Framing the Problem of Evil in Animation

Want help framing and responding to the problem of evil? Here are two animations that could help.

The shorter version (1 min, 46 sec):

And a bit longer response (3:10)

Thots?

Perspective Cards - Website Now Live

A week ago or so, our Perspective Cards website went live. There are still items to be added, included the training videos. But this at least begins the support of the Perspective Cards. Last I checked, there were more Perspective Cards sold than Soularium for the fall. And I am hearing stories of staff and students on campuses across the U.S. who love using these for spiritual conversations. Check them out!

If you have used them, share a story in the comments of what you think.

Lausanne: A History Lesson in Missions

With the conclusion of the Capetown 2010 meetings, and various reports now filtering out through the blogosphere, etc., it seemed appropriate to draw attention of my fellow CoJourner blog-ites to the Lausanne Movement History Video. Its three minutes is a refreshing step into the last century to consider how God has worked.

My favorite quote:

We must have the compassion to answer the honest questions, which men and women have, and this answering the honest questions is also a part of evangelism. (Francis Schaeffer)

True in 1974. Still true today!

This is why the third CoJourner role is "The Builder" - constructing bridges over and beyond the obstacles in the spiritual journeys of others, whether intellectual, emotional or matters of the will, helping them move toward Christ.

Overflow Show: Going video

I have drawn attention in the past to the great resources and work of "The Overflow Show". But I hadn't mentioned that the show has moved from audio podcasts to video. Nice.

Here is the latest - a three-minute interview with Greg Koukl, author of Tactics. This deals with religious pluralism. Haven't gotten his book yet, but it is on my list for later.

The Illuminated Atheist

I have a casual interest in reading the writings and considering the thinking of atheists. I am generally intrigued by their logic, fascinated by their experience and concerned for their well-being. I don't have the time (or probably more honestly, the desire) to be an avid reader of their writings or engage deeply in on-going dialogue, but my interest is genuine.

So I take note of things like Fast Company's article: "Atheism Gets a Much Needed Rebranding". The intriguing quote is,

"Atheism is quite often mistakenly seen as a cold and distant world, rather than the beautiful, important, and engaging philosophy that it is," says Matt Luckhurst, a student in the School of Visual Arts Designer as Author MFA program.

It intrigues me to consider in what sense does an atheist see their philosophy of "beautiful"? "Important" and "engaging" are easier to understand. But the beauty of atheism? Intriguing.

Fortunately, Matt has provided a glimpse into reality as he perceives it with his website The Illuminated Atheist. It's mission is thus:

Illuminated Atheist is a website dedicated to making stories and writings of non-theism by illuminating them with exceptional artwork, design and photograpchy: subverting the concept of illuminated manuscripts the church once used to socialize its ideas. For those void of religion and full of belief.

"Void of religion and full of belief". A very winsome description of atheism. I'm looking forward to perusing this site more.

The Folly of Indifference: Making Sense of It All (2)

It makes a difference where you are. Really. That sounds simple enough, so simple that it hardly needs said. But given our tendency (as people busy with life) to avoid thinking about ultimate issues, it must be said. It makes a difference where you are.

I am spending a delightful five day visit with my daughter and her husband. I am a guest in their home and that makes a difference. Now my daughter loves me and is a most gracious host, looking after my needs and pleasures. But it makes a difference that I am here and not in my home. Despite her warm hospitality, making her home and possessions available to me, I observe that I restrict myself from making use of things as if I owned them. I am quite comfortable and happy, but I certainly limit my behavior in ways to be an appropriate guest. If I were in my home, I would exercise much greater freedom. In a context where I own it all, I can (and would) do what I want with whatever I want. You make think me foolish in what I do with my stuff, but you wouldn’t fault me for behaving differently in my home than while a guest at my daughter’s.

What does this have to do with ultimate matters, you ask? Everything, because it makes a difference where you are.

