For over twenty years Pastor David Guzik has been researching each Bible Passage and creating what Thousands of people have come to know as The Enduring Word Bible Commentary.
Monday, July 12, 2021
Friday, July 9, 2021
Ratio Christi - Free Apologetics e-books.
Ratio Christi (Latin for ‘The Reason of Christ’) has free e-books.
Authors include William Lane Craig, Greg Koukl, and Robert M. Bowman Jr., etc.
Titles include What if Christianity is true?, Is God evil?, Is Jesus God?, Engaging critical theory and the social justice movement, etc.
Covenant Theological Seminary - Free Online Courses
Courses, Lectures & Sermons – All Free. Create a free account to stream or download over 45 full-length masters courses, more than 100 lectures series, and hundreds of sermons.
Associated with -- The Presbyterian Church in America -- the second-largest Presbyterian church body, behind the Presbyterian Church, and the largest conservative Reformed denomination in the United States. The PCA is Reformed in theology and presbyterian in government. It is characterized by a blend of Reformed practice and broad evangelicalism.
Monday, March 15, 2021
Friday, March 12, 2021
Apologetics Resource: The Worldview Bulletin
The Worldview Bulletin informs about current ideas and issues at the intersection of culture and Christian philosophy, theology, and apologetics.
Produced by Christian scholars Dr. Paul Copan, Dr. Paul Gould, Dr. David Baggett, and Christopher Reese.
Subscription-based, but you can subscribe for free.
The Worldview Bulletin features:
Interviews
Original Articles
News
Guest contributions by Christian scholars and apologists
Announcements and helpful info about new books
Special deals and discounts on books
Recommended resources
Apologetics E-Books with brief annotations
The following is based on a list of free apologetics books based on a list from Truthbomb Apologetics. Truthbomb's list includes a selection of Devotional Books not included here.
Go here for Faithlife’s free eBook of the Month.
The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel. *ADDED* Evidences/indicators for the reliability of the NT, the divinity of Christ, and the resurrection.
An evidential approach to apologetics: Prove the resurrection and you've demonstrated Christianity and its doctrines are true.
Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock: What to Say Jehovah Witnesses When They Knock on your Door by Mike Licona
Mike Licona is solid.
Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock: What to Say to Mormons When They Knock on Your Door by Mike Licona
Mike Licona is solid.
Beyond the Bounds: Open Theism and the Undermining of Biblical Christianity edited by John Piper, Justin Taylor, and Paul Kjoss Helseth [PDF]
Defending orthodoxy. Commendation by J.I. Packer means it's solid Reformed theology. Research topic: What is "open theism".
Confessions by St. Augustine [PDF]
A classic work by a Church Father.
C.S. Lewis- A Profile in Faith [PDF]
Biography of pre-eminent 20th cc. apologist. Chapter 6 is C. S. Lewis’s Seven Key Ideas.
Curse of Cain? Racism in the Mormon Church by Jerald and Sandra Tanner
Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching by St. Irenaeus
A classic work by a Church Father.
Digging for the Evidence by Peter S. Williams [PDF]
Archaeology and the Historical Reliability of the New Testament
Peter S. Williams is solid.
Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul [PDF] *NOT AVAILABLE*
Evidence for the Historical Jesus: Is the Jesus of History the Christ of Faith? by Gary Habermas *CORRECTED LINK*
Gary Habermas is a solid Resurrection scholar.
Evidence of Christianity by William Paley
Historical Apologetics. Paley is famous for his Watchmaker analogy
Fifty Nobel Laureates and Other Great Scientists Who Believe in God [PDF] *LINK FIXED*
Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper [PDF]; originally called The Passion of Jesus Christ
Perhaps useful for witnessing to Muslims, who assert Jesus did not die on the cross.
John Piper is solid. His Desiring God Ministries offers all of Piper's sermons and articles and most of his books online free of charge.
How Do You Know the Bible is from God? by Kyle Butt [PDF]
An illustrated, entry-level Apologetics Primer. Kyle writes for Apologetics Press. I believe he is a Young Earth Creationist (YEC)
Jesus Rediscovered by Malcolm Muggeridge
Cultural apologetics. Malcolm Muggeridge was a 20th cc. British public figure who came to faith in Christ later in life.
Letters to a Mormon Elder by James R. White
"James White engages in scholarly debate with leading apologists... to encourage the Christian in their faith and their own apologetic responsibility. Dr. White is the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a professor, teaching Greek, Hebrew, and apologetics. He has authored more than a dozen books, including Letters To A Mormon Elder, The King James Only Controversy, The Forgotten Trinity, The Potter's Freedom, and The God Who Justifies. He is an elder of the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church, and is married to Kelli, and has two children, Joshua and Summer."
Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia by W.M. Ramsey 1904
W. M. Ramsay Professor of Humanity in the University of Aberdeen.
About the book of Revelation. Not sure of the apologetical value.
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis PDF
A classic work by a pre-eminent 20th cc. apologist.
Mormon Claims Answered by Marvin Cowan
The link above links to a series of books addressing Mormonism.
Pensées by Blaise Pascal
Classical apologetics. Blaise Pascal was a Roman Catholic who, like John Wesley, experienced a "heart strangely warmed".
St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen by W.M. Ramsey 1894.
