Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis

Latest Episodes:

No One Should Strive to Be an “Influencer” | The Danger of Self Promotion Oct 28, 2024

In this episode of Truth Tribe, Dr. Groothuis discusses the perils of self-promotion and the pursuit of influence in the digital age, referencing social critic Christine Rosen's term "ego casting." He emphasizes the importance of truth, character, and humility in teaching and writing, citing biblical passages and urging caution against vain glory. Groothuis advocates for humility, integrity, and the strategic dissemination of knowledge for the glory of God. He reflects on his own career, highlighting his contributions through teaching, writing, and public speaking, and concludes with a call to action for others to join in spreading the Christian worldview.

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5 Philosophical Presuppositions Necessary to Implement the Great Commission Oct 21, 2024

In this episode of Truth Tribe, Dr. Groothuis discusses the philosophical presuppositions necessary for the effective implementation of the Great Commission. He outlines five essential claims: correspondence view of truth, the existence of propositions, the law of noncontradiction, and objective meaning and authorial intent. Dr. Groothuis emphasizes that without these foundational principles, the Christian message risks becoming arbitrary and unknowable. He calls for Christians to understand and defend these philosophical underpinnings to effectively spread the gospel.

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The Great Commission and its Philosophical Foundations Oct 14, 2024

The Great Commission, as articulated in Matthew 28:18-20, serves as a fundamental mandate for Christians to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ and make disciples of all nations. However, fulfilling this commission is not merely a matter of zeal or intention; it requires a solid foundation of philosophical truths. Dr. Groothuis outlines several key philosophical concepts essential for effectively carrying out the Great Commission, including the correspondence view of truth, the existence of propositions, and the law of non-contradiction.

1. The Correspondence View of Truth

The correspondence view of truth posits that a statement is true if and only if it corresponds to reality. This concept is crucial for Christianity, which is based on objective truths revealed in history. For instance, Jesus claimed to be "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6), indicating that His teachings are grounded in reality rather than mere subjective opinions. The Apostle Paul reinforces this view in 1 Corinthians 15, where he discusses the resurrection of Jesus. He argues that if Christ has not been raised, then Christian preaching and faith are rendered useless. This highlights the importance of truth being anchored in reality; without it, the entire Christian message collapses.

2. The Existence of Propositions

Propositions are the meanings behind declarative sentences and are essential for coherent thought and communication. Dr. Groothuis emphasizes that without propositions, language and thought fall into incoherence, undermining the knowledge necessary for fulfilling the Great Commission. For example, the statements "Jesus is Lord" and "The Lord is Jesus alone" express the same proposition despite using different words. The immaterial nature of propositions is vital because it allows for the communication of truth across different languages and contexts. If propositions did not exist, there would be no reliable way to convey or affirm the truths of the Christian faith, making it impossible to effectively share the Gospel.

3. The Law of Non-Contradiction

The law of non-contradiction is a fundamental principle in logic that states that contradictory statements cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense. Dr. Groothuis explains that this law serves as a necessary test for all truth claims. If a truth claim passes this test, it may be true; if it fails, it must be false. This principle is particularly relevant when discussing the resurrection of Jesus. If Jesus rose from the dead, then it is false to claim that He did not. Without the law of non-contradiction, meaningful communication and thought would be impossible, as contradictory claims could both be accepted as true, leading to confusion and a lack of knowledge.

Conclusion

In summary, the Great Commission requires a robust philosophical foundation to ensure that the message of Christianity is communicated effectively and truthfully. The correspondence view of truth, the existence of propositions, and the law of non-contradiction are essential components that support the integrity of the Christian message. By understanding and applying these philosophical truths, Christians can better fulfill their calling to make disciples and share the teachings of Jesus with the world.

Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., is a Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary and the author of nineteen books, including Fire in the Streets (a critique of critical race theory or wokeness) and Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith.

Find more from Dr. Groothuis at www.DouglasGroothuis.com.

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Rethinking Race and Justice: A Conversation on Wokeness, American Ideals, & Abortion Oct 07, 2024

We are sharing an episode of the Case for Life podcast, in which host Scott Klusendorf interviews Dr. Groothuis about his book "Fire in the Streets," which provides a comprehensive examination of critical race theory and its impact on contemporary society, often referred to as "wokeness."

Definition of Critical Race Theory

Dr. Groothuis defines critical race theory as an ideology rooted in neo-Marxism or cultural Marxism. It posits that society is divided into oppressors and the oppressed, with race being a primary factor in this dichotomy. According to CRT, the white race is seen as the oppressor, while people of color are viewed as the oppressed. This oversimplification fails to account for the complexities of individual experiences and achievements, particularly in the case of high-achieving individuals from minority backgrounds, such as many Asians in the United States.

Historical Context of Critical Race Theory

The rise of critical race theory can be traced back to the civil rights movement, but it has evolved into a more radical ideology that seeks to dismantle the existing social order rather than reform it. Dr. Groothuis highlights that figures like Derrick Bell and Kimberly Crenshaw have been influential in shaping CRT, which argues that systemic racism is ingrained in American society and institutions. This perspective contrasts sharply with the views of civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., who called for adherence to America's founding principles of equality and justice.

Standpoint Epistemology

A significant aspect of the discussion is the concept of standpoint epistemology, which suggests that knowledge and truth are determined by one's social identity, particularly for those who are oppressed. Dr. Groothuis warns that this perspective can lead to a dangerous relativism where the experiences of the oppressed are seen as the ultimate authority on truth. While it is essential to listen to marginalized voices, it does not grant them exclusive rights to define truth or knowledge in all contexts.

The Role of Free Speech

The podcast also addresses the implications of CRT on free speech. Dr. Grothuis argues that CRT is inherently hostile to free expression, as it often dismisses the viewpoints of those deemed part of the oppressor class. This creates an environment where dialogue is stifled, and only certain narratives are allowed to dominate the conversation. The idea that reason and logic can be tools of oppression further complicates discussions, as it undermines the foundation of rational discourse.

What Is Intersectionality?

Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, is another critical concept discussed in the episode. It refers to the overlapping social identities that contribute to an individual's experience of oppression. For example, a Black woman may be seen as triply oppressed due to her race, gender, and sexual orientation. However, Dr. Groothuis emphasizes that this does not make her an expert on all issues related to those identities, and it does not negate the need for objective analysis and discussion.

Implications for the Pro-Life Movement

Finally, the conversation touches on the implications of critical race theory for the pro-life movement. Dr. Groothuis points out that if one accepts the premise of CRT, the unborn can be viewed as part of the oppressed class, particularly in light of the disproportionate rates of abortion among Black women. This perspective challenges the narrative that prioritizes bodily autonomy over the rights of the unborn, suggesting that a true commitment to justice would involve advocating for the lives of all individuals, including those yet to be born.

Conclusion

The podcast episode with Dr. Groothuis provides a thorough examination of critical race theory and its implications for society, free speech, and the pro-life movement. By understanding these concepts, listeners are better equipped to engage in meaningful discussions about race, justice, and the moral principles that underpin American society.

Find more from Dr. Groothuis at www.DouglasGroothuis.com.

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The Moral Argument for God's Existence Sep 23, 2024

We're glad to share this crossover episode of THE CHARGE with Dennis Metzler. In this episode, Dennis and Doug sit down and discuss the moral argument for the existence of God, a key aspect of natural theology, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of this philosophical topic. Join Dennis and Dr. Grothuis for an insightful discussion on the intersection of morality and belief in God.

The moral argument for God is a philosophical position that asserts the existence of objective moral values, which are best explained by the presence of a personal, transcendent God. This argument stands in contrast to moral relativism and atheistic frameworks, which struggle to provide a satisfactory foundation for morality.

Objective Moral Values

At the heart of the moral argument is the assertion that objective moral truths exist. Dr. Groothuis emphasizes that statements such as "it is always wrong to torture the innocent for pleasure" are not merely subjective opinions but are necessarily true. This leads to the first stage of the argument, which critiques moral relativism. Moral relativism posits that moral values are determined by cultural consensus or individual preferences, suggesting that what is deemed right or wrong can vary from one culture or person to another.

Critique of Moral Relativism

Dr. Groothuis identifies several significant problems with moral relativism. One major issue is that cultures can and do make moral mistakes. For instance, the historical justification of slavery by certain cultures demonstrates that cultural consensus is not a reliable measure of moral truth. If a culture endorses a practice that is fundamentally wrong, such as slavery, it cannot be justified merely because it is accepted by that culture. This leads to the conclusion that there must be some objective standard by which to judge moral actions, which moral relativism fails to provide.

Furthermore, Dr. Groothuis argues that if morality is entirely relative to individual or cultural perspectives, it ultimately leads to nihilism—the belief that nothing has any ultimate value. This progression from cultural relativism to individual relativism and then to nihilism illustrates the inadequacy of a relativistic framework for grounding moral values.

The Role of a Personal God

In contrast to moral relativism, the moral argument posits that a personal, transcendent God is the best explanation for the existence of objective moral values. Grothuis articulates this in a deductive format:

If a personal God does not exist, then objective moral values do not exist.
Objective moral values do exist.
Therefore, a personal God exists.

This structure highlights that the existence of objective moral values necessitates a moral lawgiver—God—who provides a foundation for these values. Dr. Groothuis argues that without God, moral truths cannot be adequately explained. Atheistic frameworks, such as those that attempt to derive morality from evolutionary processes, fail to establish a basis for moral obligation or meaning. Simply put, survival does not equate to moral goodness, and one cannot derive an "ought" from an "is."

Atheistic Moral Realism

Some atheists may argue for a form of moral realism, claiming that objective moral truths exist independently of God. However, Dr. Groothuis critiques this position by stating that it presents a bizarre ontology. If moral truths exist in a godless universe, they are abstract and disconnected from any purpose or meaning. This raises the question of how humans, who are not designed to know these truths, can access them. The lack of a personal relationship with a moral authority undermines the concept of moral obligation, which is essential for a coherent moral framework.

Conclusion

In summary, the moral argument for God asserts that objective moral values exist and are best explained by the existence of a personal, transcendent God. This argument effectively counters moral relativism and atheistic frameworks, which struggle to provide a solid foundation for morality. By positing that God is the source of moral truth, the moral argument offers a compelling explanation for why certain actions are universally recognized as right or wrong, thus affirming the necessity of a divine moral lawgiver in understanding the nature of morality.

For more from Dr. Groothuis, visit DouglasGroothuis.com.

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A History of Western Philosophy, from the Presocratics to Kierkegaard Sep 16, 2024

The Relationship Between Philosophy and Christianity

In today's episode of Truth Tribe, Dr. Groothuis delves into the intricate relationship between philosophy and Christianity, particularly through the lens of various philosophical thinkers from ancient Greece to modern times.

Philosophy as the Study of Reality

Dr. Groothuis begins by defining philosophy as the study of reality, emphasizing its role in addressing fundamental questions about existence, meaning, and the good life. This critical inquiry is intrinsic to human nature, as individuals seek to understand their origins, purpose, and destiny. Philosophy encourages the use of reason and structured arguments to explore these ultimate issues, aligning with the Christian pursuit of truth.

The Presocratics and the Search for Truth

The conversation highlights the Presocratic philosophers, such as Thales and Heraclitus, who sought to explain the nature of reality without relying on mythology. Their quest for a singular truth that underpins all existence laid the groundwork for later philosophical thought, including Christian philosophy. The desire for objective truth resonates with the Christian worldview, which posits that God is the ultimate source of truth and meaning.

Socrates and the Examination of Life

Socrates, a pivotal figure in Western philosophy, is noted for his assertion that "the unexamined life is not worth living." This idea aligns with Christian thought, which encourages believers to engage deeply with their faith and the moral implications of their actions. Socrates' method of questioning and critical thinking serves as a model for Christians to explore their beliefs and understand the nature of God and morality.

The Influence of Plato and Aristotle

Plato's theory of forms introduces the concept of an immaterial realm that transcends the physical world, suggesting that true knowledge comes from understanding these eternal forms. While there are overlaps between Platonic thought and Christianity, such as the belief in a higher reality, Dr. Grutais points out significant differences, particularly regarding the nature of creation and the goodness of the material world. Aristotle, on the other hand, emphasizes empirical observation and the importance of the natural world, which can complement a Christian understanding of God's creation.

Augustine's Integration of Philosophy and Faith

St. Augustine emerges as a crucial figure in the synthesis of philosophy and Christian theology. His reflections in "The Confessions" illustrate the interplay between his philosophical inquiries and personal experiences of sin and redemption. Augustine's famous assertion that "our hearts are restless until they rest in you" encapsulates the Christian belief that true fulfillment is found in a relationship with God. His work demonstrates how philosophical analysis can deepen one's understanding of faith.

The Modern Philosophical Landscape

Moving into the modern era, figures like René Descartes and Blaise Pascal further explore the relationship between reason and faith. Descartes' method of doubt and his famous conclusion, "I think, therefore I am," highlight the importance of rational inquiry while also acknowledging the limitations of human understanding. Pascal, known for his insights into the human condition, emphasizes the need for both reason and intuition in understanding God, famously stating that "the heart has its reasons that reason knows nothing of."

Kierkegaard's Existential Approach

Finally, Søren Kierkegaard's existential philosophy challenges the compatibility of faith and reason. While he advocates for a passionate, subjective engagement with truth, he also critiques the notion of faith as a mere leap into the unknown. Kierkegaard's focus on the individual's relationship with God resonates with the Christian emphasis on personal faith and the transformative power of Christ.

Conclusion

Philosophy and Christianity are deeply intertwined, with each philosophical thinker contributing to the ongoing dialogue about truth, existence, and the nature of God. From the ancient Greeks to modern philosophers, the quest for understanding reality continues to shape Christian thought, encouraging believers to engage critically with their faith and the world around them.

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Unmasking the New Age Jesus: Who is He and How Does He Differ from the Biblical Christ? Sep 09, 2024

Introduction to the New Age Movement

The New Age movement is characterized by a belief in a transformative period in history where ancient wisdom is being rediscovered. This worldview posits that God is synonymous with the universe and that individuals are inherently divine, needing only to reach a higher state of consciousness to realize this divinity within themselves. The movement emphasizes personal and global transformation through practices such as meditation and yoga, while denying the traditional Christian distinction between the Creator and creation.

Key Beliefs of the New Age

Eclectic Spirituality: The New Age movement is an amalgamation of various spiritual beliefs, primarily drawing from Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. It often incorporates elements of astrology, mysticism, and Western occultism, creating a unique blend that appeals to modern sensibilities.
Pantheistic Monism: Central to New Age thought is the concept of pantheistic monism, which asserts that everything is divine and interconnected. This belief rejects the notion of a personal God and instead promotes the idea that all existence is one unified reality.
Rejection of Traditional Christianity: The New Age movement fundamentally opposes the Christian view of Jesus as the sole mediator between God and humanity. Instead, it presents Jesus as one of many spiritual teachers or gurus who supposedly taught principles aligned with pantheistic monism.

The New Age Jesus

In the New Age framework, Jesus is not recognized as God incarnate or the Savior who atoned for humanity's sins. Instead, he is viewed as a "way-shower" or an example of how to achieve enlightenment. This radical reinterpretation of Jesus strips him of his authority and significance as presented in the Bible.

Characteristics of the New Age Jesus:

Not the Only Mediator: Unlike the biblical portrayal of Jesus as the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), the New Age Jesus is seen as one of many spiritual guides.
Denial of Atonement: New Age beliefs often deny the substitutionary atonement of Christ, which is central to Christian doctrine. Some adherents even claim that Jesus did not die on the cross, suggesting alternative narratives about his life and teachings.
Integration with Other Spiritual Figures: The New Age Jesus is often placed on the same level as figures like Buddha or other spiritual leaders, diluting his unique role in Christianity.

The Influence of New Age Thought

The New Age movement has permeated mainstream culture, often without being explicitly labeled as such. Concepts from New Age philosophy can be found in popular media, literature, and even self-help teachings. For instance, the success of books like "The Da Vinci Code" and the teachings of figures like Deepak Chopra illustrates how New Age ideas have been woven into the fabric of contemporary thought.

Cultural Impact:

Therapeutic Focus: New Age teachings often emphasize self-improvement and personal empowerment, promoting the idea that individuals can manifest their reality through positive thinking and visualization. This contrasts sharply with the biblical call to repentance and reliance on God's grace.
Reincarnation vs. Resurrection: The New Age belief in reincarnation, where souls are reborn in different forms until they achieve enlightenment, stands in stark opposition to the Christian doctrine of resurrection, which teaches that individuals are raised once for eternal judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

Conclusion

The New Age movement presents a worldview that is fundamentally at odds with traditional Christianity. By redefining Jesus and promoting a pantheistic understanding of divinity, it seeks to create a spiritual framework that appeals to modern sensibilities while undermining the core tenets of the Christian faith. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for Christians as they navigate a culture increasingly influenced by New Age philosophies.

In summary, the New Age movement's reinterpretation of Jesus and its eclectic spiritual beliefs highlight the need for a clear understanding of biblical teachings and Christianity's unique claims regarding the nature and work of Jesus Christ.

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How Christians Should Think about World Religions Aug 26, 2024

In this cross-promotional episode, we are sharing an episode of Doable Discipleship, in which Dr. Groothuis sits down with Pastor Jason Wieland to talk about his book, World Religions in Seven Sentences. They discuss why Christians should learn about other world religions and then look at three religions or thoughts discussed in the book: Atheism, Judaism, and Islam. The episode also discusses the rise of “Apathy-ism” and the growing movement of people who don’t want to give any time or energy to thinking about spiritual matters at all.

3 Key Insights:

Understanding Other Religions: Dr. Grothuis emphasized the importance of Christians understanding other world religions. In a diverse and pluralistic world, it is crucial to have knowledge and respect for the beliefs of others. By learning about different faiths, we can better communicate the message of Christianity and engage in meaningful conversations with people of various religious backgrounds.
Apologetics and Intellectual Health: Dr. Grothuis highlighted the significance of pursuing intellectual health and engaging in apologetics. He encouraged listeners to seek truth through reason, evidence, and Scripture. By renewing our minds and deepening our understanding of the Christian worldview, we can confidently navigate questions and doubts while strengthening our faith.
Respectful Dialogue and Engagement: Lastly, Dr. Grothuis emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue and engagement with individuals of different faiths. By approaching conversations with kindness, respect, and a willingness to listen, we can build bridges, foster understanding, and share the love of Christ effectively.

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Standing Firm in a Crumbling Culture: Lessons from Psalm 11 Aug 19, 2024

When society's foundations are being destroyed, it can be tempting for the righteous to flee, hide, or blend in with the world. However, as Dr. Groothuis shares today, the righteous should not succumb to these temptations. Instead, they should seek refuge in the Lord and stand firm on the rock of Jesus Christ.

In the face of a crumbling culture, it is crucial that we learn to trust in God's sovereignty and righteousness. Just as David declared in Psalm 11, "In the Lord I take refuge," the righteous are called to place their trust in God's unwavering holiness and authority. This trust in God's character allows them to remain steadfast in their faith and convictions, even when the world around them is in chaos.

6 Responses Christians Should Have to the Destruction of Foundations in Society:

Lament and Challenge: The speaker encourages listeners to lament the prospering of ungodliness in culture while also challenging them to take action and uphold Christian faith in the midst of societal decline.
Recognizing the Signs of Decay: The speaker highlights various societal issues such as school shootings, terrorism, abortion, and the breakdown of traditional family structures as indicators of the crumbling foundations in American culture.
Standing Firm in Faith: Despite the challenges and moral decay, the speaker emphasizes the need for believers to stand firm in their faith, seek God's face, and trust in His righteous judgment.
Avoiding Complacency and Blending In: The speaker warns against complacency, blending in with worldly trends, and compromising on biblical principles in the face of societal pressure.
Taking Action: The episode calls for believers to actively engage in seeking the welfare of their communities, being salt and light in a world that is increasingly moving towards depravity.
Building on a Solid Foundation: Drawing from biblical teachings, the speaker emphasizes the importance of building one's life on the rock of Jesus Christ, standing as a fixed point amidst a society rushing towards moral decay.

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Apologists in Athens: What Christians Can Learn from Socrates and Aristotle Aug 12, 2024

In this episode, Dr. Groothuis delves into the concept that all truth is God's truth, which is why, as Christians, we can still learn from non-Christian thinkers, as in our examples today of Socrates and Aristotle. As followers of Christ, we should develop a godly intellect and place our entire being under the lordship of Christ. This includes loving God with our heart, soul, strength, and mind and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

Dr Groothuis argues against the dichotomy between secular and sacred knowledge, advocating instead for a unified view of truth. Any true statement about reality must align with every other true statement, whether it pertains to religion, science, theology, or philosophy. Christianity makes several truth claims about reality, such as the existence of God, the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the inspiration of the Scriptures, which are not merely symbolic but refer to actual truths.

He addresses the misconception that philosophy is unnecessary for Christians, explaining that philosophy involves thinking well about significant matters such as our identity, purpose, and moral principles. He also advocates for the pursuit of knowledge, aiming for justified true beliefs rather than mere opinions or feelings.

The episode also explores the concept of general revelation, where God makes some truths knowable without the Bible, and how this relates to the development of science and technology. Dr Groothuis discusses Paul's experience in Athens, where he engaged with Stoic and Epicurean philosophers, recognizing truth within their worldviews while also critiquing their beliefs.

He then focuses on Socrates and Aristotle, examining their contributions to philosophy and how their ideas can aid in Christian apologetics. Socrates' call to an examined life and Aristotle's assertion that all men desire to know are highlighted as valuable insights for intellectual engagement and the pursuit of truth.

Finally, Dr Groothuis emphasizes the importance of developing a Christian worldview, loving God and our neighbor with all our being, and employing logic and reason to understand, defend, and apply the Christian faith. Dr Groothuis shares his personal journey of gaining intellectual confidence through Francis Schaeffer's works and how this led me to pursue philosophy without fear.

In conclusion, Dr Groothuis encourages listeners to be intellectually rigorous and confident in their faith, as Christianity is true, rational, and pertinent to all aspects of life.

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Confronting the Dangers of New Age Spirituality and Meditation Aug 05, 2024

In this episode, I share a conversation I had on Aaron Shamp's show, the Filter Podcast. You can check out his show on YouTube.

