Parchment & Pen Blog

To Friedrich Nietzsche’s mind, God isn’t a very clear communicator: How could an all-knowing and all-powerful God be good if he doesn’t make clear his intentions to his creatures but leaves them tormented by doubts and questions? Another atheist, N.R. Hanson, has claimed he could be convinced to believe in God if suddenly the world’s [...]

There has been a flurry of interest in the number of the Beast in Canadian and American newspapers of late. The reason for the interest is that the Beast’s number might not be 666.

I guess Friday is now for leavers. Might make for depressing Fridays Let me introduce you to Kristie (name has been altered to protect her identity). Please read her letter expressing why she walked away from the faith at 20 years old.  My name is Kristie and I live in Dallas, Texas. I am twenty years old and have grown [...]

As I watched American Idol last night (ummm . . . the wife made me), I was encouraged by the example that the organization provided concerning the needs of humanity. This week they raised over�sixty-million dollars for relief for those less fortunate around the world who are in desperate need of food, clothes, and medical [...]

Luke 1.34 in Old Latin b Daniel B. Wallace The Greek text of Luke 1.34 reads, εἶπεν δὲ Μαριὰμ πρὸς τὸν ἄγγελον· πῶς ἔσται τοῦτο, ἐπεὶ ἄνδρα οὐ γινώσκω; In English: “And Mary said to the angel, ‘How shall this be since I do not know a man?’” This is in response to the angel’s [...]

One prominent objection that people often raise about the Christian faith concerns the radical idea of

This letter was posted on another website. Short evaluation to follow. First off, I feel I should state that I am only 19, and not what you could call “heavily-educated in religious topics.” I was raised, strictly, on Lutheran practices, and for quite some time, I guess as a blind child, believed all I was [...]

I found Mr. Bean played the part quite well.

Dear Atheist, Having discussed this with you for quite some time, it would seem that we have come to an impasse in our conclusions concerning the evidence that the universe provides. I, on one hand, have argued that the intricacies of the universe from cosmology and biology compel any honest observer to the conclusion that [...]

Not sure if you have been exposed to the Mr. Deity series of films. In this present story, Mr. Deity (who play the Father) and Larry (who is supposed to be an angel) speak post creation about what evils they will allow on the earth. While I found myself laughing at times as well as [...]

When should a Christian expose wrong-doing? Are there specific biblical directives that give us clear answers, or are there only guidelines and examples? Should our decision depend on whether the individual involved in wrong-doing is or is not a fellow Christian? How concerned should we be about shaming the cause of Christ?

This post was reposted on July 13, 2007  Greg Jones was an evangelical Christian, active in his church, a regular preacher, teacher and served on the elder board. He says that he was “addicted” to fundamentalism. He slept, ate, and drank the truths of Christianity. After a decade of faithful service to the church, he [...]