Specified Complexity provides a rational, empirical explanation of perceived design and exposes t... more Specified Complexity provides a rational, empirical explanation of perceived design and exposes the failure of Darwinian evolution to overcome nature's complexity barriers.
In this paper, I will explore the claims of Intelligent Design proponent, William A. Dembski who believes Specified Complexity, which tries to locate patterns in nature, can be used as a theory of information to detect design in nature.
The Swoon Theory, or as it is sometimes called the Apparent-Death Theory asserts, that Christ did... more The Swoon Theory, or as it is sometimes called the Apparent-Death Theory asserts, that Christ did not die on the cross, but swooned or fell unconscious and was revived after being placed in the tomb. How this was achieved is under great speculation, even among the swoon theorists themselves, but with the historicity of Jesus’ crucifixion all but settled, they must claim that “Jesus’ reappearance wasn’t a miraculous resurrection but merely a fortuitous resuscitation.”
In this paper, I will focus on the physiological burden of the crucifixion on Christ’s body. I will appeal to historical, eye-witness accounts of the treatment of victims of crucifixions, modern medical examinations of the psychological and physiological effects of being crucified and examine the physical evidence that Christ was dead when he was removed from the cross.
There is a new idea spreading through the transgender movement that is targeting children and it ... more There is a new idea spreading through the transgender movement that is targeting children and it is dangerous. The normalization of hormonal treatments and gender reassignment surgeries of minors with suspected gender dysphoria (GD) is increasing at an alarming rate. But is there any reliable science behind this rapid push towards body reconfiguration or “has [it] led to the ongoing experimentation upon, and sterilization of, confused children?” Are children capable of making life-altering decisions about their bodies? And how should society and the communities of faith respond to such radical claims?
In this paper, I will discuss the science behind childhood GD, the ethical dilemma of hormonal and surgical alterations of children, and the role of the Church in the transgender community.
The story of the Samaritan woman at the well in the Gospel of John provides one of the clearest e... more The story of the Samaritan woman at the well in the Gospel of John provides one of the clearest expositions on the messiahship of Christ in the New Testament. “In a momentous self-disclosure that is unique to any Gospel narrative prior to Jesus’ trials, Jesus acknowledges that he is the Messiah.” Suppose though, there had been another. What if the Jewish messiah, as they had expected him to be, had come, had ruled, and had failed one hundred years before the coming of Christ? He had come as a warrior king who reconstituted Judea, restored the temple and was purported to commune with the Divine - the fourth Hasmonean ruler, John Hyrcanus. Hyrcanus is not a name found in the Bible, nor known by many outside of biblical scholarship, but whose importance cannot be understated. Edward Wicher, in his article, Ancient Jewish Views of the Messiah, makes the astounding claim that for a short time in Jewish history under the rule of Hyrcanus, “the pious Israelite imagined that the reign of Messiah had already begun upon the earth.” But who was John Hyrcanus, how is his story linked to Jesus’ meeting with an outcast Samaritan at Jacob’s well and what implications does this have on Christ’s messiahship?
Fredric Jameson argues in his work, Postmodernism, or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism, that... more Fredric Jameson argues in his work, Postmodernism, or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism, that postmodernity has created a new “depthlessness” in society, or a culture of pastiche where there are no originals, only copies. Like his contemporary, Jean Baudrillard with his work on the idea of the simulacrum, Jameson highly criticized postmodernity for its abandonment of historicity and embrace of the hyperreal. In this paper my purpose is to defend Jameson’s understanding of the weakening of the link to the past through the lens of sociology, explore his thoughts about cultural depthlessness through the idea of the Baudrillardian simulacrum, and show how postmodernity keeps us from moving beyond superficiality to search out deeper truths. Section I presents Jameson’s understanding of postmodernity. In section II, I develop Jameson’s symptoms of postmodern depthlessness. In section III, I undergird Jameson’s claims with a look at Jean Baudrillard’s ideas about the simulacrum. In section IV, I conclude that postmodernity is self-destructing and breeds cultural superficiality.
Philosophy has a long tradition of understanding lying as giving a subject false information with... more Philosophy has a long tradition of understanding lying as giving a subject false information with the intent to deceive them, but is this assumption true? Can someone lie without maligning their listener, or further still, can a lie be altruistic? There are those that believe that in some situations a lie can do justifiable good. In this paper, I will argue against the existence of the altruistic white lie. In section I, I will discuss the traditional definition of a lie. In section II, I will direct my focus to the nature of altruistic white lies. In section III, I will argue that true altruism cannot be associated with lying. In section IV, I will conclude that altruistic white lies are a myth.
In Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Disagreements, Norman Geisler and Ralph E. Ma... more In Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Disagreements, Norman Geisler and Ralph E. MacKenzie (G&M) have engaged in the concerted effort “to examine some of our common spiritual roots and see if we have any theological or moral bridges upon which we both can travel.” With many inconsistencies surrounding the topic, it is difficult to separate truth from fiction leading to confusing mischaracterizations such that Protestants indict Catholics as idolatrous Pope-worshippers, and Catholics presume Protestants to be no more than antagonistic pagans. Though both sides have misrepresented the other over their dissimilarities, not all of the controversies are misconceptions, there are some “real and fundamental-sounding differences in interpretation and application, where each side thinks itself right.” It is here, in the gap between these similar, yet estranged faith traditions that G&M stand, and this book is a product of their labors.