Here are three key takeaways from our insightful conversation:

Dangers of Meditation: I highlight the potential dangers of meditation practices rooted in Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, emphasizing that these practices aim to detach individuals from their critical thinking and ultimately lead to a denial of self and embodiment. It's crucial to understand the spiritual implications of these practices and approach them with caution.
Biblical Meditation vs. Eastern Practices: We delve into the differences between biblical meditation and Eastern meditation. While biblical meditation focuses on savoring and dwelling on truth found in Scripture, Eastern practices often involve emptying the mind and detaching from the physical world. Understanding these distinctions is essential for maintaining a solid spiritual foundation.
Spiritual Warfare and Discernment: We discussed the importance of spiritual warfare and discernment in the face of New Age ideologies. Dr. Grotheis emphasized the need to put on the full armor of God, rely on the power of the Spirit, and stay rooted in the truth of Christ to combat darkness and deception. It's crucial to be vigilant and grounded in biblical principles to navigate spiritual challenges effectively.

I encourage you to listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into these topics and gain valuable insights on living with biblical clarity in today's culture. Let's equip ourselves with knowledge and discernment to face the complexities of our world with courage and faith.

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Unpacking Critical Theory: A Christian Perspective on Society, Race, and Gender Jul 29, 2024

In this episode of Truth Tribe, Dr. Groothuis delves into the topic of Critical Theory and Christian Discernment, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's thinking with Christ. Dr Groothuis provides a Christian perspective on various ideologies such as the New Age movement, postmodernism, and Islam. The host shares his journey of addressing critical theory, sparked by the events of 2020 in the United States, and his efforts to explain this complex issue through talks and articles. Tune in to gain insight into navigating critical theory through a Christian lens.

As discussed in the podcast episode, the Christian worldview offers a comprehensive framework for understanding various aspects of life that critical theory does not adequately address.

Understanding Good and Evil:

Christian Perspective: The Christian worldview acknowledges the existence of good and evil as inherent aspects of the human condition. It recognizes that all individuals are capable of both good and evil due to the presence of sin in the world.
Critical Theory Perspective: Critical theory tends to view society as divided into oppressors and oppressed, focusing on power dynamics rather than the inherent moral nature of individuals. It often simplifies complex moral issues into categories of privilege and disadvantage.

Understanding Race:

Christian Perspective: Christianity teaches that all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God, emphasizing the inherent value and dignity of every individual regardless of race. It promotes unity and equality among all races.
Critical Theory Perspective: Critical theory, particularly critical race theory, emphasizes power dynamics based on race, viewing society through the lens of oppressors and oppressed. It often perpetuates a divisive narrative that focuses on racial conflict rather than unity.

Understanding Sexual Morality:

Christian Perspective: The Christian worldview upholds a clear standard of sexual morality based on the biblical teachings of male and female created in God's image, heterosexual monogamy within marriage, and the sanctity of human sexuality.
Critical Theory Perspective: Critical theory challenges traditional sexual ethics, promoting a fluid approach to gender identity and sexual orientation. It questions objective moral standards and advocates for personal choice and orientation over biblical principles.

In essence, the Christian worldview provides a holistic understanding of good and evil, race, and sexual morality rooted in the belief in an objective truth revealed through Scripture. It offers a moral compass and ethical framework that transcends societal constructs and provides a foundation for addressing complex issues in a way that promotes unity, justice, and compassion.

For more on this topic, see Douglas Groothuis, Fire in the Streets (Salem, 2022).

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5 Crucial Skills All Christian Apologists Need to Share the Gospel Jul 22, 2024

Exploring the intersection of apologetics and art, this episode of Truth Tribe delves into the importance of sharing the gospel in a world filled with diverse cultural expressions. Dr. Groothuis explains that practicing apologetics requires competence, confidence, courage, compassion, and creativity. It’s important to use these skills and strategies, just as an artist utilizes the colors on his palette.

Competence in apologetics involves a deep understanding of the Christian worldview, proficiency in Scripture, and the ability to engage with diverse worldviews and cultural perspectives. Apologists must be well-prepared, knowledgeable, and capable of articulating their beliefs in a compelling and rational manner.

Confidence is another essential aspect of apologetics. Apologists need to have confidence in the truth of Christianity and in their ability to effectively communicate and defend their faith. This confidence stems from a solid foundation in scripture, a profound understanding of theology, and a willingness to address challenging questions and objections.

Courage is crucial in apologetics, especially in a secular and skeptical society. Apologists may encounter criticism, skepticism, and hostility when defending Christianity. It takes courage to stand firm in one's beliefs, engage in difficult conversations, and address challenging topics with grace and conviction.

Compassion is a fundamental element of apologetics. Apologists should approach interactions with empathy, understanding, and a genuine desire for meaningful dialogue. Compassion enables apologists to connect with others on a personal level, listen to their perspectives, and respond with kindness and respect.

Creativity is also emphasized as a key component of apologetics. Just as an artist uses different colors on a palette to create a masterpiece, apologists can employ various approaches, methods, and strategies to communicate the message of Christianity effectively. Creativity in apologetics involves utilizing different forms of media, engaging with art and culture, and presenting the Christian faith in a compelling and relevant manner.

By using all the colors on the apologist's palette, Christians can effectively defend and promote Christianity in a pluralistic and changing world.

For more on apologetics, see Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed (InterVarsity, 2022).

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What Is Mysticism and Why Is it a Problematic Philosophy for Christians? Jul 15, 2024

In this episode of Truth Tribe, Dr. Groothuis discusses an article about philosopher James K.A. Smith and his views on moving beyond cultural polarization through mysticism. Smith argues that over-identification with beliefs fuels polarization and suggests that the church needs mystics rather than more beliefs or better theology. The episode delves into Smith's speech at a conference and challenges his perspective along the way.

Here are three key takeaways from this thought-provoking discussion:

1. The Importance of Knowledge and Reason: Knowledge, justified true beliefs, and truth are essential in our pursuit of understanding God, social reform, and engaging with false ideologies. It's crucial to use reason and comprehension to navigate complex issues effectively.

2. The Role of Humility in Seeking Truth: While Smith advocates for relinquishing the desire for knowledge and comprehension, Dr. Groothuis emphasizes the importance of humility based on knowledge. Understanding the holiness of God, the fallibility of humans, and the need for Christ's redemptive work leads to true humility. It's not about forsaking reason but about approaching truth with a humble heart.

3. The Dangers of Mysticism Without Knowledge: Dr. Groothuis warns against the deceptive allure of mystical philosophies that undermine the pursuit of truth and godliness. While mysticism may sound profound, it can lead to a lack of progress in social reform and a disconnect from the foundational truths found in Scripture. Embracing knowledge and reason is essential for personal growth and positive societal change.

I invite you to listen to the full episode to explore these important topics in depth. Let's continue the conversation on seeking truth through reason and evidence in a world filled with polarization and conflicting ideologies. Your thoughts and insights are always welcome!

For more from Dr. Groothuis, visit DouglasGroothuis.com.

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The Enneagram and a Heretic’s Christ Jul 08, 2024

In this episode, Dr. Doug Groothuis delves into the teachings of Richard Rohr, a key figure in the Enneagram movement. Dr. Grothuis, an experienced Christian apologist, explores Rohr's worldview and theology to determine if they align with historical biblical Christianity. Listeners are taken on a journey to understand whether Rohr's beliefs about reality and biblical truth reflect the Christ of the Bible or a distorted version. Dr. Grothuis draws from his background in discernment, offering insights into the potential pitfalls of following teachings that may not be in line with traditional Christian doctrines.

Testing the spirits and discerning false teachings is crucial in maintaining a solid foundation in biblical truth. As discussed in the podcast episode, the Apostle John in 1 John 4:1-4 warns believers not to believe every spirit but to test them to see if they are from God. This caution is essential because there are many false prophets and teachings in the world.

The episode emphasizes the importance of comparing teachings to the truths found in the Bible. It highlights the need to have a deep knowledge of scripture to discern false teachings effectively. The transcript mentions various biblical passages that warn about false prophets, false apostles, and deceitful workers who may masquerade as messengers of Christ. By testing teachings against the Word of God, believers can identify discrepancies and falsehoods.

Furthermore, the episode stresses the significance of understanding the true doctrine of God, Christ, and salvation to recognize counterfeit teachings. By knowing the authentic biblical teachings, individuals can easily spot false doctrines that deviate from Christianity's core beliefs.

Richard Rohr's worldview and theology significantly deviate from historical biblical Christianity. One of the key deviations is Rohr's denial of the fundamental doctrine of the creator-creation distinction. In historical biblical Christianity, there is a clear metaphysical distinction between the eternal, self-existent Creator and the finite creation. However, Rohr, influenced by pantheistic or panentheistic beliefs, blurs this distinction by suggesting that everything is divine or that the world itself is divine. This denial of the creator-creation distinction undermines the core biblical understanding of God as the sovereign Creator distinct from His creation.

Furthermore, Richard Rohr's teachings also challenge the essential doctrine of atonement through Christ. In traditional biblical Christianity, the death of Jesus Christ on the cross is central to the redemption and reconciliation of humanity with God. Christ's sacrificial death is understood as the atoning sacrifice for human sin, demonstrating God's love and justice. However, Rohr's theology dismisses the significance of Christ's death as a necessary act to rectify the problem of human sin. He downplays the concept of Christ's death as a substitutionary sacrifice required by God's offended justice, which is a core tenet of historical biblical Christianity.

Rohr's teachings also distort the understanding of Jesus Christ himself. He misinterprets biblical passages, such as John 14:6, where Jesus unequivocally states, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Rohr attempts to reinterpret this to fit his universalist perspective, suggesting that it refers to a universal essence rather than the person of Jesus Christ. This misinterpretation undermines the unique role of Jesus as the only way to salvation, as emphasized in traditional Christian doctrine.

In conclusion, Richard Rohr's theology presents a distorted version of historical biblical Christianity by denying key doctrines such as the creator-creation distinction and the atonement through Christ. His teachings reflect a syncretistic approach that blends elements of various non-Christian worldviews with Christian terminology, leading to a departure from the core beliefs and teachings of traditional Christianity.

To combat false teachings like those of Richard Rohr, it is crucial to have a strong foundation in biblical knowledge, active participation in a Bible-believing church, and reliance on the Holy Spirit for discernment. Dr. Doug Groteis emphasizes the importance of knowing and studying the Bible to discern false teachings. He highlights the need to be familiar with the Scriptures to recognize when teachings deviate from biblical truths. By understanding the true doctrine of God, Christ, and salvation, individuals can spot counterfeit teachings that distort these foundational beliefs.

For more on Rohr, see Douglas Groothuis, “A Heretic’s Christ, a False Salvation,” Christian Research Journal at equip.org.

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How to Defend Your Faith: Developing Your Apologetic Method Jul 01, 2024

Come let us reason together, says the Lord—Isaiah 1:18

I. The Imperative to Do Apologetics

A. Defend Christianity as objective true, compellingly rational, and existentially pertinent to all of life (1 Peter 3:15)

B. Consider apologetic method, but don’t fixate on it. Know your epistemology!

C. Fideism: defense by not engaging in the battle

1. Cannot dispense with logic and keep your head

2. Scripture challenges us to engage apologetically (chapter 2)

3. History is replete with good apologists: Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Pascal, C.S. Lewis, etc.

D. Take it to the streets: apologetics without works is dead (James 2)

II. The Laws of Logic

A. God and logic (John 1:1-2)

B. Noncontradiction: A cannot be non-A

1. To deny it, is to affirm it: “The law is false.”

2. Light-particle duality (physics) does not break it

3. Existential conflict is not a violation of the law

C. Excluded middle: Either A or non-A

1. Jesus is Lord or not

2. Buddha was enlightened or not

3. Things being “gray” does not refute excluded middle

D. Bivalence: statements are true or false; not neither, not both
What if sentences have many meanings? That is a matter of interpretation (epistemology), not truth or falsity

E. Identity: A=A

1. Used to refute physicalism about mind and brain (more in chapter 17)

2. “I’m not myself today” does not break it

F. Forms of argument: induction, deduction, abduction (best explanation); logical fallacies (ad hominem, circular reasoning, false dichotomy, etc.)

III. Worldview Hypothesis Evaluation

A. Christianity as a hypothesis or worldview

B. Build a cumulative case using many lines of argument

1. Biblical basis for apologetics
2. Objective truth is real and knowable
3. Explain the Christian worldview
4. Theistic arguments: cosmological, design, moral, ontological, religious experience
5. Reliability of the Bible
6. Identity of Jesus Christ: claims, credentials, achievements

C. Present the case carefully, point by point

1. Know the Christian worldview (chapter 4)

2. Know what the worldview rivals are: live hypotheses

3. Know the plausibility structure of your culture (Peter Berger, A Rumor of Angels)

4. Present Christian worldview as intellectually superior to other by testing it according to rational, objective criteria

5. Do not make the criteria internal to Christianity; if so, no apologetics is possible, because you can have no common ground.

D. Constructive or positive apologetics: Arguments in support of Christian theism

E. Two kinds of negative apologetics

1. Rebut, defeat attacks on Christianity

2. Show the rational weaknesses in other worldviews

IV. Criteria for Worldview Evaluation: Play Fair, Play Smart

A. This is epistemology: our philosophy of knowledge

1. Truth: correspondence view

2. Knowledge: justified true belief (internalism)

B. Criteria are applied in other areas of life and are intuitively credible

C. The eight criteria for worldview assessment (pages 53-60)

1. Should explain things adequately without excessive opacity

2. Internal logical consistency

3. Coherence: the web of beliefs is consistent
4. Factual adequacy: history, science, human experience

5. Existential viability (not pragmatic theory of truth; see chapter 6)

6. Intellectual, cultural fecundity (fruitfulness)

7. No radical ad hoc adjustment of the worldview

8. Simpler explanations are preferred to complex ones, all things being equal

V. The Limits of Apologetics

A. Bible itself can be difficult to explain and defend; be patient; study well

Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction—2 Peter 3:15-16

B. Our weaknesses as sinners: we may hold the truth poorly

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers—1 Timothy 4:16.

C. God’s providence may convert people with or without the kind of apologetics we can offer

Resources

1. Kenneth Boa, Robert Bowman, Faith Has it’s Reasons, 2nd ed. (InterVarsity Press, 2006).
2. Steven Cowan, ed., Five Views of Apologetics (Zondervan, 2000).
3. Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith (InterVarsity Press, 2011). Also translated into Korean, 2015 by Christian Literature Center, Seoul, Korea.
4. Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenge of Postmodernism (InterVarsity Press, 2000).
5. Os Guinness, Fool’s Talk: Recovering the Christian Art of Persuasion (InterVarsity Press, 2015).
6. Gordon Lewis, Testing Christianity’s Truth Claims (orig. pub., 1976; University Press of America).
7. Brian Morely, Mapping Apologetics (InterVarsity Press, 2015).

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Is God Hidden? Why An All-Good, All-Powerful God Seems Hidden to Many Jun 24, 2024

Is God hidden? The debate rages on. From Pascal to Nietzsche, philosophers have grappled with the idea of divine hiddenness. But could self-deception play a role in why some find it hard to see God's presence? In this episode of Truth Tribe, I explore the concept of self-deception and how it may influence our perception of God's existence. Could our desires and motivations be clouding our ability to see the evidence around us?

The fool says in their heart, “There is no God’ (Psalm 14:1).

If I saw no sign [in nature] of Divinity I should decide on a negative solution: if I saw signs of a Creator everywhere, I should peacefully settle down in faith. But, seeing too much to deny and not enough to affirm, I am in a pitiful state, where I have wished a hundred times over that, if there is a God supporting nature, she should unequivocally proclaim him, and that, if the signs in nature are deceptive, they should be completely erased; that nature should say all or nothing so that I could see what course I ought to follow.[1] - Voice of a skeptic in Pascal’s Pensées.

Here are three key takeaways from this thought-provoking episode:

The Existence of Honest Atheists: The episode discusses the argument that if God truly exists as all-good and all-powerful, there would be no honest atheists. However, the conversation delves into the idea that there are indeed honest atheists who are rationally justified in their unbelief. This challenges the notion that all atheists are simply in denial.
The Logic of Self-Deception: One of the fascinating points raised in the episode is the concept of self-deception. It explores how individuals may deny the evidence for God due to various motivations, desires for autonomy, and the pursuit of alternative idols. The discussion sheds light on the psychological and philosophical aspects of self-deception in the context of belief in God.
Prudence in Seeking God: Despite the perceived hiddenness of God, the episode emphasizes the importance of prudence in seeking God. Drawing from Pascal's wager, the idea that there is much to gain by believing in God and potentially much to lose by not believing is highlighted. The episode encourages listeners to continue seeking God, even in moments when His presence may seem elusive.

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To Judge or Not to Judge? What Matthew 7 Tells Us about Judging Jesus’ Way Jun 17, 2024

Is it okay for Christians to judge other people? In some Bible passages, it seems like there is a place for judgment; in other parts of Scripture, not so much. Dr. Groothuis emphasizes the importance of evaluating oneself against the standard of Scripture before passing judgment on others. The key principle highlighted is to first reflect on one's actions, attitudes, and beliefs in order to cultivate humility and ensure that judgments are made with love and grace.

Drawing from Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, the speaker instructs followers to address their own faults before pointing out those of others. This analogy stresses the need for self-awareness and self-correction before engaging in judgment. By acknowledging personal shortcomings, individuals can approach others with empathy, understanding, and humility.

Judging Jesus’ Way: Matthew 7:1-5
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

I. Who Are Christians in the World?

How do we represent God and the gospel today? How are we judged by the watching world? Judicious or censorious? Measured in judgment or reactive? Wise or foolish?

II. Some Judgments Against Christians

A. They are too judgmental
B. They are legalistic
C. They are high and mighty
D. They are holier than thou
E. Specifics: they are homophobic, transphobic, heteronormative, colonialist, and more

F. This is sometimes correct—but we must judge, just as those who have judged us
G. They may mean: “Shut up, so we can sin in peace.”

H. Jesus shows us how to judge with his master principle for judgment: judge yourself according to the right standard; then judge others in love

III. The Logic of Judgment

A. A judgment is a personal evaluation of a state of affairs—moral or non-moral

B. A judgment is always made according to a standard—implicit or explicit

C. We must judge

1. “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” — Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)

2. Judgments about moral worth of the unborn, for example; judgments about sexual ethics and identity

IV. Judging Jesus’ Way

A. The standard is the Bible rightly interpreted and applied

B. Jesus gave many judgments, some quite harsh: one of seven “woes” or condemning judgment against teachers of the law and Pharisees

1. Condemnation (Matthew 23:15).

2. Gentle rebuke (Matthew 6:30)

C. Jesus had a perfect character, so all his judgments were correct and given in the right spirit; it is harder for us.

V. Do Not Judge
Vs. 1-2: Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
1. The Greek for judge (krino) means condemnation or being judgmental or censorious
Bill Mounce: “to assume censorial power over, to call to account, Mt. 7:1.”
2. Warning: the judgment comes back on you, like a boomerang; you think you are on the bench as a judge, but you are also in the dock as the accused (John Stott)
VI. Two White Hot Questions from Jesus
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
1. Kind of question with an assumed answer: You should not do this.
2. Why do you look without and not look within? Speck in another, log in your own? Initial judgment.
3. Why do you want to remove the speck and not remove the plank in your own eye? Action based on the judgment, spoken or unspoken.
Avoid being a moral busybody (2 Peter 4:15).
VII. Avoiding Hypocrisy; Making a Sound Judgment
A. V. 5: You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
B. Jesus makes (1) accusation, (2) command, and (3) promise
1. Accusation: Hypocrite: play actor; imposter, phony, charlatan. Used four times in Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
a. Not that you fail to live up to your standard of God’s standard. We all do that—except Jesus Christ, who was sinless and morally perfect. Jesus was merciful to sinners who knew they were sinners
b. Hypocrite: you pretend that you live up to your standard when you do not. You ignore your own sin, spot it in others; and want to remove it in others. You are a play actor, imposter, fraud, fake, phony.
2. Command: First, take the plank out of your own eye. Plank is larger than a speck. Humorous image. Plank would obscure your ability to see and is more of a problem.
3. Promise: sober and clear judgment: see clearly to remove the speck from “your brother’s eye.” Notice: brother, not enemy, not irritant, not “you people.”
VIII. Jesus’ Master Principle of Judgment

A. Judge yourself according to the right standard; then judge others in love

B. Have the right standard: the Bible, God’s true and holy communication to us, “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12)

C. Have the right attitude: critical and prayerful self-awareness

D. Have a godly and loving approach to the judgment, not condemnation (Matthew 5:13-15).

E. Don’t lose the saltiness and don’t be hidden away, but master Jesus’ master principle of judgment; Judge yourself according to the right standard; then judge others in love

Find more from Dr. Groothuis at www.DouglasGroothuis.com.

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Pascal's Compelling Case for the Christian Faith Jun 10, 2024

Blaise Pascal’s Case for Christianity

I. The Genius of Blaise Pascal

A. Amazing life of Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

B. Pascal as an apologist; not a fideist (unlike Soren Kierkegaard)

C. Nature of apologetics.

Defend the Christian worldview as objectively true, compellingly rational, and pertinent to all of life (1 Peter 3:15)

II. Pascal’s Case for Christianity

A. His apologetic be reconstructed.

Order. Men despise religion. They hate it and are afraid it may be true. The cure for this is first to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect. Next make it attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is. Worthy of reverence because it really understands human nature. Attractive because it promises true good.

B. We consider only two elements: the wager and the deposed royalty argument; there are more. See Douglas Groothuis, Beyond the Wager: the Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal (InterVarsity Academic, 2024).

III. The Wager: Risks, Rewards, Options

A. We should bet on God being rule instead of betting on God’s unreality in light of the possible consequences.

I should be much more afraid of being mistaken and then finding out that Christianity is true than of being mistaken in believing it to be true.

B. Theoretical reason: Is P true? How can I know this?

C. Prudential reason: What do I gain or lose by believing P? What actions should I pursue on this matter?

D. The outcomes and belief states

1. Believer, if Christian God exists:
Gain: eternal life; avoid hell. Infinite gain
Loss: worldly pleasures. Finite loss

2. Believer, if Christian God does not exist:
Gain: pleasures of religion. Finite gain
Loss: worldly pleasures and truth. Finite loss

3. Unbeliever (atheist or agnostic or member of other religion), if Christian God exists:
Gain: worldly pleasures. Finite gain
Loss: eternal life; gain hell, infinite loss

4. Unbeliever, if Christian God does not exist:
Gain: worldly pleasures. Finite gain
Loss: nothing.

E. Given the stakes, we should investigate the claims of Christianity with an open mind and open heart and not be indifferent.

There are only three sorts of people: those who have found God and serve him; those who are busy seeking him and have not found him; those who live without either seeking or finding him. The first are reasonable and happy, the last are foolish and unhappy, those in the middle are unhappy and reasonable.

IV. The Human Problem and Puzzle

A. What sort of freak then is man! How novel, how monstrous, how chaotic, how paradoxical, how prodigious! Judge of all things, feeble earthworm, repository of truth, sink of doubt and error, the glory and refuse of the universe! (131/434).

