EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fourth in a series of excerpts from the new MBC resource, “The Last Apologist: A Commentary on Jude for Defenders of the Christian Faith,” available at mobaptist.org/apologetics. * * * * Jude writes in verse 3 of his epistle, “I found it necessary to write and exhort you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all.” The Holy Spirit has stirred Jude’s heart, causing him to grieve over the manner in which … [Read more...]
Search Results for:
Are some beliefs non-negotiable?
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a series of excerpts from the new MBC resource, “The Last Apologist: A Commentary on Jude for Defenders of the Christian Faith,” available at mobaptist.org/apologetics. * * * * With an estimated 2.2 billion Christians in the world, worshiping in more than 41,000 denominations, one may legitimately wonder how we can possibly fulfill the prayer of Jesus that we all be as one (John 17:22). But diversity does not necessarily … [Read more...]
Are Jude and Peter plagiarists?
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a series of excerpts from the new MBC resource, “The Last Apologist: A Commentary on Jude for Defenders of the Christian Faith,” available at mobaptist.org/apologetics. * * * * History is rife with famous plagiarists. Primatologist Jane Goodall “borrowed” from sources ranging from Wikipedia to astrology websites to produce a 2013 book, Seeds of Hope: Wonder and Wisdom from the World of Plants. Alex Haley’s epic Roots is now … [Read more...]
Jude, as slave of Jesus Christ
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series of excerpts from the new MBC resource, “The Last Apologist: A Commentary on Jude for Defenders of the Christian Faith,” available at mobaptist.org/apologetics. * * * My business card is standard fare. It identifies me and describes my role at the MBC. It also tells how to get in touch with me. That’s what most business cards do: serve as practical, brief, and efficient introductions. Some people, however, use business cards … [Read more...]
Passing the point of no return
Does God draw a line in the sand when it comes to sin? That is, can unbelievers rebel against God so grievously, and reject His grace so persistently, that ultimately they pass a point beyond which they can never be saved? It appears the answer is yes. Consider the following passages of Scripture. Gen. 15:16 – “for the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” The Lord tells Abraham that his descendants are to be enslaved and oppressed for 400 years (in Egypt), after … [Read more...]
The humanity of Jesus
Christians often find it necessary to defend the deity of Christ, especially in conversations with those who vigorously deny this biblical truth. For example, Muslims hold Jesus in high regard as a virgin-born, miracle-working, sinless prophet, but draw the line at the notion of a mere messenger being divine. Jehovah’s Witnesses, by comparison, grant Jesus the status of “mighty god,” a created archangel who is recreated as a man and then, after dying on a first-century torture stake, is … [Read more...]
Fake news and false prophets
News flash: Ireland is now accepting Trump refugees from the U.S. From our Washington bureau: Hillary Clinton sold weapons to ISIS while secretary of state. And in sports: The Chicago Cubs win the World Series. Fake news is everywhere. (Okay, that last story might be true.) And one of the biggest breaking stories of 2016 was the widespread impact of verifiably false news hosted on bogus websites and amplified through social media. “Yellow journalism” has long been with us – the use of … [Read more...]
Is baptism for the dead biblical?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that baptism is essential to salvation. Since many people have died without being baptized, or because they were baptized outside the LDS Church, they cannot obtain exaltation, or godhood. However, “Because God is merciful, He has prepared a way for all people to receive the blessings of baptism,” according to the church’s official website. “By performing proxy baptisms in behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these … [Read more...]
Did Jesus descend into hell?
This is the second in a two-part series on the whereabouts of Jesus between His death and resurrection. In the previous column we addressed different views about where Jesus went between His death and resurrection. Now, we briefly examine five New Testament passages that in some way touch on the subject. Keep in mind the most biblically faithful view: Jesus neither went to hell (Gehenna) nor to Hades (the temporary abode of the dead) but to heaven after His death. Acts 2:27 – “Because … [Read more...]
Did Jesus descend into hell?
This is the first in a two-part series on the whereabouts of Jesus between His death and resurrection. One of the more puzzling questions about the redemptive work of Christ is where His soul went between death and resurrection. The Gospel writers confirm that Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb after His death, and remained there until His resurrection. But what about the immaterial part of Jesus – namely His soul and / or spirit? One view is stated in the Apostles’ Creed: “He [Jesus] … [Read more...]
Should you believe in ghosts?
This is the last in a series of columns on the afterlife and the unseen realm. Ghosts are everywhere. They star in major motion pictures from The Shining to Scary Movie 2. Some ghosts are friendly (Casper) and some are frightening (Bloody Mary). Popular television shows like Ghost Adventures use the latest technologies to “prove” that spirits of the dead are all around us – and want to make their presence known. But is this true? The short answer is no. As Christians, we must gauge all … [Read more...]
New heavens, new earth
This is the ninth in a series of articles on biblical terms that describe the afterlife and the unseen world. In the previous column we saw how Scripture describes heaven as the intermediate state between death and resurrection for followers of Jesus as they await future resurrection and glorification. Now, we look in more detail at heaven as well as the new heavens and new earth. What about heaven? The New Testament reveals many truths about this intermediate state for followers of … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- …
- 12
- Next Page »