Taken from “Is It Okay To Lie to Nazis?” in a forthcoming book with Baker Books

Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine, criticizes biblical ethics for its alleged preoccupation with “absolutes”—and not allowing for any ethical tensions or exceptions. I’ve met people who have concluded that since ethical tensions exist (telling the truth to Nazis vs. protecting innocent Jewish lives), this means moral standards don’t really exist.

Such perceptions aren’t accurate, however. In fact, the very tension that exists between truth-telling and preserving innocent life assumes that we take seriously two or more important moral obligations. Furthermore, these tensions may not be of equal value and may call for properly ordering/prioritizing them according to God’s kingdom purposes. Biblical ethics is more subtle and nuanced than many imagine. Yes, certain acts are always wrong (rape, adultery, torturing babies for fun), but we also should consider the context of actions (while murder is always killing, not all killing is murder), the character doing the act, and the motive behind the act. Continue Reading »

I cannot overstate the importance of this work. Issues relating to the person of Christ have come to the apologetic forefront of our witness and we need to be prepared with an intelligent response.  The next book by RMM director, Ed Komoszewski, and RMM friend, Rob Bowman, Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ, has been called “brilliant,” “exciting,” “glorious,” “splendid,” “remarkable,” and “compelling” by Christian scholars such as Ravi Zacharias, Richard Bauckham, Murray J. Harris, Thomas R. Schreiner, Daniel B. Wallace, and Paul Copan. [Click here for a full list of endorsements.] The book is scheduled for release in September, but you’ll want to secure your copy now. Amazon.com has an outstanding pre-publication price ($12.91 for a 400+ page book!) that’s not likely to last. Buy your copy today through the RMM bookstore. You’ll guarantee yourself the best possible price.

 
You believe that God heals, right? When you or a loved one is sick, you pray in such a way that evidences a belief that God, the “Great Physician,” might come to your aid and provide a miracle. Right?

I want to ask a few questions here and I want you to feel free to answer in this blog:

1. Do you believe that God still heals people today?

2. Is a miraculous cure from cancer any more difficult for God than healing someone who has lost a leg?

3. Have you ever seen either type of miracle?

4. Why, assuming that you have never seen nor heard of an amputee being healed, doesn’t God heal amputees? Continue Reading »

Since my post on Christian music got me in such hot water, I thought I would clarify some of the issues that need to be thought about (or maybe just dig my hole deeper-what have I got to lose? )

In the last post, I said that “Christian music is wrong.” I had hoped that the rest of the post would clarify what I meant showing that this initial overstatement was didactic in tone. Continue Reading »

Considering the recent conversion of Francis Beckwith to Roman Catholicism, we have asked Dr. Tom Schreiner to join the program once again this Thursday evening on Converse with Scholars to discuss the Reformed doctrine of Justification. We will focus our concern on the differences between the Roman Catholic view and that of the Reformers. That is two weeks of Schreiner in a row! (See here for a list of Dr. Schreiner’s books).

All are welcom to join. This will be a live interactive online conversation. Find out how to join by clicking the graphic.

Hope to see you there.

Deism is a worldview that believes that God created the world, but is no longer involved in it. Often, we as Christians can fall into a deistic mindset. Because of prayers that seem to go unanswered, troubles that seem so meaningless, and emotions that are devoid of God’s presence, we begin to doubt God’s love, presence, and concern for our well-being. Continue Reading »

Here is an interesting article from Newsweek from an agnostic mother. It expresses well the perils of the postmodern journey to nowhere. Speaking about her journey down the path of agnosticism and recounts a conversation she had with her seven year old son. Continue Reading »

I thought this was in interesting post on cursing. This happened last month when John Piper let his language overly express his passion and then apologized. Wayne Grudem then weighed in on the situation with the following theological evaluation of cursing. I thought it would be good for your viewing and discussing pleasure. Continue Reading »

Theology Unplugged Broadcast #63

C. Michael Patton, Rhome Dyck, and Greg Cromartie discuss Francis Beckwith’s conversion to Roman Catholicism.

Well, the title gives away my lack of passion for Christian music, so I am not going to do an inductive blog. There, I got it out. I don’t like Christian music. In fact, I think Christian music is wrong. I know that some of you are not going to agree with me, but I am right. You should simply concede your mind to me on this one. Okay, this may be an overstatement, but allow me to express my odd passion here anyway

Why don’t I like Christian music? That is a good question. I have often asked this of myself. What happens is this. I am driving down the road, listening to talk radio. The Renewing Your Mind broadcast ends, and is replaced by an hour of Christian music. I immediately change the station. I look for other music. Maybe something in the 90’s. The 90’s was a great decade for music. Here is my order of preference: Continue Reading »