by Douglas Groothuis- The historical particulars of Jesus’ life are of paramount importance for accurately assessing his message and his identity. We know of nothing written by Jesus. He must be understood in terms of the encounters, discourses, and events narrated in the primary historical documents that recount his life—the four Gospels of the New … Read More
by Steven B. Cowan – One of the central affirmations of the Christian faith is that in Jesus of Nazareth God became a man. The prologue of John’s Gospel makes this affirmation clear: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. . .and the Word became … Read More
Introduction to Areopagus Journal Vol. 3 No. 3 / May-June 2003 by Craig Branch- One of the best-known contemporary apologetic works, which has positively influenced skeptics toward faith, is C. S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity. In it, he posits the great trilemma to the effect that, based on the evidence, Jesus Christ was either “liar, Lord, … Read More
by Craig Branch – Veritas (Introduction to Areopagus Journal Vol. 3 No. 1, January-February 2003) This is the first issue of Areopagus Journal for 2003 and it is the inaugural issue of our new format. We made some changes. Rather than a quarterly journal, we are now a bimonthly journal. Your subscription brings six issues … Read More
by Steven B. Cowan – A recent issue of Free Inquiry [Vol. 22:2, Spring 2002] contained an article relevant to Areopagus Journal’s focus on bioethics. The article, “Homsap: Elixir of Holiness” (pp. 9-12), by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, clearly demonstrates the anti-life implications of metaphysical and evolutionary naturalism (a.k.a., atheism). Dawkins is critical of President … Read More
by Craig Branch – 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 faith. Conversely, negative apologetics has to do with answering objections brought against the Christian faith. In this issue of Areopagus Journal, we will be … Read More
by Craig Branch – Introduction to Areopagus Journal Volume 5 Number 3 (May-June 2005) The general perception of apologetics is that it answers the objections of unbelievers and gives proofs for the truth of Christianity. In its most general sense, apologetics serves to give a reasoned answer for why we believe. But apologetics is for … Read More
An Epistemic Cosmological Argument If the universe can be explained, then God exists Everything can be explained The universe is a thing Therefore, the universe can be explained Therefore, God exists (Stephen T Davis) A Transcendental Argument If God does not exist, then human rational faculties are not trustworthy instruments for acquiring knowledge. Human … Read More
by Brandon Robbins and Steven B. Cowan- On October 3, 2007 there was a debate in Birmingham Alabama titled , “The God Delusion Debate.” Fixed Point Foundation brought together two Oxford professors, one a bestselling atheist author, Professor Richard Dawkins, and the other, Dr. John Lennox, a mathematician and philosopher of science. Richard Dawkins is … Read More
By Raymond J. VanArragon – There is no doubt that one of the most significant matters of human concern is the existence of God. If an omnipotent, omniscient, perfectly good being created the world and everything in it, that is a fact of enormous importance for how we understand ourselves and how we live our … Read More
by Steven B. Cowan – Many arguments for God’s existence appeal to objective features of the physical universe as their starting points. For example, the cosmological argument (the “where did-it-all-come-from” argument) begins with the existence of the universe and seeks an explanation for why something exists rather than nothing. The argument concludes that the existence … Read More
by Gregory E. Ganssle – Suppose someone has died and we think that a murder may have been committed. The detective examines the scene and begins a long investigation. She seeks to identify the responsible person by gathering facts at the scene and determining in which direction these facts point. Some of the evidence will … Read More
by Steven B. Cowan – As far back as human history has been recorded, people have expressed a hope in life after death. Every religion has some concept of human survival beyond the demise of the physical body. Christians, of course, have a confident faith in an afterlife due to our belief in the resurrection … Read More
by Craig Branch – A major concern of Christian apologists and pastors is the slow and subtle seduction of people toward anti-Christian ideas and values through the deadly influence of our culture. Some writers characterize the process as the “frog in the kettle” phenomenon. The bar of righteousness continues to gradually move downward, analogous to … Read More
by Clete Hux – Millions of Americans practice it every day. Some say it is just physical exercise. Others say it is a spiritual discipline. Some say it is a New Age “Trojan horse” from the East. And others say they practice “Western” yoga without accepting the Eastern mysticism attached to it. While many Americans … Read More