W. M. Ramsay Professor of Humanity in the University of Aberdeen.
Not sure of the apologetical value.
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper [PDF]
The apologetical area would be "Theodicy" -- justifying God's ways, and dealing with the problem of evil.
John Piper is solid. His Desiring God Ministries offers all of Piper's sermons and articles and most of his books online free of charge.
Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas
Classical apologetics. A towering figure. "Thomistic studies" refers to Thomas Aquinas.
The Case for the Existence of God Scripture and Science Series by Bert Thompson, Ph.D. [PDF]
Deals with Cosmological, Teleological, and Anthropological (Moral) arguments
From Apologetics Press.
The Changing World of Mormonism by Jerald and Sandra Tanner [PDF available here]
The Dawkins Letters: Challenging Atheist Myths by David Robertson.
A full-blown apologetic in the form of a series of apologetical letters to UK atheist biologist Richard Dawkins. Includes arguments for the existence of God, and much more.
David Robertson is a former moderator of the Free Church of Scotland.
The Irrational Atheist: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens by Vox Day [PDF]
An apologetic against modern-day reason- and science-based atheists.
By its chapters, it sounds polemical, but I haven't read it.
The Mark of the Christian by Francis A. Schaeffer *LINK BROKEN*
Francis A. Schaeffer is known for establishing modern-day cultural apologetics.
The New Testament Documents: Are they Reliable? by F.F. Bruce
The general reliability of the NT documents is important to establish. Once this is done, evidentialists move on to evidences for the resurrection of Christ. Once this is done, the veracity of Christianity is established. Chapters include:
THE NEW TESTAMENT DOCUMENTS:THEIR DATE AND ATTESTATION
THE CANON OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
THE GOSPELS
THE GOSPEL MIRACLES
THE IMPORTANCE OF PAUL'S EVIDENCE
THE WRITINGS OF LUKE
MORE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE
THE EVIDENCE OF EARLY JEWISH WRITINGS
THE EVIDENCE OF EARLY GENTILE WRITERS
The Person of Christ According to the New Testament by B.B. Warfield [In EPUB, .MOBI, .PDF & HTML Formats]
The Resurrection of Theism: Prolegomena to Christian Apology by Stuart Hackett PDF *LINK FIXED*
A full-length natural theology book on epistemologically-driven arguments for the existence of God using a rational-empiricism approach. Ontological/cosmological/teleological arguments. This is classical apologetics.
The Scientific Case for Creation: Scripture and Science Series by Bert Thompson, Ph.D. [PDF]
From Apologetics Press
The Story of the Bible: ACCOUNT OF HOW IT CAME TO US by Sir Frederic Kenyon (1936)
The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ Among the Major World Religions by Dr. Gary Habermas [PDF]
Gary Habermas is solid. A Resurrection scholar.
Historical. Josephus was a Jewish historian around the time of Christ.
Tracking the White Salamander: The Story of Mark Hofmann, Murder, and Forged Mormon Documents by Jerald Tanner.
A sensationalist story of murder and intrigue. Not the best book for an academic apologetics class.
Warranted Christian Belief by Dr. Alvin Plantinga
A major work by Plantinga, a major figure in present-day Christian philosophy. A heavy read for the philosophically minded scholar.
Was Christ Born in Bethlehem? by W.M. Ramsey
"Sir William Mitchell Ramsay, FBA was a Scottish archaeologist and New Testament scholar. By his death in 1939 he had become the foremost authority of his day on the history of Asia Minor and a leading scholar in the study of the New Testament"
Why Isn't God More Obvious? by Paul Moser [PDF]
Theodicy: The hiddenness of God.
Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design
A Parent's Guide to Intelligent Design [PDF]
From the Discovery Institute - a solid organization.
Biblical Creationism by Henry M. Morris [PDF] *LINK BROKEN*
Biblical Creationism predates Intelligent Design. Here is a link to an article written by Morris on Intelligent Design vs. "Scientific Creationism". The hermeneutical issue is: did the biblical writers (the Holy Spirit included) intend to write a scientifically-precise account, or is the genre and agenda of Genesis different than that? (To pursue this, view the Keith Ganzer Genesis videos on YouTube.
Darwin's Enigma: Ebbing the Tide of Naturalism by Luther Sunderland
In Six Days- Why 50 Scientists Choose to Believe in Creation, Edited by Dr. John Ashton
From Creation Ministries International
Natural Theology: Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity by William Paley 1809.
Historical Apologetics. "This is William Paley's classic watchmaker argument, in which he compared life on earth to a watch. Paley's argument stated that living organisms show evidence of having been designed, analogous to a human-produced watch." -- Rich Deem.
On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin *LINK CHANGED TO PDF* PDF
This is the book that rocked the western world. Darwin posited a natural explanation for the diversity of species, apparently undermining the Genesis account as a literal factual account, and even undermining belief in God. The western world lives in the shadow of Darwin's legacy.
Refuting Evolution 1 by Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D., F.M.
Creation Ministries International.
Refuting Evolution 2 by Jonathan Sarfati, with Michael Matthews
Creation Ministries International.
Taking Back Astronomy by Jason Lisle
Answers in Genesis.
The Bible and the Age of the Earth Scripture and Science Series by Bert Thompson, Ph.D. [PDF]
Apologetics Press.
