Episode 12: Let's Get Physical

Episode 12 of the Theopologetics Podcast is now available! In this episode I interview Glenn Peoples, creator of the Say Hello to My Little Friend blog and podcast, discussing Christian physicalism, the view that man is not comprised of both a physical body and an immaterial soul, but of body only.

In this first of two interviews on the subject, we talk about physicalism in history, the modern evangelical response to physicalism, the biblical basis for physicalism and the metaphysical objection to it. In a future episode I’ll interview Glenn a second time, devoting the entire episode to biblical objections to his position, so email me at theopologetics@hotmail.com if you would like me to include your challenge to physicalism in the second interview.

Episode 11: In Christ Alone

Episode 11 of the Theopologetics Podcast is now available! In this episode I interview Michael Burgos, creator of the Grassroots Apologetics blog, discussing Oneness Pentecostals and how to witness to them.

Coming Soon: Interview with Joel Groat

God continues to amaze me with the guests with which He is blessing me to interview on my podcast. After I interviewed Mike Felker in episode 9 on the Jehovah's Witnesses, I pondered whom I could ask to interview on Mormonism. Having relied upon the ministry of the Institution for Religious Research for years, I figured what the heck, why not contact them for an interview.

To my amazement, Joel Groat, Ministry Director for IRR, has graciously agreed to appear on my show to discuss Mormonism. Joel has been working with Mormons and with people who care about Mormons for over 23 years. His bio reads as follows:

Joel B. Groat has served with IRR since 1987, first as a Research and Counseling Associate, then as Coordinator of Spanish Language Ministries and now as Director of Domestic and International Ministries. A missionary kid and later a missionary himself in Venezuela, Joel has spoken hundreds of times for IRR throughout North, Central, and South America as well as in Spain, Hungary and Madagascar. On his numerous trips to Latin America he has distributed over 160,000 pieces of literature on Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and other apologetics-related issues, and has been the featured guest on various radio and television programs.

Joel earned a Master’s degree (MTS) in New Testament from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 1990. He has contributed to and translated many of IRR’s tracts, authored numerous web articles, contributed articles to the Christian Research Journal and has extensive experience speaking to the media and at conferences. He has been an adjunct professor at Cornerstone University and is active in his church’s missions program and youth ministry.

Joel and his wife, Lois, have been married since 1983 and have eight children.

Stay tuned for this exciting upcoming episode of the Theopologetics Podcast!

Discussing Destiny: Many of His Disciples Withdrew

It's been a while since I wrote an article in this series, but recent conversations here at my blog have prompted me to add to it. If you haven't read "Unless the Father Draws Him" and "All the Father Gives Me Will Come" I recommend you do so. As I explained in those posts, Jesus said no man can come to Him unless the Father "draws" Him, using a word that cannot mean simply woos or invites, in a context that cannot mean that all men are "drawn" equally. The Father has chosen some; none of those whom the Father has not chosen will come to the Son; and all those whom He's chosen will come to the Son.

In recent discussions here at my blog, friends and visitors have called me insane. It is unfortunate for me that I wear my heart on my sleeve, as insults like these pierce my heart deeply. I should bear this in mind and be careful about the words I speak, as I often fail to deliver them in gentleness and respect. In other words, I can't judge others for what I do myself.

But as far as the hurt I've experienced is concerned, I look to, among others, one passage in particular that simultaneously helps to comfort me in my pain and further convince me that I've understood Scripture correctly.

Saving Cornelius: Acts 10 and Water Baptism

Despite what the Bible clearly teaches about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, some proponents of baptismal regeneration (not all of them) reject the truth of Scripture and unjustifiably claim that Cornelius' household was not saved when they received the Holy Spirit in Acts 10, that it was not until they were baptized in water that they were saved. I am convinced, to a certain extent at least, that it will be fruitless to discuss water baptism or virtually any other doctrine with someone who in this way refuses to conform their beliefs to Scripture. It is evident that no matter what the Bible says, these people will instead adhere blindly to their traditions, their "sacred cows," as it were, and one is left to wonder if one should throw their proverbial pearls before swine.

In episode 4 of the Theopologetics Podcast I demonstrated that Cornelius and his household was, in fact, saved by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit prior to being baptized in water. For those who have not listened or are unable to, I will demonstrate this fact here in writing.

Coming Soon: Interview with Glenn Peoples

Normally I share the position espoused by the guests I interview on my show, but in an upcoming episode I will be briefly departing from that trend to interview Dr. Glenn Peoples of the Say Hello to My Little Friend blog and podcast. Glenn recently appeared on the Unbelievable? radio program with Justin Brierley to discuss the topic of Christian physicalism, the belief that human beings are not comprised of both a physical body and an immaterial soul or spirit.

If you, like me, had hoped for a more in-depth examination of this view, look forward to this upcoming episode of the Theopologetics Podcast in which Dr. Peoples will tell us why he thinks the Bible supports his view, and not the one most of us hold. Stay tuned!

To Terry: Unless the Father Draws Him

This post is for Terry, who graciously agreed to discuss the doctrine of predestination, since it undergirds my position in the debate we've had on baptism. Terry, I would like to bring to your attention chapter 6 of the gospel of John, as a starting point for this discussion.

O LORD What is Man? The "Potential" Human Being

Those who support the freedom of women to choose the evil of elective abortion will often make the absurd claim that a fetus is merely a "potential human." The objection is so obviously false that we often dismiss it without thinking about how to properly answer it. I am currently listening to The Great Abortion Debate, and had to pause it so I could post this after listening to Scott Klusendorf resoundingly refute this nonsense.

The abortion supporter whom Scott was debating attempted to illustrate that a fetus is not a human, but is merely a "potential human," by pointing out that an acorn is not a tree, but is merely a "potential tree." On the surface, this argument seems to have some validity. However, Scott pointed out that while an acorn is not yet a tree, an acorn is an oak! Abortion supporters who claim that a fetus is merely a "potential human" are simply wrong, and the only thing they can demonstrate using the acorn or any other analogy is that a fetus is a potential adult. Yet, just as an acorn may only be a potential tree but nevertheless is an actual oak, likewise may a fetus only be a potential adult but nevertheless is an actual human.

Check out Scott Klusendorf's work at Life Training Institute, and buy the debate on CD at Stand to Reason.