out to answer the question, is the true cross a hoax that mocks the crucifixion or the relic of relics?” They may have taken on too much.
Read more: CNN's Finding Jesus - Mary Magdalene
For the first time I have to level some criticism at the series “Finding Jesus” airing Sunday nights on CNN. Episode four, “The Secret Brother of Jesus” is a confusing mash of history and conjecturer rolled into a single presentation of the life of James that doesn’t leave room for other, possibly more accurate, understandings of the man’s life. And far too much importance is given to Catholic tradition and pseudepigraphal works. For instance, the program references the three texts below as if they were credible resources, which they clearly are not.
Read more: CNN's "Finding Jesus" Episode 4
Continuing to examine CNN’s attempt to report on early Christianity through their series Finding Jesus, we find ourselves looking at episode two, John the Baptist. I’d like to say oat the start that I certainly mean no disrespect to the prophet by using only a head shot for the articles title slide. While I’m sure John did not know how or when he would die, I believe he suspected it would be pretty horrible. After all, God’s prophet’s rarely dies of natural causes. But I digress, let us discuss CNN’s special.
Read more: CNNs Finding Jesus, Episode 2
This has been a long topical series, perhaps the longest in our short history here at Think-Biblically. Hopefully it has been informative and helped every reader learn a little something about both their role in this world, their duty before God, and an appropriate response to conflict. In concluding our study of Islam I’d like to review what we learned.
Read more: Islam - Conclusion
In this next-to-the-last episode of CNN’s special we are treated to a brief history of the finding and dissemination of the true cross. Their stated goal for this episode is in the form of dramatic narration: “Now for the first time modern science sets out to answer the question, is the true cross a hoax that mocks the crucifixion or the relic of relics?” They may have taken on too much.
Read more: CNN's "Finding Jesus" Episode 5
Once again I have nothing but praise for the work of the CNN crew on their series “Finding Jesus”. In the third episode they discuss the person of Judas and 20th century find of the Gospel of Judas. They begin according to their pattern of dramatically telling the story from the Biblical accounts starting with his call to follow Jesus and ending with his suicide before plunging into the origins and story of the ancient text bearing his name. Amazingly, they do justice to both in just 42 minutes.
Read more: Gospel of Judas
As most of you know 30 days ago I took the Nazarite Vow and dedicated the time in special service to God. There were a number of restrictions, especially dietary ones, which caused some of my friends to ask, “Why are you doing this?” A good question that deserves a good answer. Here is that answer. I found that by living differently I had to live more thoughtfully. Thinking about my food choices forced me to consider how I could eat and still honor God. I also learned that most foods are better with cheese.
Read more: Nazarite Vow Concludes
We ended yesterday’s blog with a question: What is a peace-loving society to do when presented with Islamic hatred? We have moved from the personal response, which is to love people as creations of God regardless of their personal beliefs and try to convince them of the truth of the gospel, to a national response of one state verses another which does not adhere to the same set of rules and instruction from the Bible.
Read more: What of Iran?
