ID and Probability
It seems that the probability arguments related to creationism don’t change much at the core, they just get more complex and verbose. The old “747 from a hurricane in a junk yard” argument just gets reformatted and reused about different things. Ed Brayton has a response to DaveScot that is so good I need to…
Christian Carnival CLXXIII Posted
. . . at Pseudo-Polymath. Go look at it for the fine pictures used to separate the sections. Oh–read the articles too!
Bible Software for Linux
Since I am playing with a new box I built with Ubuntu installed, I have written a short note on Bible software for Linux on my Computer Services company blog. I’m looking at a Java based application which is also available for Windows, so those looking for free Bible software should check it out.
How Politicians Survive Scandal
Does this strike anyone else as odd? Fletcher’s political recovery has been little short of remarkable. A year ago, he was under indictment on three misdemeanor charges of rigging state hiring to favor loyalists. He declined to speak to a grand jury, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, and issued a blanket pardon that…
More on UC Admission Policies and Creationism
I got my ears pinned back (very politely) in a comment by Mary on my previous post on this topic, and the commenter made such good points I think it is appropriate to promote her comment there to a post so more people will see it. Youve asked some interesting questions about UCs admissions policies….
Bible Prayer Index
I have added my Bible prayer index to the right sidebar. This index has been in existence for some time. It is not exhaustive. For example, I did not include all prayers I found in the Psalms. The way I produced it was to read the Bible through and mark each prayer that particularly struck…
The Dream Factor on Money
Pastor Tom Sims has a good short note on Christians and money, titles Spelling M-O-N-E-Y Biblically. Money is a tough topic for Christians. We tend either to go overboard on prosperity theology or be afraid of prosperity lest it destroy us spiritually. Tom’s thoughts may provide some guidance.
Homeschool Textbooks and University Admission
It’s been a few days since this was front and center, triggered by the presentation of an expert report by Dr. Michael Behe, but I wanted to write a few notes about the issue of admissions at UC and homeschooling. There’s an article ACSI v. Stearns, aka Wendell Bird vs. UC on Panda’s Thumb article…
Academic Freedom and ID
Intelligent Design advocates are trying to make us believe that their struggle is primarily about academic freedom, about allowing a new idea to get the examination it deserves, and about ensuring that people are not persecuted for their beliefs. Similar arguments are used from the high school level on up, with the phrase “teach the…
On Churches, Drinking, and Weaker Brethren
Joe Carter has an excellent post looking at the Christian standards on drinking. What does one do with the behavior of Jesus, who did drink? Would Jesus be acceptable as a pastor or elder in our churches or as a faculty member in our seminaries? I am a member of a United Methodist congregation, and…
Book: The Voice of Jesus in the Social Rhetoric of James
This should not be read as a review, but rather as a response and a few notes for potential readers. Dr. Wesley Wachob became pastor of First United Methodist Church of Pensacola last June. His associate minister, Rev. Geoffrey Lentz is a good friend, and I have been hearing many good things about that church…
Christian Carnival CLXXII
. . . has been posted at Crossroads: Where Faith and Inquiry Meet. For unknown reasons my post isn’t there, but it’s still a good collection. I’ll have to make sure I made it through the time related hoops. Enjoy!
ID and Theistic Evolution
Ed Brayton calls attention to the “exchange of views” between P. Z. Myers and Wesley Elsberry. As any reader of this blog will know, I’m siding with Wesley Elsberry. But this whole debate continues to annoy me. Why is it that people have to care what someone believes about something that is not going to…
My Latest Book (Partly)
My new book wasn’t planned–by me, that is. Rev. Riley Richardson, pastor of Gonzalez United Methodist Church (and thus my pastor) were talking one day about books, and he said, “What I need is an extremely simple book that I can give to new members that will tell them what to do next and help…
Elgin Hushbeck’s New Blog
Elgin Hushbeck is a friend and also business associate (I publish his books in the Consider Christianity series). He is a contributor to the Running Toward the Goal podcast. He’s started a new blog at Townhall.com, and for better or for worse his first blog touches an issue on which we disagree, the war in…
Brokeback Mountain for Kids
For some balance on the incident of showing Brokeback Mountain to middle schoolers, check out this post on Pursuing Holiness. I really can’t comment much since I haven’t seen the movie, but the phrase “age appropriate” (or in this case, not so much age appropriate) makes sense to me.
The Right Type of Accountability
I’m an advocate of accountability, especially in church matters and our spiritual lives. I think it makes for wiser decision making and greater likelihood that we will carry out our goals. Accountability can come in many forms, from very formalized, such as an accountability group that meets regularly in which you question one another’s spiritual…
Roles and Relationships Add, Not Subtract
I just got back from a Mothers Day service at my church. The pastor, a good friend, commented both to me before the service and during the sermon itself about those who can be hurt because for one reason or not they are not mothers. Often hurtful comments are made by well-intentioned people. I know…
Congressman Ron Paul in the Debate
Too bad he doesn’t stand a chance. 🙁 HT: Quiet Paths.
Candidates on Technology Issues
Here is a good article that barely touches on the technological issues which could impact and be impacted by federal government policy over the next 4-8 years. It’s something that we need to think about, no matter what side of each issue we’re on. And just to remind us of the great need for education,…
Christian Carnival CLXXI
. . . has been posted at Light Along the Journey. Check it out!
Inerrancy and Wheaton
I was interested to see a quote about Biblical inerrancy for candidates for faculty positions at Wheaton College. Check the note out at Through a Glass Darkly.
NPP: A Starting Position
I’ve been reading some more on the new perspectives on Paul, and particularly focusing on a <a href="http://www.thepaulpage.com/Summary.html"summary written by Mark W. Mattison and provided by The Paul Page, and a response to that summary by Chan Lai Ping. I’m going to use the list of key points in the response as a starting point….
Baseball Instant Replay
OK folks, I don’t write all that much about baseball, but my stepson John Webb is a pitcher for the Iowa Cubs (AAA), and though I grew up overseas watching soccer and cricket, I’ve learned to love the game. I recall one game last year when he was playing for the Memphis Redbirds and they…