There are many examples in the Bible of God giving people no real choice in what they do. For example, when God sent Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, God said he would “harden Pharaoh’s heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in Read more…
Aren’t Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism basically the same? No! And not just because Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”[1] Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the “Buddha,” which means one who is “awakened” or “enlightened.” One Read more…
In one of Lee Strobel’s weekly emails, which are entitled “Investigating Faith,” he tells about an American prisoner of war in North Vietnam who was promised he would be released if he cooperated with the enemy—and who died when that hope was crushed. The man died from a lack of Read more…
Anyone familiar with the Old Testament has probably heard the story about David and Bathsheba.[1] But in case you haven’t, here’s a quick summary. Bathsheba was a beautiful woman and the wife of Uriah the Hittite. While Uriah was away serving in the Israelite army, King David sent for Bathsheba Read more…
A story about C.S. Lewis says that he once walked into a gathering of Christian leaders who were discussing what makes Christianity unique among the world’s religions. Some said the resurrection, but others pointed out that many religions have stories about men or gods dying and coming back to life.[1] Read more…
In about 1535, as Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation was gaining traction in Europe, John Calvin published The Institutes of the Christian Religion, in which he argued that God has predestined every person on earth to either eternal salvation or eternal damnation, and that no one can change their eternal fate. Read more…
We had an election on Tuesday. Some are enjoying the thrill of victory, while others are licking their wounds. We recently crowned a new World Series champion. Houston Astros fans celebrated; Philadelphia Phillies fans lamented. I enjoy watching football on television. I cheer when my team wins and I hurt Read more…
A couple of weeks ago I talked about what is necessary for salvation. I pointed out that if mere belief were enough, then Satan and his demons would be bound for Heaven, for they don’t merely believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, or that he rose Read more…
Before I became a Christian at age 20, many Christians told me salvation was simply a matter of belief. They would quote John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” Read more…