Rethinking the αlpha and Ωmega - Latest Comments

Re: Pinning the Tail on the Antichrist

Tilsinbebitter — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:52:02 -0000

Hi, fellow Navy guy here. We are doing this TTP in Afghanistan right now, and I found a few things didn't sit right with me after the first session, and stumbled on to this blog.

I'm probably a 6 on the spectrum you listed way back near the beginning of this thing, and have never heard of preterism. I grew up SBC, but just never ascribed to certain beliefs like Genesis being literal, the cessation of the Holy Spirit, and evolution being in opposition of Christian belief. Truthfully though it wasn't because I was being rebellious, evolution, a metaphorical interpretation of Genesis and what not just made sense to me. I'm sure you know how my views are received when I voice them...

I actually decided not to attend the other sessions with the unit rather than cause disunity. I was wondering if there is a thread on here with a compiled list of some of the reading you would recommend. I am already picking up Relics of Eden and the Walton on Genesis.

Also you mentioned you're 12 "journey" steps, but I am having trouble picking them out.

Lastly, I notice that you have not been active on here for several months, hopefully that is because you have just been busy.

Re: Pinning the Tail on the Antichrist

Rivera7407 — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:44:43 -0000

From Ariel:

George W. as King George III

John McCain as John Adams (look at the painted portrait)

Prince William the Conqueror

and his brother Harry the Harald Hadrada

I've raised the Army of the Dead to invade Middle Earth(East)...The Holy Bible is a like a storybook just like the Lord of the Rings.

-by Ariel Rivera the Real Antichrist from San Diego.30.

I know the antichrist is about Adam from the Garden of Eden. And I am Him. I've been talking with God for 6 years and I want you to know that. God Bless!

Re: Searching for Truth in “The Truth Project” — Lesson 7: Sociology — The Divine Imprint

JR — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:23:53 -0000

I would suggest that a closer reading of history would lead to the conclusion that our society didn't "evolve," in the sense that democracy or moral/ethical laws causes a society to survive better. In fact, dictatorships are more efficient from an evolutionary standpoint especially since it would obviously be the dictators whose genes would be passed on most successfully.

Re: Searching for Truth in “The Truth Project” — Lesson 4: Theology — Who Is God?

JR — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:14:56 -0000

Anyone who watches Dell Tackett knows that he's a dramaticist. Anyone who thinks he really was going to throw away his faith because the Kings list didn't add up is naive and I would suggest doesn't understand oratory.

It's also quite possible that he wouldn't consider Enns and Sparks to be evangelical since most people see inerrancy as a key point of evangelicalism. Considering that Enns was suspended from teaching based on the book (http://thegospelcoalition.org/..., I'd say that Tackett would be on safe ground. (See here for a good review of Sparks http://www.reformation21.org/s... )

I'm sure you'll find lots to criticize in every session, because Dell is going to present a conservative evangelical viewpoint and you have obviously left that behind if you ever had it in the first place.

Re: Searching for Truth in “The Truth Project” — Lesson 1: Veritology — What Is Truth?

JR — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:29:24 -0000

I would argue that Norman Geisler doesn't think for a moment that his 12 points would convince a non-Christian. He is simply making 12 statements that he believes he can defend -- it is the framework of his argument not the content.

The Truth Project is not designed to convince skeptics, it is designed to educate people who've already subscribed to a certain viewpoint--the conservative evangelical viewpoint. Dell Tackett uses are fair bit of short-hand. When he says "most scholars" he is not misleading his audience -- they would understand this to mean "most scholars whose opinion you would value" - in otherwise, "most conservative evangelical scholars."

This is quite common, and if you don't do this kind of thing when you're teaching you end up wasting inordinate amounts of time explaining concepts everyone already assumes.

Re: A Response to Tim Keller’s “Killer Argument” Against a Mythological Adam

Mike Beidler — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:35:17 -0000

Thomas,

Thanks for your question. For the answer, I'll refer you to Dennis Venema's article "Genesis and the Genome: Genomics Evidence for Human-Ape Common Ancestry and Ancestral Hominid Population Sizes" in the 3rd Quarter 2010 issue of Perspectives in Science and Christian Faith:

http://www.asa3.org/ASA/PSCF/2...

Once read, feel free to come back and discuss. :D

Re: A Response to Tim Keller’s “Killer Argument” Against a Mythological Adam

Thomas Fasoldt — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:21:45 -0000

Please help me. How exactly does the DNA argue against a historic Adam and Eve?

Re: Eschatological Thieves in the Night

Mike Beidler — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:18:14 -0000

Sara,

If you don't mind me asking, what prompted you to adopt an atheistic paradigm?

Re: Eschatological Thieves in the Night

Sarahearl67 — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:12:27 -0000

i cannot remember who had this painting when i was a kid. i am watching a thing on netflix about religion in appalachian, and they flashed this image. i am so glad to know the background on it. my dad was a minister, and i am an atheist. images like this scared me into religion. but that only lasted so long.

