Series on Logic Part 5 – Ad Hominem

Well, dear ones, we are now safely tucked into our new home for my husbands next assignment. Which means I can happily dig more into this series on logic. Perfect timing, because the Ad Hominem attack is one you’ll come across often regardless of what you’re discussing. This fun to say word is a Latin expression which translates ‘to the man’. It sounds better in Latin, but means exactly what it sounds like it means.

Ad Hominem is a logical fallacy where someone attacks you, rather than your argument. You’ll often hear this when Christians discuss science. In fact, almost all the responses I see on twitter from atheists are Ad Hominem fallacies. ‘You’re too ignorant to understand what you’re talking about’. It’s difficult not to answer in kind, or to stay calm when your personal character is being attacked. Sometimes it’s helpful to take a step back, pray, remember that you’re talking to a human being that’s having their belief systems challenged. Then, once you’re calm, return to the discussion. I’ve never encountered an Ad Hominem in face to face discussions, although I’m sure they happen, it’s much more common online.

If the person has fallen to nothing but Ad Hominem fallacies it’s probably a good time to end the conversation. Although I would leave that up to your discretion, with a case by case bases. It’s important to remember, though, that personal attacks are not just logical fallacies, they’re a reflection of the one using them. You, and I, have to be reflections of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Anytime we begin a conversation with someone about the Gospel we should to so with solemnity, trembling before the weight of what we bring. Eternity is not ours to give or to take, we can only point the way like Evangelist in Pilgrims Progress. We bring Good News, and how beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News?

The point of this series is not just to explain logic, or fallacies, but to encourage and edify you beloved brethren. If there was ever a time in this West, or in the world in general, that the Gospel was heard willingly and happily, today its met by scorn and mockery. We have to dust our feet off, and move on to the next person. A bee doesn’t sting the flower that has no nectar, it simply buzzes off to find a new flower. When you come up against a person who has no nectar, and offers instead the biting Ad Hominem, pray for them and move on to the next person. Some plant, others water, God brings the increase! And as always, beloved friends, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Twisted Tuesday – The Parable of the Sower

Hello friends, today I want to talk about scripture I recently heard taken out of context. It’s actually such a clear passage that I had never heard it misused in this way. It’s the parable of the sower Luke 8:4-15, Mark 4:3-20, and Matthew 14:4-23. In this parable Jesus describes four types of hearers of the Word. The person who took this verse out of context suggested that all four types are believers who will go to heaven. In her opinion, this parable just meant that there were some who would be more fruitful than others, not that three fourths were unbelievers.

Luckily Jesus Christ explained His parable, and in that explanation the full context can be seen. In this parable Jesus was going from place to place ‘proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God’. This parable is so important that when His disciples come to Him and ask what it meant he asked them how they would understand any parable if they didn’t understand this one. Anytime we see Christ saying ‘all who have ears to hear, let them hear’ we need to listen carefully. Why, then, would someone twist this passage to say all those who heard the Word were saved? I can only think of one reason, that they did not want to preach on false conversion, or eternal damnation.

Understand, beloved, that when Christians refuse to talk about hell its not because they have love for the lost. That might be the excuse they tell themselves, that we’re unloving to warn the world to flee from the wrath to come, but an excuse is not the same thing as a reason. The real reason is that they love the praise of man, they’d rather the world be damned then they be rejected. So they twist the Word of God to candy coat the truth in hopes that they’ll make friends. We’re not called to make friends, we’re called to make disciples. We’re called to pick up our cross, to count the cost. If they rejected the Master how much more so will they reject His servants? We have to be willing to be rejected, to be mocked, to be ridiculed, to be persecuted, to get the Gospel out at all cost.

The idea of false conversion is something that upsets many in the church and outside of it. No one wants the straight and narrow way to be hard to find, or for few to find it. Everyone wants the way to be wide, soft, and easy to find. This parable details the hard hearts that won’t listen, the happy hearts that love to listen but never bow their knee, and those who even spend time in the church before the thorns of the world choke them out. They went out from us because they never were of us. No one who puts their hands on the plow and looks back is worthy of the kingdom. If we come up against someone speaking on any subject we have to compare their beliefs not others but to Gods Word. This is why, beloved brethren, I implore you daily to be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Noah’s Flood Series – Part I

Friends, I’ve been wanting to do this series since I started this blog. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the flood of Noah is a constant reminder to us all that God hates sin. Yes, God is a God of love, and as such there must be things He hates. I love my daughter, and all children, thus I hate child abuse and abortion. I love the Jewish people, so I hate the Holocaust and anti-semitism. This hatred for sin conflicts with mans love for sin, which is one reason why so many try to disprove a global deluge.