B. How to live with the human burden in light of reality; “deposed royalty” who can be restored through Jesus Christ

C. What are the options? We will look at two “live hypotheses”

V. A True, Rational, and Significant Explanation.

A. True explanation of the human condition: one that agrees with objective reality; factual; realism.

B. Rational explanation: one that explains who we are in accordance with the evidence and sound reasoning.

C. Significant explanation: one that gives us value, meaning, and realistic hope for being human in the world. Philosophical anthropology is a very important part of any worldview.

D. Manner of explanation: abduction (inference to best explanation)

VI. Views of Being Human: The New Age Worldview
A. New Age or spiritual worldview: Ken Wilber, Oprah Winfrey, Deepak Chopra

1. Background belief on humanity

a. Pantheism: everything is divine.

b. Monism: all is one (or nondualism)

c. Morality is not absolute, but good and evil dissolve into a universal and impersonal oneness.

2. New Age view on humanity

a. Human nature is really a divine nature: we are one with an impersonal deity.

b. Human problem: we have forgotten our true identity as divine, one with all things, and unlimited.

c. Human solution: Find the divine within through meditation, yoga, self-realization seminars.

3. Questioning New Age philosophy

a. Human beings are limited in power and goodness; this is evident and not a delusion or matter of ignorance.

b. There are moral realities that reveal a moral dualism: good and evil; right and wrong; virtue and vice. Rape is always wrong; kindness is better than wanton cruelty.

VII. Christianity: Deposed Royality

A. Background belief: personal theism—God as Creator, Lord, Judge

B. Pascal’s point can be strengthened by natural theology: arguments for God’s existence from nature and in accord with reason.

C. Human nature: created in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:27)

1. Uniqueness of humanity: ethics, culture, language, religion

2. Human greatness: creativity, intelligence, etc. (#113/348)

Thinking reed. It is not in space that I must seek my human dignity, but in the ordering of my thought. It will do me no good to own land. Through space the universe grasps me and swallows me up like a speck; through thought I grasp it.

3. Human dignity: image-bearers of God (Psalm 8:3-5)

4. Disjunction from the rest of the living world; different in kind, not just degree

D. Human problem: we are fallen, warped, alienated, deposed

1. Human evil: sexism, racism, pettiness, greed, envy, ad nauseum

2. Our moral and spiritual corruption (Psalm 14:1-3; Mark 7:21-23)

3. Corruptio optimi pessima: “There is nothing worse than the corruption of the best.”

4. The essential problem: pride, self-centeredness, egotism (Romans 3:9-20)

5. Escaping our condition through diversion

Diversion. If man were happy, the less he were diverted the happier he would be, like the saints and God. Yes: but is a man not happy who can find delight in diversion?

E. Neither angel nor beast, but human

It is dangerous to explain too clearly to man how like he is to the animals without pointing out his greatness. It is also dangerous to make too much of his greatness without his vileness. It is still more dangerous to leave him in ignorance of both, but it is most valuable to represent both to him. Man must not be allowed to believe that he is equal either to animals or to angels, nor to be unaware of either, but he must know both.

F. Humans! Wretched and great

G. The reality of death; life kills us all; finite time to figure it all out (Hebrews 9:27).

VIII. Finding Truth, hope, and Purpose

A. The human condition requires a radical, transcendent cure

B. Jesus Christ provides this liberating cure for all people

1. Jesus: You must repent (Matthew 4:17).

2. Jesus provides forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration (John 3:16-18; Romans 5:6-8: Ephesians 2:1-10)

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8).

3. The message is liberating for everyone; we are all deposed royalty (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 4:12; I Timothy 2:5-6).

C. Being human with knowledge, hope, and integrity

1. Jesus is a God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.

2. A world view that makes sense of oneself and others

3. The strength to love and serve through Jesus Christ, “the Mediator” (Pascal’s term)

The Christians’ God is a God who makes the soul aware that he is its sole good: that in him alone can it find peace; that only in loving him can it find joy: and who at the same time fills it with loathing for the obstacles which hold it back and prevent it from loving God with all its might.

4. Provides incentive to give oneself selflessly to God and God’s liberating program for humanity.

5. Know then, proud man, what a paradox you are to yourself. Be humble, impotent reason! Be silent, feeble nature! Learn that man infinitely transcends man, hear from your master your true condition, which is unknown to you. Listen to God.

Resources on Blaise Pascal and the Human Condition

1. Douglas Groothuis, Beyond the Wager: The Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal (InterVarsity, 2024).
2. Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, 2nd ed. (InterVarsity Press, 2022).
3. Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism (InterVarsity Press, 2000). Critique of postmodernist ideas in philosophy, theology, ethics, race, gender, and the arts.
4. Blaise Pascal, Pensées, ed. Alban Krailsheimer (Penguin, 1966). Standard collection with an excellent introduction by Krailsheimer.
5. Blaise Pascal, The Mind on Fire, ed. James Houston (Bethany House Publishers, 1997). Collection from Pensées and Pascal’s shorter works. Excellent introduction by Os Guinness.
6. Michael Rota, Taking Pascal’s Wager: Faith, Evidence, and the Abundant Life (InterVarsity, 2016).
7. James W. Sire, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalogue, 5th ed. (InterVarsity Press, 2009). Compares major worldviews, including each worldview’s understanding of the human condition.

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Overcoming Spiritual Opposition: Lessons from Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13 Jun 03, 2024

FINDING POWER OVER ERROR
ACTS 13:1-12

I. The Desperate Need: Power in Gospel Outreach

A. Truth decay and the reality of spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18)

B. Handling opposition in evangelism and apologetics

C. Finding spiritual power for the proclamation and defense of the gospel

II. The Spreading Flame: The Acts of the Holy Spirit

A. The birth of the church through the work of Jesus Christ, Lord of all.

B. Jesus: “You will receive power from the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:8; John 14:16-17)

C. Beginning of great gospel adventures—and conflicts (Acts 14:22)

III. Preparation for Ministry (Acts 13:1-3)

A. Prophets and teachers: Spirit-empowered ministry positions

B. Multi-ethnic ministry (Galatians 3:26-28)

C. Fasting and prayer before God and with the church (Acts 2:42; 3:1; 4:24; 6:4; 10:31; 14:23; 28:8)

D. Prayer and fasting in the ministry of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-2; 6:16-18; 9:5)

E. God’s corporate call for mission (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:45-49: Acts 1:8)

F. Paul’s individual call to mission (Acts 9:1-19; Galatians 1:11-24)

His first excursion to the Gentiles

G. Power principle #1: We need a God-ward orientation to discern God’s call to mission and to receive God’s power over error.

H. Power principle #2: We need the wisdom of the church to discern God’s call to mission and to receive God’s power over error.

IV. Beginning the Mission (Acts 13:4-5)

A. The importance of Paul’s first mission; door opened to the Gentiles

B. Sent out by the Holy Spirit (second reference to the Holy Spirit)

C. Proclaimed the Word of God by the Spirit (2 Timothy 3:14-17; Hebrews 4:12)

D. John was their helper (Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28)

E. Power principle #3: We need to proclaim God’s word to find power over error.

F. Power principle #4: Behind the scenes helpers are vital for powerful ministry.

V. The Power of Error: Enter the Sorcerer (Acts 13:6-8)

A. Team traveled a long distance for the gospel; sacrifice (Matthew 10:37-38)

B. Bar-Jesus: Jewish sorcerer and false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:9-14, 20; Acts 8:9-11; Revelation 22:15)

C. Sergius Paulus: intelligent Roman political leader. Wanted to hear the Word of God. This is an open door for the gospel.

Considering Sergius Paulus’s authority, the mission team probably could not have refused his offer; that adds extra pressure.

D. Elymas wants to shut the open door for the gospel. Conflict and controversy ensue.

E. Power principle #5: The power of error opposes the truth of the gospel.

VI. Power Over Error: Enter Paul (Acts 13:9-11)

A. Saul, called Paul (Roman version of the Semitic Saul)

B. “Filled with the Holy Spirit” (third reference to the Holy Spirit)

C. Stared him down with condemning truth. He is a:

1. Child of the devil (John 8:44)

2. Enemy of everything right (Matthew 13:39)

3. Full of deceit and trickery (Matthew 13:19)

4. Paul’s question…not answered by the sorcerer.

5. Blinded, for a time (Isaiah 44:25-26)

D. Power principle #6: A Spirit-filled and biblical-informed Christian challenges error courageously.

VII. Power Over Error in Evangelism (Acts 13:12)

A. Sergius Paulus was amazed at God’s truth and power; he believed

B. Miracles and teaching work together through the Holy Spirit, all backed by prayer and holy living.

C. Power principle #7: God’s work in God’s way finds power over error, but this does not eliminate hardships and setbacks in our mission (Acts 14:22).

VIII. Finding Power Over Error Today

A. Spirit-led and biblically informed mission generates opposition to its mandate.

B. Prepare for spiritual opposition as you explain, proclaim, and defend the gospel.

C. Applying these seven power principles today

1. Find godly fellowship (Acts 2:42)

2. Seek God in prayer and fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)

3. Study and share God’s Word (Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:15-17)

4. Expect opposition and controversy (Matthew 10:34-39)

5. Find humble helpers—and be a humble helper

6. Expose error courageously in God’s timing (Joshua 1:6-9)

7. Expect God to vindicate God’s truth, but not without hardships.

Recommended reading:

1. Sharon Beekman, Silencing Satan (Wipf and Stock, 2012). Major academic study by one who understands the demonic world by experience and through study as a Christian.
2. Mark Bubeck, Overcoming the Adversary (Moody Press, 1984). On spiritual warfare. An updated version is called Warfare Prayer.
3. Ajith Fernando. The NIV Application Commentary: Acts (Zondervan, 1998). Excellent and practical commentary.

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Witnessing to the Truth: The Role of the Holy Spirit May 27, 2024

Exploring the theme of "Power for True Witness," Dr. Groothuis delivers a sermon at Littleton Christian Church, diving into Acts 1-8 and John 14, 16-17 to discuss the biblical concept of truth, Jesus as the way, truth, and life, and the empowerment to share this truth through the Holy Spirit. The episode highlights Dr. Groothuis' extensive experience in philosophy and academia, celebrating his 31-year tenure at Denver Seminary and his upcoming role at Cornerstone University in Michigan.

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4 Questions Students Must Ask to Avoid Writing Fluff May 20, 2024

What is Fluff?

Harry Frankfurt in On BS:

The BS-er…is neither on the side of the true nor on the side of the false. His eye is not on the facts at all, as the eyes of the honest man and of the liar are, except insofar as they may be pertinent to his interest in getting away with what he says. He does not care whether the things he says describe reality correctly. He just picks them out, or makes them up, to suit his purpose.[1]

Fluff is whatever is extraneous, superfluous, or unseemly. Fluff is the opposite of the substantial or the fundamental. Physical fluff is never desired and easily floats away. No one wants it, unless it is in a pillow, perhaps.

Some students pad their papers in order to meet word requirements. Such padding is always fluff and may involve going down rabbit trails unrelated to the thesis of the writing.

Much fluff today is autobiographical, and there are far too many memoirs.[2] Entire books may be autobiographical fluff, such as the egregious Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller and myriad others.[3] Contemporary writers often cannot resist talking about themselves even when it is irrelevant to the point they should be making. One of the great principles of the classic writing guide, Elements of Style, is to keep yourself in the background. This is what Strunk and White write:

Write in a way that draws the reader’s attention to the sense and substance of the writing, rather than to the mood and temper of the author. If the writing is solid and good, the mood and temper of the writer will eventually be revealed and not at the expense of the work. Therefore, the first piece of advice is this: to achieve style, begin by affecting none—that is, place yourself in the background.[4]

Exhibitionism is one of the great sins and blind spots of our age. Consider Victor Frankl’s comments about why he reluctantly decided not to anonymously publish his classic book, Man’s Search for Meaning:

"I had intended to write this book anonymously, using my prison number only. But when the manuscript was completed, I saw that as an anonymous publication, it would lose half its value and that I must have the courage to state my convictions openly. I therefore refrained from deleting any of the passages, in spite of an intense dislike of exhibitionism."[5]

Fluff may also be unseemly, which may or may not include gratuitous personal references. The unseemly is what is inappropriate—the lude, crude, or rude. What Paul applies to speech should be applied to writing. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).

To tighten it up: Fluff is what is unnecessary in a piece of writing, either due to BS, redundancy, exhibitionism, or literary boorishness. Fluff can be avoided by removing unnecessary content, by keeping yourself in the background, and by being polite. To avoid fluff, ask yourself these questions:

Am I aiming at objective truth?
Have I written more than is needed?
Have I said too much about myself?
Have I been off-putting or offensive to my reader?

[1] Frankfurt, Harry G. On Bullshit (p. 56). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.

[2] I wrote a memoir, which I attempted to justify in the first chapter. Douglas Groothuis, “Introduction,” Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness—A Philosopher’s Lament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2017).

[3] Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz (New York: Harper Horizon, 2003). The first paragraph of page 103 is the most absurd and egregious collection of falsehoods I have encountered.

[4] Strunk JR., William; White, E.B. The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition. Pandora's Box. Kindle Edition.

[5] Frankl, Viktor E. Man's Search for Meaning (pp. 6-7). Beacon Press. Kindle Edition.

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The Atonement of Christ: 5 Essential Elements Every Believer Should Understand May 13, 2024

In today's special episode, we delve into the profound topic of Christ's atoning work on the cross, a cornerstone of Christian theology. I had the privilege of sharing a sermon I recently delivered at the Reformed Baptist Church of Northern Colorado, where we explored the essential elements of atonement through a theological lens.

During the sermon, I discussed the multifaceted aspects of atonement, including propitiation, expiation, redemption, justification, and the victory over evil forces, all of which underscore the comprehensive nature of Christ's sacrifice. This discussion was enriched with scriptural references and theological insights, aiming to deepen our understanding of these doctrines and their implications for our faith and daily lives.

Moreover, I addressed several common objections to the doctrine of atonement, providing thoughtful rebuttals to ensure that we, as believers, are equipped to defend our faith effectively. The sermon also emphasized the importance of evangelism and the assurance of salvation, encouraging us to live out our faith boldly and share the transformative power of the Gospel with others.

This episode is not just a reflection on theological concepts but a call to action to embrace the full implications of Christ's work on the cross, ensuring it resonates deeply in our personal and communal spiritual lives. Join us as we explore these truths and their enduring impact on our journey of faith.

For those interested in a deeper exploration of Christian apologetics and the atonement, I recommend checking out my book, "Christian Apologetics," where I delve further into these topics.

Thank you for tuning in to Truth Tribe. If you found this episode enlightening, please consider sharing it with others and joining us again as we continue to seek and celebrate the truth about the things that matter most.

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30 Simple Steps You Can Take Today to Be a Better Public Speaker May 06, 2024

Stepping into the world of public speaking can be daunting. Whether you're a newbie feeling the jitters or a seasoned pro looking to fine-tune your skills, we've got thirty simple tips you can do today to immediately level up your public speaking game. From taming those butterflies in your stomach to perfecting your delivery style, these strategies are your secret to becoming a confident and charismatic speaker. Let's get ready to unleash your inner orator!

1. Pray before speaking. I pray something like this, “Lord, help me to speak the truth in love with wisdom such that knowledge is imparted that sticks to the soul spreads through the world for your glory.” See Ephesians 4:15; Titus 2:7-8.

2. Say something worth saying. Time is short, Psalm 90:12; Ephesians 5:16.

3. Study adequately. It is better to over-study (if there is such a thing) than understudy, especially in preaching. See James 3:1-2.

4. Never rely on your charisma. Rely on God and the knowledge you have to offer people.

5. Learn how to speak grammatically and with the best version of your voice you can offer. You may want to talk with a speech coach.

6. Have water with you on the podium, but don't take large gulps, but small sips. The water should be warm, not cold. Cold water constricts your throat and hurts your voice.

Want to know the rest? Listen to today's episode of Truth Tribe to unlock these great tips!

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Blaise Pascal’s Critique of Culture and Politics Apr 29, 2024

The great scientist and philosopher, Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), understood humans as disposed royalty—royal by virtue of creation in God image, but ruined through the fall. However, there is hope in the ruins because of the achievements of Jesus Christ on our behalf. I have written extensively of Pascal’s apologetic elsewhere, but we focus on his critique of society, which is as profound and pertinent as any aspect of his wide-ranging and brilliant work.

What follows is an excerpt from Douglas Groothuis, Beyond the Wager: The Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal (InterVarsity, 2024).

Living as deposed royalty in a fallen world means observing the corruption of culture and politics by vanity and concupiscence, to use two of Pascal’s categories. Ever the astute student of human nature, Pascal trained his gimlet eye on the pretenses, postures, dissimulations, and hidden absurdities of everyday life. His concern and critique were both universal and particular to his day. Humans east of Eden are, when studied soberly and carefully, ineluctably odd and inexplicable creatures—that is, until they are deciphered by the divinely revealed categories of creation and the fall. Human culture, which proceeds from the greatness and wretchedness of humanity, likewise generates odd patterns of custom, habit, fashion, and more; it, too, needs to be deciphered according to a higher wisdom. Can the madness of the world be brought to heel through criticism? “Men are so inevitably mad that not to be mad would be to give a mad twist to madness.”

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3 Principles for Pastoring Animals Apr 22, 2024

A pastor cares for his or her flock through tender concern, prayer, teaching, and insight into his or her parishioners. But one may be pastoral without being called to be a pastor of a church. I know a young man who graduated from Denver Seminary who has never held a pastoral position, but who is more pastoral with friends, family, and strangers than most pastors I know. He recently befriended a lonely man dying from a neurological disease and continued to pastor him until his death. Matt is a pastoral non-pastor. Sadly, we find non-pastoral pastors. I will argue that ordinary Christians can be pastors to animals. Certainly, there are no paid positions in this field, but life is bigger than a salary.

A stanza from old poem by Frances Alexander sets the tone:

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Along with all creation, animals are owned by God. Some creatures display aspects of the Creator’s character. Sheep, for example, are meek (Isaiah 53:7), and Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God (John 1:29). God invokes his design of the animal kingdom in answering Job from the whirlwind (Job 38-42). The righteous care for their animals (Proverbs 12:10). Rebekah’s concern for camels was a sign from the Lord that she was to be Isaac’s wife (Genesis 24:12-14).

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, tells us to consider God’s care for creatures:

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they (Matthew 6:26).

God has made a covenant with all of creature, not merely humans. As he told Moses:

Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark (Genesis 9:9-10).

Through the prophet Hosea, God further promises a future covenant for the animal creation.

In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety (Hosea 2:18).

Three Principles

First, animals deserve prayer and are part of the creation longing for redemption.

For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time (Romans 8:19-22).

Second, an animal pastor works to strengthen the animal-human bond and to honor the death of beloved animals.

Prayer for One Grieving Over the Loss of a Pet

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?—Ecclesiastes 3:17-22, King James Version.

Oh Creator of all living things, and Giver of every good and perfect gift, we thank you for the gift of living creatures. You have made each thing according to its kind, each finds its place in your creation. You have given us dominion over the earth and put living things into our care, including our pets. We thank you for these animal friends, and while we know they cannot provide the fellowship given by members of our own kind, we thank you for the love and joy that comes from these fellow creatures.

We ask you now to comfort the master of a beloved pet who has gone the way of all flesh. All the living will likewise die, and the death of one of your image-bearers is far more consequential than that of a dog or cat. Yet the master grieves the loss of an animal companion, one put in his or her care. Fond memories of pet can last a lifetime. We ask that the manifold sorrows of this veil of tears not overwhelm the master, that life without their beloved pet would find healing and that the memories of this unique creature would bring happiness and consolation even in light of the bitterness of loss.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd of the Sheep.

Amen.

Third, an animal pastor blesses animals.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21).

The Roman Catholics developed a liturgy for “the blessing of the animals.” Although I am a loyal Protestant, the Catholics have us beat on this. Catholics observe the blessing of pets and animals on October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, or on a Sunday nearest that date. I take the following from an on-line article, “Blessing of Animals” by Kevin E. Mackin, O.F.M. At Franciscan churches, a friar with brown robe and white cord often welcomes each animal with a special prayer. The Blessing of Pets usually goes like this:

Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspiredSt. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.

Even if Protestant churches do not adopt this practice (maybe a few have), the sentiments are applicable to any Christian’s relationships to pets and other animals.

My theology of animals and how to pastor them is undeveloped, but it is growing the more I observe and reflect on the animal kingdom all around us. Consider applying these three principles to your life with the creatures outside your species but under God’s care.

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A Royal Ruin: Pascal's Argument from Humanity to Christianity Apr 15, 2024

The Bible is God's anthropology rather than man's theology.
— Abraham Joshua Heschel

We humans often puzzle over our own humanity, scanning our heights and our depths, wondering about and worrying over the meaning of our good and our evil. No other animal reflects on its species like this. Here, and in so many other ways, we stand unique among living creatures. Why does such evil strike so hard and so erratically? And what explains our greatness in thought and action? Blaise Pascal writes:

“What sort of freak then is man! How novel, how monstrous, how chaotic, how paradoxical, how prodigious! Judge of all things, feeble earthworm, repository of truth, sink of doubt and error, the glory and refuse of the universe!”

Blaise Pascal answered this be appealing to our greatness as made in God’s image and our wretchedness because of the fall and our sinfulness.

“Man's greatness and wretchedness are so evident that the true religion must necessarily teach us that there is in man some great principle of greatness and some great principle of wretchedness."

In the context of surveying human greatness and misery in many dimensions of life, Pascal says: "It is the wretchedness of a great lord, the wretchedness of a dispossessed king." He further writes:

“Know then, proud man, what a paradox you are to yourself. Be humble, impotent reason! Be silent, feeble nature! Learn that man infinitely transcends man, hear from your master your true condition, which is unknown to you. Listen to God.”

The biblical account of our creation and fall best fits the facts of human reality. However, we must "listen to God" — that is, attend to what God has spoken in the Bible — to discover this liberating truth.

Pascal further counsels us that the biblical account reveals that there is a Redeemer for royal ruins — Himself, a King, who became a man in order to rescue those who are "east of Eden" and standing at the brink of eternity. Pascal says that in Him we find hope for our deposed condition: "Jesus is a God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair." Though we are royal ruins, we can find total forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life through the one who truly understands our condition. (See John 3:16-18; 10:10; and Romans 5:1-8.)

For more on Pascal’s thought, see Douglas Groothuis, Beyond the Wager: The Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal (InterVarsity—Academic, 2024).

