This month, I’m excited for the new release of Sharing the Good News with Mormons, and a few other goodies to help us reach our LDS friends.
Apologetics, Articles, Everyday Life, LDS, Mormonism, Tools
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Worldviews
For several years now, we’ve made time for the practice of inviting LDS missionaries into our home.
In the beginning, our neighborhood was patrolled by elders (the male duos). After a few months, “the powers that be” moved boundary lines and now we’re patrolled by sisters (the female duos and trios). Together and separately (and through 2 rotations with an awesome college student friend), my husband and I have spoken with well over a dozen missionaries: all freshly out of high school or taking a break from college for their mission. Some met with us for several weeks, others for a single visit, but each time we’ve endeavored to use the interaction as an opportunity to be hospitable, develop a true relationship, and share the light yolk that is the true gospel of Jesus Christ with these earnest young people.
We’re blessed to stay in contact with a handful of them now that they’re off of their mission, and we’re thankful for their willingness to maintain a relationship with us. They’re often on my mind.
So, why am I telling you this?
Apologetics, Articles, Atheism, Biblical Difficulties, Book Reviews, Family Time
Science and God: Pre-release Preview Part 2
This summer, our church’s Sunday School program pulled together a curriculum for the K-5th grade students. They focused on God and science. Biologists, mathematicians, astronomers, nurses, and chemists from our church congregation presented lessons to the children each Sunday morning, accompanied by group experiments, worship songs, and more. The kids came alive with each presentation and excitedly discussed God and science in one breath. We could all see that something uniquely important had taken place this summer. God and science aren’t two opposed “things” to these children; they go hand in hand. It was a beautiful effort on the part of our teachers and members, and is one of the many reasons we’re thankful to presently be part of this church body.
Articles, Biblical Difficulties, Family Time, Tools, Worldviews
Mom, the Skeptic: “The Authors of the Bible were Liars”
Last week, I wrote about Natasha Crain’s forthcoming book, and as I composed that post, I asked one of my sons what they would say if a skeptic asked “How do you know God exists?”
He replied, “Let’s start with this, God made everything, right? But if people said He didn’t, it couldn’t just exist by itself! Only God can make everything by saying a word… and because He’s doing many miracles. (pause) And the Bible.”
At the time, I made a mental note of those points, in the hope that we could circle back and address them at a future date. Providentially, my son brought that conversation up today and rather confidently reasserted that a person who doesn’t believe God exists should just read the Bible.
While that is true, and that the Holy Spirit often brings people to a saving knowledge of God through the Word, my child’s smug tone called for some correction and guidance; So I became the skeptic.
Apologetics, Articles, Biblical Difficulties, Scripture Habits, Worldviews
Step out of Your Bubble: Investigate Belief
It’s easy to stay in your bubble. It’s cozy and familiar. Even on the occasion when one belief is causing friction with another, as long as no outside source shines light on the cognitive dissonance, we can keep on keeping on.
But that’s not what we’re called to do. And it’s not really what we’re content with, is it?
On Wednesday night, the Late Show with Stephen Colbert got interesting with talk of a little book burning. Colbert asked his guest, outspoken atheist/actor/Twitter extraordinaire Ricky Gervais, why “there is something rather than nothing.” Colbert’s questioning opened the door to a good-natured discussion (refreshing for a late night talk show!). Near the end of the conversation Gervais stated, “Science is constantly proved all the time. If we take something like any fiction, any holy book, and destroyed it, in a thousand years’ time that wouldn’t come back just as it was. Whereas if we took every science book and every fact and destroyed them all, in a thousand years they’d all be back, because all the same tests would be the same result.”
The concept of mummies is one all of us are familiar with. Whether young or old, you’ve probably experienced a phase of interest in mummies spurred on by history study or a trip to the museum. At the very least, you’ve likely developed an opinion about whether mummies are intriguing or disgusting or both. I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that typically, when we hear the word “mummy,” most of us think of Egypt, tombs, cloth wrappings, and bodies preserved with great care and skill. But have you ever heard of the practice of self-mummification?
As parents, it’s important to understand that as our children become more and more immersed in society, whether it be school, sports or something else, they’re going to encounter challenges to their Christian faith. In fact, I don’t think it’s a matter of if, but when. We need to be proactive and vigilant so that we don’t leave our kids unprepared and exposed to questions they can’t answer. Today, i would like to take a look at a short online story called “Meet Darwin” that can be found on Kidswithoutgod.com which is run by the American Humanist Association. My goal is to examine the claims made in the book and equip you as parents with Christian responses to those claims so that you in turn can discuss it with your children!