The Creation Answers Book by Dr. Don Batton (Contributing Editor), Dr. David Catchpoole, Dr. Jonathan Sarfati, and Dr. Carl Wieland. "Is there really a God? Where did Cain find his wife? What about the gap theory? Are radioisotope dating methods reliable? How did ‘bad things’ come about?"
Creation.Com - Creation Ministries International.
The Descent of Man by Charles Darwin 19th cc. *LINK CHANGED TO PDF* PDF
Naturalistic explanation for the origin of man.
The Global Flood of Noah by Bert Thompson, Ph.D. [PDF]
From Apologetics Press.
The Mystery of Life's Origin by Charles B. Thaxton, Walter L. Bradley, and Roger L. Olsen *LINK CHANGED* PDF
The New Answers Book by various authors.
Answers in Genesis. "Featuring 15 authors such as Ken Ham (who also served as general editor), Dr. David Menton, Dr. Georgia Purdom, Dr. Tommy Mitchell, Dr. Jason Lisle, Dr. Terry Mortenson, Dr. Monty White, and Paul Taylor".
In the Shadow of Darwin, a review of the teachings of John N. Clayton by Wayne Jackson and Bert Thompson [PDF]
Apologetics Press.
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Apologetics Videos: Sean McDowell's Recommendations (and More)
"These videos are great to show in order to spur conversation with students" -- Sean McDowell.
1. Reasonable Faith Animated Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/user/drcraigvideos
2. Impact 360 videos. These are short animated videos on questioning the Bible, the resurrection, and the nature of worldview.
https://www.impact360institute.org/videos/is-it-okay-to-question-the-bible/
https://www.impact360institute.org/videos/did-jesus-rise-from-the-dead/
https://www.impact360institute.org/videos/whatsyourworldview/
https://www.impact360institute.org/videos/
3. One Minute Apologist: Quick interviews with leading apologists on a variety of issues.
https://www.youtube.com/user/oneminuteapologist
4. Sean McDowell YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/SeanMcDowell-info/featured
More (not just for students):
Anything by Gary Habermas on the "minimal facts" approach to the resurrection.
Gary Habermas site. Resurrection of Christ. Near Death Experiences (NDE). Miracles. Dealing with doubt. Definitely an evidentialist apologist.
Anything by Lee Strobel.
Anything by Francis Schaeffer. Francis Schaeffer's Method of Apologetics.
Anything by C.S. Lewis.
AskDrBrown. Dr. Michael Brown is a pentecostal scholar who addresses excesses within the movement. Channel contains videos of debates and lectures, media clips, and videos produced specially for the channel. Themes: spiritual awakening, moral and cultural reformation, declaring the good news of Yeshua "to my Jewish people", and taking the gospel to the nations.
CrossExamined. 934 videos.
Cold-Case Christianity with J. Warner Wallace. Cold-case refers to a criminal or legal case where the evidence trail has gone "cold" with the passage of time.
Specific Videos that caught my eye while doing this:
Articles Relevant to African Apologetics and Missions
h/t Paul Carden (CFAR Centers for Apologetics Research)
OVERVIEW
African Christianity Developments and Trends Adriaan van Klinken (2012) Chapter 6, page 131ff. Posted by the author. https://adriaanvanklinken.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/african-christianity-developments-and-trends-final-print-version.pdf
PROPHETS, MIRACLE CLAIMS, PROSPERITY PREACHERS:
The Citizen: Prophet Bushiri being investigated for ‘laundering millions’ in Malawi – report (2018) Witnesses claimed that Bushiri orchestrates carefully planned false miracles as part of his services.
A Reformed Baptist in Namibia: Shepherd Bushiri - Namibia's Continued Love Affair With The False Prophets (2018) Last week gullible Namibians welcomed yet another false prophet.... Here are a number of indicators or marks of a false prophet, from the book of Jeremiah:
Nyasa Times: Malawi: Cracking the Major 1 Code - Prophet Shephered Bushiri (2017) Do you want to understand Major 1? Here is the clue: .... Prophet Bushiri is a chosen Man of God. When you fight him, you fight God.
Prophet buys snakes and plants them in church member’s homes (2017) Harare – A FAKE prophet was arrested on Saturday on fraud allegations after his driver exposed his tricks.
The Citizen: Pastor feeds congregants Rattex for ‘nourishment and healing’ (2017) At the Grace Living Hope Ministries in Soshanguve this past weekend, a determined Prophet Light Monyeki demonstrated “the power of God” by feeding his congregation rat poison.
'Doom Prophet' belongs in mental hospital - MEC (2017) Lethebo Rabaloga, a "prophet" from Mount Zion General Assembly in Seshego, spray[ed] the insecticide Doom at church members to chase away demons in their bodies.
Zimbabwe Sunday Mail: The prophets of Baal are here (2017) In recent months we have seen it all: “prophets” making people eat grass, church leaders selling “anointed condoms”, so-called men of God walking on congregants, and followers drinking sewage and being told that a higher power makes it palatable. And now we have Pastor Paul Sanyangore of Victory World International, who says he talks to God on his mobile phone.... Not to be outdone is Pr Jonathan Mthwethwa, a Zimbabwean based in South Africa: he tried to walk on water and was feasted on by three three crocodiles.