Re: Eschatological Thieves in the Night

Mike Beidler — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:33:47 -0000

Mitchell,

Glad to year that you're open-minded to learning about alternative eschatological positions. Of course, my story is "bass ackwards" from yours: My wrestling with eschatology allowed me to be more open to other views on creationism and evolution. I guess that can be said for anyone who's undergone a major theological paradigm shift.

Re: Eschatological Thieves in the Night

Mike Beidler — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:31:37 -0000

AMW,

I think those movies are readily viewable on YouTube, albeit probably chopped up into parts. It would, as you say, be an interesting experiment to rewatch those movies in light of my current eschatological position.

If you don't mind me asking, where have you settled in terms of eschatology?

Re: Eschatological Thieves in the Night

Mike Beidler — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:30:00 -0000

Antwrites,

I was a temporary convert to pre-wrath about 10 years ago. If I were to ever abandon my preterist eschatology and return to some form of futurism, pre-wrath would be it. But, alas, I don't think I could ever go back. (More on my experimentation with pre-wrath in future blog posts.)

Where did you attend seminary, if you don't mind me asking?

Re: Eschatological Thieves in the Night

antwrites — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:41:10 -0000

I was raised a premillenialist and was taught it in seminary, but after 11 years of studying Revelations, I've become a post-tribulationist, specifically pre-wrath.

Re: Eschatological Thieves in the Night

AMW — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 01:10:31 -0000

I remember watching those movies as a kid. I'd be interested to go back and see them again, 20+ years after my first viewing. It's amazing how evangelical parents, who tend to be highly protective of what they let their kids watch, will just drop all the shields when the subject matter is End Times. People are getting sent to the guillotine in those movies, for crying out loud!

In any event, no, I'm not still attracted to premillenial eschatology. I'm like the ex-smoker who can't stand the smell of cigarettes.

Re: Eschatological Thieves in the Night

Mitchell Wyatt — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:47:04 -0000

I was raised with a premillenial view, read those same books and, to be honest, I haven't really been exposed to anything else. I will say that after wrestling with the creation/evolution issue and embracing a changed perspective I am certainly more open to hearing and understanding alternative eschatological views. Whether or not the images I've grown up with will continue to pull at my mind I can't say.

Re: Eschatological Thieves in the Night

Daniel Eaton — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:07:14 -0000

I remember those horrid movies and books as well. And it's been years since I've seen that painting, but I'm familiar with that too.

Re: The Beginning of Rethinking the End

Cliff Martin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:38:40 -0000

You have provided us with an apt dinosaur metaphor of how people looking at the similar data can draw such diverse interpretations. In good science, we recognize the need for a healthy sort of tentativeness which expects to be refined, and brought into alignment with truth.

Among readers of the Bible there exists similar diverse interpretations among those looking at the same data. But alas ... the tentativeness is too often completely absent! Thank you for the reminder that, as we let the bones speak for themselves, so too we must learn to let the Scriptures speak for themselves.

Re: Seeing Evolution Through New Covenant Eyes

Mike Beidler — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 20:16:07 -0000

Thanks, Actormw!

Feel free to submit questions right here in this blog post. I can't promise I'll answer them fast or thoroughly enough to help you defend against strawmen questions, but I'll sure try.

Re: Seeing Evolution Through New Covenant Eyes

Actormw — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 15:01:05 -0000

Mike,
It's great to see you back with a new site and a broader focus! I'm particularly looking forward to your Q&A page. I'm the only person I know of in my congregation, although there are likely more, that is open to, let alone believes, that our understanding of the scientific side of our faith needs some "rethinking". Our pastor took a survey a while back that asked about origin beliefs. He is very traditional in hits views, embracing a creationist perspective. He us now following up with a series of sermons which will outline the falsehood in evolutionary belief. I'm sure there will be questions that I am unprepared to answer when my friends ask me so I fully expect to be contributing questions to your Q&A section.

I wish you all the best and thank you for sharing all of your hard work!

Re: Seeing Evolution Through New Covenant Eyes

Wanda Short — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:21:23 -0000

I was very glad that Mike L allowed you all to go long that night! Lots of info and it is hard to keep the bigger picture or overview of you view with snippets like that. I look forward to you using this site to lay out the details!

Re: Expanding Beyond the Event Horizon

Wanda Short — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:18:43 -0000

I also look forward to reading your work Mike! I thoroughly enjoyed the NCE podcast yet have many unanswered questions from it! :-}

I second Paul's sentiment...bring it on! Blessings brother!

Re: Expanding Beyond the Event Horizon

Steve Douglas — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:32:05 -0000

Perhaps you should have said, "and loosen all secure articles [of faith]." :-D

Re: Expanding Beyond the Event Horizon

Mike Beidler — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:29:32 -0000

Will do, Paul! Just remember: Keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times and secure all loose articles. ;-)

Re: Expanding Beyond the Event Horizon

Paul Bruggink — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:02:48 -0000

Put me down for Option 1 and bring it on.

Re: Seeing Evolution Through New Covenant Eyes

Mike Beidler — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:43:32 -0000

Daniel,

If you go to the actual Q&A page, there is an RSS feed for the page. I'm guessing that clicking it is all you'll need to do to keep updated. Please correct me if I'm wrong. :D