This week we’re heading to our next assignment, so I’m packing and organizing like a mad man! I want to get into details next Monday, so today I’ve got a great documentary for you all. LivingWaters Noah Movie, which focuses on the prophetic part of Noah’s Flood. I hope you will all be blessed by this movie! As always brethren, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Hymns from the Past – Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

let me hide myself in thee;

let the water and the blood,

from thy wounded side which flowed,

be of sin the double cure;

save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labors of my hands

can fulfill thy law’s demands;

could my zeal no respite know,

could my tears forever flow,

all for sin could not atone;

thou must save, and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,

simply to the cross I cling;

naked, come to thee for dress;

helpless, look to thee for grace;

foul, I to the fountain fly;

wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,

when mine eyes shall close in death,

when I soar to worlds unknown,

see thee on thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

let me hide myself in thee.

by Augustus Toplady

Series on Logic Part Four – Excluded Middle

Today, dear friends, we’re going to discuss the third law of Logic, the law of the excluded middle. This law specifies that something is either true or false, A or non-A, you’ll hear this often in things like ‘either God exists or He doesn’t’. Some would suggest that there’s a third option, that it’s unknown whether something is true or false. Obviously, just because something is unknown does not negate the truth of this law, whether known or unknown all propositions are either true or false.

This is where logic can help our apologetics, particularly when dealing with those who claim God can not be known. It’s really an arbitrary claim meant to give those who would prefer not to be under moral accountability a way out. Simply restating the laws of logic when they’re being neglected in a discussion can help bring clarity. When we graciously, lovingly, point to logic in our attempts to evangelize, it must always be out of concern for the lost and not to win an argument. Are goal is never to win arguments, but to win souls.

This particular law of logic seems to be the easiest one to understand, but very difficult in our ‘relative’ culture to explain. Next Friday we’ll begin to review logical fallacies, starting with the most common in regards to apologetics. I pray these short discussions help you all to be bolder in your proclamation of the Gospel. This morning my husband lost another patient, a young teenager. None of us are promised tomorrow, each day over 150,000 people die, young and old alike. We need to reach the lost, as our sister in Christ BC said the other day, our time is short. So be good Berean’s, beloved brethren, and study to show yourselves approved.

Wednesday Testimony – An Atheist’s Story

Mr. Guirguis gives his testimony in the clip below, after you watch it I want to take a moment to discuss the negative affects false conversion has…

Did you hear what Peter said? When things in his life began to get difficult he turned his back on God. Now we know that they go out from us because they never really were of us. This is why, later in his life, he needed the new birth, thankfully by Gods grace he was saved and truly brought into the fold. The reason so many leave the church when times get hard is because they’re being promised health and wealth. That’s a false Gospel, one that causes more false conversions than we could count, making it spiritually deadly. The pastors who promise that coming to Christ will make everything in your life better are twisting scripture and offering things God has never offered. The scripture tells us the opposite, in fact, we’re promised trials and tribulations.

By now most of you have read my testimony, and know that I was a false convert. I spent over a decade in the church without ever truly repenting from my sins and being born again. I wasn’t a new creature, I was the same old flesh with the same desires for self righteousness, I just spoke in christianeze. Anyone can be religious, but to be a false convert you have to believe you’ve been saved. That’s what makes it so difficult to save the lost in our churches, they don’t think they need a savior.

No doubt this is a sensitive subject, particularly amongst those that claim to have been Christians and are now agnostic or atheistic. I was speaking to a young man the other day who grew up in church, believed he had been saved, but like Mr. Guirguis, fell away when life got hard. He was very offended when I brought up my own false conversion, and told me it was a slap in the face to all those who had tried so hard to be Christian. That’s the problem with false conversion, it is bought at the price of self righteousness, but salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, by the grace of God alone, for the glory of God alone. I’m going to add a few videos and clips to help clarify this issue, nothing is more important than whether or not you are truly in the faith. Examine yourself, work through your salvation with fear and trembling. Flee the wrath to come.

Dear ones, I pray this testimony, and discussion on false conversion, blesses you. I pray it encourages you to continue to share the Gospel with everyone you possibly can. I wouldn’t be here now, writing this to you, if someone hadn’t shared with me. Let us love the lost more than we love comfort, or approval of man. As always, beloved brethren, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Movie Review – The Riot and the Dance

Last night, as promised, we went to see The Riot and the Dance. It was a great film, wonderful shots, fascinating animals. beautiful scenery, and genuinely funny throughout. If you’re looking for a nature movie for your kiddos to learn about biology this is the movie for you.

I really appreciated the folks who made this movie focusing on God the Creator. The one thing I was looking for that was not present in the movie was a clear Gospel message. I still recommend this movie, it was really well done, and it’s nice to have some creation scientists highlighted. It was just a missed opportunity, especially in the end of the movie when there’s a few interviews, including Ken Ham.