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The Existential Intimacies of Jazz Apr 08, 2024

Jazz, at its best, inducts its own into aesthetic alliances, some long-lasting, others fleeting, but all meaningful. Musician and listener can find fellowship musically. Meaning is experienced when we find something of value, something worthwhile. When two or more agree on meaning—especially in music—the fellow-feeling may run deep and true. The late Pat Martino, jazz guitarist extraordinaire, along with a good friend helped this happen to me in the summer of 2012 in Chicago at The Jazz Showcase. This event is sweetly and securely lodged in my memory and often brings tears to my eyes. Perhaps my short story of his encounter will ring true and trigger a certain grace of understanding and experience.

Jazz is, at its best, relational. It moves from person to person, from instrument to ear, and not from product to consumer. Jazz, as one of life’s many gifts, can open doors to a treasury of free and freeing fellowship where art and heart meet and kiss. And I thank my God for it.

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How Jazz Can Shape Our Apologetics Apr 01, 2024

Jazz is a national treasure, but is no longer a common pastime. First, rock and then hip-hop eclipsed its popularity long ago. Historian Gerald Early claims that three things uniquely define America: the Constitution, baseball, and jazz. Yet the sale of jazz records accounts for only a small fraction of the music market. The last time I checked, it was 4%.

Many of my students at Denver Seminary and at other institutions where I teach know very little about it, and are a bit puzzled if not flummoxed by my references to it. Others claim they “do not understand jazz,” perhaps with a twinge of guilt that they should. Last summer, a very intelligent and godly campus minister and long-time friend attended a jazz concert with me. Afterward, he said, “The music has a center, but I cannot find it.” I humbly or not-so-humbly told him that I had found it and that I loved it. I love it for many reasons. One outstanding reason is that it can help inform and reform our apologetics engagements through its distinctive genius. All that is needed is a bit of transposition from the sensibilities of jazz to the skills of apologetics. . . .

Jazz Skills for Apologetics

Know the standard arguments in apologetics. See Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 2nd (InterVarsity, 2022) and Douglas Groothuis and Andrew Shepardson, The Knowledge of God in the World and in the Word (Zondervan, 2022). (1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3)
Spend time in the woodshed. Study and practice. (2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 5:11-14)
Improvise according to your knowledge. (John 15:5)
Learn to syncopate, or be creative in apologetics. (Luke 19:1-10; see also Acts 17:16-34)

Recommended books

William Edgar, A Supreme Love.
Robert Gelinas, Finding the Groove.
Ted Gioia, The Imperfect Art.
Ted Gioia,

Douglas Groothuis articles about jazz at AllAboutJazz.com.

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Easter Life and the Facts of History Mar 25, 2024

Easter commemorates and celebrates a historical event unlike any other: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. But what is the significance of the resurrection? And how can we know it really happened?

The four Gospels report that Jesus predicted his death, burial, and resurrection. He was born to die. All of his wondrous teachings, healings, exorcisms, and transforming relationships with all manner of people—from fishermen to tax collectors to prostitutes to revolutionaries—would be incomplete without his crucifixion and resurrection. Shortly before his death, “Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priest and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Matthew 16:21). Peter resisted this grim fact, but Jesus rebuked him. There was no other way (vs. 22-23). For, as Jesus had taught, he “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).

Easter is the core of the Christian faith and life. Without the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no gospel message, no future hope, and no new life in Christ. With the resurrection, Christianity stands unique in all the world: no other spiritual movement is based on the resurrection of its divine founder. When Jesus announced, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 10:25), he meant it and he demonstrated it. Let us, then, leave our dead ways and follow him today and into eternity.

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The Four Virtues of Jazz and What They Teach Us about Working Well With Others Mar 18, 2024

Any jazz aficionado knows the musical virtues of jazz, whether they are a musician, a jazz writer, or simply a committed jazz listener. In classical Western thought (that is, in the musings of cats like Aristotle and Plato) a virtue is a kind of excellence in performance that flows from a settled habit. One who plays the flute as it ought to be played—the proper tone, pitch, and timing—displays a virtue or sharp skill in that musical instrument. One may be virtuous with respect to any endeavor worth doing, since anything worth doing is worth doing well. One who masters a worthwhile skill is a virtuoso.

The four virtues of jazz that translate to other areas of life:

Tradition
Collaboration
Improvisation
Transcendence

For more, see Douglas Groothuis’s articles on jazz at www.AllAboutJazz.com and Ted Gioia, The Imperfect Art.

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3 Lessons My Love of Jazz Has Taught Me about Being a Philosophy Professor Mar 11, 2024

I am a jazz aficionado as well as a philosophy professor. Being in front of a classroom teaching is my favorite place on earth, second to a good jazz club with hip friends. In the midst of a philosophy class, I may wax enthusiastic about the transcendent qualities of a John Coltrane saxophone solo or the preternatural swing of Buddy Rich’s timekeeping or the song-writing and band-leading genius of Duke Ellington.

These comments are not merely idiosyncratic. They reflect something of a philosophical theory of pedagogy that is steeped in jazz sensibilities. After over thirty years of teaching philosophy in various settings, I have come to realize that my pedagogy has developed in ways that reflect the sensibilities and philosophy of jazz. This has much to do with my long-time love of jazz: the music, the history, the culture, and the players. The classroom should swing; students and their professor should spend time in the woodshed; the class will jam on philosophical themes deeply rooted in tradition, but be open to new chops. Some of my students learn these terms, incorporate them into their vocabulary, and start using them in relation to whatever subject we are addressing—and not just about jazz.

Three elements of jazz to appropriate for the classroom.

Jazz works from and creatively appropriates a revered and rich tradition, the origins of which are not entirely clear and are a matter of scholarly dispute.
Jazz is, at its best, highly creative in composition and in performance. Although jazz virtuosi are steeped in tradition, they must find their own voice in order to perpetuate that tradition in new forms—that is, to refract jazz through the prisms of their own unique personalities. Finding that voice requires moving from imitation to creation.
Third, jazz is, according to the master jazz writer Whitney Balliett, “the sound of surprise.” A well-played piece of jazz music—even the most well-known standard—summons new ideas from jazz performers. The well-known need not be the well-worn, since the musical form—tied to the discipline of the musicians—can always yield something fresh and inspiring—or disastrous.

Swinging in the Classroom

There are many more chops to develop and traditions to fathom and appropriate in order to draw out the connections between the artistry of jazz and the artistry of the philosopher’s professorial pedagogy. But if we attend to the jazz sensibilities of mastering and extending a tradition through a strong work ethic; if we labor to find our own philosophical and pedagogical voices; and if we savor “the sound of surprise,” we will be well on our way to swinging in the classroom—and beyond.

Resources
1. Douglas Groothuis, “The Virtues of Jazz,” All About Jazz: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-virtues-of-jazz-john-coltrane-by-douglas-groothuis.php#.VGL4XPl4p4c
2. Douglas Groothuis, “How Teachers Can Swing in the Classroom” All About Jazz, http://www.allaboutjazz.com/jazz-pedagogy-by-douglas-groothuis.php#.VGL5Zfl4p4c
3. Douglas Groothuis, “John Coltrane and the Meaning of Life,” All About Jazz: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/john-coltrane-and-the-meaning-of-life-john-coltrane-by-douglas-groothuis.php.
4. Douglas Groothuis, “Whiplash and Philosophy.” Film review at And Philosophy: https://andphilosophy.com/2015/06/18/whiplash-and-philosophy.
5. Douglas Groothuis, “Jazz, Suffering, and Meaning.” All About Jazz: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/jazz-suffering-and-meaning-cyrus-chestnut-by-douglas-groothuis.php.
6. Douglas Groothuis, “Jazz and Philosophy” at All About Jazz: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/jazz-and-philosohy-john-coltrane-by-douglas-groothuis.php.
7. Douglas Groothuis, “Jazz and Moral Theory: Swinging the Right Way: All About Jazz: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/jazz-and-moral-theory-swinging-the-right-way-by-douglas-groothuis.php

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What Does "Test the Spirits" Mean in the Bible and How Do We Do It? Mar 04, 2024

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

I. My Life of Testing the Spirits

II. 1 John: Truth for Life: Review

III. Our Society of Testing

A. We need reliable test to find truth.

The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him (Proverbs 11:1).

B. Test other religions, cults, and new religions, progressive Christianity by Scripture

C. We must measure spiritual maturity by testing the spirits. Biblical standard for right judgment.

a. False apostles

13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

b. False teachers (Matthew 7:15-16)

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.

c. False angels preaching false gospel (Galatians 1)

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!

d. False doctrines (of demons)

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons (1 Timothy 4:1).

IV. We Must Test the Spirits

A. Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (4:1).

B. Don’t be naïve or gullible—don’t be a sucker

C. You must test, evaluate, assess, because of counterfeits; counterfeit money; hacking, scammers

D. Many false prophets out in the world; not rare, but common
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come (1 John 2:18).

V. The Standard for the Truth Test (v. 2-3)

A. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world (4:2-3).

B. Test by the standard of Jesus Christ, who he is, what he taught

1. Either/or resulting in a pass/fail; no middle ground; no gray zone; no mist, haze, fog or bog. Not grading on a curve.
It is a categorical test; a universal test; and a necessary test.

2. Test counterfeit money by knowing the real thing, the genuine—the genuine and authentic Jesus in the Bible

3. Consider five statements in 1 John about Jesus

1. He came as a flesh and blood man who was seen and touched (1 John 1:1-3)

2. “Advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).

3. He appeared to destroy the devil’s work (1 John 3:8)

4. Jesus’ work of love: “Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16).

5. “He is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).

C. This test is sufficient to identify spirit of error; there are other errors wrought by the spirit of error. Get this one wrong, everything else is wrong. Christological test.

D. Two test cases

1. Islam: denies Jesus is God incarnate; denies that he died to atone for our sins.

2. New Age: denies Jesus is the one incarnation, says he was one of many gurus, masters, swamis, yogis, mystics. I wrote two books that addressed this, Revealing the New Age Jesus and Jesus in an Age of Controversy.

E. Three tips on testing from a veteran

1. Non-Christian groups may use our vocabulary, but not our dictionary. Know your Bible; ready, study, memorize.

2. Texts out of context are a pretext for error. Satan tempting Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4; Luke 4). Know your Bible.

3. If a religious group says it accepts the Bible as a true revelation, but accepts other books as revelations, it will contradict the Bible at key places about Christ and salvation.

VI. Overcoming Error by the Spirit of Truth

A. Overcoming (v. 4)

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (4:4)

1. Overcome in what way? Vicarious victory through Christ, crucified and resurrected. They have no authority over you. You are free from their lies.

2. Overcome who? Those “in the world,” fallen cultural, political, religious system. People: false prophets, false apostle, false teachers, demons, angels of light, the Devil, and the spirit of antichrist

3. Overcome how? Through faith in Christ, who is in you

a. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:4-5).

b. “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (I John 5:4)

VII. Speaking Truth and Listening for Truth (vs. 5-6)

5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

A. Test by power within you and the knowledge within you: Confidence. Greater is the Spirit of God in you, Christ in you, than the spirits of error (4:4).

B. Ultimate either/or; dichotomy of discourse: Truth of Christ; lies of the spirit of error and its mouthpieces, megaphones, and media

C. Spirit of truth and error; not just truth or error philosophically

1. Spirits from the world: “doctrines of demons”

“The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1)

2. Spirit of God and the word of God: “Living and active” word of God (Hebrews 4:12)

D. Origin of error “viewpoint of the world” (2:15-17); false assumptions lead to false conclusions; but Christians have the Spirit of truth within us, the risen Christ!

E. The test about the spiritual truthfulness of others is not a subjective feeling or whether they seem nice or sincere; it is a doctrinal test.

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13)

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3 Ways to Show Pastoral Care for God's Creatures Great and Small Feb 26, 2024

Those of you who've read my book, Walking Through Twilight, know that my dog Sonny is mentioned numerous times. He was a gift from God for my first wife Becky and myself, as we suffered together through her dementia and through her death in 2018.

An old stanza from an old poem by Francis Alexander sets the tone for today's episode of Truth Tribe:

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.

Animals and humans were created by God to live together in harmony. Of course, the fall and the flood changed all that. But all the living kinds that God created remain good, as Genesis 1 teaches. Paul the Apostle, of course, agrees. "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer." 1 Timothy 4: 4-5

The Bible teaches us that humans alone bear the image of God, Genesis 1:26 and that this image remains after the fall. We see that in Genesis 9. Since man, since human beings are made in the image and likeness of God, that image cannot be denied. It cannot be eradicated. This heartbreak between humans and the rest of God's creation does not imply that men and women can treat animals any way they wish. Animals are not mere fodder for human whims.

Today, without developing a whole theology of the animal world, I offer a few principles for how Christians can show pastoral concern to animals, whether or not they interact with them regularly and directly.

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Freud’s Last Session: His Debate with C.S. Lewis & What Each Believed about Religion and Evil Feb 19, 2024

Few people have shaped the twentieth century’s understanding of Christianity more than its opponent, Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), and its advocate C. S. Lewis (1898-1964). Lewis, an adult convert from atheism, made his career as an Oxford don, but became well-known as a Christian apologist. Freud developed a revolutionary psychological theory (psychoanalysis), which established his career, started a movement, and ensured his titanic influence on Western thought. But he employed that theory against religion in general and Christianity in particular, dismissing them as neurotic. In 2003, Armand Nicholi published The Question of God. C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life. Alas, the film does not reach its level of fairness or rigor.

Freud’s case against Lewis hinges on two claims: (1) that religion is an illusion) and (2) the problem of evil. Religion is merely wish-fulfillment that represents one’s inability to face the evils of life without some supernatural consolation.

First, the idea that Christianity is an “illusion” because it merely projects an idealistic idea of a father onto a godless universe has been refuted repeatedly. Simply because we desire X strongly is no evidence that X does not exist. Rather, it might be evidence that X does exist. In the film, Lewis is not given adequate room to develop the idea.

C. S. Lewis developed his argument from yearning in his famous essay “The Weight of Glory.” We all experience a deep sense of yearning or longing for something that the present natural world cannot fulfill—something transcendently glorious. In his autobiography he recounts several experiences of this throughout his life, in which he sensed something wonderful beyond his grasp. These were fleeting but invaluable moments, which he called the experience of “joy.” They were not encounters with God and did not directly result in his conversion. Instead, they were indicators that the everyday world was not a self-enclosed system; a light from beyond would sometimes peek through the “shadow lands.” This thirst, which is intensified by small tastes of transcendence, indicates the possibility of fulfillment.[i]

Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger; well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim; well, there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire; well, there is such a thing as sex. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my early pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly desires were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.[ii]

Second, Freud’s attack on Christianity through the problem of evil has been met in various ways by Christian philosophers and apologists over the ages. Lewis’s approach in the film was muted, but a careful reading of The Problem of Pain does much to address the matter rationally, although I part ways with Lewis understanding of “free will,” given that I am a compatibilist on human agency—something he did not even consider as a possibility.[iii] Nevertheless, a basic argument for Christianity in light of the problem of evil should look something like this. One can construct such an argument by using material only from Lewis, but his can be supplemented by many other sources.[iv]

There is good evidence for the existence of a personal, moral, and infinite God from natural theology—a God who is (a) all-good and (b) all-powerful.
God’s goodness, specifically, is known through the moral argument for God (a version of which Lewis gave in Mere Christianity) and through God’s saving actions in Jesus Christ (the historical dimension).
There is objective evil in the world.
Therefore (given 1 and 2), for any evil God allows, there is a sufficient reason for that evil to occur—whether we know what that reason is or not.[v]

Freud’s projection objection to theism fails, not only in its intrinsic logic, but because of the objective case for God’s existence based on evidence outside of human desires.

[i] This paragraph is taken from Groothuis, Douglas. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith (pp. 367-368). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

[ii] C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (1944; reprint, New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996), 121. I develop this idea, with help from St. Augustine and Blaise Pascal, in Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 366-368.

[iii] See Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, “The Problem of Evil.”

[iv] See Groothuis, Christian Apologetics.

[v] Thus, an inexplicable evil is not a gratuitous or meaningless evil.

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A Critique of Educational Technologies in the Classroom Feb 12, 2024

Too many educational innovations are, ironically, taking teachers out of their own classrooms. The age-old dynamic of a teacher instructing students in a dedicated setting (or often peripatetically, as did Jesus and Socrates) is subtly giving way to diverse “delivery systems,” such as entirely on-line courses, hybrid courses, and the glamorous and world of the MOOC (massive open-source online classes). The justifications for such innovations are many, but criticisms are needed as well.

Educational technologies need to be critiqued and used wisely, given their ubiquity and much-vaunted status. But before that, we need to think about the goal of teaching and the nature of knowledge. Students need knowledge and knowledge needs students, according to Roger Scruton. The purpose of teaching is to inculcate knowledge that needs to be known. The inherited wisdom the ages should not be lost through neglect or poor pedagogy—or by students who not inclined or not inspired to learn it. The classic idea of the university is to shape students to have a unified perspective on life, to make them well-rounded and independent thinkers.

Recommended Reading

Douglas Groothuis, The Soul in Cyberspace

Neil Postman, The End of Education

Quentin Schultz, Habits of the High Tech Heart

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Lessons from Churches in My Christian Life Feb 05, 2024

I found my church home in Evangelical Anglicanism in early 2007. My denomination is The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). It is not part of the Episcopalian denomination. But as I reflect on my church life, I am grateful to several churches for their faithfulness to God. My list is not inclusive of all the churches I have attended. Having been a Christ-follower for over forty-seven years, I will recount a few ways in which God has led and sanctified me for worship and service through his church. Perhaps my reflections will edify you and stimulate you to enter deeply into the life of the church that Christ bought with his own blood (Acts 20:28).

Please also consider reading my chapter called, “In Defense of the Church,” which is in Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity-Academic, 2022). See also Francis Schaeffer’s two books, The Church Before the Watching World and The Church at the End of the Twentieth Century.

Key Scriptures

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18).

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood (Acts 20:28).

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How the Holy Spirit Grounds the Knowledge of God Through Liturgy Jan 29, 2024

God’s creatures ought to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23) through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so that the nations may be glad and sing for joy. This is because God rules the peoples with equity and guides the nations of the earth (Psalm 67:4). God wants to be known, and, thus, to be properly worshipped as our Creator and Redeemer. Worship is the paramount issue for human existence and no small matter to the one to whom worship is due. God’s absolute and incorruptible worth demands our total allegiance. God beckons us to offer our all to him as our Lord. As the Westminster Larger Catechism states: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” This cannot happen without a deep intellectual, emotional, and imaginative knowledge of the one true God. My thesis is that the knowledge of God can and should be grounded through the historic liturgy of the church in worship. This is but one way to grow in the knowledge of God, but an often-neglected way among Evangelicals. Put more formally, this is a paper that addresses one doxastic practice whereby Christians may deepen their knowledge of God intellectually and affectively.

Liturgy defined:
Liturgy is the historic Christian practice of richly orchestrated and theologically scripted religious services that employ particular symbolism—such as bread and wine, vestments, and crosses—to focus the worshippers’ attention on sacred meanings derived from the Holy Scriptures and developed by the historic orthodox church. In so doing, liturgical actions both honor God and edify those worshipping.

The Formal Argument
1. Christians need to grow in the knowledge of God and to make him known and obeyed universally. This is a theological premise. Paul wrote that his readers so that “they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 1:2-3).

2. Knowing is multi-dimensional, involving heart, mind, and body. This is an epistemological premise backed by Jesus’ command to love God with all of our being (Matthew 22:37-39), since loving God requires that we know God truly, if not perfectly or exhaustively (1 Corinthians 13:12).

3. Liturgy provides a unique means to know with heart, mind, and body. This is a theological and epistemic premise.

4. Therefore: Churches should provide liturgy as a means for better knowing and serving God. This is a theological conclusion.
Few Evangelicals will question premises (1) and (2). The rub comes with premise (3) which is necessary for the conclusion to be sound.

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Liturgy for the Low Church: Introducing Liturgical Elements in Non-Liturgical Churches Jan 22, 2024

I came to love liturgy late, but I am not going to leave it. This is because God has worked these patterns of ritual meaning deep into my system. Liturgy is simply too good not to share with the wider church. Let me explain.

Culture structures life through patterns and repetitions. We typically stand when the national anthem is played. I shake hands with a bookstore salesman who I know. Mark and I both know what it means—some level of friendship and appreciation. When I teach, the students sit and I stand or sit. My students do not stand to greet me or stand during the class sessions. These are all taken-for-granted rituals of everyday life. Together they form a liturgy, however pedestrian or unconscious. In order to not be out of place, we respect the rules of the places we occupy. When rules are broken, liturgies are upended, people blush, and the police may even be summoned.

All church services are liturgical, given the set patterns that govern our assemblies—written and unwritten. I attended a charismatic church where the words liturgy or ritual were never spoken without the adjective dead. Yet this church’s meetings had its structure, its unspoken expectations—its liturgy. It would have been taboo, or at least odd, to see someone cross himself. There was no cross before which to do a reverence (a slight bow).

God must be revered. All Christians agree. The Apostle exhorts us: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3:15). While I am committed to the historic liturgy of the church (I worship as an Anglican) and am developing a liturgical theology, my background, before the last ten years, only includes a sprinkle or two of liturgy. Christ followers from different traditions will worship differently, and I will not here make a case for all the elements of historic liturgy. I won’t even insist on a particular order (except where it is obvious). Rather, we should consider a few liturgical elements that may bring a deeper reverence for our God in our corporate worship.

In this episode of Truth Tribe, Dr. Groothuis shares an article he wrote in 2017 titled "Liturgy for the Low Church." He recounts an experience where he had to lead the entire liturgy by himself in a non-liturgical church. He describes the lack of sacredness and inappropriate elements that he witnessed during the worship service. Doug shares how he tried to bring a sense of gravity and sacredness through a moment of silence and prayer. He reflects on the challenge of establishing a sacred atmosphere in a liturgical wasteland.

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Advice to a Christian Apologist: How to Be Wise as Serpents and Innocent as Doves Jan 15, 2024

Jesus exhorted us to love God with all our minds (Matthew 22:37-39). The project of explaining, commending, and defending the Christian worldview is not limited to experts. Rather, it is the call of every Christian as a Christian (1 Peter 3:15-16). Arguing that Christianity is objectively true, compellingly rational, and existentially engaging over the whole of life is essential to Christian witness. Our salt and light must not be hidden under a basket (Matthew 5:13-16). Every Christian is a witness to God’s saving truth. But, what kind of witness? Do we demonstrate the reality of the Gospel in word and deed? Is our life an apologetic for the Faith? Some excel at apologetics and others do not, but all are called to be the best apologists they can be through the empowering of the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17; 15:13; 16:23; 1 John 4:6, 5:6; Acts 1:8).

