Writer and Teacher
lynn
This user hasn't shared any biographical information
Posts by lynn
Is it Arrogant to Believe Christianity Is the Only True Religion?
Jan 10th
When is tolerance a virtue and when is tolerance no virtue? What is tolerance? Traditionally tolerance has meant respecting other people’s right to hold different views than we hold and do things we don’t approve. Recently some have used tolerance to mean that all views are equally true and all practices are acceptable. Tolerance in the traditional sense is a virtue. Tolerance in the new meaning is no virtue.
One of the most frequent objections to Christianity is that Christians are arrogant to claim that Christianity is the only true religion. Blair, a twenty-something woman from New York City, expresses this objection, “How could there be just one true faith? It’s arrogant to say your religion is superior and try to convert everyone else to it. Surely all the religions are equally good and valid for meeting the needs of their particular followers.”[1]
David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons in Unchristian cite evidence that today’s Christians are widely viewed as hypocritical, insensitive, arrogant, and judgmental.[2] I do not defend Christians who do not practice what they profess, who are harsh, unkind, and unloving, who are self-centered and egotistical, and who self-righteously condemn any who do not agree will them. But does the mere fact that we believe Christianity is the only true religion make us insensitive, arrogant, and judgmental?
Pluralism believes that all major religions are equally valid and basically teach the same thing. However, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism all reject Jesus as God in the flesh and that he is the only Savior of the world. They can’t all be true. If they are all true, then they are all false because they contradict each other.
Is it arrogant to say one religion is true and the others are false. “It is no more narrow to claim that one religion is right than to claim that one way to think about all religions (namely that all are equal) is right.”[3] Is it narrow minded or arrogant to say 2 + 2 = 4 and not 3 or 5? Truth is narrow. Truth excludes falsehood.
The biblical view is that Jesus Christ is the only savior and faith in him is necessary to salvation. There is no other Savior or way to be saved.
John 3:16-18: One can be saved by believing in Jesus, those who do not are condemned.
John 14:6: Jesus is the way, the truth, the life, no one comes to the Father but by Jesus.
Acts 4:12: No one will be saved except through the name of Jesus.
Rom 10:9-10: Only those who accept the lordship and resurrection of Jesus will be saved.
1 Tim 2:5: Jesus is the only mediator between the one God and men.
If Jesus is God in the flesh and died for our sins and rose from the dead than he is the only true Savior.
[1] Timothy Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (New York: Dutton, 2008), 3.
[2] David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity and Why it Matters (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2007), 81.
[3] Keller, 13.
Resources on Abortion
Jan 5th
The practice of abortion is a moral outrage of our day. One is a human person from the time of conception. Killing the unborn is killing a member of the human community. Each person has value being made in the image of God. As Christians we need to have respect for the sanctity of life. “A person is a person no matter how small.” (Dr. Seuss, Horton Hears a Who (1954).
Here are four resources providing information and guidance in addressing the abortion issue:
Marvin Olasky, Abortion Rites: A Social History of Abortion in America (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 1992).
Based on his research in the Library of Congress and other major libraries for his doctoral dissertation Olasky’s history while clearly pro-life is fair and objective. It correct some mistaken views of pro-life activists as well as those of abortion advocates. This enlightening work sets the abortion issue in historical context which should be a benefit to all who are interested in truth.
Francis J. Beckwith, Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case Against Abortion Choice (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007).
“This outstanding book is a favorite of advanced pro-life apologists everywhere. The arguments presented are lucid and hard-hitting, but the style in suitable for both academic and advanced lay audiences. It’s one of the finest (if not the finest) systematic defenses of the pro-life position to date.” Scott Klusendorf
Francis J. Beckwith, Abortion and the Sanctity of Life (Joplin: College Press, 2000).
The purpose of this book “is to present a case against abortion rights and in support of unborn human beings that is accurate, fait, and does not compromise academic integrity, and yet is accessible to a wide range of people who, for differing reasons, would not ordinarily read technical literature on the subject.” (pp. 7-8)
Scott Klusendorf, The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2009).
“The Case for Life is a veritable feast of helpful information about pro-life issues, the finest resource about these matters I have seen. It is accessible to the layperson, and it lays out a strategy for impacting the world for a culture of life.” J. P. Moreland
“Provides a clear and cogent biblical rationale for the sanctity and dignity of life, born or unborn. This is a great tool for the layman who knows he or she is pro-life, but doesn’t understand the presuppositions on which his or her beliefs are based or who doesn’t feel equipped to defend or discuss the issue with others.” Chuck Colson
Learning About Life and Leadership from Christian Coaches
Nov 18th
John Wooden
Wooden, John with Steve Jamison. My Personal Best: Life Lessons from an All-American Journey. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004.
Wooden, John with Steve Jamison. Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 1997.
Wooden, John and Steve Jamison. Wooden on Leadership. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005.
Tom Landry
Landry, Tom with Gregg Lewis. Tom Landry: An Autobiography. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990.
Tom Osborne
Tom Osborne and John E. Roberts. More Than Winning: The Story of Tom Osborne. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2009.
Osborne, Tom. Faith in the Game: Lessons on Football, Work, and Life. Colorado Springs: WaterBrook Press, 1999.
Osborne, Tom. Beyond the Final Score: There’s More to Life than the Game. Ventura, CA: Regal/Gospel Light, 2009.
Joe Gibbs
Joe Gibbs with Jerry Jenkins. Game Plan for Life: Your Personal Playbook for Success. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2009.
Joe Gibbs with Ken Abraham. Racing to Win: Establish Your Game Plan for Success. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2002.
