Please go to http://www.offensivechristians.com/blog for the real blog war.
OC
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Dawkins and Company Seem Upset
I was just reading an article on the exploits of Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens. Its an interesting and infuriating read. The secular humanists have owned our schools, our media, and government bureaucracies for decades and yet the author of this piece has the audacity to suggest that atheists are "the most reviled group in the country if not the world."
The author implies this revulsion (if it were to exist) is a bad thing. By what moral basis does he make this implication?
I find it offensive to read atheist writings which presuppose morality. What is the moral good in furthering atheism? How does an atheist even define good? The creation can not mandate morality. There is no law without a lawgiver. The very argument that atheism is a better philosophic position presupposes an external system of measure in order to validate what exactly "better" means.
Today's cultural melange of secular humanism (the belief that man is the pinnacle of evolution and the greatest currently known intellect in the universe) and postmodernism (all beliefs are valid) leave us no possibility for rational thought.
What do I mean? God established order. Humanism and postmodernism in concert deny the lawgiver and the laws themselves. The very laws that are placed aside are the ones you and I use to give meaning to words, to give meaning to our senses, and to provide a lens of rationality which focuses reality into something perceptible, understandable, and worthy of consideration. Without an infinite creator God there can be no point on which to hinge truth. The Christian God not only is the one true God, He is Truth incarnate. Jesus is the truth; without Him there can be no meaning because he gives meaning beyond this life. He created the universe, and that fact establishes a basis for accepting reality. If I am merely animated chemicals then how can I trust that I (or anyone else) am capable of rational thought? God created laws of order and rationality that give meaning to our thoughts and provide us an external check to our own processes.
Dawkins and company (though created in God's image and capable of loving and being loved by their creator) can not provide you proof of their coherence because they have no basis to judge coherency except their own fallible thoughts. Why are Dawkin's thoughts more valid than mine? Because he believes so? Because another mortal man agrees? Because a certain number of mortal men or women agree? Truth is not democracy - It was created by God.
Without truth there is no morality - Tell those who don't believe in God to stop using God's standards to judge reality unless they're gonna give Him the credit!
The author implies this revulsion (if it were to exist) is a bad thing. By what moral basis does he make this implication?
I find it offensive to read atheist writings which presuppose morality. What is the moral good in furthering atheism? How does an atheist even define good? The creation can not mandate morality. There is no law without a lawgiver. The very argument that atheism is a better philosophic position presupposes an external system of measure in order to validate what exactly "better" means.
Today's cultural melange of secular humanism (the belief that man is the pinnacle of evolution and the greatest currently known intellect in the universe) and postmodernism (all beliefs are valid) leave us no possibility for rational thought.
What do I mean? God established order. Humanism and postmodernism in concert deny the lawgiver and the laws themselves. The very laws that are placed aside are the ones you and I use to give meaning to words, to give meaning to our senses, and to provide a lens of rationality which focuses reality into something perceptible, understandable, and worthy of consideration. Without an infinite creator God there can be no point on which to hinge truth. The Christian God not only is the one true God, He is Truth incarnate. Jesus is the truth; without Him there can be no meaning because he gives meaning beyond this life. He created the universe, and that fact establishes a basis for accepting reality. If I am merely animated chemicals then how can I trust that I (or anyone else) am capable of rational thought? God created laws of order and rationality that give meaning to our thoughts and provide us an external check to our own processes.
Dawkins and company (though created in God's image and capable of loving and being loved by their creator) can not provide you proof of their coherence because they have no basis to judge coherency except their own fallible thoughts. Why are Dawkin's thoughts more valid than mine? Because he believes so? Because another mortal man agrees? Because a certain number of mortal men or women agree? Truth is not democracy - It was created by God.
Without truth there is no morality - Tell those who don't believe in God to stop using God's standards to judge reality unless they're gonna give Him the credit!
Why Offensive?
I am a Christian and a former atheist. I was very vocal in my hatred of Christianity and Christians in general before I converted. I was unafraid to speak my mind and put down those silly Xians.
When God regenerated me, He gave me a new way of looking at things and a reason to exist. There was a change in me that I didn't expect. I was more reluctant to share my beliefs and opinions once I became Christian. I'm sure many of us have felt the pressure to keep quiet and not offend those around us by proclaiming that Jesus is the only way to salvation and eternal happiness with God.
It is intimidating to stand alone in a world bent on destroying the Truth. We tried to kill the Truth 2000 years ago and He (Thank God for His Grace) came back to teach us and show us the way. He asks that we share His message and yet we live in a time where any other belief is acceptable except the one true religion based on the one true God.
We must speak. We must change from defense to offense. The Bible speaks authoritatively on all topics it addresses - Anthropology, Psychology, Biology, Physics, Metaphysics, Morality, Eternity - God's Word speaks to all these things and more with the authority of the Creator.
As Christians we must take the Word to every tribe and every nation. The secular humanist next door might be the tribesman you've been called to talk to about Jesus.
Don't be afraid to go offensive!
When God regenerated me, He gave me a new way of looking at things and a reason to exist. There was a change in me that I didn't expect. I was more reluctant to share my beliefs and opinions once I became Christian. I'm sure many of us have felt the pressure to keep quiet and not offend those around us by proclaiming that Jesus is the only way to salvation and eternal happiness with God.
It is intimidating to stand alone in a world bent on destroying the Truth. We tried to kill the Truth 2000 years ago and He (Thank God for His Grace) came back to teach us and show us the way. He asks that we share His message and yet we live in a time where any other belief is acceptable except the one true religion based on the one true God.
We must speak. We must change from defense to offense. The Bible speaks authoritatively on all topics it addresses - Anthropology, Psychology, Biology, Physics, Metaphysics, Morality, Eternity - God's Word speaks to all these things and more with the authority of the Creator.
As Christians we must take the Word to every tribe and every nation. The secular humanist next door might be the tribesman you've been called to talk to about Jesus.
Don't be afraid to go offensive!
Rules of Engagement
This site is dedicated to open discussion but some parameters must be set. We should be engaging opposing ideas, not the people who bring them. Ad hominem (against the man or personal attacks) will not be allowed. Profanity and coarse language is also banned. I fully expect passionate discourse but Christians and non-Christians alike must remain civil to be heard. Fire your shots but show common courtesy. If you have additional concerns; feel free to contact the moderator.
That said - Let's dust up some ideas!!
That said - Let's dust up some ideas!!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Welcome to the War
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
The marketplace is full of ideas - Some with merit - Some not. I am a follower of Christ who chooses not to check his brain at the door or leave his bible behind when engaging fellow thinkers about the only thing that really matters. Eternity inexorably calls all of us. We must speak out. We must spread the gospel's truth. We must be offensive Christians. Dogmatism will not save us or those we hope to save - Fear of man will not either. The Word is our weapon. We must not be afraid to use it in love. If you are honestly interested in discussing our eternal futures then you've come to the right place.
Let's do this thing!
The marketplace is full of ideas - Some with merit - Some not. I am a follower of Christ who chooses not to check his brain at the door or leave his bible behind when engaging fellow thinkers about the only thing that really matters. Eternity inexorably calls all of us. We must speak out. We must spread the gospel's truth. We must be offensive Christians. Dogmatism will not save us or those we hope to save - Fear of man will not either. The Word is our weapon. We must not be afraid to use it in love. If you are honestly interested in discussing our eternal futures then you've come to the right place.
Let's do this thing!
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