Further reading

Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, 2nd InterVarsity Press, 2022.
Douglas Groothuis and Andrew Shepardson, The Knowledge of God in the World and in World: An Introduction to Classical Apologetics. Zondervan, 2022.
Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism. InterVarsity, 2000.
James Sire, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog. InterVarsity, 2020.

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Why Spiritual Opposition Happens (And 6 Key Principles for Ministry Effectiveness) Jan 08, 2024

Discouragement, the Demonic, and Victory in Christian Ministry (Acts 13:1-12)

Over many years of teaching and writing, I have noted a pattern with many of my students and one that I have experienced in my own life of ministry: The possibilities for great achievements often bring discouragement and even spiritual opposition. The Christian must press on and press through in order to mature spiritually and to increase his or her ministry effectiveness.

Six Principles for Ministry from Acts 13:1-12:

1. We need the wisdom of the church to discern God’s call to mission and to receive God’s power for ministry.

2. We need a God-ward orientation to discern God’s call to mission and to receive God’s power for ministry and need to be led by the Holy Spirit for ministry.

3. We need to proclaim God’s word to find power over error. Through the Holy Spirit.

4. Behind-the-scenes helpers are vital for ministry.

5. The power of error opposes the truth of the gospel. Expect it and plan for conflict and struggle in ministry.

6. A Spirit-filled and biblically-informed Christian challenges error courageously and effectively.

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9 Common Mistakes Made By Critics of Intelligent Design Jan 01, 2024

In my many years of studying and defending Intelligent Design (ID), I have noticed at least nine common mistakes made by critics. These errors disallow a proper evaluation of ID theories as scientific explanations. Much of the ink spilled in opposition to ID can be erased by noting these fallacies. Most if not all of these mistakes are mentioned in Stephen Meyer’s stellar defense of ID, called Return of the God Hypothesis (Harper One, 2021).

1. Critics of ID claim that genuine science is intrinsically naturalistic, and thus ignore the history of science in the West, which was decisively influenced by a Christian worldview. That is, they assume methodological naturalism, which automatically freezes out the design inference.

2. They dismiss ID arguments because they are offered by religious people. This is the ad hominem fallacy and begs the question, another fallacy.

3. They place ID explanation in the category of bogus supernaturalism, such as fairies, gnomes, goblins, etc. This is the fallacy of guilt by association. Fairies, gnomes, and goblins explain nothing and there is no evidence of their objective existence.

4. If a naturalistic explanation is not available (such as for the origin of life on earth or the Cambrian explosion), instead of considering a design explanation, they claim that it is only a matter of time until a naturalistic explanation is found. Give us time, they ask, while not considering the ID explanation before them. This commits the fallacy of begging the question. To those who remember checking, this is the “post-dated check fallacy.” I will have the funds in the future. Trust me. But future funds can purchase nothing, let alone a sufficient explanation.

5. They misstate ID theories and then attack a straw man (fallacy).

Lawrence Kraus and Richard Dawkins accuse Stephen Meyer of wrongly stating that natural selection is “random” in the sense of being haphazard. But Meyer meant “random” in the sense of undesigned. There is a mechanical logic to natural selection that is not random; but on naturalistic grounds, the elements that went into natural selection occurring at all (such as the irreducibly informational aspects, which naturalists cannot explain) are undesigned and random in that way.

6. They claim that if ID explanations are allowed, this will introduce a “divine foot in the door” (Richard Lewontin) which will wreck science (somehow). This is the straw man fallacy, since Stephen Meyer and William Dembski have articulated ID as a bona fide scientific theory.

7. They make the accusation that ID appeals to “the god of the gaps.” They substitute the “matter of the gaps” assumption (begging the question on naturalism) and deny that ID gives a bona fide explanation based on hard evidence and reliable means of argumentation (usually inference to the best explanation or Bayesian probability considerations). This is the straw man fallacy.

8. They offer alternatives to ID that end up assuming unexplained information, such as the RNA world and inflationary-string multiverse theory. If so, they have not eliminated the original explanation by naturalistic devices.

9. They present naturalistic explanations that are full of extraneous explanatory entities, such as the multiverse theory. This violates the principle of simplicity in explanation. As I state in Christian Apologetics:

Criterion 8. Worldviews should not appeal to extraneous entities or be more complex than is required to explain what they propose to establish.[i]

These nine mistakes are commonly advanced by critics of ID, but there may be other general errors in evaluation. Any fair evaluation of ID should shun these nine mistakes and assess the various ID theories on their own merits.

Groothuis, Douglas. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith (pp. 50-51). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

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What Christmas Means to Me Dec 25, 2023

The beloved Christian writer and defender of Christianity, C. S. Lewis, wrote an essay called, “What Christmas Means to Me” in 1957, my birth year. I am stealing his title, but cannot claim his literary standing; nor is my essay much like his, Nevertheless, the musings of another old Christian philosopher about a Christian holiday we cannot avoid might prove worthwhile. They can even help civilize our public discourse, since religious positions can be rationally defended and discussed.

It is part of human nature to observe festivals and holidays. In that, we are unique among the living. We were born to work, rest, and celebrate. Some of these events are foisted upon us and some we choose for ourselves. Observant Jews celebrate the Sabbath, while others do not and are not expected to. Christians attend services on Sundays, but that is their choice. But Christmas is a national holiday, and we are all caught up in it in some way, for good or ill. Of course, Christ-mas traces back to Christ, although that may not always be obvious given the symbology and commercialism we face daily for weeks…

As an academic, I have been given time to study, teach, and write on my religious beliefs, but many do not have or take the time. Nevertheless, when we consider the highly contentious nature of public disagreements about religion and morality (which seldom rise to the level of debates or dialogues), we should consider the rational support for any given position, religious or otherwise, and realize that some Christians have reasons for their deepest beliefs which can be publicly and profitably discussed. Christmas can be a prod to think all this over. After a lifetime of research, I, for one, continue to worship Jesus, as did the wise men of the first Christmas so long ago.

Find more from Dr. Groothuis at www.DouglasGroothuis.com.

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Can We Find the Community We Crave in Virtual Communities? Dec 18, 2023

This podcast is excerpts from the chapter, “Exploring Virtual Community”, chapter eight, from Douglas Groothuis, The Soul in Cyberspace (Baker, 1997). I have added some commentary along the way.

1. The need for civility
2. Computers, love. and community
3. “On the Internet, nobody knows you are a dog.”
4. Cyberspace, Sensibilities, and Community

On the philosophy of the Internet, see also Quentin Schulz, Habits of the High Tech Heart. On the philosophy of technology in general, see Neil Postman, Technopoly.

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What You Need to Know about Marxism Dec 11, 2023

It is not name-calling to say that the roots of CRT are found in Marxism. But the issue goes deeper. To some, the label “Marxism” or “Marxist” means little or nothing, since they are ignorant of the philosophy’s origins, teachings, and outcomes. This is true for many who did not live as adults through any part of the Cold War between the US and the USSR (1947–1991). This is the generation that knew not Joseph (Stalin).2 It is largely ignorant about Communism, the ideology that has controlled China and North Korea since 1949, Cuba since 1961, Laos since 1975, and Vietnam since 1976.3 This means 1.5 billion people are currently enslaved by Marxism. [Groothuis, Douglas R.. Fire in the Streets: How You Can Confidently Respond to Incendiary Cultural Topics (p. 3). Salem Books. Kindle Edition.]

Marx’s debauched life and love of rebellion, inspired by demonic themes. See Paul Kengor, The Devil and Karl Marx (Tan Books, 2020).

Basic Marxist Ideas

Marx’s atheism, which undermines all value and his own philosophy. Marx rejected all religion as oppressive. On his rejection of religion, see Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 2nd (InterVarsity-Academic, 2022), pages 378-382.
History as class-struggle.
The call for revolution, not reform, of society.
The vision of a future utopia fueled Marx’s false philosophy.

For more on Marxism, see Thomas Sowell, Marxism: Philosophy and Economics (William Morrow, 1985) and Fred Schwarz, You Can Trust the Communists to be Communists (Prentice-Hall, 1960).

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The Case Against Reparations Dec 04, 2023

This podcast is taken from Douglas Groothuis, Fire in the Streets (Salem, 2022).

Even if we grant that the free-enterprise system has done a disservice to black people [which I do not], it does not follow that socialism would be any better for them—or for anyone else. Remember that a realistic view of politics is that of the constrained vision [of Thomas Sowell], which aligns with the Judeo-Christian account of our humanity, culture, and the state. Finding injustices in one system does not imply that these injustices will be eliminated or lessened by another system. Other injustices may replace and exceed the previous injustices. This is true for socialism. [Groothuis, Douglas R. Fire in the Streets: How You Can Confidently Respond to Incendiary Cultural Topics (p. 121). Salem Books. Kindle Edition.]

Those benefiting from slavery or oppressed by it are long dead and so cannot be involved in any reparations.
Reparations as demanded today are not supported by the Bible.
It is difficult and often impossible to identify blacks today as descendants of slaves. Many in the US are not.
Massive wealth transfers are not likely to be helpful for blacks overall or for society as a whole, as was seen in The War on Poverty in the 1960s and 1970s. On this see, Charles Murray, Losing Ground.
Who, among blacks, would receive reparations? What of wealthy blacks, such as Oprah Winfrey and others? If so, this makes no sense.

Conclusion

If the free market were torched for the sake of ending or lessening racism and replaced by socialism, racism would not go away or even decrease. Rather, Americans of all colors would lose treasured freedoms and opportunities. Forcing “equity” economically through the state would spark strife and discontent. Whatever legacy remains of slavery, Jim Crow, or redlining is best treated by the possibilities and opportunities afforded through free enterprise, rather than by insisting on compensatory will-o’-the-wisps notions, such as affirmative action, minimum wage laws, tax increases on “the rich,” reparations, and other political dead ends. If any social system should be committed to the flames on the basis of evidence, principle, and history, it is socialism in all of its forms.

Groothuis, Douglas R. Fire in the Streets: How You Can Confidently Respond to Incendiary Cultural Topics (p. 127). Salem Books. Kindle Edition.

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10 Tips for Living a Thoughtful Life as a Christian Nov 27, 2023

Spiritual formation, becoming more like Jesus Christ in thought and deed, requires a renewed mind (Romans 12:2) that avoids worldliness (1 John 2:15-17) and pursues godliness (Matthew 5:1-18). Our sanctification through the Holy Spirit requires an ongoing dependency on God wherein we grow in the knowledge of God, how his Kingdom operates (Matthew 6:33), ourselves (James 1:25), and our place in the church (1 Corinthians 12-14) and broader culture (1 Chronicles 12:32).

To this end, here are some principles and recommendations in how to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Remain faithful in the reading and studying of the Bible (Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:14-17). Consider using one or more study Bibles.
Discern your calling as a Christian if you have not done so. See Os Guinness, The Call and John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life.
Be involved in a Bible-believing church.
Develop your skills as a writer and speaker. See Elements of Style by Stunk and White and Stand like Lincoln, Speak like Churchill by James Humes.
Read thoughtful Christian classics by writers such as Augustine and Pascal, as well as modern writers such as C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, John Stott, J. I. Packer, Francis Schaeffer, James Sire, and Os Guinness.
Read periodicals such as Christianity Today, First Things, Modern Age, and The Christian Research Journal.
Be aware of non-Christian culture through The New York Times, The New Yorker, Harpers, Atlantic Monthly, and other magazines.
Carefully and prayerfully consider your use of electronic communications media. See Douglas Groothuis, The Soul in Cyberspace and Quentin Schultz, Habits of the High Tech Heart as well as Neil Postman, Technopoly and Amusing Ourselves to Death and William Powers, Hamlet’s Blackberry.
Listen to thoughtful radio programs and podcasts, such as Denis Prager, those on The Daily Wire as well as the Christian interviews done by Ken Myers on Mars Hill Audio.
Take periodic times for silence and reflection (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

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My Teaching Philosophy and the Need for Intellectual Integrity Nov 20, 2023

Find more from Dr. Groothuis at www.DouglasGroothuis.com.

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Soren Kierkegaard on the Self and God Nov 13, 2023

Soren Kierkegaard on the Self and God

“The greatest hazard of all, losing one’s self, can occur very quietly in the world, as if it were nothing at all” - Soren Kierkegaard.

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?—Jesus, Mark 8:36.

The Human Condition: Who Are We?

A. Philosophical problem: philosophical anthropology

i. What is our nature?

ii. What is our problem?

iii. What is good for humans?

B. Existential problem of being human under the sun

i. How do we cope with our nature?

ii. How do we address our problem?

iii. How do we embrace the good and shun the bad?

C. The Theme in Philosophy in Seven Sentences

All of our philosophical sentences invoke or provoke the self, but from different angles. Protagoras brings it all back to the self, which is the measure of all things. I measured Protagoras wrong. Socrates exhorts the self to examine itself for truth for as long as it takes. For that, he should be commended and emulated. For Aristotle, our nature as human selves is to seek knowledge. He was right. Descartes finds certainty in his indubitable awareness that he is thinking and thus an existing being who has the concept of an infinite God in his mind. We could find worse places to start our investigations. Pascal exhorts us to consider reasons of the heart, that aspect of self that knows directly and intuitively.

Groothuis, Douglas. Philosophy in Seven Sentences: A Small Introduction to a Vast Topic (p. 124). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

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World Religions in Seven Sentences Nov 06, 2023

This program is a synopsis of my most recent book, World Religion in Seven Sentences (InterVarsity Press, 2023).

Get Dr. Groothuis' book here: https://www.ivpress.com/world-religions-in-seven-sentences

"Most of us will never become scholars of the major world religions. But as society becomes more pluralistic and technology increases our awareness of and interconnection with countries all over the world, there has never been a time when it is more crucial for believers to understand the major religious worldviews. Enter Douglas Groothuis's marvelous book World Religions in Seven Sentences. Groothuis has earned the reputation of being a first-rate scholar who deals fairly and accurately with views he critiques. And World Religions in Seven Sentences may be his best example yet. This work is unique in that it accurately presents the major religious worldviews; provides fair, hard-hitting criticisms of them; and accomplishes all this in a brief, easy-to-read way. In my view, this is now the first book to read for anyone who wants to get at the heart of important religions and compare them with Christianity. I love this book!"

— J. P. Moreland, distinguished professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and author of A Simple Guide to Miracles.

The seven sentences are:

God is dead. (Atheism)
I am Who I am. (Judaism)
You are that. (Hinduism).
Life is suffering. (Buddhism).
The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao. (Daoism).
Before Abraham Was, I am. (Christianity)
There is one God, and Mohammad is his prophet. (Islam).

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In Defense of Fear and Hate Oct 30, 2023

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10)

The concepts of fear and hate need some examination, given how absurdly abused they are in common culture. Supposedly, any idea based on fear is irrational and all hate is hateful. But appropriate fear and appropriate hate are necessary parts of a good life. Let me explain.

1. Appropriate Fear in a Dangerous World

Fear what is fearful and nothing else

2. The Fear of the Lord

See Proverbs 1:7; 2:5; 5:12; 9:10; 15:33; Psalm 111:10

Jesus on fear: Luke 12:4-7

Escaping the fear of God’s judgment through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16-18)

3. The Fear of the Lord and Holy Hatred

Hate what is evil in the fear of God

Proverbs 8:13; Revelation 2:16; Luke 14:26-27; Matthew 10:16-21

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Christianity and Nationalism: What You Need to Know Oct 23, 2023

Find more from Dr. Groothuis at www.DouglasGroothuis.com.

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Critical Race Theory, Standpoint Epistemology, and the Christian Worldview Oct 16, 2023

While the explosive and devastating riots of 2020 were sparked by the death of George Floyd, there was an ideological underpinning for much of the violence and verbiage of that summer of hate, carnage, ideological blindness, and outrage. It is called Critical Race Theory (or CRT), an ideology at odds with the truth of the Christian worldview on a number of counts.

We will only address the theory of knowledge of CRT, which is called standpoint epistemology. As Francis Schaeffer wrote in He is There and He is Not Silent, “Unless our epistemology is right, everything is going to be wrong.” CRT epistemology is wrong.
For more on Critical Race Theory, see Douglas Groothuis' Fire in the Streets (Salem, 2022).

Find more from Dr. Groothuis at www.DouglasGroothuis.com.

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Lighting a Fire in Your Bones for Christian Ministry Oct 09, 2023

Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., is Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary and the author of nineteen books, including Fire in the Streets (a critique of critical race theory or wokeness) and Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith.

Find more from Dr. Groothuis at www.DouglasGroothuis.com.

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Meta-Apologetics: Godly Character and Adventure Oct 02, 2023

I. Meta-Apologetics

A. Apologetics: Defending the Christian worldview as objectively true, compellingly rational, and existentially pertinent to the whole of life (1 Peter 3:15-6; Jude 3)

B. Meta-apologetics: thoughts about how to engage in apologetics, strategies and values.

II. The Christian Apologist’s Moral Compass

A. All are called to check their moral motives and develop godly character
I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize (2 Corinthians 9:27).
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers (1 Timothy 4:16).
B. Yearn for Kingdom ministry (Matthew 6:33)

C. Put yourself second to the ministry; do not promote your brand or ego! Let others compliment you.

III. Godly Character

A. Humility, not self-promotion
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief (1 Timothy 1:5; KJV; see also 1 Corinthians 15:9).

B. Show love, not strife
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
C. Dependence on the Spirit moment-by-moment (John 15; Acts 1:8). See Francis Schaeffer, True Spirituality.

D. Intellectual preparation for apologetics

1. Know your Bible (Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:16) and biblical interpretation (2 Peter 3:16)

2. Know biblical and systematic theology to ground your worldview (Acts 17:10-11)

3. Know logic and logical fallacies; how to argue carefully and assess arguments carefully (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

4. Know your own culture: worldviews and means of communication (technologies)

Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do (1 Chronicles 12:32).

5. Be above reproach in citing your sources in speaking and writing (Exodus 20:15)

6. Behind all these six principles is the importance of being studious, a good scholar

Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true (Ecclesiastes 12:9-10; see 1:17; 8:9, 16).
I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught (Luke 1:3-4; see also John 21:24).

IV. Opportunity and Uncertainty in Apologetics

A. Break new ground!

It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation—Romans 15:20).

B. Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Cast your bread upon the waters,
For you will find it after many days.
Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,
For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.
If the clouds are full of rain,
They empty themselves upon the earth;
And if a tree falls to the south or the north,
In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.
He who observes the wind will not sow,
And he who regards the clouds will not reap.
As you do not know what is the way of the wind,[a]
Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,
So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alike will be good (NKJV).

C. Calculate effort in relation to effect and chances of success.

D. Embrace unexpected opportunities.

1. Paul at Mars Hill (Acts 16-17): unscheduled mission trip before imposing intellectuals.

2. Paul to Timothy

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine—2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV).

V. My Apologetic Surprises, Successes, and Failures

A. Surprise: Lecturing at a Baha’i meeting

B. Successful attempts

1. Writing On Pascal and On Jesus

2. Doing author events for two of my books at a local bookstore in Denver. Another one flopped (Fire in the Streets).

C. Unsuccessful attempts

1. Debate with James K. A. Smith

2. Doing a Buddhist-Christian dialogue at Naropa University (Boulder, CO)

3. Secular publisher for Philosophy in Seven Sentences

VI. Attempts, Failures, and Successes before God

A. Seek God’s Kingdom first, last, and always (Matthew 6:33)

B. Remember the audience of a holy God

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil—Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
Resources
1. Greg Koukl, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussion Your Christian Convictions, 2nd ed. (Zondervan, 2019).
2. Douglas Groothuis, “Cast Your Bread upon the Waters: Taking Risks in Christian Witness,” Christian Research Journal, 2014. https://www.equip.org/articles/cast-bread-waters-taking-risks-creative-christian-witness.
3. Os Guinness, Fool’s Talk: Recovering the Christian Art of Persuasion (InterVarsity Press, 2015). Emphasizes the rhetoric of apologetics and reaching those far from Christ through wise means. A new classic.
4. Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, 2nd ed. (InterVarsity Press, 2022).
5. Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus and On Pascal, both Wadsworth, 2003.
6. Francis Schaeffer, True Spirituality (orig. pub., 1973; Tyndale, 2003).

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A Christian Theology of Writing Sep 25, 2023

I. Prayer for Those Who Influence Public Opinion (Book of Common Prayer)

Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

II. The Meaning of Logos for Writers (John 1:1-3)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

III. Writing with Integrity

A. Luke 1:1-4

B. Ecclesiastes 12:9-10

IV. Risking Failure in Writing

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

V. The Craft of Writing Well

A. Need God’s wisdom (James 1:5)

B. Don’t add unnecessary words (Ecclesiastes 6:11)

C. The need for good editors

D. A pleasing style (Philippians 4:8)

E. Be clear (1 Corinthians 14:7-9)

F. Using one’s imagination to write lively prose (Dorothy Sayers, “The Dogma is the Drama”)

Official Christianity, of late years, has been having what is known as “a bad press.” We are constantly assured that the churches are empty because preachers insist too much upon doctrine—“dull dogma,” as people call it. The fact is the precise opposite. It is the neglect of dogma that makes for dullness. The Christian faith is the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man—and the dogma is the drama.

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The Hidden Dangers of Carl Jung Sep 19, 2023

Several years ago, after giving a message on New Age spirituality at a church in Berkeley, California, I was approached by a distraught middle-aged woman. She asked if I was familiar with Jungian therapy. After I said that I was, she spoke briefly of her mental problems, which were being treated by a Jungian analyst. Looking at me intensely, she asked, “As a Christian, should I be treated by someone like this?” I answered that although Jung provided a few helpful psychological insights, his overall world view was Gnostic and anti-Christian. Therefore, a Jungian analyst would not be able to help her work through her difficulties in accord with her own Christian beliefs. In fact, such a view could do much harm to her soul.

Although I am not a trained counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist, I did not offer this advice lightly. I warned of the dangers of Jungian analysis not because I reject all psychotherapy as unnecessary or dangerous, as do certain incautious and unsophisticated Christian critics. I accept the legitimacy and importance of integrating a thoroughly Christian world view with psychological insights. However, as a student of new religious movements, I have repeatedly found Carl Jung to be a fountainhead of all manner of spiritual aberrations, whether in non-Christian movements or in Christianity itself. More recently, psychologist and best-selling author, Jordan Peterson, has drawn attention to Jung’s philosophy, which he draws on and uses as a lens to interpret the Bible. Christian counselors and other Christians, however, may be drawn to the fascinating figure of Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) for several reasons. Before summarizing some of the hazards of Jung’s thinking, we need to understand something of his strange magnetism…

Recommended Reading
1. Richard Noll, The Jung Cult: Origins of a Charismatic Movement (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1994).