We tend to think that those who would go to Christian movies will already be Christians, but how many are false converts? I would have loved going to a movie like this before being saved, because it would have made me look religious. There were also, most likely, evolutionists and atheists who went to the movie to write reviews or critiques. I don’t remember hearing Jesus Christ mentioned once, but we have the light within us, we need to shine it in the darkest places. There’s a second movie coming out, hopefully the creators won’t miss this next opportunity.

What happens when we only tell the evidence for God? Most of the time we take atheists and turn them into agnostics, or theists. Only Christ has the Words of life, men and women are marching their way to hell, will we not stand in their way, share the straight and narrow path?

Beloved, please don’t miss understand me. I really enjoyed this movie, Kayliegh and I laughed often, and it certainly glorified God as Creator. My heart just aches for those who came looking for the way, the truth, and the life, but only found His creation. I hope this review is helpful, and as always friends, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Molecular Machines – Wrapping It Up

Well beloved brethren there seems to be no end to the amazing molecular machines within our bodies. We could continue this series for a year or more! Instead, I’m going to wrap this up with a recap on everything we’ve learned. Before I do that, I want to thank you all who prayed with me for my husband and the family who lost their baby. What a gift God has given to have an entire body of believers to go to for advice, encouragement, and prayer!

So in case you missed them here is a list of all the tiny robots working so hard to keep up alive.

Molecular Machines – ATP the energy for all cells, without which we would die, ATP is an amazing molecular machine in every single cell in our bodies.

Molecular Machines – Helicase a necessary machine for DNA replication, the Helicase is just as important as the ATP, and also resides in every cell.

Molecular Machines – Dynein the gear shifting motor, which helps move proteins and other needed nutrients and information, is one hard working machine.

Molecular Machines – Flagellum one of the worlds most known molecular machine, which propels things backward or forward, made of intricately designed pieces.

Molecular Machines – Myosins is a molecular machine that helps with muscle flexing, making in important for movement.

Molecular Machines – Clathrin the three legged protein that gathers together to build a basket like shape which moves information or nutrients inside or outside every cell, which is especially important in brain cells.

I hope this recap blesses you, if anyone missed a post. Stay tuned for the new series next Monday focusing on bringing God glory through creation science. Until tomorrow, dear ones, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Hymns from the Past – And Art Thou with us, Gracious Lord

And art Thou with us, gracious Lord,

To dissipate our fear?

Dost Thou proclaim Thyself our God,

Our God for ever near?

Doth Thy right hand, which formed the earth,

And bears up all the skies,

Stretch from on high its friendly aid,

When dangers round us rise?

And wilt Thou lead our weary souls

To that delightful scene,

Where rivers of salvation flow

Through pastures ever green?

On Thy support our souls shall lean,

And banish every care;

The gloomy vale of death shall smile,

If God be with us there.

Amen.

By Phillip Doddridge, A Puritan pastor at Kibworth (1702-1752).

Homeschool Resources – Free Easter Lessons and Field Trip Updates

Hello, and happy Saturday, friends! Our brothers and sisters over at Answers in Genesis have released a wonderful Easter lesson plan for free. The lesson plan comes with four different downloads, each specified to age. They start at Pre-K and go up to 8th grade. Whether you celebrate Passover or Easter, you won’t find any bunnies or eggs in these downloads. These lessons focus on Christ crucified, and risen from the grave. They are great for anyone who teaches Sunday school, homeschoolers, or parents/grandparents that want to turn their little one’s eyes on the kingdom rather than the candy.

https://answersingenesis.org/store/product/abc-easter-lessons/

I also wanted to share with you all a few of our recent field trips, I haven’t discussed our adventures since we went to see the Dino prints. Since then Kayliegh has learned about geological formations at the unfortunately named Garden of the Gods.

That gave us the opportunity to discuss the difference between the evolutionary story of how these rocks formed, and the flood of Noah and the impact it had on the Earth. Then we learned about erosion, and suspension bridges at America’s second highest suspension bridge named the Royal Gorge Bridge.

There was also a short lesson on mechanics as we rode the gondola across the Royal Gorge, then we discussed how fear can affect us. We also had a lot of fun learning the different types of mountains, and how oxygen works differently on our lungs at higher altitudes, by driving up to Pikes Peak. Kayliegh has had some lessons on weather, and how mountains affect it, as well.

There are fantastic places in everywhere state that show Gods glory, His intelligence in design, and His majesty in creation. When we can pull those lessons into science, history, and mathematics, it’s a win win! I hope these are encouraging to you all, beloved, to push the boundaries of how you teach your little ones. As always, dear ones, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.