A Quest for Godliness is the accumulation of nearly four decades of study of the Puritans and the... more A Quest for Godliness is the accumulation of nearly four decades of study of the Puritans and their impact on Christianity by Oxford graduate and Regent College professor, J.I. Packer. Packer, an adept historian and engaging communicator sets out his intentions for the reader early by profiling seven ways the Puritans have enriched his own spiritual life in the hopes that his reader will have a similar encounter with these giants of the faith. The chapters to follow, he writes, “are not just history or historical theology…they are spirituality… they focus on ways in which the Puritans are giants compared to us, giants whose help we need if ever we are to grow.” We need the Puritans, and Packer is excited to tell us why.
Sam Allberry is a unique Christian. As far back as he can remember he has only had romantic and s... more Sam Allberry is a unique Christian. As far back as he can remember he has only had romantic and sexual feelings towards men, and yet, he has a profound love for the Lord Jesus. In our society and our modern church culture, those two facts are hard to reconcile. Allberry uses his unique perspective to challenge traditional views on sexuality and the suffering in the homosexual community. Allberry’s book, Is God Anti-Gay, is an endearing, honest and brutally personal journey into his life and the lives of others who struggle with homosexuality. And yet, it is more than that; it is a picture of the costliness of discipleship in the midst of that suffering. “God’s message for gay people” Allberry writes, “is the same message for everyone. Repent and believe.” Allberry explores homosexuality in light of God’s design, through the context of the Bible, its impact on the Christian life, and how the Church’s response should be different from the world. No one is straight, but God is good. Sam Allberry shows how everyone can understand that truth.
Specified Complexity provides a rational, empirical explanation of perceived design and exposes t... more Specified Complexity provides a rational, empirical explanation of perceived design and exposes the failure of Darwinian evolution to overcome nature's complexity barriers.
In this paper, I will explore the claims of Intelligent Design proponent, William A. Dembski who believes Specified Complexity, which tries to locate patterns in nature, can be used as a theory of information to detect design in nature.
The Swoon Theory, or as it is sometimes called the Apparent-Death Theory asserts, that Christ did... more The Swoon Theory, or as it is sometimes called the Apparent-Death Theory asserts, that Christ did not die on the cross, but swooned or fell unconscious and was revived after being placed in the tomb. How this was achieved is under great speculation, even among the swoon theorists themselves, but with the historicity of Jesus’ crucifixion all but settled, they must claim that “Jesus’ reappearance wasn’t a miraculous resurrection but merely a fortuitous resuscitation.”
In this paper, I will focus on the physiological burden of the crucifixion on Christ’s body. I will appeal to historical, eye-witness accounts of the treatment of victims of crucifixions, modern medical examinations of the psychological and physiological effects of being crucified and examine the physical evidence that Christ was dead when he was removed from the cross.
There is a new idea spreading through the transgender movement that is targeting children and it ... more There is a new idea spreading through the transgender movement that is targeting children and it is dangerous. The normalization of hormonal treatments and gender reassignment surgeries of minors with suspected gender dysphoria (GD) is increasing at an alarming rate. But is there any reliable science behind this rapid push towards body reconfiguration or “has [it] led to the ongoing experimentation upon, and sterilization of, confused children?” Are children capable of making life-altering decisions about their bodies? And how should society and the communities of faith respond to such radical claims?
In this paper, I will discuss the science behind childhood GD, the ethical dilemma of hormonal and surgical alterations of children, and the role of the Church in the transgender community.
The story of the Samaritan woman at the well in the Gospel of John provides one of the clearest e... more The story of the Samaritan woman at the well in the Gospel of John provides one of the clearest expositions on the messiahship of Christ in the New Testament. “In a momentous self-disclosure that is unique to any Gospel narrative prior to Jesus’ trials, Jesus acknowledges that he is the Messiah.” Suppose though, there had been another. What if the Jewish messiah, as they had expected him to be, had come, had ruled, and had failed one hundred years before the coming of Christ? He had come as a warrior king who reconstituted Judea, restored the temple and was purported to commune with the Divine - the fourth Hasmonean ruler, John Hyrcanus. Hyrcanus is not a name found in the Bible, nor known by many outside of biblical scholarship, but whose importance cannot be understated. Edward Wicher, in his article, Ancient Jewish Views of the Messiah, makes the astounding claim that for a short time in Jewish history under the rule of Hyrcanus, “the pious Israelite imagined that the reign of Messiah had already begun upon the earth.” But who was John Hyrcanus, how is his story linked to Jesus’ meeting with an outcast Samaritan at Jacob’s well and what implications does this have on Christ’s messiahship?