Stanton L. Jones and Richard E Butman, Modern Psychotherapies: A Comprehensive Christian Approach(Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1991).
Paul Vitz, Psychology as Religion: The Cult of Self-Worship, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1995).

Find more from Dr. Groothuis at www.DouglasGroothuis.com.

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How Ecclesiastes Saved My Christian Life Sep 11, 2023

Ecclesiastes has saved my Christian life too many times to count. In the summer of 1999, this sometimes vexing book—perhaps the black sheep of the Christian canon—was the only book of sacred Scripture that I could stand to read. This is not a testimony to my Christian virtue but to the existential and theological power of this piece of wisdom literature. Ecclesiastes offers us an abundance of topics to consider and verses to ponder. For my purposes, I will ask what Ecclesiastes can teach us about epistemology, which is the study of the nature, means, and scope of knowledge.

Link to my original article in Touchstone Magazine: Chasing Wisdom: The True Ways of Knowing in Ecclesiastes

Recommended commentary on Ecclesiastes: Jeffrey Meyers, A Table in the Mist (Athanasius Press, 2006).

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What Is the Sin of Acedia and How Can Christians Combat It? Sep 04, 2023

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up - Galatians 6:9.

Acedia - the sin of sloth or laziness -- is the enemy of moral achievement and the agent of cultural bone rot. Isaiah exposed this in his day when he lamented, “So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter” (Isaiah 59:14).

Secrecy and camouflage accompany its weakening of the conscience and vitiating of the will. Acedia easily becomes a habit of the heart, a way of being that blends in with the moral mediocrity—or even debauchery—of the day. Vice it is, but a crafty one. Monks and nuns of the medieval age understood acedia, both in experience and in concept. They called it “the noonday demon.” Theologians, such as Thomas Aquinas and John Cassian, wrote about it in depth. Yet Christians today hardly mention it or even know its meaning.

Scripture condemns laziness, warns of its results, and commends diligence in doing goodness. Many of these anti-indolence texts are proverbs.

Through laziness, the rafters sag;
because of idle hands, the house leaks—Eccles 10:18.

One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.—Proverbs 18:9

In a longer proverb, King Solomon tells us to look to the ant for rebuke and exhortation.

Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
11 and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man (Proverbs 6:6-11).

If the lowly ant is industrious in its realm, then how much more should God’s image-bearers get about the work of having dominion over the creation (Genesis 1:26).

Jesus, in The Apocalypse, issues these flaming words against laziness:

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 4:14-16).

Jesus, whose ardor led him to the Cross to please God and redeem God’s people, does not tolerate tepid religion. He did not take up and go to the Cross to make us comfortable in our conformity to custom and convenience.

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Books and Authors Who Influenced Me, Part 2 Aug 28, 2023

Last week I went through ten authors and a number of books that have shaped my life and thinking. I include the full list below. This quote from Neil Postman highlights the significance of reading.

One must begin, I think, by pointing to the obvious fact that the written word, and an oratory based upon it, has a content: a semantic, paraphrasable, propositional content. This may sound odd, but since I shall be arguing soon enough that much of our discourse today has only a marginal propositional content, I must stress the point here. Whenever language is the principal medium of communication—especially language controlled by the rigors of print—an idea, a fact, a claim is the inevitable result. The idea may be banal, the fact irrelevant, the claim false, but there is no escape from meaning when language is the instrument guiding one’s thought. Though one may accomplish it from time to time, it is very hard to say nothing when employing a written English sentence. What else is exposition good for? Words have very little to recommend them except as carriers of meaning. The shapes of written words are not especially interesting to look at. Even the sounds of sentences of spoken words are rarely engaging except when composed by those with extraordinary poetic gifts. If a sentence refuses to issue forth a fact, a request, a question, an assertion, an explanation, it is nonsense, a mere grammatical shell. As a consequence a language-centered discourse such as was characteristic of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century America tends to be both content-laden and serious, all the more so when it takes its form from print. [Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business (pp. 49-50). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.]

Books and Authors

W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy and The Pursuit of God.
Blaise Pascal, Pensées, many editions. I prefer the Penguin ed. See also the collection The Mind on Fire.
Carl F. H. Henry, God, Revelation, and Authority, 6 vols.
S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Abolition of Man, Miracles, God in the Dock, Screwtape Letters.
Francis Schaeffer, all of his books, but especially The God Who is There, He is there and He is not Silent, How Should We Then Live?, True Spirituality, and Whatever Happened to the Human Race?
K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man.
Harold Netland, Dissonant Voices and Encountering Religious Pluralism
Harry Blamires, The Christian Mind.
I. Packer, Knowing God and Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God.
P. Moreland, Scaling the Secular City and Love Your God With All Your Mind.
James W. Sire, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalogue, Habits of the Mind, and Scripture Twisting: Twenty Ways Cults Misinterpret the Bible.

John Calvin, The Institutes.
John Stott, The Cross of Christ and Basic Christianity.
Ken Myers, All God’s Children and Blue Suede Shoes: Christians and Popular Culture.

Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media: Extensions of Man.

Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death, Technopoly, and The End of Education.

Os Guinness, The Dust of Death, God in the Dark, Prophetic Untimeliness, A Time for Truth, The Call, and all the rest.
J. Rushdoony, Institutes of Biblical Law, The Messianic Character of American Education, This Independent Republic, The Nature of the American System, The Politics of Guilt and Pity, and many more.

Rebecca Merrill Groothuis, Women Caught in the Conflict and Good News for Women.

Richard John Neuhaus, The Naked Public Square.

Augustine, The Confessions.

Thomas Sowell, The Politics and Economics of Race and A Conflict of Visions.
Walter Martin, Kingdom of the Cults.

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Books and Authors Who Influenced Me, Part I Aug 21, 2023

W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy and The Pursuit of God.
Blaise Pascal, Pensées, many editions. I prefer the Penguin ed. See also the collection The Mind on Fire.
Carl Henry, God, Revelation, and Authority, 6 vols., Confessions of a Theologian.
S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Abolition of Man, Miracles, God in the Dock, Screwtape Letters.
Francis Schaeffer, all of his books, but especially The God Who is There, He is there and He is not Silent, How Should We Then Live?, True Spirituality, and Whatever Happened to the Human Race?
K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man.
Harold Netland, Dissonant Voices, Encountering Religious Pluralism, Christianity and Religious Diversity.
Harry Blamires, The Christian Mind.
I. Packer, Knowing God and Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God.
P. Moreland, Scaling the Secular City and Love Your God With All Your Mind.

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Why Christians Should Be Conservatives and Conservatives Should Be Christians Aug 14, 2023

Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith— Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America.

I. What is Christianity?

A. Ultimate reality: an infinite-personal, triune, eternal God (Exodus 3:16)

B. The universe is created by God out of nothing (Genesis 1; John 1)

C. Humans made in God’s image, but fallen (Genesis 1-3)

Have unique and incomparable value in God’s world; basis for objective human rights (Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8)

Need redemption from a source beyond and above them (Romans 1-8)

D. God has revealed himself in nature, Scripture, and Christ so that we might be redeemed, honor God, and be salt and light in the world (Romans 1:18-21; Hebrews 1:1-4)

E. State and society are not identical (Matthew 22:16-23)

F. Civil government is ordained by God, but not the ultimate authority

State has “the power of the sword” (Romans 13:1-7)

The danger of the sword (1 Samuel 8: Ezekiel 28:1-10; ; Isaiah 14:1-12; Revelation 13)

G. The Kingdom of God is not fully realized through politics or human efforts and achievements

II. What is Conservatism?

A. Key figures: Edmund Burke, John Locke, Founding Fathers, Federalist Papers, F. Hayek, Russell Kirk, William F. Buckley, Richard Weaver, Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Roger Scruton, Thomas Sowell

B. Adopts the constrained vision of man not an unconstrained vision (Thomas Sowell, A Conflict of Visions)

American Revolution: inspired by theism through John Locke, Samuel Rutherford (Lex Rex) and others. Constrained vision

French revolution: inspired by Rousseau; irreligious and totalitarian. Unconstrained vision.

C. Conservativism denies utopianism; the state cannot regenerate human beings or create a perfect world. See Thomas Sowell, The Vision of the Anointed

D. Advances human rights as extended to property rights, which curtain the incursions of the state into private matters

E. Advocates a limited state as one form of government that does not have jurisdiction to regular, control, and tax everything

F. State as insuring natural negative rights: not be murdered or plundered

G. Separation of powers as a safeguard against the consolidation of power

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely—Lord Acton.

H. The state is under a higher authority and may lose its legitimation

Declaration of Independence

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

American Constitution: First amendment as restraining state power

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Teaches the rule of law, not the whim of man; Democratic Republic (under a Constitution), not democracy or democratic socialism

Free market is the best engine of wealth, best antidote to poverty, and gives freedom to individuals (Jeremiah 29:7)

III. Conservatism and Christianity

A. Christianity gives the best philosophical foundation for Conservatism

Authority of God over the state (and all else); basis for a limited state

Religious perspective (prophetic) can call the state to account for its abuses. Martin Luther King, “I Have a Dream”

The greatness and limits of human beings: the constrained vision

Human rights based on humans bearing the image of God (Genesis 1:26)

Humans cannot be saved or redeemed through politics.

Christians are given liberty in their salvation and through the wisdom and power of Holy Spirit; they must not worship the state, making it an idol

Incentive to empowering the poor and philanthropy (Matthew 25:31-46)

B. Qualifications

1. One does not have to be a conservative to be a Christian!

2. But, if one is a conservative there is good reason to be a Christian.

3. Non-conservative Christians are not intentionally spurning the biblical worldview implications for politics

Resources

On Christianity as true, rational, and relevant to all of life

Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, 2nd ed (InterVarsity Press, 2022).
Os Guinness, Impossible People (InterVarsity, 2016).

On a Christian view of politics

Os Guinness, The Case for Civility (2005).
Francis Schaeffer, A Christian Manifesto (Crossway, 1981).
Richard John Neuhaus, The Naked Public Square (Eerdmans, 1985).

Historic Conservative Thought

Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France
John Locke, A Letter Concerning Toleration. Two Treatises of Government
The Federalist Papers

Recent American Conservatism

William F. Buckley, Up From Liberalism.
Richard Weaver, Ideas Have Consequences.
Russell Kirk, The Conservative Mind.
J. Rushdoony, The Politics of Guilt and Pity.
Thomas Sowell, The Vision of the Anointed.
Thomas Sowell, A Conflict of Visions.

Find more from Dr. Groothuis at www.DouglasGroothuis.com.

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Why You Should Celebrate the Hollywood Strike Aug 07, 2023

Given the strike of Hollywood actors and writers, it is an apt time to reflect on our use of media and entertainment. A quote from Neil Postman’s class book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, can guide us.

"Our politics, religion, news, athletics, education and commerce have been transformed into congenial adjuncts of show business, largely without protest or even much popular notice. The result is that we are a people on the verge of amusing ourselves to death."

[Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death (pp. 3-4). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.]

We may want to pull away from entertainment, especially focusing on the moving image, and immerse ourselves in reading unelectrified books in pursuit of a more Christian mind and way of taking in the world. As Paul exhorts us:

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2).

Consider the biblical warnings about images, as discussed by Postman.

"In studying the Bible as a young man, I found intimations of the idea that forms of media favor particular kinds of content and therefore are capable of taking command of a culture. I refer specifically to the Decalogue [Exodus 20:1-18], the Second Commandment of which prohibits the Israelites from making concrete images of anything. “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water beneath the earth.”

I wondered then, as so many others have, as to why the God of these people would have included instructions on how they were to symbolize, or not symbolize, their experience. It is a strange injunction to include as part of an ethical system unless its author assumed a connection between forms of human communication and the quality of a culture. We may hazard a guess that a people who are being asked to embrace an abstract, universal deity would be rendered unfit to do so by the habit of drawing pictures or making statues or depicting their ideas in any concrete, iconographic forms. The God of the Jews was to exist in the Word and through the Word, an unprecedented conception requiring the highest order of abstract thinking. Iconography thus became blasphemy so that a new kind of God could enter a culture.

People like ourselves who are in the process of converting their culture from word-centered to image-centered might profit by reflecting on this Mosaic injunction. But even if I am wrong in these conjectures, it is, I believe, a wise and particularly relevant supposition that the media of communication available to a culture are a dominant influence on the formation of the culture’s intellectual and social preoccupations."

[Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death (p. 9). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.]

Recommended reading
1. Douglas Groothuis, “Television: Agent of Truth Decay,” Truth Decay (InterVarsity, 2000).
2. Jacques Ellul, The Humiliation of the Word (Eerdmans, 1985).
3. Herman Melville, Moby Dick.
4. Kenneth Myers, All God’s Children and Blue Suede Shoes: Christians and Popular Culture (Crossway, 1989).
5. Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death (Penguin, 1985)
6. Francis Schaeffer, The God Who is There (InterVarsity, 1968).

Find more from Dr. Groothuis at www.DouglasGroothuis.com.

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Six Enemies of Apologetic Engagement Jul 24, 2023

The evangelical world today suffers from apologetic anemia. Despite the fact that holy Scripture calls believers to give a reason for the hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15; see also Jude 3), we sadly lack a public voice for truth and reason in the marketplace of ideas. We do not have a strong intellectual presence in popular or academic culture (although some areas, such as philosophy, are more influenced by evangelicals than others). The reasons for this anemia are multidimensional and complex.

These are the six enemies, which the podcast addressed biblically.

Indifference
Irrationalism
Ignorance
Cowardice
Arrogance or intellectual vanity
Superficial techniques

Recommended Reading

Harry Blamires, The Christian Mind
Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 2nd (InterVarsity-Academic, 2022).
Douglas Groothuis web page: DouglasGroothuis.com
Os Guinness, Fit Bodies, Fat Minds (Baker, 1994).
Alan Jacobs, How to Think (Currency, 2017).
P. Moreland, Love Your God with All Your Mind, 2nd ed. (NavPress, 1997; 2013). Both editions are worth having, since the second edition left out good material contained in the first.
Mark Noll, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind (Eerdmans, 1994).
John Piper, Think (Crossway, 2010).

Find more from Dr. Groothuis at www.DouglasGroothuis.com.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A Cheat Sheet on Conservatives and Liberals on Values and Issues Jul 17, 2023

The following is not meant as a nuanced treatment of the subject. Notice the title "Cheat Sheet." I originally wrote it for a friend who is just getting interested in politics. So, please don't howl in disgust that I misstated your liberal or conservative view. This charts the territory from a pretty high level of abstraction and in light of recent developments in liberal or leftist thinking.

A. Preserve vs Transform

Conservatives want to preserve American ideals found in the Declaration and the Constitution.

Liberals want to “fundamentally transform America” (Barack Obama) through politics. They will subvert the principles of the American system to attain their ends.

B. Basically Good vs Deeply Flawed

Conservatives believe that America is flawed, but basically good, and self-reforming. Abraham Lincoln: America is “the almost chosen nation.” Conservatives are not afraid of American exceptionalism or putting their national interest ahead of other nations. As such, they are patriotic.

Liberals believe America is deeply flawed and must be discredited and transformed since its origins lie in black slavery and other evils. Appeals to patriotism are typically taken as jingoism and noxious nationalism.

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Sensitivity Epistemology: A Knowledge Stopper to Avoid Jul 10, 2023

So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. (Isaiah 59:14)

I am a sixty-six-year-old philosophy professor who has logged thousands of hours in the classroom and elsewhere discussing some of the great issues of the ages. Consider an approach to teaching and writing that I have practiced ever since I went to college and especially since I received my degrees in philosophy and began to teach and write strenuously and prolifically. This approach is not unique to me, but part of the great Western intellectual tradition—until recently. If we lose it, we lose much of value—even truth itself. If we lose it, the culprit will be sensitivity.

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A Christian Apologetics Manifesto Jul 03, 2023

On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of death will not overcome it—Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:9).

This is a manifesto to ignite the holy fire of apologetic passion and action. As did Jeremiah, we should have "fire in our bones" to communicate and commend Christian truth today (Jeremiah 20:9). This manifesto is not a sustained argument or a detailed development of themes. Rather, as a manifesto, it proclaims a short series of interrelated propositions crying out for both immediate and protracted reflection, prayer, and action. These challenges issue from convictions formed through my nearly thirty years of apologetic teaching, preaching, debating, writing, and Christian witness.

Because of (1) the waning influence of the Christian worldview in public and private life in America today, (2) the pandemic of anti-intellectualism in the contemporary church, and (3) the very command of God himself to declare, explain, and defend divine truth, I strongly advise that the following statements be wrestled with and responded to by all followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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On Phobias, Banning Books, and Boycotts Jun 26, 2023

1. On Phobias

A phobia is an irrational fear such as the fear of heights, spiders, or water. However, we should fear that which poses real dangers to us. We should fear God, which is the beginning of wisdom. This is because God is our Maker and our Judge. He is totally good and we are not. We should also fear things like disease and crime. Because we fear disease, we consult physicians. Because we fear crime, we lock our doors and watch where we go. Perhaps we carry a firearm or have one at home for self-defense.

A conservative view on sexual ethics is sometimes rejected as homophobic or transphobic. However, if the biblical view of sexuality is true and rational (as I have argued), then Christian will fear the expansion of LGBTQ perspectives in society, including the teaching of this ideology to children. This is not irrational, but rational, given the biblical worldview. Simply labeling something as “phobic” does nothing to invalidate the biblical perspective.

2. On Banning Books

Those who do not want LGBTQ-affirming books in public schools are not authoritarian book banners. Rather, they believe these kinds of books should not be there. The First Amendment forbids the civil government from restricting free speech. It does not mean that excluding some books from some places in unconstitutional. But if a law restricted the publication of atheist books or Islam books or Christian books, then that law would be a case of book banning and would violate the First Amendment. Not wanting pro-LGBTQ books in public schools or public libraries is not a case of book banning, but of prudent moral judgment.

3. On Boycotts

It is right to boycott a company that opposes one’s deepest convictions. Recently, I turned around and left a restaurant after I saw the Pride colors displayed. I was already boycotting Budweiser (not hard; I hate their beer) and Target because of their LGBTQ-affirming practices. On my Facebook, I was criticized for cherry-picking and being self-righteous.

My response is that I cannot possibly monitor all the businesses I support, but when I find out that one is supporting Pride, I boycott it. Better something than nothing. Simply because I cannot apply my boycotting across the board does not invalidate boycotting where I can. I don’t see my boycott as self-righteous, but as right moral behavior, since money is vital for cultural formation, deformation, and transformation. I was also criticized for not associating with non-Christians, since I would not go into the establishment. That doesn’t follow since I try to share the gospel or otherwise comment the Christian worldview in all kinds of settings. One could boycott many companies and still interact with people who work there in other settings.

For more from Dr. Groothuis, visit DouglasGroothuis.com

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"What Is A Woman?" Review Jun 19, 2023

Matt Walsh, What is a Woman? One Man’s Search to Answer the Question of a Generation (Nashville, TN: DW Books, 2022) and the film, “What is a Woman?” produced by The Daily Wire (2022).

How could a popular podcaster and author produce a feature film and write a book with the title “What is a Woman?” Does not everyone know the answer to that? After all, humanity is a dimorphic species, consisting of males and females, each with its own distinctive DNA (XY or XX) and gametes (sperm or egg). God created humans as male and female (Genesis 1:27). But now, the known has become the unknown and the true has become the false—that is, if transgender ideology has is right. How did it happen? Consider the legal and philosophical story.

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Murder by Medicine in Canada (And The Threat to America) Jun 12, 2023

What comes to mind when you think of the word “maid?” You probably think of a paid helper, one who does dirty work you would rather not do. However, you do not think of your maid killing someone. If that happens, an unexpected homicide has occurred. Since 2016, over 30,000 homicides have occurred in Canada, at the hands of another MAID. Given secular trends, MAID (or something like it) may be coming to America as well.

Meet the New MAID

Meet the new maid, who is a murderer. It is called MAID (sometimes rendered as MAiD). It stands for Medical Assistance in Dying and it allows physicians to euthanize people, thousands of people made in the image of God. This is a Canadian medical protocol, which went into effect in June of 2016 when the Parliament of Canada passed federal legislation allowing eligible Canadian adults to request medical assistance in dying. I heard much about this program and its horrendous results when I was in Toronto, Canada, to speak at the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) annual conference, held at Wycliffe College on the historic and beautiful University of Toronto campus. But there is nothing beautiful about MAID; it is ugly and evil. However, it can be explained by historical developments. What happened?

Resources

Kathyryn Butler, Between Life and Death: A Gospel-Centered Guide to End-of-Life Medical Care (Crossway, 2019). This is on the back cover: “Dr. Butler has written a remarkable, unique, and timely book―Douglas Groothuis,Professor of Philosophy, Denver Seminary; author, Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness―A Philosopher’s Lament
Gilbert Meilaender, Bioethics, 3nd Eerdmans, 2013.
“Always to Care, Never to Kill: A Declaration on Euthanasia,” First Things, February 1992, online at firstthings.com.
Francis Schaeffer and C. Everett Koop, Whatever Happened to the Human Race? (Revel, 1979). An early warning about the dehumanizing effects of embracing a secular ethic of life in the areas of abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia. See also the six-part film series, which is on YouTube.
Alexander Raikin, “No Other Options,” The New Atlantis (Winter, 2023), https://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/no-other-options.
Westminster Larger Catechism, Questions 135-136 on the value of human life and killing humans.

Film “Solent Green” (1972) starring Charlton Heston (1923-2008) about a dystopic New York City in 2022 in which euthanasia is embraced to deal with overpopulation and food shortages. I won’t spoil the ending.

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A Reading of Scripture for Your Encouragement Jun 05, 2023

Today I'm reading a collection of verses that my first wife, Rebecca, put together over many years. She went to be with the Lord in 2018. This collection of verses is online and has been used by many to find encouragement in their faith.

For more from Dr. Groothuis, visit DouglasGroothuis.com.

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The Crippling Effect of Anti-Intellectualism in Christianity May 29, 2023

Systematic Theology and the Life of the Mind

Few mistakes are more crippling to Christian witness within the Christian community than anti-intellectualism. Few theological errors violate more theological doctrines more radically. In his Pulitzer-Prize-winning work, Anti-Intellectualism and in American Life, historian Richard Hofstadter defined anti-intellectualism as a “resentment of the life of the mind, and those who are considered to represent it; and a disposition to constantly minimize the value of that life.”

