Lewis and Freud Debate God

I few years back I saw a really good show on PBS called "The Question of God." It was based upon a book by the same title, written by Dr. Armand Nicholi. The contents of both pit the intellectual arguments for and against the existence of God, as argued by both Sigmund Freud (against) and C.S. Lewis (for). The end result is a fascinating debate between two of the most influential figures of the 20th century (read one review here).

The book is really hard to put down. Dr. Nicholi does a remarkable job of putting the arguments side by side throughout the book. It is the closest thing to a real debate that could be possible. I must say that Lewis holds many advantages in the debate: (1) He lived a little after Freud and had more time to read and answer his objections. (2) He himself was an atheist for the first 30 years of his life--thus, he knew and had sympathy for the atheists' best arguments. (3) He had read much more theology and philosophy than Freud. Though Freud is no intellectual lightweight here, he didn't have some of the benefits of Lewis in these areas.

Though the book tries to be objective to both sides of the debate, I came away feeling more confident of my own faith. Nicholi does a good job of communicating to us the "weightiness" of the subject matter. If one side is true and the other false then the consequences are considerable. As I weighed the consequences of Freud's arguments, it became clear to me that his view only leads to despair, lawlessness, and futility. Nicholi, in a very non-postmodern tone, argues that these points of view are "mutually exclusive--if one is right, the other must be wrong." Though the book and video seek to be neutral on the subject, Nicholi seems to believe that a conclusion needs to be made. Both Lewis and Freud saw it in this light and so should the viewer (reader). They are absolutely right! It was refreshing to read a non-religious book that actually gets that important point.

News Flash: Albert Mohler Forced To Take Off His Suit!!

God works in mysterious ways. I have always insisted that the suit and tie was invented by demonically inspired men who think that being uncomfortable is cool. Well, it just so happens that one of my heroes of the faith, the ever suit and tie wearing Dr. Albert Mohler, has finally been forced to take off his suit--he actually traded it in for a gown.

Some of you may already know, but it seems that Mohler came pretty close to death over the Christmas holidays. You can read about his medical crisis here (article here). His article on his ordeal is worth the read. Thankfully, he is now okay. But according to his own testimony, he came awfully close to death. Being forced to wear a hospital gown was very humbling for a man who has more suits than any human being alive.

Rumor has it, that his excessive wearing of suits actually led to his medical condition. Either way, we are grateful to have him back in good health. Perhaps, he will now be less inclined to wear suits.

Colts Going To The Super Bowl!!!!!!!

HOLY COW!!! The greatest game ever!!!! The Colts had the biggest comeback in either an AFC or NFC Championship game (in all of NFL history). Peyton Manning brought his team back from a 21-3 deficit and won the game with a last minute scoring drive. Congratulations to Tony Dungy, Peyton Manning and the boys!!!!

Brady Vs. Manning Again!!!

My dream game has come true. The Colts will be playing the Patriots for the AFC Championship. It's time for the curse to be loosed! Go Colts!!

Colts 15, Ravens 6, Colts Win Big One!!

Colts Big Game On Saturday

The Colts play on Saturday in a huge game against the Baltimore Ravens. There will be much hype over the fact that the Colts are playing in their former host city. Peyton Manning will get yet another opportunity to define his great career. Can he win a big playoff game and put the Colts into position to make it the Superbowl? The Colts need a great game from him and hopefully this will be the case on Saturday. My dream of a Brady-Manning duel, for the AFC Championship, at the RCA Dome is on the line. We'll have to wait and see. Go Colts!!!!

Charles Queen, Billy Graham, and the Word of God

It seems that our good pastor friend, Dr. Charles Queen from Immanuel Baptist Church, has posted yet another article attacking historic, Biblical Christianity. This time he goes after the Authority and Inerrancy of Scripture (article here). It's just another confirmation about just how far out he really is (read one of his previous articles here).

I was not surprised that Dr. Queen decided to use a quote from Dr. Billy Graham. I was already familiar with the quote but I have always given Graham the benefit of the doubt due to his long history of being faithful to the Biblical Gospel in both his writings and teachings. However, I have been rather disappointed in Graham in some of his "less than direct" statements that he sometimes makes in interviews. I firmly believe that Graham is sincerely orthodox in his views on God, man, and the judgement of sin, but sometimes he forsakes the clarity of truth just for the sake of a "broader tent."

In fact, it's no secret, that Graham has actually been highly controversial in his ministry in regards to issues like Inerrancy, Ecumenicalism, and Politics. There is no short supply of criticisms of his ministry from numerous Christians. Some are fair, while others are not. One of the fairest (and I believe accurate) criticisms was brought to us by Iain Murray, originally delivered at Grace Community Church (now available for purchase through Banner of Truth). It is both gracious and loving towards Graham, while at the same time, very forthright in it's criticisms of Graham's sometimes unfortunate comments and positions. I believe that it is a must read for those who have been confused by some of Graham's more controversial areas of ministry (see review of another relevant book by Murray here).

It's a shame that a liberal like Dr. Queen would find theological comfort in someone like Graham. That is unfortunate. But it does give us even more reason to hold fast to the truth of God's word and not upon the foolish and fallen thinking of man. Even someone like Graham can be fallible--that's a good lesson for all of us!

Michigan Pheasant Hunt Photos

Devotional: Think On What Is Lovely

Think on what is Lovely.

Our world is filled with ugliness. The ugliness caused by sin, caused by rebellion, by hatred of God and His truth. Ugliness caused by the perversion of God's goodness. Destroyed relationships, ruined marriages, are ugly. Lives marred by drug abuse and alcoholism---ugly.

Beautiful women living in constant debauchery, adultery and fornication--ugly. Abortion as a birth control method, greed ruining lives. Ugly. We cannot avoid seeing the ugliness that comes from the perversion of sin. But, we can refrain from wallowing in it. We can limit our exposure to it to that which God's calling in our lives demands: that is, the person who is called, and gifted, to face the ugliness of the world with regularity will be given the grace to handle the task. But it is the willful exposure of one's heart and mind to unnecessary ugliness that makes no sense. The more exposure we have, the less we will be appalled and repelled by it. "Think on what is lovely." In the context, this is not simply a command to enjoy the beauty of goodness, of holiness, of what is pleasing in God's creation. It is a part of the entire string of commands, and truly, we are given a good idea of what "lovely" here means by seeing it in light of what has come before.

God's creation is beautiful when it is in harmony with its Creator. The Christian who stares at the grandeur of creation can do so with an added level of depth that the one who remains in rebellion against God cannot. That which is righteous is lovely; that which is holy is pleasing to God, and to those who are at peace with God. When we are purposefully seeking to discipline our thinking, our minds, we will know when we are indulging the flesh and thinking upon that which is not pleasing to God, which reverberates with the rebellious tones of the world. We should truly seek to be sensitive to the Spirit in recognizing when things are lovely, of a good report, and when they are stained with the revolting stench of the world.

*Taken from Alpha and Omega Ministries Website. Link to article here.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007!!!!