Lou Holtz
Holtz, Lou. Winning Every Day: The Game Plan for Success. New York: HarperBusiness, 1998.
Holtz, Lou. Wins, Losses, and Lessons: An Autobiography. New York: William Morrow/Harper Collins, 2006.
Tony Dungy
Dungy, Tony with Nathan Whitaker. Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, & Priorities of a Winning Life. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2007.
Dungy, Tony with Nathan Whitaker. Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2009.
Dungy, Tony with Nathan Whitaker. The Mentor Leader: Secrets to Building People and Teams that Win Consistently. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2010.
Bobby Bowden
Bowden, Bobby with Mark Schabach. Called to Coach: Reflections on Life, Faith, and Football. New York: Howard Books, 2010.
Biblical References to Creation
Nov 16th
| Genesis 1:1-31
2:3-7, 18-23 Exodus 20:11 1 Samuel 2:8 2 Kings 19:15 Nehemiah 9:6 Job 9:5-9 12:7-9, 13 26:7 28:24-27 37:16, 18 38:4-11 Psalm 8:3 19:1-2 33.6-9 65:6 74:16-17 78:69 89:11-12 90:2 95:4-5 102:25 103:22 104:1-6, 24-28 115:15 119:90 121:2 124: |
Psalm 134:3
136:5-9 146:5-6 148:5 Proverbs 3:19 8:24-29 30:4 Ecclesiastes 3:11 11:5 Isaiah 40:12, 26, 28 42:5 45:7-12, 18 48:13 51:13 66:2 Jeremiah 5:22 10:12 27:5 31:35 32:17 33:2 51:15-16 Amos 4:13 5:8 9:6 Jonah 1:9 Zechariah 12:1 Malachi 2:10 |
Matthew 19:4 Mark 10:6 13:19 John 1:1-3, 10 Acts 14:15-17 17:22-27 Romans 1:18-23, 25 4:17 11:36 1 Corinthians 8:6 11:9 2 Corinthians 4:6 Ephesians 3:9 Colossians 1:16 3:10 1 Timothy 6:13 Hebrews 1:2, 10 2:10 3:4 11:3 Revelation 3:14 4:11 10:6-7 14:7 |
Commending and Defending Christian Faith Now Available
Sep 18th
Commending and Defending Christian Faith:
An Introduction to Christian Apologetics
H. Lynn Gardner
Foreword by Gary R. Habermas
(Joplin, MO: College Press, 2010)
Endorsements:
“. . . an excellent introduction to apologetics.”
Norman L. Geisler, Distinguished Professor of Apologetics, Veritas Evangelical Seminary (www.VeritasSeminary.com)
“. . . specifically crafted for convenient use as a college textbook. . . . can be required along with a second text of Christian evidences to create a well-rounded approach to this subject.”
Gary R. Habermas, Distinguished Research Professor, and Chair Department of Philosophy and Theology, Liberty University
“His handling of the introductory and background issues . . . is thorough, sound, and much needed.”
Jack Cottrell, Professor of Theology, Cincinnati Christian University
“. . . contemporary and timeless introduction to the field that is both scholarly and devotional.”
David Peters, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Apologetics, Florida Christian College
“. . . strong defense of the concept of objective truth from God.”
Johnny Pressley, Dean of the Graduate Seminary, Cincinnati Christian University
“. . . mandatory reading for preachers, youth ministers, campus ministers, youth workers of all sorts, and anyone else who seeks to direct others’ spiritual journeys.”
David Embree, Director, Christian Campus House, Instructor, Department of Religious Studies, Missouri State University
A “how-to-think-about-apologetics” book.
Introduces the basic terms and concepts, key thinkers, and fundamental apologetic issues and questions. States the what, why, and how of apologetics preparing persons for further study of reasons for faith and answers to objections. It does not present the case for Christianity or answer attacks but rather introduces one to the study of Christian apologetics.
Contents:
Part One, Challenges to Christian Faith, helps the reader understand doubt and unbelief which make apologetics necessary.
Part Two, Foundations for Apologetics, discusses concepts essential to the defense of the truth of the Christian faith, including reason, knowledge, truth, and faith.
Part Three, The Practice of Apologetics, discusses reasons for apologetics, defense of the faith in the New Testament and in church history, methods of defense, practical uses of apologetics and guidelines for apologetics.
Audience:
The audience would be Bible college, seminary, and university students as well as leaders and thinkers seeking to defend the faith. It seeks to instruct and motivate Christians to be prepared to present an intelligent and effective case for Christianity.
The book challenges Christians to be good thinkers in how they go about defending and commending Christian faith. It could serve as a first book for beginning a serious study of apologetics.
Objectives:
- Be prepared to deal with doubt and unbelief.
- Be acquainted with the role of thinking, knowing, truth, and faith in apologetics.
- Know why we should defend the faith and how the faith can be defended.
- Learn from defenders of the faith in the New Testament and in church history.
- Gain practical suggestions and guidelines for giving a defense of your faith.
H. Lynn Gardner taught apologetics for forty years in Bible colleges, serving eighteen years as academic dean. A graduate of Ozark Christian College, California State University, Wheaton College, with a doctorate from the University of Arkansas. Included in his seven books are Where Is God When We Suffer? What the Bible Says about Suffering and Christianity Stands True: A Commonsense Look at the Evidence. www.lynngardner.info.
ISBN 978-0-89900-947-6: hardback, 501 pages. Apologetics/Theology/General Bible
List price: $32.99. College Press—1-800-289-3300; email—books@collegepress.com
Internet price: $28.00, www.collegepress.com
Recent Comments