Brethren Apologist

There are several more evidences we can lay out to show, to a degree, the evidence we have of God's existence. Each of the previous five evidences, while not being exhaustive, gives a basis for which we can articulate some acknowledge of God's existence and can lay the foundation for further study. This last installment is no different. The only difference is the basis from which it begins its study. The root of this evidence is found in the Scripture. The reason for it being last is because u...

As of this writing, there are many who are left decimated for the loss of their children and others who are hurt as they watch their children in the hospital. The evil that was inflicted was just that, evil. The shooter, Robert, did the most heinous acts against a civilized nation and targeted the most innocent among us. There are three responses in which this post will address and it should address. First, is the response from conservatives and Republicans. There are many who are not saying a...

Who does not love an amazing picture? A beautiful scene? Beautiful people? Our world is surrounded by beauty. The colors, the shapes, the pronounced forms, each one broadcasts and showcases beauty, danger, and intrigue. It is this desire to learn more and understand what we are seeing that draws mankind to study, go, observe. The travel to the deepest part of the oceans. Scaling the highest point on the mountains. Launching satellites and rockets to explore the deepest parts of space we can. Why...

One strong argument for knowing God exists is found in the very fabric of our conscience. This is not to say that unbelievers cannot do good, recent events in Texas, prove that. However, to be fully honest to the position that God does not exist, but also accept the reality of Evolution. This theory states the oft quoted belief of "survival of the fittest". Therefore, to say that empathy, and what constitutes moral right, cannot and will never be recognized as cognizent to a closed system such...

How many of us have stopped to look at the night sky? In our day and age, light pollution is very real, and for many, the idea of seeing stars that stand out in the night sky in brilliance, is hard to understand. Step away from the city, the lights, the brightness, and the universe, from the naked eye, absolutely blows the mind in its entire vastness and complexity. The universe is huge! We have not seen the edge, and the universe is even still expanding. There are many great minds that have tur...

The Teleological argument is a strong position for the truth of God's existence. To flush this out, in a small blog post such as this, would demand the entire resource from several major apologetic ministries. Therefore, the best thing possible is to link to those apologetic sites, allowing a deeper study of what will be laid out here. Institute for Creation Research (icr.org) Answers in Genesis (answersingenesis.org) Biblical Science Institute (biblicalscienceinstitute.com) For the purpos...

Perhaps the more subjective evidence on the list, the Bible itself claims the existence of God. In the beginning of the Bible, in the Book of Genesis, the first words are, "In the Beginning God". As one Theologian said, "It does not try to explain God, or try to articulate what God was doing before this verse. Even if it did, we would not understand it." This is the starting point of God's existence. Why is the Bible a good place to start on proving the existence of God? We have, in previous ...

Often touted as the Achilles heel for Christians is the unanswerable challenge of, "Do you have proof God exists?" For many, the question seems impossible to answer, and prove. However, does this have to be? Is it really that hard or impossible to answer? No. In fact, in any discussion for the proof of God must begin with honesty and intellectual integrity. Asking a Christian a question like this, the atheist must be willing to also accept the logical, and intellectual obligation required in t...

How do Brethren navigate a scenario when a Government rejects Christianity? What about measuring where a political party stands? How about the entire ethos of government? What is the role of Brethren within the Government? This question is often met with shock when the truth of Brethren positions are unfolded. What are they? Traditionally, Brethren were and are Apolitical. What this means is that we not only do not support one side, but we are outside the realms of government, in regards to ou...

Humanism is defined as a belief that emphasizes the ability, advancement, and agency of humanity outside the existence of God. Brethren recognize the existence of God, and His authority over all of mankind. When someone decides to remove God, and instead focuses inwardly toward themselves, they inevitably become 'god'! It is not that Humanists do not have faith, they do. They believe, not in a Theocracy but an anthropological theocracy. They are god themselves. The danger becomes the subjectiv...

Our culture declares the possibility for one gender to transition to another. The push is so great, and pressure to conform and confirm everyone, including very young children now, in their "preferred" gender has gotten to an alarming rate. On top of that, the medical industry makes a lot of money pushing anyone to have reassignment surgery's, regardless of the truth and the science. This post is not going to claim any form of authority, other than from a Spiritual side. There are many reasons s...

Looking through the world today, we find such amazing talent, and skill. Underneath that thin layer, however, simmering just below the surface, may be a life that is anything but what is portrayed. The outward may look under control, but under that smile and warm greetings beats the heart of a broken and defeated individual, crying out for hope, and help. We see it across all spectrum of society. From the music artist who finds himself doubled over in pain from a drug episode, to the lonely indi...

It is a shame we have broken homes. The hopes, dreams, vision, and desires of a home that starts is soon torn apart and leaves all involved shattered and feeling hopeless. If the destruction is super serious, even after the event, one or all of the individuals will feel as though they are completely destroyed and leveled to nothing. This position is sad, and the pain is real. It is not without hope. A broken home is never a good thing, and we Brethren cry with you. There are many nuances to wh...

We do wish to wrap up this topic of abortion. This post is going to tie up some final thoughts and will appear disjointed. There have been very direct things mentioned, but we should not ignored the ones who already had an abortion. There is, medically proven, several things that affect these women. There is the physical risk of an abortion which is not painless or safe as Planned Parenthood makes it out to be. There are health risks that show up immediately, or later and there is a toll on th...

Of all the arguments posted for abortion, this is the hardest one to grapple with. It is hard for now we are dealing with two very strong realities, especially as Brethren. We have life on both sides, and a responsibility to care for and help protect both. How would we, as Brethren, answer this question? The best answer is to start with prayer. Prayer allows us to connect with God, and He will give us the wisdom that only He can provide. He will help us through these hard decisions and questio...