If we find ourselves in a universe that is merely physical, shaped only by forces of cause and effect, it will make a difference how we live. If this world happens to be a home that is deeply spiritually, but in an impersonal sort of way, governed by laws of karma (i.e., beware, its all coming back to you, at least eventually), well that too should make a difference on how you live. But if this cosmos is the possession and dwelling of a supreme being, who has not only created us but invited us to stay within this one’s abode, well, you better believe that would (or should) make a difference in how we live. Especially if this One cares deeply about how we treat other guests and make use of It’s generous provisions.

Context matters.

We live all of life adapting to our context. How I behave at the office is different than how I behave at home. How I behaved at school, is different than how I now behave at work. (Though my former teachers may have wished for a little better adaptation on my part.) It is only reasonable that we adapt. Likewise, it is only reasonable that we adapt life to the ultimate context we find ourselves within. And if we don’t know what context we are in, then it is only reasonable to seek to find out. We certainly wouldn’t want to be a slovenly guest, would we?

Indifference (on ultimate matters) is not only folly, it is highly inappropriate.

Making Sense of It All (1)

I just finished reading Thomas V. Morris’ Making Sense of It All. I read it on the recommendation of a friend, Dave. Now I must admit Dave made this recommendation fifteen years ago when we were spending a summer together doing ministry in Keszthely, Hungary. But I never forgot the recommendation and finally this winter, I bought and read the book. I’m glad I did.

First, I must say I became a bit intrigued by the life journey (or what I have been able to discern of it) of the author, Tom Morris: a philosopher, former Notre Dame professor (and apparently a very popular one at that), now a “public philosopher” (or at least he has his own institute) working with corporations. Hmm… curious, indeed. I think I would like to meet the man, if Providence should ever orchestrate it.

But I have also become more intrigued by Pascal and his insights into life, captured for posterity in the classic collection known as Pensées. My real introduction (at least the one that caught my attention) came from seminary professor and mentor, Dr. Robert Coleman. I now wonder how Dr. Coleman, a man whose life has been defined and shaped by his Lord’s Great Commission, became interested in Pascal. Maybe I shall ask next time I have an opportunity.

But the question, you make ask, is what does all this have with my life and thoughts as a CoJourner? Well, I am growing convinced that Pascal offers us insight for the 21st Century post-postmodern (or whatever it is you’d like to call our world of thought and culture today.) He is a Guide par excellence. So I intend (and you know what often happens with good intentions) to reread this book (something I very rarely do. In fact, truth be told, though I love books and “read” many, I find very few books valuable enough to me to complete the reading the first time. ) I want to “harvest” valuable insights from this work to see if it can help me (a common Guide, in the CoJourner sense) “make sense of it all” for others on the journey of life.

Question God -- Keller's Site for Exploration

Was just introduced to Tim Keller's website, Question God. (Thanks, Ryan.)

Haven't had a chance to do more than glance over it. But it looks like a valuable repository of talks (and thus insights and wisdom) from a gifted communicator of the gospel.

Perhaps I'll post more later. But for now, what do you think?

Worldview & Evangelism

Charles Colson writes (and speaks, if you listen to the radio) regarding Worldview and Evangelism in the latest Breakpoint. Here is an excerpt:

...you can’t evangelize without understanding the cultural context. It would be like a missionary attempting to work in a foreign country without understanding its language or customs. He’d make a fool of himself.

What is the relationship between worldviews and evangelism? Good question...

Dialogue Veritas

In Rennes, France, two campus ministries (CCC and IVCF) are partnering to sponsorship a 3-night event called Dialogue Veritas. Each night they will explore and address one or two critical questions for the 21st century student. Here is their line-up:

“Why believe in God if it is only to be disappointed?”
“What’s the purpose of life?”
“What is there after death?”
“Hasn’t science weakened the existence of God?”
“Why are there so much suffering and inequality in the world?”

Sounds pretty interesting. Is anyone here asking these same questions? Can you respond to each issue?

