Is Christianity True?
As indicated in a previous post, for the next four or five years I plan to focus on the question: Is Christianity true? I plan to do most of my Christianity-centered posts on my old Cross Examination blog site, where I have set up the initial logical structure of interconnected blog posts (including a number that … Is Christianity True?
My Debate with Dr. Frank Turek
Last night I had the privilege of debating the question, “What Best Explains Reality? Naturalism or Theism?”, at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas before an estimated crowd of approximately 900 people. Although the breakdown of Christians and atheists was probably 898:2, I truly felt like the audience was respectful. In fact, after the debate, several … My Debate with Dr. Frank Turek
Off Topic: Trump is an IDIOT – Part 1
I realize that many atheists and skeptics are not liberals, so there is no liberal agenda shared by atheist and skeptics. However, I am a left-wing atheist and skeptic, and so I have been blogging (elsewhere) about my preference of Hillary Clinton over the twit Donald Trump. Today, just in time for the upcoming big … Off Topic: Trump is an IDIOT – Part 1
Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Wrapping up the Debate
Josh McDowell and various life events have distracted me from the debate with Joe Hinman about the external evidence for the existence of Jesus. (Sorry for the delay, Joe.) I wrote an introductory post about the debate: Introduction to the Debate Hinman presented five arguments for the existence of Jesus based on external (non-biblical) evidence: … Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Wrapping up the Debate
Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Parts 5B and 5C
Joe Hinman’s fifth argument for the existence of Jesus based on external evidence is presented in two sections of his post on the Web of Historicity: 5B. Big Web of Historicity 5C. Jesus Myth Theory Cannot Account for the Web The fifth argument for the existence of Jesus can be summarized in terms of a … Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Parts 5B and 5C
Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Part 5A: Various Points
Some of Hinman’s discussions about his five principles of historical investigation provide needed clarification of a principle, and some of his discussions fail to provide clarification of the relevant principle. But even when Hinman fails to clarify one of his general principles of historical investigation, he often makes some significant or interesting points. I will … Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Part 5A: Various Points
Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Part 5A: Five Principles
Joe Hinman’s fifth argument for the existence of Jesus is presented in three sections: 5A. Historical Methods 5B. Big Web of Historicity 5C. Jesus Myth Theory Cannot Account for the Web I will comment on, and raise objections to, points in each of these three sections, but this post will only cover part of the … Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Part 5A: Five Principles
Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Part 4
QUESTION 1: What is Hinman’s Central Claim about Josephus? There are two famous passages in a book by the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus that appear to refer to Jesus. Joe Hinman wants to focus on the “brother passage”, the passage in Antiquities that mentions a person named “James” and refers to him as “the brother of Jesus … Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Part 4
Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Post on Part 4 Coming Soon
I have been working on understanding and evaluating Joe Hinman’s fourth argument for the existence of Jesus, and I believe my post on this subject will be ready to publish later this week. This argument is based on alleged references to Jesus found in a book by the Jewish historian Josephus, particularly the “brother passage”, … Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Post on Part 4 Coming Soon
Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Part 3
Question 1: What are Hinman’s Central Claims about Polycarp? As with his discussion about the external evidence of Papias, Hinman begins his discussion of Polycarp with some strong claims: III. Polycarp: Knew the Apostle John and studied with him. He speaks of where the apostle sat when they studied together. The first sentence is lacking a subject. But … Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Part 3