I agree, but will add a few nuances to this: An anti-intellectual demeans or even rejects the worth of reasons, arguments, and evidence in the shaping of individual beliefs and overall worldviews and holds in contempt or derision those who insist that the intellectual should be fed not starved. Few who read this message are in danger of anti-intellectualism, but many outside the Christian academy are in cognitive jeopardy. But this argument will further the defense of the sanctified intellect so that the mission of God will go forth in even greater power.

Recommended Reading:

Harry Blamires, The Christian Mind
Os Guinness. Fit Bodies, Fat Minds.
James Sire, Habits of the Mind
P. Moreland, Love Your God With all Your Mind.

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Adventures in Apologetics: Giving a Reason for My Hope in Christ May 22, 2023

Apologetics is the practice of defending the Christian faith and responding to questions and objections raised by those who don't believe.

Over many years of doing apologetics, I have had some remarkable apologetic encounters. Since converting in 1976 at age nineteen, I have labored to give the reasons for my hope in Christ to as many people as possible in as many formats as possible (1 Peter 3:15). I have written books and given lectures and sermons, of course, but some apologetics happens unexpectedly or in odd circumstances. That is part of the adventure of walking the narrow path of Jesus that leads of life (Matthew 7:13-14). These are mostly stories of apologetic encounters, not evangelistic successes. Although I have helped led some souls to become Christians (one is mentioned below), that has not been my great strength, although I press on, trying to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5).

When it comes to being a Christian witness, prayer and preparation are essential. We are in a spiritual battle for ideas, and we must be ready to defend our faith in the face of opposition. As the Apostle Paul said, “We do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

My experiences have taught me that it is important to take people's questions seriously and to do the research necessary to be able to answer them. We must also be willing to pray for those we are trying to reach and to share the good news of the gospel with them. As Paul said, we must have the same zeal to make the gospel known to as many people as possible. We must be willing to share our faith, no matter the cost, trusting that God's love will break through any barrier.

For more from Dr. Groothuis, visit DouglasGroothuis.com.

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Defending Christian Education: Countering 10 Criticisms May 15, 2023

Many arguments are marshaled against Christian schools and Christian home-schooling K-12. Those, such as myself who categorically reject state (public) education as anti-Christian, inefficient, and inherently unfair are in for some lively debates. The objections raised must be met.

Recommended Reading:

Blumenfeld, Samuel. Is Public Education Necessary? (Old Greenwich: The Devin-Adair Company, 1981), 263 pages. A scholarly and cogent treatment of the development of public education. Dissipates a score of popular misconceptions. Excellent.
Hegseth, Peter and David Goodwin, The Battle for the American Mind (Broadside Books, 2022). Explains the nature and inherent problems in state education and proposes a Christian alternative.
Gato, John Taylor, Weapons of Mass Instruction A Schoolteacher's Journey Through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling (New Society Publishers, 2010).
Rushdoony, Rousas John. The Messianic Character of American Education (Ross House books, reprint, 1995). A classic.

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What You Need to Know about Transgender Ideology May 08, 2023

An Argument for Traditional, Biblical Gender Categories and Against Transgender Ideology: Twenty Points

Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy Denver Seminary

Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. (Isaiah 8:20)

The following is a step-by-step, logical argument for deriving a moral position on transgender ideology from the Bible, science, facts, and sound reasoning. If its conclusions are to be challenged, its premises must be denied, or the reasoning refuted. This argument does not address detailed public policy implications (except one) or how transgenderism should be addressed in church discipline or polity, but gives a foundation for further reflection. We should address first things first.

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Should We Consider Jesus a Philosopher? May 01, 2023

Jesus was many things, such as Lord and Messiah, but we may be hesitant to consider him a philosopher. I argue that given Jesus’ coherent worldview and skill at argumentation, it is wise to both consider him as a philosopher and to look to him for intellectual inspiration. I pay close attention to Jesus’ stellar reasoning abilities concerning two theological issues raised in Matthew 22.

Resources

Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus (USA: Wadsworth, 2003).
Douglas Groothuis, “Jesus: Philosopher and Apologist,” Christian Research Journal (2009), https://www.equip.org/articles/jesus-philosopher-and-apologist.
P. Moreland, Love Your God with All Your Mind, 2nd ed. (NavPress, 2013).
James Sire, Habits of the Mind (InterVarsity Press, 2000). See chapter nine, “Jesus the Reasoner.”
Dallas Willard, “Jesus, the Logician,” Christian Scholars Review XXVIII, no. 4 (1999).

For more from Dr. Groothuis, visit DouglasGroothuis.com.

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Against Abortion, for the Unborn Apr 24, 2023

In this episode, Dr. Groothuis presents a biblical and logical argument against abortion and for the value of unborn human life. He begins by discussing Reproductive Health Equity Act before the Colorado State Congress, which would forbid any restriction on abortion and deny any moral value to the unborn.

He argues that a fetus is a living being, not a potential life, and that it is a human being, not a potential human. He further argues that the unborn ought to be a recipient of legal protection, and that any life-taker carries the burden of proof. Dr. Groothuis condemns the bill as untrue, irrational, inhumane, and unjust and requests that it be voted down.

Episode Timestamps:

[00:01:35] The Intrinsic Value of Life.

[00:05:12] Abortion laws in Colorado.

[00:10:13] Fetus is a living human.

[00:13:20] Abortion and personhood.

[00:17:20] Abortion and morality.

[00:21:28] Abortion and moral responsibility.

Pro-life Organizations:

Alternatives Pregnancy Center, Denver: http://youhavealternatives.org
National Right to Life. Veteran pro-life group with an active, impressive website. 419 7th NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20004. 202-626-8800. Web page: www.nrlc.org.
Colorado Right to Life. http://www.coloradorighttolife.org.
Care-Net. Evangelical ministry working to help unwed mothers choose life. 109 Carpenter Dr., Suite 100, Sterling, VA 20164. 703-478-5661. Web page: care-net.org.
Feminists for Life. Drawing on historic, pro-life feminism, this group reaches many people that overtly Christian groups do not. 733 15th NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005. 202-737-FFLA. Web page: www.feministsforlife.org

For more from Dr. Groothuis, visit DouglasGroothuis.com.

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How Apologetics Aids Our Spiritual Formation Apr 17, 2023

"My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you…" - Galatians 4:19.

Apologetics is the discipline of defending the Christian faith as objectively true, rational, and applicable to life (1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3). This ministry requires a life attuned to the Spirit of God. Apologetics is a spiritual discipline of study that requires the fruit of the Holy Spirit for its integrity and effectiveness. The apologist thus needs humility and studiousness in his or her efforts to explain, commend, and defend the Christian worldview.

Reading

Jacques Barzun, The House of the Intellect. Harper, 2002 reprint.
Harry Blamires, The Christian Mind. Servant, 1963.
Os Guinness, Fit Bodies, Fat Minds. Baker, 1994.
Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 2nd InterVarsity Pres, 2022,
Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life. InterVarsity Press, 1979.
George Marsden, The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship. Eerdmans, 1998.
P. Moreland, Love Your God With all Your Mind, 2nd ed. NavPress, 2013.
P. Moreland, Finding Quiet. Zondervan, 2019.
I. Packer, Knowing God. InterVarsity Press, 1973.
Eugene Peterson, Eat This Book. Eerdmans, 2008.
John Piper, Think. Crossway, 2011.

Francis Schaeffer, True Spirituality. Tyndale, 1972
Francis Schaeffer, The God Who is There. InterVarsity, 1968.
James Sire, Habits of the Mind. InterVarsity Press, 2000.

Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart. NavPress, 2002.

Dallas Willard, Knowing Christ Today. HarperOne, 2014.

For more from Douglas Groothuis, visit DouglasGroothuis.com.

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Jesus and Buddha Apr 10, 2023

I. Truth and Religion

A. Framing the great debate on religion and spirituality
Taking objective truth seriously in a pluralistic, postmodern setting

B. The appeal of the oneness claim (all religions teach basically the same thing): religious strife is eliminated. But this must be logically tested.

II. What are Truth Claims in Religion?

A. Defining the nature of truth: that which corresponds to objective reality. For more on this, see Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay (InterVarsity Press, 2000), chapter four.

B. Defining a truth-claim: a statement that claims to describe objective reality

C. The logic of truth-claims—rules of the intellectual system, rational analysis

1. The law of noncontradiction: A is not non-A (contradictory statements cannot both be true; nothing possesses contradictory properties)

2. Examples of the law of noncontradiction in religious truth-claims

a. Buddha cannot be enlightened and not enlightened at the same time; the claim is that he became enlightened.

b. Jesus cannot be the Christ (Messiah) and not be the Christ (Messiah). The claim is he always was the Messiah.

c. If what Buddha affirms about reality contradicts what Jesus affirms about reality, then both Buddha’s and Jesus’ view of reality cannot be true. They could both be false if some other worldview is true.

A. This fundamental law of logic is a necessary assumption for all rational discourse.

III. Similarities Between Jesus and Buddha

A. Both are world-historical founders of major religions

B. Their lives are enshrined in sacred texts

C. Both exhibited profound compassion and gathered followers

D. Both emphasized the need to find enduring peace

E. Both taught basic ethical teachings on love and respect, versions of the Golden Rule

IV. Jesus and Buddha: Key Differences of Worldview

A. Do two major religions agree on core issues or disagree? If they disagree, they cannot be one in essence; cannot both true

B. Documents on Jesus and Buddha

1. Buddha: Large body of texts far removed in history from life of Buddha. Miracles are not central to the message (dharma) of Buddha.

2. Jesus: Four Gospels (and the rest of the New Testament) are written a few decades after Jesus’ time on earth by eyewitnesses or those who consulted them. Miracles are central to the message of Jesus. See Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus, chapter two.

C. The worldview of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha (ca. 566-486 BCE)

1. Ultimate reality or the sacred—atheistic or agnostic on God; but nirvana exists

2. The human condition—suffering is due to craving and ignorance

3. Spiritual liberation/salvation

a. “Four noble truths”—freedom from craving through insight into the cause of suffering

1. Life is suffering
2. Suffering is caused by craving
3. The cessation of craving leads to liberation
4. The way of liberation is through the Eightfold path

b. The Eightfold path—wisdom, ethical conduct, mental discipline

c. The afterlife: reincarnation/karma or nirvana (release from reincarnation)

D. The worldview of Jesus, the Christ (Messiah)

1. Ultimate reality—a personal and moral Creator God (Matthew 22:37-39)

2. Human condition—image bearers of God estranged from God (Mark 7:21-23; See Romans 3:14-26 also)

3. Spiritual liberation/salvation

a. Repentance; turning from self-centeredness (sin) to God’s authority (Matthew 4:1: Luke 24:45-47)

b. Belief and trust in Jesus himself for eternal life (John
1:12-13; 3:16; 14:6; Romans 10:9). You have to do something with Jesus

c. The redemptive power of the suffering death (Cross) of
Jesus Christ (Matthew 20:28; 25-28; Romans 5:6-8)

4. The afterlife: Either fellowship with God and the
redeemed or eternal punishment (Matthew 25:31-46)

E. Two momentous lives compared
1. Buddha—a sage, teacher, and reformer. Sought enlightenment through knowledge and experience; shared this with others

2. Jesus—claimed to be God in human form (unrepeatable)

a. Never sought enlightenment, but began ministry in power and confidence (Matthew 4)

b. Offered to provide forgiveness for sin against a holy God (Mark 2:1-12; John 3:16-18)

c. Claimed to be one with a personal God (John 8:58; John 10:22-31)

IV. Conclusion: Between Jesus and Buddha— Gospel or Dharma?

A. Buddhism and Christianity cannot both be true; they contradict each other on crucial matters of worldview and spirituality: A cannot be non-A (the law of noncontradiction)

B. Objective truth and spiritual reality should be the overriding concern for spiritual seekers

C. Final reflection on suffering and hope (crucial test for any worldview)

1. Buddha: transcend suffering through mental discipline and dehumanization (nirvana)

2. Jesus: embrace redemptive suffering because of the fallen nature of the world. Jesus’ own suffering on the Cross provides the way of liberation for individuals.

a. Jesus and the death of Lazarus (John 11)

b. Jesus on the Cross: “My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)

c. Resurrection of the body and the afterlife (1 Corinthians 15)

D. Jesus offers meaning in suffering and purpose in life through his life, death, and resurrection

Recommended Reading

1. Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus. Wadsworth, 2003. Looks at Jesus through the lens of philosophy.
2. Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, 2nd ed. InterVarsity Press, 2022
3. Bart Gruzalski, On Buddha. Wadsworth, 2000. Looks at Buddha through the lens of philosophy.
4. Stuart Hackett, Oriental Religions: A Westerner’s Guide to Eastern Thought. University of Wisconsin Press, 1979. A philosophical analysis, including Buddhism.
5. David L. Johnson, A Reasoned Look at Asian Religions. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany Press, 1985. A philosophical analysis, including Buddhism.

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Jesus and Mohammad Apr 03, 2023

Full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/truth-tribe-with-douglas-groothuis/episodes

Religious Founders

The concern for truth and rationality
Truth: what corresponds to reality. See Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay.
Rationality: testing truth-claims logically and by the evidence
Categories of analysis: Sources of information, life, worldview, existential meaning

Jesus (0-33 AD)

Source of knowledge: the New Testament: Gospels, Acts, Epistles, Revelation
Gospels: Written by eyewitnesses or those who consulted them
Synoptic gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke—approximately 70-80 AD; John: 90 AD

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught—Luke 1:1-4.

Epistles of Paul: written in 50s AD; probably before the Gospels. See I Corinthians 15:1-8 on the gospel and resurrection of Jesus
Jesus’ life
Jewish itinerate teacher, preacher, prophet, healer, exorcist
Taught the Kingdom of God has come (Matthew 4:17)
Was crucified by the Romans
Was worshiped by followers as resurrected from the dead (Romans 1:3-4)

Jesus’ worldview

God: monotheism; Heavenly Father and Creator
Human problem: sin (Mark 7:21-23)
Solution to human problem: faith in Jesus’s work (John 3:16-18)
Jesus as God Incarnate (Mark 2; John 8:58); second person of the Trinity (Matthew 28:18-20)
Existential meaning
Forgiveness, fellowship, meaning through Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 15:58)
Confidence in life and death (Romans 8)

Mohammad (570-632)

Source: Koran (and Hadith and Sunna)
Koran: One book received by one man from an angel; not written down by Mohammad, but others later
114 chapters: about the size of The New Testament
Reinterprets Hebrew Bible and New Testament
Hadith: commentary on Koran; Sunna: life of Mohammad

Mohammad’s life

Received a revelation while meditating in a cave in 610 AD.
Considered the last and greatest of the prophets: “seal of the prophets.”
Life: Mecca and Medina
Was a military, political, and spiritual leader after returning to Mecca from Medina

Mohammad’s worldview

One God: Allah, monotheism

Say (O Muhammad): He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.—Qur’an, Sura 112.

Human problem: weakness, ignorance
Human solution: confess Allah and obey his law

Existential meaning

Strive for paradise, avoid hell
Keep precepts: confession of faith, giving, pilgrimage to Mecca, observe Ramadan, pray five times daily
Extend the Islam throughout the world, so that all obey Allah’s law (sharia)

Rational Assessment of Jesus and Mohammad

The sources for Christ more varied and rooted in history than the sources for Mohammad.
Mohammad’s claim to being a prophet is questionable, given his denial of the identity of Jesus (not God) and his denial of the biblical gospel (Galatians 1:6-11)
Claims of Mohammad based on the beauty of Koran and the early success of Islam
Beauty is not the same as truth; some scholars claim it is not beautiful, but confusing. That is why Hadith is needed to interpret it.
The success of Islam does not argue in its favor, since might does not make right

Claims of Jesus are based on historical documents close to the events described (four Gospels)

Qur’an and New Testament agree that:
Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (Qur'an, Surah 3:38-48)
Jesus was a messenger (Qur’an, Surah 5:75)
Jesus is sinless (Qur’an, Surah 19:9)
Jesus was “the Messiah” (Qur’an, Surah 4:171)
Jesus was “a word from God” (Qur’an, Surah 4:171)
Jesus worked miracles (Qur’an, Surah 3:49)
Jesus ascended to heaven (Qur’an, Surah 4:148)
Jesus will come again—Second Coming (Qur’an, Surah 43:61)

Koran and New Testament disagree on whether or not

Jesus claimed to be God (John 8:58; 10:30); Apostles claimed this as well (John 1:1-3; Colossians 2:9); contra: Qur’an 19:20, 24; 112:1-4
Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man (John 14:1-6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 11:27)
Jesus was crucified to atone for sin against God (Luke 18:31-32); contra: Qur’an, Surah 4:157-158.
Biblical and other historical evidence from the ancient world agrees that Jesus was crucified
The significance of Jesus’ suffering and death

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us—Romans 5:6-8.

Existential significance

Mohammad gives no basis for a relationship with God; this would be “shirk”—giving Allah a partner
Mohammad is not a mediator or a miracle worker, nor was he raised from the dead. He is dead.
Jesus establishes a relationship with God as Lord and Savior. Jesus:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light—Matthew 11:28-30.

References:

Mark Gabriel, Jesus and Mohammad. Charisma House, 2004.
Douglas Groothuis, “Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God?” http://www.bethinking.org/islam/do-christians-and-muslims-worship-the-same-god.
Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, 2nd InterVarsity Press, 2022. See especially, “The Challenge of Islam.”
Nabeel Qureshi, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity, Zondervan, 2014, revised ed., 2019.
Abduhl Saleeb, Norman Geisler, Answering Islam, 2nd Baker Books, 2002.
Robert Spencer, The Truth About Mohammad. Regnery, 2007.
Answering Islam web page: answering-islam.com.

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Jesus and the New Age Mar 27, 2023

I. THE IMPORTANCE OF JESUS

A. The Jesus question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-16)

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

B. The danger of false views of Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:1-4)

C. The need to defend the true Jesus (1 Peter 3:15-16)

II. THE REAL JESUS: BIBLICAL BASICS

A. Jesus’ unique deity

1. Jesus’ own words (Mark 2:1-10, 23-28; John 8:58)

2. Apostolic authority (Colossians 2:8-9)

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority

B. Jesus’ true humanity (John 1:14)

C. Jesus as the only Savior and Lord

1. Jesus’ words (John 14:1-6)

2. Apostolic authority (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

D. Jesus as the only basis for salvation by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Romans 5:8-10)

III. THE JESUS OF THE NEW SPIRITUALITY (NEW AGE)

A. The New Age world view: pantheism (all is God) monism (all is one)

B. The New Age view of Jesus (see 1 John 4:1-6)

1. Enlightened master, guru, adept, yogi, swami

2. Jesus is separate from the impersonal “Christ Consciousness”

3. Jesus is not uniquely God in the flesh--one of many spiritual examples
(see Acts 4:12)

4. Jesus’ crucifixion not redemptive (see Colossians 1:22)

5. Jesus’ resurrection is not literal (see 1 Corinthians 15)

6. Jesus’ second coming is not personal and physical (see Acts 1:1-11)

7. The Bible is not the final authority on Jesus: other sources replace it
(see 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

a. Other supposedly historical documents (Gnostic, etc.)
b. Channeled material (A Course in Miracles)

c. Near-death experiences (Betty Eadie, Embraced by the Light)

8. Esoteric interpretation of Scripture: texts out of context as pretexts for
theological and spiritual error (see 2 Peter 3:15-16)

V. DEFENDING THE REAL JESUS TODAY

A. Spiritual warfare and prayer (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-20)

B. Communicating the real Jesus to those who are confused
(1 Corinthians 8:5-6)

We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

C. Defending the reliability of the New Testament (Luke 1:1-4; 2 Peter 1:16)

D. Counting on the power of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4;
Ephesians 1:18-23)

VI. RESOURCES FOR DEFENDING THE BIBLICAL JESUS

Books:

1. Douglas Groothuis, Jesus in an Age of Controversy (Wipf and Stock, 2002), Confronting the New Age (InterVarsity, 1988), Deceived by the Light (Wipf and Stock, 2002.
2. Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus (Wadsworth, 2003).
3. Ajith Fernando, The Supremacy of Christ (Crossway, 1994).
4. John Stott, The Cross of Christ (InterVarsity, 1987).
4. Booklet: Douglas Groothuis, Are All Religions One? (InterVarsity, 1996).

https://www.douglasgroothuis.com/

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The Resurrection Mar 20, 2023

I am the resurrection and the life—Jesus Christ, John 11.

I. The Significance of the Resurrection of Jesus

A. Unique among religions of the world; one religion based on the resurrection of its divine founder

B. The resurrection in Jesus’ teaching: he promised it several times

C. Atonement requires resurrection

Herein we see the organic connection between Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection. God’s raising Jesus from the dead is not only a ratification to us of the efficacy of Christ’s atoning death; it is a necessary consequence of it. For by his substitutionary death Christ fully satisfied divine justice. The penalty of death having been fully paid, Christ can no more remain dead than a criminal who has fully served his sentence can remain imprisoned. Punishment cannot justly continue; justice demands his release. Thus, Christ’s resurrection is both a necessary consequence and a ratification of his satisfaction of divine justice [Craig, William Lane. Atonement and the Death of Christ (p. 229). Baylor University Press. Kindle Edition.]

II. Theism and the Resurrection

A. Natural theology increases the probability of the resurrection

B. Argument for God from science and philosophy. See Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, chapters 9-19

III. Are Miracles Credible?

A. What is a biblical miracle?

1. Not a violation of natural law

2. Supplementation of nature by divine agency

B. David Hume’s argument against miracles: In-principle argument: irrational to believe in miracles

1. If it always more likely that a supposed miracles is really a misinterpreted natural event

2. Response

a. General probability of miracles is low

b. Conditional probability (given theism) is another matter; consider NT reliability and natural theology

c. Miracles are not delusions of pre-scientific fools; they presuppose some knowledge of the natural workings of nature.

Moreover, if there ever were men who did not know the laws of nature at all they would have no idea of a miracle and feel no particular interest in one if it were performed before them. Nothing can seem extraordinary until you have discovered what is ordinary—C. S. Lewis, Miracles.

IV. Minimal Facts and Maximal Result: Resurrection

A. The minimal facts method: find undisputed facts from which to argue for a biblical claim (such as the resurrection)

B. Four minimal facts

1. Death by crucifixion; no possibility of swooning
2. Burial in a known tomb

3. The empty tomb; a necessary, but not sufficient condition for the resurrection; women

Jews and Romans would have had a vested interest in producing dead body of Jesus, but we have no record of it.

