Fear and Trembling

Logic Have you ever spent an afternoon thinking about thinking? Most people I know would quickly answer with a resounding “no.” Some would throw in an expletive. I admit that I am the type of person who thinks about thinking. One aspect of thinking is our ability to determine the internal consistency of ideas, or whether or not the ideas ‘fit together.’  We need to be able to know whether our thinking method itself is accurate. This reasoning is the realm of formal logic. Formal logic has always fascinated me. The laws of logic shape the way we think. They are an open window to the Christian God’s world. Let us examine one law for instance: the law of non-contradiction.  It says that something cannot be both A and Non-A at the same time, in the same relationship, and in the same sense. This law cannot be denied. To deny it is to affirm it. For example, if you say, “The law of non-contradiction does not apply,” you could mean, “The law of non-contradiction does...

This post is an argument for God’s existence based on what He did when He created the world.  Bear with me on this one, because this is the most intensely philosophical argument in this short series. God is eternal. He has no beginning and no end. This truth is foundational for a popular argument for God’s existence. Reason demonstrates that something in the past must have always existed.  We will look at two examples: counting and the progression of time. It is not possible to count to the end of the series of real numbers. You can always count one more. It is, in one sense, an infinite series of discrete things. You can’t move to the end of a series like that. It has no end. It is similarly impossible to move through an infinite series of moments of time, if time is in fact a discrete series of real moments. For example, if time extends forward forever then it is obvious it will never end. Reversing the process, if time extends infinitely into the past, time wou...

We can solve some problems intuitively. As an engineering major I was often faced with complex problems in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and other engineering disciplines that required much thought to solve. I was often guided by my intuition, a kind of problem-solving method best describe by the phrase: “AH-HA, now I see it.” Many of us were often able to see the answer without consciously thinking through the problem. Of course, we had to go back to the beginning, reason through our answer and provide a proper line of reasoning to get credit for the problem on an exam. The “AH-HA method” guided me through many problems and exercises. It guides me through many decisions I make today as a manager. Of course, I have to go back to data and facts derived from observation and careful thinking to make my case. I must still justify my actions to others. Does this mean the “AH-HA method” is inferior? Yes, it does in a least one way. Decisions should be made based on facts. ...

This begins a series of posts, which is an adaptation of a series of articles written for a small town newspaper outlining reasons to begin the Christian life and remain in the Christian faith.  As such, it is written in a first-person, almost conversational style.  This series’ intention is to make you think. People are Christians for a variety of reasons, humanly speaking.  Many of us were raised in a Christian home, by Christian parents. Many of us have attended church our entire lives. Does this mean we are biased? Yes, but that does not mean we are wrong. The strength or weakness of an argument should be evaluated independent of the circumstances of the person or persons giving the argument.  Christians have good arguments. We are intelligent, independent adults. We are not a ‘product of our raising.’  We are Christians by choice, and our religion is our own. God has changed our hearts to allow us to believe in Him against our natural inclinati...

This is officially the 500 th post on “Fear and Trembling.”   I just want to share some random thoughts on blogging and the Christian life. Preparing blog posts has been a serious pastime, and the research and thought I have put into this blog have changed me for the better.   I have a deeper understanding of theology and apologetics than I had when I started.   However, when I blog it is easy to think I have done my duty in evangelism / apologetics or teaching.   This is a dangerous thing.   It is much easier to sit in front of a computer and research and type than it is to be actively involved in the ministry of a local church as it confronts an increasingly pagan culture.   My blog has had some impact (over 42,000 page views since 2007 according to Google Analytics and Blogger), but that impact is not easily measurable because few people leave comments.   By contrast, I can clearly see the impact of personal relationships and personal inv...

I have carefully avoided involving this blog in politics, but when a sitting U. S. President makes religious comments at a National Prayer Breakfast, then I consider them ‘fair game.’   The Crusades Several teachers I respect have made solid cases that the Crusades were a defensive action undertaken to take back lands conquered by Muslims and to prevent their further conquests (see Kevin DeYoung at this link ).   But, even if they are wrong, the immoral actions associated with the crusades were against the will of Christ.   There was a time in the life of Christ when Jesus and His teachings had just been rejected by the inhabitants of a Samaritan village.   His disciples James and John said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven and consume them?”   Jesus “turned and rebuked them.” (Luke 9:51-56, ESV)   Jesus’ followers should ‘take His lead’ and not engage in religious wars of conquest in this era.   It is safe to say tha...

I joined Grace Presbyterian Church, a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America, in 2010.  I have officially made the move from my Southern Baptist (SBC) background after careful theological reflection.  I have also recently accepted ordination as an Elder in that church.  This post will outline the main reasons for my decision. Justification by Faith Alone Justification is the doctrine that we are legally credited with Jesus Christ’s suffering for our sin and perfect life lived when we place our faith in Him.  We get credit for being morally perfect when we place our faith in Him even though we do not become perfectly righteous in this life.  This justification is by faith alone in that our good works do not merit justification in any way.  Justification is something that is credited to us because we have faith, not something that is awarded to us because we are good in ourselves. The Baptist Faith and Message , the closest thing to ...