September 16, 2004

How we defend the faith, obviously, depends on the essence and shape of the faith itself. Theology matters, and in this case, determines what is a consistent means of defending the faith and what is not. Today I began reviewing a recent debate involving Bart Ehrman and in so doing began discussing the foundational differences between apologetics that begins with

Started off the program talking to Rudolph Boshoff down in Johannesburg via Skype. The connection was pretty iffy, and you have to listen carefully. But we discussed the state of the church in South Africa. I wanted to clarify a point where we had some audio problems…I was referring to one of the sound churches in SA, pastored by brother

We let the callers drive the program today, and that often takes us over a wide spectrum of topics. We discussed George Bryson and Calvary Chapel; Ergun Caner (one of his students called); 1 John 2:2 and ἱλασμός (via a Skype call!); the Apocrypha and online apologetics to Roman Catholics, and more! Something for everyone, as they say.

Listened to portions of the Hitchens/Dembski debate on the existence and goodness of God. We were left wondering what a shallow defense of Mother Theresa had to do with the topic, and mourned the opening it gave Hitchens to conclude the debate most memorably. Theology matters, again. Then we took e-mail questions on a variety of topics, commented briefly on

Continued the Sam Shamoun vs. Shabir Ally debate today, and even heard Shabir argue that Revelation 14 informs us that women will not enter into paradise! You have to hear it to believe it. “When Bad Jehovah’s Witness Arguments Get Picked Up by Muslim Apologists.” Sounds like a bad B movie, the stuff of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Anyway, here’s

Yup, you guessed it, continued with the textual criticism seminar. Going to try to start wrapping things up on Tuesday, hopefully taking your calls on textual issues on Thursday. We will see. Started today’s program with a clip from ol’ Texe Marrs, which will appear on the blog soon.