All Africa: Zimbabwe Pastor Talks to 'God' On the Phone During Service (2017) "I have a direct channel, actually I have His number and I can call Him when need arises.... I got this when I was praying and I heard a voice telling me to call direct," he was quoted as saying.
All Africa: Preachers of Prosperity - Faith As Business (2017) Five centuries ago, Martin Luther reformed the Christian church to prevent the marketing of religion. But in Africa, the debate over blending God and money is a very timely one.
New Zimbabwe: Prophetic hallucinations and the freedom of worship (2017) A HARARE based prophet who made headlines early this year that he had had lunch with God at his home in Sunningdale...
IOL: Bell tolling for pastors' 'miracle healing' claims (2018) Pastor Penuel Mnguni feeds a member of his church a cockroach and flowers.
News 24: Cape Town will have rain like never before - Pastor Mboro (2018) "I believe that Cape Town will have rain like never before. There will be change in Cape Town, this is the year," he said.
All Africa: Malawian Prophet Bushiri Ranked Amongst 10 Most Affluent Africa Families (2017)
AllAfrica: Are 'Men of God' Receiving Mixed Messages on Cape Town Rain? (2018)
BiAS 12: Bible, Prophets and Profits in Zimbabwe (edited by Ezra Chitando/ Masiiwa R. Gunda/ Joachim Kügler) (2017) 236 page ebook in pdf format
The Miracles of Reinhard Bonnke [A critical assessment] How do we view the miracles, healings and even the raising of the dead?... In the wake of God’s “harvesting machine” [Bonnke] follows a trail of confusion, disappointment and, unfortunately, dead people in the most literal sense of the word.... But in all fairness we concede that Bonnke has an excellent gift for preaching and sometimes preaches the gospel very clearly to the point of being impressive.
Atlas Obscura: The Sketchy Faith Healer Who Tried to Save New York From Vice (2017) [A critical assessment] Today, an estimated 15 million people in six nations in southern Africa belong to so-called Zionist Christian churches. These churches continue to adhere to many of [John Alexander] Dowie’s teachings, particularly a belief in faith healing.
DOCTRINE AND ORTHODOXY:
The Gospel Coalition TGC: African Pastors Saying ‘No’ to Prosperity Theology (2016) Bible-based churches led by doctrinally sound pastors are not common: “They are like diamonds scattered around Kenya.”... “Church planting is a business here,” he said, “and men with zero training and biblical knowledge enter the field in the hope of acquiring income from unfortunately gullible people looking for a blessing or to have their problems fixed.”
The Greatest Threat to the African Church Isn’t Islam (2017) Christians in Nigeria should be afraid of something more dangerous than the Islamization agenda: the ethical and moral decadence eroding Christian public life.... Many Nigerians obtain fraudulent medical certificates, as well as fake birth and citizenship certificates, to be admitted to good schools or to get choice jobs. They evade taxes, over- and under-invoice customers, perform fake audits, and on and on.... These matters are more lethal to the Christian faith than any Islamization agenda. [Etc. Excellent article.]
Unio cum Christo (Union with Christ): THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS IN AFRICA
by CONRAD MBEWE Vol. 3 No. 1 / Apr 2017 We trace the discovery of this doctrine in the Reformation, its application to Africa, and its current absence, and we call church leaders to teach this truth afresh to God’s people.
Themelios: Subtle Ways to Abandon the Authority of Scripture in Our Lives D. A. Carson (2017) 1. An Appeal to Selective Evidence 2. Heart Embarrassment before the Text 3. Publishing Ventures That Legitimate [used as a verb here] What God Condemns [e.g., homosexuality] 4. “The Art of Imperious Ignorance” 5. Allowing the Categories of Systematic Theology to Domesticate What Scripture Says 6. Too Little Reading, Especially the Reading of Older Commentaries and Theological Works 7. The Failure to be Bound by Both the Formal Principle and the Material Principle 8. Undisciplined Passion for the Merely Technical, or Unhealthy Suspicion of the Technical 9. Undisciplined Confidence in Contemporary Philosophical Agendas 10. Anything That Reduces Our Trembling before the Word of God.
Challies: Series: Deadly Doctrines (2017)
Seven Characteristics of Liberal Theology
10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BIBLICAL INERRANCY (2018) Two views of biblical inerrancy have dominated the landscape. Some embrace what has been called “Limited Inerrancy.”... I embrace and want to argue for what I’ll call the doctrine of “Complete Inerrancy.” ... We turn now to ten things to keep in mind whenever we discuss the inerrancy of Scripture.
TRADITIONAL RELIGION / WITCHCRAFT:
Breitbart: South African Convicted of Murdering Four Children to Sell Ears to Witch Doctor (2018) A judge in South Africa sentenced a man to four life sentences in prison on Tuesday for the murder of his nieces and nephews – whose ears, he confessed, he planned to sell at a high price to a witch doctor for use in potions. [Google search "muti killing" for more]
The Henry Center: Witchcraft Accusations (2017) In spring 2013, the Henry Center sponsored a colloquium in Nairobi, Kenya... to address the growing presence of witch accusations.
International Bulletin of Mission Research: Healing Communities: Contextualizing Responses to Witch Accusations (2017) Witchcraft accusations are a fatal epidemic in Tanzania
The Spectator: Witch-hunting capitalism in Africa: Can you blame the IMF for a surge in superstitious violence? Sociologists are trying (2013) The poor assume the rich are using witchcraft to advance themselves, and so begin using the very same weapon to eradicate those above them in the food chain.
African Traditional Religion Keeps Them Poor (2017) The primary damaging belief comes from their perspective on the afterlife.
Zambia spirit hospital, healing possession dance - [YouTube video 12 min.] (2013) We meet Shula Marindi, a traditional healer in the bush of central Zambia. She runs what she calls a 'spirit hospital'. Shula is possessed by three healing spirits. She sees up to 50 patients a day, and some stay for weeks in the compound of her hospital. When she sees a patient she goes into trance, the spirits come into her, and tell her what the problem is and how to treat it. She also cures madness and drives out bad spirits in a healing dance.
MISSIONS:
The Evolving Role of Western Missionaries in Missions Today (2017) In recent years, Western missionaries have been accused of being vehicles of neo-colonialism. Dr. Celestin Musekura discusses the role of Western missionaries in the 21st Century.
Cymbaluk: New Missionary Methods Needed (2017) it is essential for Christian leaders in the Global South(Africa, Asia and Latin America) to use culturally appropriate methods to advance the gospel. Methods, tools and strategies that worked for Westerners may not fit the needs and potentials of the unfolding Southern mission movement.
An African Explains Why @TGC’s Article On Africa And Western Missionaries Is Offensive And Wrong (2017) I hope The Gospel Coalition will issue an apology for contributing to the stigma that Africa is a dark place.
CULTS AND CHRISTIAN EXTREMISM:
Cult Definition - What is a cult? (2017) The term ‘cult’ has a precise definition — or rather, several precise definitions. Which definition is the right one largely depends on the context in which the term ‘cult’ is applied.
The Herald (Harare): Dangerous Religious Cults and the Loss of Identity (2017) One of the most famous religious movements in Africa was led by Alice Lenshina Mulenga who lived in Chinsali District, Zambia.... Some people thought she was possessed by demons. But Lenshina claimed to have met Jesus Christ during her coma.
The Observer: Pastor Bugingo under fire for burning 'deceptive' Bibles (2017) Apostle Charles Tumwiine of New Life Harvest Church International and Ebenezer World Outreach Ministry told URN that nobody has power to declare that some versions of the Bible 'wrong' or 'unfit' to read because the "word of God is older than everyone."
Malawi: Religious Leaders Warned From Discouraging People From Registering Lilongwe — certain religious leaders are associating the current mass registration exercise with what was written in the book of Revelation.... surprisingly members of the Jehovah's Witness have turned up in their large numbers to register. Kamanga said most of the members are referring to the Book of Luke 2 verses 1- 5, where King Caesar Augustus had ordered mass registration of his people in Judea.
[Zambia] National Broadcast ZNBC Airs Pastor Ock Soo Park and Gracias Choir (2016)
Zambia Daily Mail: We need sanity in the Church (2017) ... with the formation of the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, things are changing.
Zambia Daily Mail: Keep false prophets out of Zambia (2017) Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo says Prophet Shepard Bushiri’s alleged attack on Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili is an attack on the entire Government.... “The country has so many good ministers with miracles happening, hence there is no need to infiltrate the nation with fake prophets,” Bishop Nyonyo said....
CBS: HOW TO IDENTIFY A CULT: SIX TIPS FROM AN EXPERT (2018) So what constitutes a cult? Eichel listed several factors [paraphrased]: 1. Pressure. 2. Leader claims special powers, insight or divinity. 3. Closed, loyal, secretive inner circle. 4. The group uses deceptive means and brainwashes its members. 5. The cult exploits its members financially, psychologically, emotionally and, all too often, sexually. 6. The cult teaches that if you leave the group, horrible things will happen to you. People outside of a cult are not looked upon as negatively as people who leave the cult.
SOCIAL :
The Christian Century: The new Catholic homeland (2017) Within a few decades, a third of all Catholics will live in Africa.
The Key to Making Peace in Africa - Fighting Corruption Can Help End Conflict (2018) Most governments and banks do not prioritize the collection of evidence on Africa’s illicit financial flows, which means that companies benefiting from them face little risk of getting caught.
Zambia 'Becoming a Dictatorship', Say Church Leaders
Africa: Religious Conflicts On the Rise in Africa
Africa’s Autocratic Leaders Cling to Power In Zambia, meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has deepened his political dominance by jailing the main opposition leader, suspending opposition MPs from parliament, and invoking emergency powers. Until recently, Zambia was considered one of Africa’s most democratic nations.
Is It Racist to Say Africa Has ‘Civilizational’ Problems? The French president got in hot water for noting the continent's dysfunction. But nothing he said was false.... “Failing states, complex democratic transitions, the demographic transition.” Later, he added that “in some [African] countries today seven or eight children [are] born to each woman.”
APOLOGETICS PROPER:
Five Things Christian Apologetics Must Have (2017) 1. Apologetics must be distinguished from evangelism. 2. Apologetics must define truth and demolish any relative notion of truth. 3. Apologetics must demonstrate the existence of God. 4. Apologetics must show that worldviews opposed to Theism are false. 5. Apologetics must give a systematic defense of the Christian faith.