Why We Need Earthquakes

Dinesh D'Souza on theodicy, quick read. The best of all "feasible worlds", for us at least?

Better Answers - Quote of the Day

"Perhaps if we are confronted with better questions about the meaning and value of religion, we will be forced to find better answers."

Maurice O'Sullivan
"How I Learned Not to Fear the Anti-God Squad"
Wall Street Journal On-Line

Conversational Evangelism

I haven't gotten a chance to see it yet, but a new book I'm looking forward to reviewing soon is Geisler & Geisler's, Conversational Evangelism.

Publisher's description includes:

David and Norman Geisler share an engaging, conversational approach to evangelism as they address:

• What makes old models of witnessing ineffective in today’s culture
• Why evangelism must start with relational pre–evangelism
• How to ask questions, listen attentively, and understand what someone believes
• Ways to identify the real barriers to belief in order to build a bridge to truth
• How to keep dialogue going with different personality types

Dave has sharpened his model through the years of ministry with Meekness and Truth Ministries.

Let me know if you get to read it before I do...

The James Ossuary -- WOW or WHAT?

Okay, this is intriguing. It is the case of the "James Ossuary" -- an ancient (or not so ancient...or, wait, yes ancient) ossuary (that is, receptacle for holding the bones of the dead) that had the inscription "James, Son of Joseph, Brother of Jesus" inscribed upon it.

First, there was great interest in the astounding archaeological find. WOW! The implications.

Then it was declared to be a Fraud by the Israeli Antiquities Authority. Bummer. But even fraudulent cases make good stories. Right?

But now, get this. It is the IAA that appears to have been playing loose with the evidence. They have been embarrassed in the court case over the ossuary.

So now we are back to "WOW, this is an astounding piece of evidence!" And we've added the drama around it of, "HMMM... Someone doesn't want this evidence to be recognized for what it is." Any correlation to Matthew 28:11-15?

One must extend kudos to the Israeli court system that won't accept scientific hanky panky with the facts.

Après Lewis - Insightful Glance at Modern Apologetic Books

Mere Christianity has been a standard for Christian witness for decades. Has a new work arisen in its tradition? David Skeel muses on the current offerings in Après Lewis. (Thanks to Eric who brought this article to my attention.)

The Dialogue between McGrath & Dawkins

Having drawn attention to Plantinga's article on Naturalism & Evolution, it brings to mind another "discussion."  

Want to listen in to a dialogue (an uncut version) between two intellectual "giants"?  Here you go...

The Root of Evil

Conference on Post Christian Spiritualites

I was just sent this....

Trinity is cosponsoring with a Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization Issue Group a conference on 16-19 October at our campus entitled Trinity Consultation on Post-Christendom Spiritualities.  The aim of the conference is to address the issues of declining Christianity in the West and emerging spiritualities embodied in contemporary Paganism, Western Esotericism and other religious cults.

In our day of increasing religious pluralism manifested not only in the world religions in the West, but in the 3,000 plus religious cults, this conference would be an excellent opportunity for those preparing for ministry in the US or Europe.  Because we feel it is such an important conference, the registration of $60 is nominal (food is additional).  This price is well worth the event considering the speakers who are coming (Craig Blomberg, Gerald McDermott, James Chancellor and several others).  You can see more information at www.tiu.edu/postchristendomconference. 

Evolution & Naturalism: Oil & Water

I have just come across this article by Plantinga... The beginning (all the further I have had time to read) looks intriguing -- enough that I will note it before I complete it:

Evolution & Naturalism: Why They Are Like Oil and Water

God is Not Dead Yet

Makes you glad, doesn't it. Not that I was worried, but it is encouraging that the Philosophers are continuing to conclude that his existence is philosophically sound. Read more with the Christianity Today article: 

God is Not Dead Yet

New Archaeological Evidence - Temple Seal

I was just alerted to this exciting find...

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1200475897717&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull