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 »

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The Credo House of Theology is well on the way. Get the latest updates here.

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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.

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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 »

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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 »

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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.

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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 »

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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 »

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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 »

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Theology Unplugged Broadcast #63

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

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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 »

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Recent polls indicate that the majority of Americans are pro-choice with regards to abortion. This is interesting considering that similar polls tell us that the majority of Americans identify themselves as Christians. This begs the question, Can a Christian support abortion? Continue Reading »

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Please let me know if you get this by responding to this blog. We are trying to figure out this new system.

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All ministries of Reclaiming the Mind may experience some minor problems during the change. Please let us know here if you are having any difficulties. Give us some details so that we will know what to fix.

Your comments over the last few days may have been lost in the transfer. You may still be able to get them by going here: www.reclaimingthemind.org/devblog. You can repost them if you find them and I will be back in the saddle, responding to them if needed next week some time.

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Most of you would agree without any argument that one of the greatest crisis that Christianity faces today is nominal Christianity. Nominal Christianity is defined by those who proclaim the name Christian, yet remain uncommitted. One of the distinctions that the term “evangelical” has sought to claim over the last fifty years is just the opposite of nominalism. Continue Reading »

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Dear friends at RMM–

I would appreciate your prayers for the next few weeks as two teams from the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts are going on important expeditions to photograph ancient Greek New Testament manuscripts. The first team leaves on June 6 and heads toward the remote island of Patmos, one of the Dodecanese Islands on the eastern rim of Greece’s sovereignty. This is the same island that John was confined to when he wrote the book of Revelation. Continue Reading »

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Being in the ministry presupposes many things that the believer needs to be aware of. People will see you as a representative of the Christian faith. This being the case, it is essential that the believer be able to, among other things, clearly explain what it means to be a Christian, and give a clear explanation of the truths of Christianity. Continue Reading »

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Life often seems to be a series of dichotomistic events that don’t harmonize with each other. What do I mean? Sometimes it seems that it is raining in the front yard while sunny in the back. Sometimes our lives seem to be so full of joy and success in certain restricted areas while painful and full of sadness in others. Continue Reading »

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Converse with Scholars (CWS) of Reclaiming the Mind Ministries (RMM) is going to be covering issues related to the mode of baptism. This Thursday, the 17th, we will be welcoming Gregg Strawbridge to discuss the case for Covenantal Infant Baptism. Next Thursday evening, the 24th, we will be welcoming Thomas Schreiner to discuss the case for Believer’s Baptism. This is a live, online broadcast that all are welcome to join and engage. Find out how to join here.

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Blogs are about thoughts, rants, opinions, and sometimes irresponsibly rash statements. Well, this post may be identified as any or all of those.

What has become of evangelicalism? Maybe I am naive and my few years of experience and identification with the “movement” is not enough to ask the question “what has become?” but my thoughts are there.

What has become of evangelicalism? Ask the average evangelical what kind of a Christian they are and they will probably say, “I am one who follows the Bible literally.” What does that mean? It means that they believe what the Scriptures teach. This is truly something that is noble, and when the Scriptures are understood correctly and believed, this is from God. Ask the average evangelical where their beliefs come from and, of course, they will say the Scriptures. This is indeed good so long as they interpret the Scriptures correctly. Ask the average evangelical, who they are accountable to, and you will hear the echo of the same, “I am accountable to the Word of God.” This is indeed hopeful so long as the Word of God that they read is mediated through an untainted interpretation. Ask the average evangelical to whom they are accountable for their interpretation, they will most certainly say that they are accountable to the Holy Spirit as He bears witness of the truth. This has credit so long as it is the Holy Spirit that is guiding them. Ask the average evangelical how they know that it is the Holy Spirit guiding them in their understanding and there will probably be a period of silence. Finally the response will come, “I just know. When the truth comes to you, you just know.” This is not good. Continue Reading »

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This is an interesting debate that took place on ABC this week between Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron (yes, the actor) from The Way of the Master with the two atheists that offered The Blasphemy Challenge. Continue Reading »

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