AFA Journal: Truth is Never Enough (2016) I had been so worried about winning an argument, about getting a point across, about sounding smart, that I never took the time to listen to her hurt and treat her like a human being. It was abstract for me. It was personal to her.
Institute for Religious Research (IRR): Did Jesus Exist? The Bottom-Line Guide to Jesus, Part 1 (2017) In this series of articles entitled “The Bottom-Line Guide to Jesus,” we will address various challenges to Christian beliefs about Jesus.
Reza Aslan Doesn’t Get Religion CNN’S TOUR DE FARCE (2017) CNN has long struggled to understand religion. But the host of an upcoming documentary takes that cluelessness to a whole new level.... Quoting the Buddha, Aslan likens the religions of the world to different wells, which believers dig in order to drink the same water.
Preaching as Apologetics [audio podcast] (2017) This week on Preaching and Preachers, Dr. Mark Coppenger joins me in a discussion on the preaching as apologetics. Contents: How Dr. Coppenger became an apologist; Why all Christians are apologists in some manner; A brief evaluation of using the “proofs” of Christianity; Is it right or helpful for the preacher to think of himself as an apologist?; How preaching is an apologetic work; Counsel to pastors regarding apologetics; The significance of expository preaching in apologetics; A brief discussion on apologetic resources available to pastors.
OVERVIEW
African Christianity Developments and Trends Adriaan van Klinken (2012) Chapter 6, page 131ff. Posted by the author. https://adriaanvanklinken.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/african-christianity-developments-and-trends-final-print-version.pdf
PROPHETS, MIRACLE CLAIMS, PROSPERITY PREACHERS:
The Citizen: Prophet Bushiri being investigated for ‘laundering millions’ in Malawi – report (2018) Witnesses claimed that Bushiri orchestrates carefully planned false miracles as part of his services.
A Reformed Baptist in Namibia: Shepherd Bushiri - Namibia's Continued Love Affair With The False Prophets (2018) Last week gullible Namibians welcomed yet another false prophet.... Here are a number of indicators or marks of a false prophet, from the book of Jeremiah:
Nyasa Times: Malawi: Cracking the Major 1 Code - Prophet Shephered Bushiri (2017) Do you want to understand Major 1? Here is the clue: .... Prophet Bushiri is a chosen Man of God. When you fight him, you fight God.
Prophet buys snakes and plants them in church member’s homes (2017) Harare – A FAKE prophet was arrested on Saturday on fraud allegations after his driver exposed his tricks.
The Citizen: Pastor feeds congregants Rattex for ‘nourishment and healing’ (2017) At the Grace Living Hope Ministries in Soshanguve this past weekend, a determined Prophet Light Monyeki demonstrated “the power of God” by feeding his congregation rat poison.
'Doom Prophet' belongs in mental hospital - MEC (2017) Lethebo Rabaloga, a "prophet" from Mount Zion General Assembly in Seshego, spray[ed] the insecticide Doom at church members to chase away demons in their bodies.
Zimbabwe Sunday Mail: The prophets of Baal are here (2017) In recent months we have seen it all: “prophets” making people eat grass, church leaders selling “anointed condoms”, so-called men of God walking on congregants, and followers drinking sewage and being told that a higher power makes it palatable. And now we have Pastor Paul Sanyangore of Victory World International, who says he talks to God on his mobile phone.... Not to be outdone is Pr Jonathan Mthwethwa, a Zimbabwean based in South Africa: he tried to walk on water and was feasted on by three three crocodiles.
All Africa: Zimbabwe Pastor Talks to 'God' On the Phone During Service (2017) "I have a direct channel, actually I have His number and I can call Him when need arises.... I got this when I was praying and I heard a voice telling me to call direct," he was quoted as saying.
All Africa: Preachers of Prosperity - Faith As Business (2017) Five centuries ago, Martin Luther reformed the Christian church to prevent the marketing of religion. But in Africa, the debate over blending God and money is a very timely one.
New Zimbabwe: Prophetic hallucinations and the freedom of worship (2017) A HARARE based prophet who made headlines early this year that he had had lunch with God at his home in Sunningdale...
IOL: Bell tolling for pastors' 'miracle healing' claims (2018) Pastor Penuel Mnguni feeds a member of his church a cockroach and flowers.
News 24: Cape Town will have rain like never before - Pastor Mboro (2018) "I believe that Cape Town will have rain like never before. There will be change in Cape Town, this is the year," he said.
All Africa: Malawian Prophet Bushiri Ranked Amongst 10 Most Affluent Africa Families (2017)
AllAfrica: Are 'Men of God' Receiving Mixed Messages on Cape Town Rain? (2018)
BiAS 12: Bible, Prophets and Profits in Zimbabwe (edited by Ezra Chitando/ Masiiwa R. Gunda/ Joachim Kügler) (2017) 236 page ebook in pdf format
The Miracles of Reinhard Bonnke [A critical assessment] How do we view the miracles, healings and even the raising of the dead?... In the wake of God’s “harvesting machine” [Bonnke] follows a trail of confusion, disappointment and, unfortunately, dead people in the most literal sense of the word.... But in all fairness we concede that Bonnke has an excellent gift for preaching and sometimes preaches the gospel very clearly to the point of being impressive.
