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mid-week apologetics booster (10-6-2022)

Good morning friends, Quote of the week: When someone asks if you’re going to heaven, saying “I hope so” isn’t humble, it’s arrogantly believing that your salvation is resting on your works. But if you respond, “Yes, I’m certain,” isn’t arrogance, it’s humble assurance because you’re resting on the works of Christ. – Burk Parsons Now, here are your weekly links:

What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of the mind? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/renewing-the-mind.html
An Open Letter (from John MacArthur) to Governor Gavin Newsom | Grace Community Church: https://www.gracechurch.org/news/posts/3592
Was Queen Elizabeth II a true Christian? | George’s Journal: https://georgesjournal.net/2022/10/01/was-queen-elizabeth-ii-a-true-christian/
Why did Dan Barker leave Christianity for atheism? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2020/06/23/why-did-dan-barker-leave-christianity-for-atheism-2/
Chinas religion problem: Why the Chinese Communist Party views religious belief as a threat Asia Dialogue: https://theasiadialogue.com/2019/10/17/chinas-religion-problem-why-the-chinese-communist-party-views-religious-belief-as-a-threat/
The Fossil Record on Vimeo – Do fossils really show that creatures gradually evolved from simple to complex? The late fossil expert and evolution-defender Stephen Gould recognized they didn’t. He said the fossil record shows two clear features 1) Sudden appearance, and 2) Stasis.: https://vimeo.com/290548930
Is Hell Real? | Crossway Articles – Ortlund – Scripture teaches us these five truths and more about hell: https://www.crossway.org/articles/is-hell-real/
7 Things We Know about Jesus and His Followers from Non-Biblical Sources | Cloud of Witnesses: https://greatcloud.wordpress.com/2013/06/30/7-things-we-know-about-jesus-and-his-followers-from-non-biblical-sources/
Ancient Dinosaur Depictions | Genesis Park – The purpose of Genesis Park is to showcase the evidence that dinosaurs and man were created together and have co-existed throughout history (there is a lot of archeological evidence listed on this page): https://www.genesispark.com/exhibits/evidence/historical/ancient/dinosaur/
The shocking Beliefs of John Calvin: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/shockingbeliefsofjohncalvin/
There’s No Good Reason to Deny the Early Dating of the Gospels | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/theres-no-good-reason-to-deny-the-early-dating-of-the-gospels/
Why believe in Christianity over all other religions? | carm.org: https://carm.org/atheism/why-believe-in-christianity-over-all-other-religions/
William Murray, Son of the Founder of American Atheists, Converts to Christianity | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/william-murray-son-of-the-founder-of-american-atheists-converts-to-christianity/
Evidence For Resurrection Turns Josh McDowell From Skeptic To Christian Apologist | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/evidence-for-resurrection-turns-josh-mcdowell-from-skeptic-to-christian-apologist/
Dr. Gary R. Habermas (free on-line book) – The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ Among the Major World Religions – Jesus claimed to be Deity, but does this make him unique? Dig into this easy-to-read examination of this serious topic with Dr. Gary Habermas to see just how unusual this claim really is. Then realize that there’s even more to consider than this! Jesus said that he was the path to salvation. Very early sources tell us that he performed supernatural miracles. Jesus and his followers said that his death served the purpose of saving others, dying in their place. Jesus’ death affirms and explains the reality of suffering and death in the world. And finally, and perhaps most importantly, Jesus is unique in rising from the dead bodily. When these ideas are all combined, especially the powerful combination of the Resurrection and the Gospel, Jesus stands dramatically apart as unique in a way that surpasses all others!: http://www.garyhabermas.com/Evidence2/
If we can’t see God, how can we know he exists? | Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/bible_answers/if-we-cant-see-god-how-can-we-know-he-exists-/
Why Are There So Many Atheists on College Campuses? THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2017/01/24/why-are-there-so-many-atheists-on-college-campuses-3/
A Christians Rebuttal to Why I Am Not A Christian By Bertrand Russell Christian Apologist: https://christian-apologist.com/2017/04/13/a-christians-rebuttal-to-why-i-am-not-a-christian-by-bertrand-russell/