This is one of the saddest, most poor excuse for abortion. The issue comes from several angles. First, the mother who says this, may still be in a mindset of wanting to party and the baby will keep the mother from "having fun". Second, the mother may be in a position where they do not feel they can keep the child and provide a good home. Third, the mother may just be wanting to not be "tied down". Either way, this is a horrible view of abortion. The solution to this is very simple: Adoption. "...

This is probably the biggest, and most widely used argument that this author has run across. Minus the hypocrisy of the ones stating this, this argument is also sad in that it does not follow the science. As the reader, you know the statement that is often used to make the case for such things as Global Warm...sorry, Climate Change, Transgender, Homosexuality, using untested, and unsure vaxines, and even social structures that defy norms that have been longstanding for generations. The mantra, "...

One of the worse arguments for abortion is this one. It is not viable. The idea of viability is the idea that the baby cannot live on its own. The issue with this line of reasoning is it bases a moral decision on whether the baby can live on its own or not. If that is the basis of argument, why not allow that same reasoning go for anyone? Can't live without an oxygen tank? Well, then Post-Natal Abortion is fine. Have to have expensive medicine to stay alive? Well, that calls for late, late term ...

One of the biggest thoughts in the abortion agencies is that it is not a baby. They base this on several things, one of which we will address specifically in part 2. There are many ways this argument is made. The baby is brought down to the level of being simply a gathering of cells, or a bit of tissue. This categorization not only assumes to eliminate the responsibility for their decisions to engage in sexual intimacy and becoming pregnant. The issue becomes that this position dehumanizes the...

Abortion is a hot issue in our culture today. On one side of the aisle there is the pro-life camp that wants all babies in the womb of the mother, to be saved and have their life protected. On the other side, there is the pro-death group that wants the right to kill the unborn child up to and including moments AFTER birth. This blog, of course, is not meant, nor will it ever attempt to solve this argument and debate, but instead to present how we as Brethren approach this topic. Brethren hold ...

How does the Brethren view communion? There are two common views. The first is the way that Lutherans and Catholics usually view the cup and bread. They are the literal body and blood of Jesus. Brethren follow in line with many in the AnaBaptist view of Communion that Communion is not literally the body and blood of Jesus but it is done in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Brethren Reject Transubstantiation. As Jesus taught about communion, "do this in remembrance". It is remembering...

The question about Bible translation is a rather large study. It is the debate between Traditional Text verses the Critical Text. There must be a preliminary understanding of these two different texts. The Traditional, or received, text is the text that is copied from the originals. Those who hold to the Traditional Text stand on the position that God's Word is known, preserved, and handed down to us through the halls of time. Those who believe in the Critical Text approach the Bible as a source...

At this conclusion of our proof for the Bible, it should be noted that we barely scratched the surface. Much more could have been said, and even more can be studied. However, enough evidence was given to prove the Bible is factual and accurate. Enough truth has been shared to give all who are reading a base upon which they can build their own study. How many reading this will ignore these truths? How many will decide this nameless blog and author is crazy? This does not affect this author in any...

If we were to ask about manuscript support for the most ancient of writings, could we produce that? If I were to say, "I do not believe Homer wrote Illiad." would I not be thought foolish? Why? Because of manuscript support. Here are some interesting things to note about some of the most well known writings from ancient times. Please note, this is not my list but I am reiterating what has already been done by others. Lucretius died around 55 or 53 B.C. We are not aware of the date for earliest...

Evidence for the Bible is not limited to only looking at artifacts and Science. Prophecy itself is evidence for the validity of the Bible. Prophecy, in this post, will have two parts. The first is prophecy, speaking to the present, and the second is prophecy speaking to our future. Of course, not being in the future, it will be substantially harder for us to validate this point, but by using logic and reason, we are able to do so. As we look at prophecy from the past, we have an unbelievable r...

In a previous post, it was mentioned that our knowledge and understanding of people and places may not be 100%. There are questions regarding where ancient cities were located or how far some old civilizations extended. Does this remove the authority of Scripture? Is this enough to make the case the Bible is not true? No. When we look at the Archaeological developments that have taken place over the course of the last one hundred plus years, it is exceptionally profound how much has been validat...

Science has become the catch all in today's society. Anyone wishing to appear educated believes in Science. Anyone who wants to appear to have a grasp of reality, they hold to Science. Anyone who wants to be intellectual, they are proponents of Science. For many, this means the Bible is no longer worthy of consideration because Science has replaced it, or has it? The belief that Science can speak to the truth of God is a misuse of Science in the first place. Second, the belief that Science can...

One of the strongest points for proof of the Scripture is the Historical proof of the Bible. The World has made several claims regarding the Bible in its Historical claims. Those attacks have been not only refuted but reversed against the attackers. What are some of these attacks? 1) Many doubted the existence of King David and even the nation of Israel before Solomon. This lasted until 1993 when the ancient mound called Tel Dan, was discovered to have these words carved, "House of David" and ...

Over the next six weeks, we are going to look at the evidence for the Bible. These blogs will never answer every question, nor will it anticipate every possible objection. What is desired is to put enough information in the hands of all the readers to go deeper with their own questions and study for themselves. The six points to be discussed are: The Historical Proof Scientific Proof Archaeological Proof Prophetic Proof Manuscript Proof Summation leading toward proof Each one of these poin...

Brethren are highly influenced by two major movements, Pietists (covered in another post), and AnaBaptists. What is it? Who were they? What was their main stance they are known for? These are the tree questions explored today. AnaBaptist is not a word that is used often, but many Christian churches are AnaBaptist. It does not mean we are against baptism, instead we believe in Believers baptism. Following the Scriptures, every time someone was baptized, it was to receive faith but because of fa...