Atlas Obscura: The Sketchy Faith Healer Who Tried to Save New York From Vice (2017) [A critical assessment] Today, an estimated 15 million people in six nations in southern Africa belong to so-called Zionist Christian churches. These churches continue to adhere to many of [John Alexander] Dowie’s teachings, particularly a belief in faith healing.
DOCTRINE AND ORTHODOXY:
The Gospel Coalition TGC: African Pastors Saying ‘No’ to Prosperity Theology (2016) Bible-based churches led by doctrinally sound pastors are not common: “They are like diamonds scattered around Kenya.”... “Church planting is a business here,” he said, “and men with zero training and biblical knowledge enter the field in the hope of acquiring income from unfortunately gullible people looking for a blessing or to have their problems fixed.”
The Greatest Threat to the African Church Isn’t Islam (2017) Christians in Nigeria should be afraid of something more dangerous than the Islamization agenda: the ethical and moral decadence eroding Christian public life.... Many Nigerians obtain fraudulent medical certificates, as well as fake birth and citizenship certificates, to be admitted to good schools or to get choice jobs. They evade taxes, over- and under-invoice customers, perform fake audits, and on and on.... These matters are more lethal to the Christian faith than any Islamization agenda. [Etc. Excellent article.]
Unio cum Christo (Union with Christ): THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS IN AFRICA
by CONRAD MBEWE Vol. 3 No. 1 / Apr 2017 We trace the discovery of this doctrine in the Reformation, its application to Africa, and its current absence, and we call church leaders to teach this truth afresh to God’s people.
Themelios: Subtle Ways to Abandon the Authority of Scripture in Our Lives D. A. Carson (2017) 1. An Appeal to Selective Evidence 2. Heart Embarrassment before the Text 3. Publishing Ventures That Legitimate [used as a verb here] What God Condemns [e.g., homosexuality] 4. “The Art of Imperious Ignorance” 5. Allowing the Categories of Systematic Theology to Domesticate What Scripture Says 6. Too Little Reading, Especially the Reading of Older Commentaries and Theological Works 7. The Failure to be Bound by Both the Formal Principle and the Material Principle 8. Undisciplined Passion for the Merely Technical, or Unhealthy Suspicion of the Technical 9. Undisciplined Confidence in Contemporary Philosophical Agendas 10. Anything That Reduces Our Trembling before the Word of God.
Challies: Series: Deadly Doctrines (2017)
Deadly Doctrines: The Pattern and Protection - Challies (2017) True doctrine (content) originates with God (origin), comes from the Bible (authority), and agrees with the whole of Scripture (consistency). Because such doctrine is sound (quality), it is healthy (benefit), and profitable (value) for us, and we are responsible for holding it (responsibility).Scripture in the Early Church: 2017 Winter Conference at Reformation Bible College (2017) [video] Reformation Bible College hosted their Winter Conference, “Scripture in the Early Church” in Sanford, FL. Early Christian preaching, Augustine’s use of Scripture, the development of the biblical canon, heresies, and other topics. Watch for free.
Seven Characteristics of Liberal Theology
10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BIBLICAL INERRANCY (2018) Two views of biblical inerrancy have dominated the landscape. Some embrace what has been called “Limited Inerrancy.”... I embrace and want to argue for what I’ll call the doctrine of “Complete Inerrancy.” ... We turn now to ten things to keep in mind whenever we discuss the inerrancy of Scripture.
TRADITIONAL RELIGION / WITCHCRAFT:
Breitbart: South African Convicted of Murdering Four Children to Sell Ears to Witch Doctor (2018) A judge in South Africa sentenced a man to four life sentences in prison on Tuesday for the murder of his nieces and nephews – whose ears, he confessed, he planned to sell at a high price to a witch doctor for use in potions. [Google search "muti killing" for more]
The Henry Center: Witchcraft Accusations (2017) In spring 2013, the Henry Center sponsored a colloquium in Nairobi, Kenya... to address the growing presence of witch accusations.
International Bulletin of Mission Research: Healing Communities: Contextualizing Responses to Witch Accusations (2017) Witchcraft accusations are a fatal epidemic in Tanzania
The Spectator: Witch-hunting capitalism in Africa: Can you blame the IMF for a surge in superstitious violence? Sociologists are trying (2013) The poor assume the rich are using witchcraft to advance themselves, and so begin using the very same weapon to eradicate those above them in the food chain.
African Traditional Religion Keeps Them Poor (2017) The primary damaging belief comes from their perspective on the afterlife.
Zambia spirit hospital, healing possession dance - [YouTube video 12 min.] (2013) We meet Shula Marindi, a traditional healer in the bush of central Zambia. She runs what she calls a 'spirit hospital'. Shula is possessed by three healing spirits. She sees up to 50 patients a day, and some stay for weeks in the compound of her hospital. When she sees a patient she goes into trance, the spirits come into her, and tell her what the problem is and how to treat it. She also cures madness and drives out bad spirits in a healing dance.
MISSIONS:
The Evolving Role of Western Missionaries in Missions Today (2017) In recent years, Western missionaries have been accused of being vehicles of neo-colonialism. Dr. Celestin Musekura discusses the role of Western missionaries in the 21st Century.
Cymbaluk: New Missionary Methods Needed (2017) it is essential for Christian leaders in the Global South(Africa, Asia and Latin America) to use culturally appropriate methods to advance the gospel. Methods, tools and strategies that worked for Westerners may not fit the needs and potentials of the unfolding Southern mission movement.
