Contrasting Scientology and Christianity

April 2, 2014By Craig BranchComparative Religions

By Clete Hux and Craig Branch Scientology claims to be “an applied religious philosophy which recognizes that man is basically good and. . .provides exact principles and practical technology for improving spiritual awareness, self-confidence, intelligence, and ability. The word “Scientology” comes from the Latin word scio, meaning ‘know’ and the Greek work logos ‘the word … Read More

Engaging the New Age

April 2, 2014By Craig BranchComparative Religions

By Craig Branch – In 1969 I was still taking the scenic route through college at an urban university in Richmond, Virginia. The university was known for its radical hippie population.  The Fifth Dimension had just released its award-winning gold record, “Age of Aquarius.”  Its popularity was due to more than the upbeat melodic voices. … Read More

Who Are the Jehovah’s Witnesses?

March 26, 2014By Craig BranchComparative Religions

By Clete Hux and Craig Branch They knock on our doors.  They distribute lots of literature.  They seek to convert us to devotion to their organization.  Many people in our culture ridicule them and some fear them, but few understand them.  Who are these people, the Jehovah’s Witnesses?  In this article, we will seek to … Read More

The History and Doctrine of Islam

March 26, 2014By Craig BranchComparative Religions

By Craig Branch Islam is the second largest religion in the world behind Christianity, numbering 1.2 billion adherents. Also, it is arguably the second largest religion in the United States.1 Yet before the events of September 11th, it commanded the attention of less than 6% of the entire Christian missionary force. The significance and resurgence of … Read More

The Stone-Campbell-Scott Movement

March 26, 2014By Craig BranchComparative Religions

By Craig Branch – Most people are aware of churches which contain the name “Church of Christ” and “Disciples of Christ,” but most people, including many in those churches, are not aware of the early history of these churches and their founders. This group of churches was, and to some extent still are, the central … Read More

War What Is It Good For?

War What Is It Good For?

March 19, 2014By Craig BranchCulture

By Craig Branch – War! What is it good for?-Absolutely nothing! War is something that I despise, for it means destruction of innocent lives, for it means tears in thousands of mothers’ eyes. When their sons go out to fight and give their lives. War! What is it good for?-Absolutely nothing! So begins the number … Read More

Veritas: What is Social Justice?

March 19, 2014By Craig BranchCulture

By Craig Branch – The short version of the mission statement for the Apologetics Resource Center is “to equip the Church to understand, live, defend, and advance the Christian gospel and worldview.” The full version is “to reach the minds and hearts of people with the message and truth claims of the gospel of Jesus … Read More

Does God Exist?

Does God Exist?

March 17, 2014By Craig BranchCommon Objections

Author: Craig Branch – Atheism: from the Greek a (without) and theos (deity or God). It is a word commonly understood as meaning a denial of the existence of gods. The most fundamental question of religion, of spiritual experience, and of philosophy is: Is there a God? And if there is a God, what difference … Read More

Has Postmodernism Killed Truth?

March 13, 2014By Craig BranchCommon Objections

By Craig Branch – About 30 years ago a pastor named Frank Barker was sharing the gospel with me, and he told me it was necessary that I both accept the gospel of grace and that I needed to repent (surrender my will and life to the Lord Jesus Christ). At that second condition, I … Read More

Creation or Evolution?

March 12, 2014By Craig BranchCommon Objections

Author: Craig Branch –   In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth [and on the sixth day] God said ‘Let us make man in Our image’…He created him, male and female He created them. Genesis 1:1, 26 The cosmos is all that is, or ever was, or ever will be. Carl Sagan … Read More

Attacks on Authority of Bible

Attacks on Authority of Bible

March 12, 2014By Craig BranchCommon Objections

Author Craig Branch – This Article is taken from the Veritas (Introduction)  of the Areopagus Journal The Breath of God Volume 2 Number 1 Historical Attacks On the Canon There are two primary aspects of apologetics often referred to as negative and positive apologetics. The latter has to do with presenting positive arguments for the Christian … Read More

Act of War – Jihad

November 8, 2012By Craig BranchGeneral Apologetics

The horrific murderous attack on New York’s World Trade Centers, the Pentagon in Washington, and the hijacked plane crash in Pennsylvania provoked a wide range of emotions and responses throughout America and around the world. Americans initially expressed shock, fear, anger, sorrow, compassion, and numbness. These reactions were followed by resolve, patriotism, reassessment of values … Read More