What is doxastic voluntarism?
Doxastic voluntarism, in short, is the idea that people willingly choose what they believe to be true. While the Bible indicates that each person is responsible for his or her own beliefs, it also suggests that some of what we believe is dependent on the work of God. Both of these doctrines have a partial…
What is scientism?
According to Duke University Philosophy Professor Alex Rosenberg, scientism is the worldview that all atheists share. It “is the conviction that the methods of science are the only reliable ways to secure knowledge of anything, that . . . science provides all the significant truths about reality. . . . Being scientific just means treating…
What does the Bible say about individualism?
Individualism is an approach to decision-making that presumes benefits for an individual person should be given higher priority than benefits for a wider group. In other words, individualism says the needs of each person outweigh the needs of the larger culture or group. As with any human philosophy, individualism can be used beneficially or as…
What is living cosmology?
A cosmology is simply a story that explains how the universe came to be and our place in it. Most people are familiar with at least two well-known cosmologies regarding the origin and destiny of the universe and our place in it. Living cosmology attempts to blend aspects of the two major cosmologies. The first…
Why are Christians pro-life when it comes to abortion while at the same time in favor of the death penalty and supportive of war?
The primary problem with this question is that it attempts to create a moral equivalency between abortion, the death penalty / capital punishment, and war. There is absolutely nothing equivalent about an innocent baby’s life being taken in the womb and a convicted murderer being executed. A baby in the womb has committed no crime.…
What does the Bible say about favoritism?
Favoritism is partiality or bias. To show favoritism is to give preference to one person over others with equal claims. It is similar to discrimination and may be based on conditions such as social class, wealth, clothing, actions, etc. The Bible is clear that favoritism is not God’s will for our lives. First, favoritism is…
What is an Elks Lodge / Elks Club?
The Elks Club (the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks or BPOE) is a civic group, and an Elks Lodge is the building where a local chapter meets. The information in the following three paragraphs is from the Elks Clubs’ official website, Elks.org: The Elks are • A fraternal order with nearly a million members…
Why do Christians try to impose their values on others?
Christians are frequently accused of trying to impose their values or their beliefs on others. The oft-heard accusation is that Christians are trying to “shove their religion down our throats.” In addressing this question, we must also address the implied accusation that Christians are an authoritarian group that seeks to impinge on the rights of…
What does the Bible say about art?
The first mention of art in the Bible is in Exodus 31. God is instructing Moses to create a tent for the ark of the covenant, and God mentions several artisans whom He has chosen to create “artistic designs” to beautify the tent. God says, “In the hearts of all who are skillful I have…
Why should Christians be pro-life?
The term pro-life is generally defined as “opposed to abortion”; sometimes, an opposition to euthanasia is also mentioned as part of the definition. Christians are pro-life—and they should be—but most of them would rather be known for what they stand for rather than what they oppose. Here are some reasons why Christians are pro-life: Life…