An African Explains Why @TGC’s Article On Africa And Western Missionaries Is Offensive And Wrong (2017) I hope The Gospel Coalition will issue an apology for contributing to the stigma that Africa is a dark place.
CULTS AND CHRISTIAN EXTREMISM:
Cult Definition - What is a cult? (2017) The term ‘cult’ has a precise definition — or rather, several precise definitions. Which definition is the right one largely depends on the context in which the term ‘cult’ is applied.
The Herald (Harare): Dangerous Religious Cults and the Loss of Identity (2017) One of the most famous religious movements in Africa was led by Alice Lenshina Mulenga who lived in Chinsali District, Zambia.... Some people thought she was possessed by demons. But Lenshina claimed to have met Jesus Christ during her coma.
The Observer: Pastor Bugingo under fire for burning 'deceptive' Bibles (2017) Apostle Charles Tumwiine of New Life Harvest Church International and Ebenezer World Outreach Ministry told URN that nobody has power to declare that some versions of the Bible 'wrong' or 'unfit' to read because the "word of God is older than everyone."
Malawi: Religious Leaders Warned From Discouraging People From Registering Lilongwe — certain religious leaders are associating the current mass registration exercise with what was written in the book of Revelation.... surprisingly members of the Jehovah's Witness have turned up in their large numbers to register. Kamanga said most of the members are referring to the Book of Luke 2 verses 1- 5, where King Caesar Augustus had ordered mass registration of his people in Judea.
[Zambia] National Broadcast ZNBC Airs Pastor Ock Soo Park and Gracias Choir (2016)
Zambia Daily Mail: We need sanity in the Church (2017) ... with the formation of the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, things are changing.
Zambia Daily Mail: Keep false prophets out of Zambia (2017) Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo says Prophet Shepard Bushiri’s alleged attack on Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili is an attack on the entire Government.... “The country has so many good ministers with miracles happening, hence there is no need to infiltrate the nation with fake prophets,” Bishop Nyonyo said....
CBS: HOW TO IDENTIFY A CULT: SIX TIPS FROM AN EXPERT (2018) So what constitutes a cult? Eichel listed several factors [paraphrased]: 1. Pressure. 2. Leader claims special powers, insight or divinity. 3. Closed, loyal, secretive inner circle. 4. The group uses deceptive means and brainwashes its members. 5. The cult exploits its members financially, psychologically, emotionally and, all too often, sexually. 6. The cult teaches that if you leave the group, horrible things will happen to you. People outside of a cult are not looked upon as negatively as people who leave the cult.
SOCIAL :
The Christian Century: The new Catholic homeland (2017) Within a few decades, a third of all Catholics will live in Africa.
The Key to Making Peace in Africa - Fighting Corruption Can Help End Conflict (2018) Most governments and banks do not prioritize the collection of evidence on Africa’s illicit financial flows, which means that companies benefiting from them face little risk of getting caught.
Zambia 'Becoming a Dictatorship', Say Church Leaders
Africa: Religious Conflicts On the Rise in Africa
Africa’s Autocratic Leaders Cling to Power In Zambia, meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has deepened his political dominance by jailing the main opposition leader, suspending opposition MPs from parliament, and invoking emergency powers. Until recently, Zambia was considered one of Africa’s most democratic nations.
Is It Racist to Say Africa Has ‘Civilizational’ Problems? The French president got in hot water for noting the continent's dysfunction. But nothing he said was false.... “Failing states, complex democratic transitions, the demographic transition.” Later, he added that “in some [African] countries today seven or eight children [are] born to each woman.”
APOLOGETICS PROPER:
Five Things Christian Apologetics Must Have (2017) 1. Apologetics must be distinguished from evangelism. 2. Apologetics must define truth and demolish any relative notion of truth. 3. Apologetics must demonstrate the existence of God. 4. Apologetics must show that worldviews opposed to Theism are false. 5. Apologetics must give a systematic defense of the Christian faith.
AFA Journal: Truth is Never Enough (2016) I had been so worried about winning an argument, about getting a point across, about sounding smart, that I never took the time to listen to her hurt and treat her like a human being. It was abstract for me. It was personal to her.
Institute for Religious Research (IRR): Did Jesus Exist? The Bottom-Line Guide to Jesus, Part 1 (2017) In this series of articles entitled “The Bottom-Line Guide to Jesus,” we will address various challenges to Christian beliefs about Jesus.
Reza Aslan Doesn’t Get Religion CNN’S TOUR DE FARCE (2017) CNN has long struggled to understand religion. But the host of an upcoming documentary takes that cluelessness to a whole new level.... Quoting the Buddha, Aslan likens the religions of the world to different wells, which believers dig in order to drink the same water.
Preaching as Apologetics [audio podcast] (2017) This week on Preaching and Preachers, Dr. Mark Coppenger joins me in a discussion on the preaching as apologetics. Contents: How Dr. Coppenger became an apologist; Why all Christians are apologists in some manner; A brief evaluation of using the “proofs” of Christianity; Is it right or helpful for the preacher to think of himself as an apologist?; How preaching is an apologetic work; Counsel to pastors regarding apologetics; The significance of expository preaching in apologetics; A brief discussion on apologetic resources available to pastors.
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