Fredric Jameson argues in his work, Postmodernism, or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism, that... more Fredric Jameson argues in his work, Postmodernism, or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism, that postmodernity has created a new “depthlessness” in society, or a culture of pastiche where there are no originals, only copies. Like his contemporary, Jean Baudrillard with his work on the idea of the simulacrum, Jameson highly criticized postmodernity for its abandonment of historicity and embrace of the hyperreal. In this paper my purpose is to defend Jameson’s understanding of the weakening of the link to the past through the lens of sociology, explore his thoughts about cultural depthlessness through the idea of the Baudrillardian simulacrum, and show how postmodernity keeps us from moving beyond superficiality to search out deeper truths. Section I presents Jameson’s understanding of postmodernity. In section II, I develop Jameson’s symptoms of postmodern depthlessness. In section III, I undergird Jameson’s claims with a look at Jean Baudrillard’s ideas about the simulacrum. In section IV, I conclude that postmodernity is self-destructing and breeds cultural superficiality.
Philosophy has a long tradition of understanding lying as giving a subject false information with... more Philosophy has a long tradition of understanding lying as giving a subject false information with the intent to deceive them, but is this assumption true? Can someone lie without maligning their listener, or further still, can a lie be altruistic? There are those that believe that in some situations a lie can do justifiable good. In this paper, I will argue against the existence of the altruistic white lie. In section I, I will discuss the traditional definition of a lie. In section II, I will direct my focus to the nature of altruistic white lies. In section III, I will argue that true altruism cannot be associated with lying. In section IV, I will conclude that altruistic white lies are a myth.
In Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Disagreements, Norman Geisler and Ralph E. Ma... more In Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Disagreements, Norman Geisler and Ralph E. MacKenzie (G&M) have engaged in the concerted effort “to examine some of our common spiritual roots and see if we have any theological or moral bridges upon which we both can travel.” With many inconsistencies surrounding the topic, it is difficult to separate truth from fiction leading to confusing mischaracterizations such that Protestants indict Catholics as idolatrous Pope-worshippers, and Catholics presume Protestants to be no more than antagonistic pagans. Though both sides have misrepresented the other over their dissimilarities, not all of the controversies are misconceptions, there are some “real and fundamental-sounding differences in interpretation and application, where each side thinks itself right.” It is here, in the gap between these similar, yet estranged faith traditions that G&M stand, and this book is a product of their labors.
A Quest for Godliness is the accumulation of nearly four decades of study of the Puritans and the... more A Quest for Godliness is the accumulation of nearly four decades of study of the Puritans and their impact on Christianity by Oxford graduate and Regent College professor, J.I. Packer. Packer, an adept historian and engaging communicator sets out his intentions for the reader early by profiling seven ways the Puritans have enriched his own spiritual life in the hopes that his reader will have a similar encounter with these giants of the faith. The chapters to follow, he writes, “are not just history or historical theology…they are spirituality… they focus on ways in which the Puritans are giants compared to us, giants whose help we need if ever we are to grow.” We need the Puritans, and Packer is excited to tell us why.
Sam Allberry is a unique Christian. As far back as he can remember he has only had romantic and s... more Sam Allberry is a unique Christian. As far back as he can remember he has only had romantic and sexual feelings towards men, and yet, he has a profound love for the Lord Jesus. In our society and our modern church culture, those two facts are hard to reconcile. Allberry uses his unique perspective to challenge traditional views on sexuality and the suffering in the homosexual community. Allberry’s book, Is God Anti-Gay, is an endearing, honest and brutally personal journey into his life and the lives of others who struggle with homosexuality. And yet, it is more than that; it is a picture of the costliness of discipleship in the midst of that suffering. “God’s message for gay people” Allberry writes, “is the same message for everyone. Repent and believe.” Allberry explores homosexuality in light of God’s design, through the context of the Bible, its impact on the Christian life, and how the Church’s response should be different from the world. No one is straight, but God is good. Sam Allberry shows how everyone can understand that truth.
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Papers by Andrew Godwin
In this paper, I will explore the claims of Intelligent Design proponent, William A. Dembski who believes Specified Complexity, which tries to locate patterns in nature, can be used as a theory of information to detect design in nature.
In this paper, I will focus on the physiological burden of the crucifixion on Christ’s body. I will appeal to historical, eye-witness accounts of the treatment of victims of crucifixions, modern medical examinations of the psychological and physiological effects of being crucified and examine the physical evidence that Christ was dead when he was removed from the cross.
In this paper, I will discuss the science behind childhood GD, the ethical dilemma of hormonal and surgical alterations of children, and the role of the Church in the transgender community.
Book Reviews by Andrew Godwin
In this paper, I will explore the claims of Intelligent Design proponent, William A. Dembski who believes Specified Complexity, which tries to locate patterns in nature, can be used as a theory of information to detect design in nature.
In this paper, I will focus on the physiological burden of the crucifixion on Christ’s body. I will appeal to historical, eye-witness accounts of the treatment of victims of crucifixions, modern medical examinations of the psychological and physiological effects of being crucified and examine the physical evidence that Christ was dead when he was removed from the cross.
In this paper, I will discuss the science behind childhood GD, the ethical dilemma of hormonal and surgical alterations of children, and the role of the Church in the transgender community.