When Someone You Love Says, I’m Gay – As homosexuality becomes more broadly accepted within the culture, it’s no surprise that more Christian families are hearing a loved one say, I’m gay; I’ve accepted it; I intend to live it out. Aside from the obvious emotions raised, a number of questions come up as well: Can I say anything to change his mind? How do I handle it if she gets into a relationship with another woman? What about my gay teen? What if he marries another man? These concerns spring from a real-life crisis many Christian homes are facing today. Two primary questions arise as well: What about us? and What about God? Both questions are relevant to the discussion families will have when addressing the issue, and believers need to frame them wisely. When responding to a family member coming out, a Christian should first clarify his own feelings in response, then stress the importance of the relationship and clarify mutual expectations as well. A broader discussion about worldview, the claims of Christ, and what created intent there may be for the human sexual experience should follow. While we cannot override someone else’s free will, we can and should seek to engage them, thereby being part of the work God is seeking to do in their lives.: https://www.equip.org/articles/someone-love-says-im-gay/
5 Ways Christian Parents Fail to Prepare Their Kids to Engage with Questions of Faith and Science: https://natashacrain.com/5-ways-christian-parents-fail-to-prepare-their-kids-to-engage-with-questions-of-faith-and-science/
The Book of Mormon problems with reliability and consistency | carm.org: https://carm.org/mormonism/problems-with-the-book-of-mormon/
7 Tips For Apologetics Judo Intelligent Christian Faith – Apologetics can be modeled after any number of other helpful analogies, for example (1) Cultivating an Intellectual Garden, (2) Worldview Surgery, (3) Theological Housecleaning, or (4) Ideological Homebuilding, etc. etc.: https://intelligentchristianfaith.com/2015/06/14/philosophical-judo-apologetics-as-a-martial-art/
How Geographic Separation Affirms the Reliability of the New Testament | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/how-geographic-separation-affirms-the-reliability-of-the-new-testament/
Should We Expose Students to Arguments Against | Sean McDowell – Sheltering students from beliefs contrary to Christianity is a big mistake. Let me say it again, to be sure it sinks in: Sheltering students from arguments for other religions, or against Christianity, is a bad strategy for developing them as disciples in the faith.: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/should-students-be-exposed-to-evidence-against-christianity
The Ambassador Model – Here’s the model we use at Stand to Reason to help us fulfill Paul’s admonition to be ambassadors for Christ: https://www.str.org/w/the-ambassador-model
5 Things Christian Parents Must Do to Raise Godly Children in a Secular World: https://crossexamined.org/5-things-christian-parents-must-do-to-raise-godly-children-in-a-secular-world/
The Relationship Between Arguments and Persuasion THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2021/05/12/the-relationship-between-arguments-and-persuasion/
Why Would Scholars Leave Mormonism? Interview with | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/why-would-scholars-leave-mormonism-interview-with-author-corey-miller
The Story of Reality – YouTube – Every religion, every worldview is telling a story. They’re trying to take the things we know about the world and fit them together into a big picture. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxU0UNlnnOA
Is The Bible Relevant Today? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-the-bible-relevant-today/
If God knew that Satan would rebel, why did He create him? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/if-God-knew.html
Should we trust the Bible? – creation.com – How should we answer those who claim that it’s been re-written so many times that we no longer have the original? And even if we do, was it written long after the events it claimed to report? Also, does archaeology disprove the Bible? Finally, even if it is true, what’s the point? https://creation.com/trust-the-bible
A RESPONSE TO BART D. EHRMANS MISQUOTING JESUS – this is a 60 page PDF containing a point by point response to Ehrman’s book: http://www.isca-apologetics.org/sites/default/files/papers/Jared%20Martinez/Howe-AResponseToBartEhrman.pdf
Where are the Kantian Agnostics? | Tough Questions Answered: https://www.toughquestionsanswered.org/2011/11/07/where-are-the-kantian-agnostics/
Who was J. C. Ryle? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/J-C-Ryle.html
Eve and the definition of a woman – creation.com: https://creation.com/eve-defining-woman

Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. Acts 18:4 Blessings to you all