4. Postmortem appearances of Jesus

a. In the Gospels, women see Jesus first; unexpected, given low status of women’s testimony at that time

b. Paul’s early witness (I Cor. 15:3-8)

C. Other well-established facts

1. Transformation of the disciples

2. The early worship of Jesus by monotheistic Jews (Larry Hurtado)

3. Circumstantial evidence (part of historical reasoning)

a. Baptism presupposed resurrection (Romans 6:4-5).

b. Lord’s supper or Eucharist (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

V. Alternative Naturalistic Theories

A. Need several different naturalistic theories to cover all the known facts.

B. No good naturalistic explanations for four minimal facts.

C. Disciples had neither the means nor the motive to steal the body.

D. The Jewish establishment and Roman government would not take the body, leave the tomb empty and let the story of Jesus’ resurrection become popular because they conspired to crucify Jesus.

E. Hallucination theory

1. Too many appearances for hallucinations

2. Hallucinations are not group a phenomena.

VI. Jesus Christ is Risen Indeed!

A. 13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God—2 Cor. 4:13-15.

B. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain—I Cor. 15:58.

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Who Is Jesus? Mar 13, 2023

He alone had to produce a great people, elect, holy and chosen, lead them, feed them, bring them into the place of rest and holiness, make them holy for God, make them the temple of God, reconcile them to God, save them from God’s anger, redeem them from the bondage of sin which visibly reigns in man, give laws to his people, write these laws in their hearts, offer himself to God for them, sacrifice himself for them, be a spotless sacrifice, and himself the sacrificer, having himself to offer up his body and blood, and yet offer up bread and wine to God (608/766). Blaise Pascal, Pensées.

I. Controversy over Jesus

A. Christ the controversialist (John Stott)

B. Who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16:13-16)

II. New Testament Record

A. Most reliable reports

B. Good to read the stories, but we will select certain aspects of his life and teaching.

III. Master Teacher and Philosopher

A. Taught all manner of people in different situations. Was creative and responsive.

B. Used philosophy, parables, prophecy, questions, condemnation

IV. Jesus’ Worldview (see also Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus)

A. God and his Kingdom: “Repent, the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 4:17)
B. Humanity

1. Created (Matthew 19:4-6)

2. Fallen (Mark 7:20-23)

C. Ethics: Greatest commandment: Love God with all your being and your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39)

Extraordinary ethics of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)

1. Don’t sin in your heart with anger (murder) or lust (adultery)
2. Love your enemies
3. Pray for those who hurt you
4. Go the second mile
5. Turn the other cheek

D. Salvation found in him (Matthew 11:27-28; John 6:28-29; 14:6; Acts 4:12)

V. Miracle Worker

A. Over nature: calmed storm, walked on water, cursed the fig tree

B. Over sickness: blindness, insanity, leprosy, crippling diseases, flow of blood

C. Over death itself: raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11)

D. Purpose: Demonstrate the Kingdom of God has come with new power and urgency (Matthew 12:28)

VI. Exorcist: Demon Duster

A. More demonic activity seen in Gospels than any other books of Bible

B. Jesus exposed the demonic realm; they feared him, talked to him, and he overcame them with a word (Matthew 12:28-29).

VII. Man of Compassion

A. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots (Luke 23)

B. Touched lepers, ate with the down and out “sinners” and up and out (Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-10)

VIII. Jesus’ Authority

A. Never admitted fault, but was not arrogant or a bully

B. Judge of history (Matthew 7; 25:31-46)

C. Had all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18-20)

IX. Christhood

A. The meaning of the title: the uniquely anointed one

B. Not a state of consciousness (New Age idea) or a proper name, but a title fit only for Jesus

X. Uniqueness and Supremacy

A. Jesus’ unique knowledge of God (Matthew 11:27)

B. Mediator (John 14:6; 1 Tim 2:15)

C. Jesus was God himself (Mark 2; John 8:58); the Incarnation.

XI. Other Testimony about Jesus Christ

A. Paul: the divine servant (Philippians 2:5-11)

B. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:1-5; see also 14, 18).

XII. Jesus and Other Religious Leaders.

See Ken Samples, God Among Sages: Why Jesus is not Just Another Religious Leader (Baker, 2017)

A. Sages: Buddha, Lao Tze, Mahavira, Confucius. Jesus was a sage, but more than a sage.

B. Avatars: Hinduism. Jesus was nothing like an Avatar, but an historical figure.

C. True biblical prophets: Isaiah, Malachi, etc. Jesus was a prophet, but also the divine Messiah.

D. Other prophets: Zoroaster, Mohammad, Joseph Smith. Jesus was a true prophet and divine Messiah.

E. Contemporary gurus: these are imposters. Jesus was who he said he was and stands alone as Lord.

Other Resources

1. Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus (Wadsworth, 2003).
2. Douglas Groothuis, Jesus in an Age of Controversy (Harvest House, 1996).
3. Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, 2nd ed. (InterVarsity-Academic, 2022), see the chapters on Jesus.

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The Atonement Mar 06, 2023

I. The Death of Christ

A. Active work of Christ in obeying the law without sin through the Holy Spirit. Giving God the honor due him on our behalf

B. Passive work of Christ on the Cross, taking our punishment, paying our debt

C. Atonement: to cleanse, make right, and restore (Isaiah 53:4-6)

Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

Substitution (vicariousness)

1. Propitiation: shrine (Romans 3:25; 1 John 4:10)

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus (Romans 3:23-26, KJV).
a. Made by God for God and for us

b. Enmity or alienation between God and us taken away through the work of Christ

c. Jesus pays our debt (Luke 7)

d. Jesus Bears our sins and takes our punishment

2. Expiation: disinfects us of results of sin, our uncleanliness is taken away: the cleansing bath

“Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29)

3. Redemption: marketplace (Galatians 3:13-15)

4. Justification: courtroom (Romans 5:1-2)

5. Christus victor (Col. 2:14; 1 John 3:8)

II. Applying the Atonement

A. Come to Christ for atonement and new life (John 3:16-18)

B. Tell the world about his amazing atonement (Matthew 28:18-20)

Bibliography

1. William Lane Craig, Atonement and the Death of Christ (Baylor, 2020).
2. Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed. (InterVarsity-Academic, 2022).
3. John Stott, The Cross of Christ (InterVarsity, 1986).

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In The Classroom Feb 20, 2023

To learn more about Dr. Groothuis, visit: https://douglasgroothuis.com/

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Identity and Gender: What Should a Christian Think about Gender Ideology? Feb 06, 2023

Men are so inevitably mad that not to be mad would be to give a mad twist to madness—Blaise Pascal.[1]
Topics covered:
1. Who are You? (The Who)
2. Roots of Identity Revolution and Gender Ideology
3. Who You Are
4. The Bible on Gender
5. A Christian Response (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
[1] Pascal, Blaise. Pensées (Penguin Classics) (p. 120). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition.
Resources
1. “John Money and the Origins of Gender Theory” (five-minute video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBGrP3AP0_Y.
2. Douglas Groothuis, Fire in the Streets (Salem Books, 2022). On critical race theory, but relates to gender ideology.
3. Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay (InterVarsity Press, 2000). Explains the decline in the idea of truth, which is a key feature of gender ideology.
4. Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed. (InterVarsity Academic, 2022).
5. Francis Schaeffer, The God Who is There, signature edition (1968; InterVarsity, 2020).
6. Francis Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live? (Crossway). The big picture on Western culture and its decline. Also a film series, which is on YouTube.
7. Nancy Pearcey, Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions About Life and Sexuality (Baker Books, 2017).
8. Carl Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (Crossway, 2020).
9. Carl Trueman, Strange New People (Crossway, 2022).
10. Matt Walsh, What is a Woman? (Daily Wire Press, 2022). See also the film, “What is a Woman?” which is excellent. Walsh often covers gender theory in his daily podcast, “The Matt Walsh Show.”

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Jazz, Common Grace, and Culture Care Jan 30, 2023

There's a way of playing safe, there's a way of using tricks and there's the way I like to play, which is dangerously, where you’re going to take a chance on making mistakes in order to create something you haven't created before—Dave Brubeck, jazz pianist.
I. Christianity and Culture
A. Case study: jazz and Lutheran Pastor Smith
1. Jazz and worldliness
2. Abstention from jazz
3. Restoration to jazz
B. Creation mandate (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8)
C. The fall (Genesis 3; Romans 3)
D. Christians in culture
1. Reject and condemn; identify the fall (1 John 2:15-17)
2. Affirm, conserve; recognize common grace (Philippians 4:8)
3. Redeem, transform; extend the kingdom of God (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). See Andy Crouch, Culture Making
4. Culture care:
a. Tending the garden (Genesis 2). See Makato Fujimura, Mark Labberton, Culture Care (InterVarsity Press, 2017).
b. Salt and light
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
5. Common grace: non-saving grace given to cultures and individuals. See work of Abraham Kuyper
II. What Is Jazz That We Should be Mindful of It?
A. It is no longer a “jazz age”
B. I do not mean “smooth jazz” (sickly pseudo-jazz)
C. Origins: Africa, slave songs, New Orleans
Uniquely American art form
D. Originators: Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton
E. Nature of jazz
1. Swing: “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing,” Duke Ellington
2. Syncopation: the offbeat as the right beat
3. Improvisation: “Chops” developed through “time in the woodshed”
4. Collaboration: “big ears”
5. Mastering tradition: “standards”
6. Virtuoso soloists: Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Pat Martino
7. Jazz culture in Denver
1. Jazz studies at Metro State, directed by Ron Miles, a trumpeter and Christian
2. Dazzle Jazz: Jazz most days of the week and national acts about 3-4 times a month
F. Receiving jazz for what it is.
1. See C.S. Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism on “receiving,” not “using”
2. Behold and receive: John Coltrane, “Alabama”
III. How Jazz Can Shape Christian Witness
A. “Time in the woodshed” means developing your chops
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.—2 Timothy 2:15
B. Improvisation
C. “Call and response”—dialogue
Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord—Acts 19:8-10
D. Syncopation: “the sound of surprise” (Whitney Balliet)
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a...

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Lament as a Tonic for Suffering Jan 16, 2023

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12).
How to Cope in Crisis and Chronic sadness?
A. My conviction: Christianity is true, rational, and pertinent to whole of life. See Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics; see especially, “The Problem of Evil” chapter
B. Yet there is evil, pain, suffering, and lament
C. But, we can smelt, squeeze, and sculpt meaning out of suffering through divine love
I. Lament: A Tonic for Suffering
A. A tonic, not a cure (in this life)
What is biblical lament?
1. The anguished cry of sorrow, grief, and often anger made before God and with hope of resolution. Lament is caused the loss of a something good or by the fear of the loss of a good thing, such as justice, health, or a loving relationship. One may lament over oneself, others, or the creation itself.
a. Negro spirituals, “Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child,” and the blues, “Motherless Children.”
b. Sixty Psalms of lament (6, 13, 22, 39, 88, 90, 137, etc.)
c. Book of Job: We are “born for trouble as the sparks fly upward” (5:7)
d. Ecclesiastes 9:11 (KJV)
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
2. Christ’s absolute suffering on the Cross for redemption: lament of all laments redeems the cosmos
a. “My God my God, why have you forsaken me”? (Matthew 27:46; from Psalm 22)
b. “Come lift up your sorrow and offer your pain. Come make a sacrifice of all your shame. There in your wilderness, he is waiting for you to worship with your wounds for he’s wounded, too.” Michael Card, from “The Hidden Face of God” recording (2006)
c. Jesus: “It is finished” Not finished for us, though—yet
d. Participating in Christ’s suffering through lament: Colossians 1:24
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
Lightening the Load of Suffering
A. Let grief take its course: Said to a mother grieving the suicide of her 19-year-old son: “It’s been six weeks”
B. Let yourself and others weep; accept their tears; listen to their tears
You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in your bottle Are they not in your book? (Psalm 56:8; see Revelation 7:17).
C. Don’t give cheap answers; don’t try to read God’s mind in the whys of suffering
When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth—people getting no sleep day or night—then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it (Ecclesiastes 8:16-17; see also Deuteronomy 29:29, Romans 11:33-36).
D. Don’t try to cheer people up out of season
Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart (Proverbs 25:20).
E. Don’t make promises you cannot fulfill; keep your word
It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it (Ecclesiastes 5:5).
F. Prayer as a way of life (Ephesians 6:10-19).
G. Remember that lament for the redeemed is not forever (Revelation 21-22)
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the...

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A Theology of Culture Jan 09, 2023

Show Notes: A Theology of Culture
Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D.
Culture is where humanity shapes nature according to a worldview. Humans are to develop creation for the glory of God, since they bear God’s image (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8). All cultural activity should be performed for the glory of God under the Lordship of Christ. As Abraham Kuyper said:
There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, “Mine!”
Francis Schaeffer further emphasized that all legitimate activities are spiritual.
True spirituality covers all of reality. There are things the Bible tells us as absolutes which are sinful- which do not conform to the character of God. But aside from these things the Lordship of Christ covers all of life and all of life equally. It is not only that true spirituality covers all of life, but it covers all parts of the spectrum of life equally. In this sense there is nothing concerning reality that is not spiritual.
We find three biblical themes for cultural engagement under the Lordship of Christ.
I. Separation/antithesis: Against the world, for the world, under God. Recognize the radical fallenness of the world and its systems (Psalm 1; 1 John 2:15-17).
When everything is moving at once, nothing appears to be moving, as on board ship. When everyone is moving towards depravity, no one seems to be moving, but if someone stops he shows up the others who are rushing on, by acting as a fixed point.” Blaise Pascal, Pensées.
A. Paul at Athens: One transcendent creator; no idols; resurrection of the dead (Acts 17:16-43)
B. Danger: legalistic separatism
C. Don’t compromise with the squalor of popular culture: “Game of Thrones,” etc. Ken Myers, All God’s Children and Blue Suede Shoes: Christians and Popular Culture.
D. Bearing witness philosophically against postmodernism. See Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay (IVP, 2000)
1. Defend a biblical view of truth
2. Revealed/authoritative—not constructed or contingent all the way down
3. Objective—not merely subjective
4. Absolute—not relative, conventional
5. Universal—not provincial, parochial
6. Antithetical—not synthetic, irresponsibly eclectic, ad hoc
II. Conservation/common grace: “He Shines through all that’s fair”
A. Matthew 5:45: Sun shines and rain falls on just and unjust
B. Be discerning and relentless scavengers for common grace; philosophical detection of truth and rationality outside the fold; put back material where it belongs (James Orr)
C. Plunder the Egyptians but don’t worship their idols (Augustine)
D. Dangers: accommodating the worldly (James 1:27; 1 John 2:15-17)
E. Common grace: The American system of government. See Douglas Groothuis, Fire in the Streets
1. Separation of powers: sin and reform
2. Representational and constitutional government: ordered liberty under law
3. Five radiant freedoms of the first amendment: law giving room for religion and the preaching of grace in Christ
First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
III. Transformation: “Crown him with many crowns,” crown rights of King Jesus: Psalm 2; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Cor. 10:3-5
A. Permeate society and claim as much as possible for Christ and his Kingdom.
B. Danger: triumphalism, zeal without knowledge
C. The “humble prophet,” neither dogmatist, nor relativist; regaining a resonate, prophetic and intelligent voice in the public square
1. Knows, exegetes the culture (I Chron. 12:32; Tribe of Issachar)
2. Knows, exegetes the...

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A Philosophy of Technology Jan 02, 2023

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An Introduction to Biblical Ethics Dec 26, 2022

Christian Ethics and the Bible
A. The Bible and ethics. See J. Douma, Responsible Conduct (Presbyterian and Reformed, 2003)

Bible at completely true in all it affirms, the standard for truth (sola Scriptura), and applicable to all of life
Bible as a guide (Psalm 119; 2 Tim. 3:15-16), the ultimate authority.
Bible as a compass, provides and orientation, but not specifics on some matters; a way of life (Proverbs [wisdom and folly], Ecclesiastes, Deuteronomy 30)
Bible as a source or moral and immoral examples, narratives (Historical books of OT; Jesus in Gospels, Hebrews 11)

Two errors in appealing to the Bible for ethics:
1. Biblicism: the letter of Scripture without context and sense of placement in redemptive history.
2. Latitudinarianism: Scripture shorn of authority, diluted, distorted by contemporary tastes, preferences, orientations. Theological liberalism. See Nadia Bolz-Weber, Shameless, “progressive Christianity.”
II. Three categories of law

Ceremonial law
Civil law - When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls from the roof (Deuteronomy 22:8)
Moral law: Ten Commandments

III. Three Uses of the Law (Calvin, Institutes, book 2, chapter seven)
A. Constraint on evil (1 Tim. 1:9-10): barricade
B. Condemnation of sinners, pedagogical use (Galatians 3:24): mirror Lutherans emphasize this as the primary function.
C. Guidance for the godly (Jer. 31:33; Romans 15:4; Heb. 10:16): yardstick
IV. Uniqueness of Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-18; Deut. 5)
A. Sinai Event itself occasioned by special signs (Exodus 19)
B. Torah within the Torah: “summarily comprehends” the moral law (Westminster Larger Catechism)
C. Emphasis on the Ten Commandments throughout Scripture
D. Justification and sanctification
V. Understanding the Commandments
A. View in light of (1) original situation and (2) larger canonical setting, particularly the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
B. Two tables of the Law (see Matthew 22:37-39)
C. Eight principles for interpreting the Ten Commandments: Westminster Larger Catechism.
Consider three
1. What are the duties required?
2. What at the sins prohibited?
3. What are the blessings of obedience?
VI. Pursue virtue; avoid vice (Matthew 5:1-16)
A. Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other (Galatians 5:22-26)
B. Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12-14)
C. Don’t let the gifts get ahead of the fruits: God’s work in you is prior and more important than God’s work through you (ministry)
D. Works of the flesh (Galatians 5)
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).
VII. Consequences
A. Do as much good as you can for as many as you for as long as you can without breaking God’s law or grieving the Holy Spirit.
B. Blessings for obedience to covenant (Deuteronomy 8, 28, etc.)
C. Be zealous for good works in the power of the Holy Spirit; zeal and knowledge, not one without the other
D. For we are God's handiwork,...

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An Interview on Critical Race Theory and the Christian Worldview Dec 19, 2022

Learn more about the Defend Conference: https://www.defendthefaith.net/
To learn more about Aaron and his podcast Filter: https://www.aaronshamp.com/podcast

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Apologetics in a Nutshell Dec 15, 2022

(See also the article of the same name at The Christian Research Journal: https://www.equip.org/articles/christian-apologetics-in-a-nutshell.)
I. The Need for Defending Christianity as True, Rational, and Pertinent: Apologetics
A. Biblical case for rational spirituality (Matthew 22:37-39; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Jude 3; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
B. Defending objective truth of Christian worldview in humility and dependence on God (Luke 9:23-26)
C. Showing existential significance and consequence of Christianity. Prudential reasoning (Pascal)
D. Being wise as serpent, innocent as a dove, bold as a lion (Matthew 10:16; Proverbs 28:1)

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8 Important Statements about the Christian Worldview Nov 28, 2022

This episode looks at the concept of a Christian worldview or philosophy of life through several propositions, culled from James Sire’s classic book, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalogue. These are the statements.
1. God is infinite and personal (triune), transcendent and immanent, omniscient, sovereign and good (Exodus 3:14; Matthew 28:18-20).
2. God created the cosmos ex nihilo with a uniformity of cause and effect in an open system (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-2).
3. Human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and thus possess personality, self-transcendence, intelligence, morality, gregariousness and creative.
4. Human beings can know both the world around them and God himself because God has built into them the capacity to do so and because he takes an active role in communicating with them (Genesis 1-2; Psalm 8).
5. Human beings were created good, but through the Fall the image of God became defaced, though not so ruined as not to be capable of restoration; through the work of Christ, God redeemed humanity and began the process of restoring people to goodness, though any given person may choose to reject that redemption (John 3:1-18; Romans 5:1-8).
6. For each person death is either the gate to life with God and his people or the gate to eternal separation (hell) from the only thing that will ultimately fulfill human aspirations. See Matthew 25:31-46.
7. Ethics is transcendent and is based on the character of God as good (holy and loving). Exodus 20:1-8; Matthew 22:37-40.
8. History is linear, a meaningful sequence of events leading to the fulfillment of God’s purposes in history (1 Corinthians 15).
Touchstone proposition for the Christian worldview: “The universe (originally good, now fallen and awaiting its divine restoration) is created by the Triune God, who has revealed himself in nature, conscience, Scripture, and through the Incarnation for the purpose of salvation and judgment that God might be glorified in all things.”
Further Resources:
1. DouglasGroothuis.com.
2. Douglas Groothuis, “The Christian Worldview,” Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, 2nd ed. (InterVarsity Academic, 2022).
3. Ronald Nash, Worldviews in Conflict (Zondervan Academic, 1992).
4. Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth (Crossway, 2005).
5. James Sire, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalogue (InterVarsity Press, 2020).

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Introducing Truth Tribe (My Testimony and Mission) Nov 21, 2022

This episode acquaints you with me briefly. I speak of my conversion and ministry since then. Early on, God showed me that he wanted me to teach, preach, and write. I endeavor to bring the truth of Christianity to the world and to build up the church in the faith given once for all to the saints (Jude 3). Because of my work in philosophy and apologetics, my story can be an apologetic for Christianity. I make this case in “Autobiography as Apologetic,” published in The Christian Research Journal: https://www.equip.org/articles/autobiography-as-apologetic
In the podcast, did not mention all the books I have published in the show, so here they are.
1. Unmasking the New Age. InterVarsity Press, 1986
2. Confronting the New Age. InterVarsity Press, 1988.
3. Revealing the New Age Jesus. InterVarsity Press, 1990.
4. Christianity that Counts. Baker Books, 1994.
5. Deceived by the Light. Harvest House, 1995
6. Jesus in an Age of Controversy. Harvest House, 1996.
7. The Soul in Cyberspace. Baker Books, 1997.
8. Truth Decay. InterVarsity Press, 2000.
9. On Jesus. Wadsworth, 2003.
10. On Pascal. Wadsworth, 2003.
11. Christian Apologetics, first edition. InterVarsity Press, 2011.
12. Philosophy in Seven Sentences. InterVarsity Press, 2017.
13. Walking through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness—A Philosopher’s Lament. InterVarsity Press, 2017.
14. I Love You to the Stars (with Crystal Bowman). Kregel, 2021. A children’s book.
15. Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed. InterVarsity Press, 2022. Contains eight new chapters.
16. Fire in the Streets. Salem Book, 2022.
17. The Knowledge of God in the World and in the Word: An Introduction to Classical Apologetics (with Andrew Shepardson). Zondervan Academic. Due: December, 2022.
In addition, I coedited, with James Sennett, In Defense of Natural Theology. InterVarsity Press, 2005.

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Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis: Official Trailer Oct 31, 2022

Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis is a podcast dedicated to finding the truth through reason, and evidence about what matters most. Our subjects include how to defend the Christian faith (through apologetics), biblical ethics, and social issues.

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