Here is a post from Ken Sample website: It is 100 attitudes that christian apologists should have.
100 Academic Commandments
by Kenneth Samples
When I became a Christian at age 20, I began to understand that my mind really matters. (Beforehand, I didn’t engage in my studies and did just enough in school to get by.) It was then that I realized the importance of cultivating a well-informed, logical mind as well as building a coherent and defensible Christian worldview.
Now as an adjunct professor at Biola University, I hope to encourage my students to come to that same realization. So, in honor of the 100th episode of my Straight Thinking podcast, I offer my list of 100 academic commandments to help show students (and their parents) how to take full advantage of their school years and beyond.
In the classroom
1. Develop a positive attitude toward learning and the educational process.
2. Attend every class—and be on time.
3. If you must be absent, makeup any work you missed.
4. Always try to sit toward the front of the classroom (close to the instructor).
5. Come to class prepared (with textbook, laptop, notebook paper, and pen or pencil, etc.).
6. Take clear and complete notes.
7. Pay careful attention to the lectures.
8. Don’t let other students’ behavior distract you.
9. Actively think through the lecture and anticipate its direction.
10. Ask questions (during and after class) if you do not understand.
11. Participate in each class period (offer input, ask questions, volunteer for assignments).
12. Complete all reading and homework assignments.
13. Turn homework assignments in on time.
14. Recognize that for many professors, an imperfect paper turned in on time is better than a perfect paper turned in late.
15. Keep all graded assignments until the end of the semester.
16. Extend courtesy and respect to the instructor.
17. Build relationships with your instructors.
18. Find out what the instructor’s expectations are and then follow them diligently.
19. Demonstrate to the instructor that you care about education and are interested and enthusiastic about the class subject matter.
20. Show up prepared to take each exam (both academically and with proper materials).
21. For essay exams, memorize a basic outline prior to the test and then flesh out the details during the exam.
22. If you struggle in a class, discuss it with the instructor and consider seeing a tutor.
23. Record lectures if this helps in your studying.
24. Avoid excessive specialization in your education by pursuing a broad liberal arts education.
Study skills
25. Master the content of the lecture notes during your study time.
26. Define key terms.
27. Create flash cards and master the course vocabulary.
28. Pay attention to important people, places, and dates.
29. Identify the key concepts.
30. Select a study partner and practice explaining key concepts to each other.
31. Form a study group.
32. Review your notes before the beginning of each class.
33. Reflect and philosophize on the subject matter.
34. Start your term papers early—never give in to procrastination.
35. Recognize that doing two hours of homework a night works wonders.
36. Be prepared to write clear and descriptive essays.
37. Make sure your essay flows logically, contains descriptive details, and exhibits good grammar and accurate spelling.
38. Organize your assignments by keeping a weekly and/or semester planner.
39. Find out what kind of exam the instructor will give and study accordingly.
40. Prepare for exams daily and weekly, don’t wait until the last minute and cram.
41. Prepare daily if the class involves pop quizzes.
42. Ask a librarian to teach you library and research skills.
43. Discover which study skill books have endured the test of time and master them.
44. Stay computer and technology savvy.
45. Utilize the internet in your research.
46. Take advantage of the excellent educational software on the market.
47. Utilize downtime (such as driving) by listening to educational CDs or podcasts.
Beyond the requirements
48. Pursue information, knowledge, and wisdom as a daily priority in life.
49. Make learning a lifetime goal, not just a temporary activity while you are in school.
50. Commit yourself to reaching your full academic potential.
51. Take responsibility for your education (don’t blame others).
52. Set academic goals, both short and long term.
53. Take courses that will challenge you.
54. Study under the most competent instructors.
55. Improvise, adapt, and overcome any problem.
56. Read more broadly than required.
57. Incorporate the great books of the Western world into your education.
58. Make reading a daily priority throughout your life.
59. Seek to develop cultural literacy.
60. Build an appreciation for the arts in your education.
61. Utilize a Socratic approach to learning.
62. Develop the physical, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of your life.
63. Pursue and take pride in academic honors and awards.
64. Seek after academic grants and scholarships.
65. Strive to strengthen the foundational elements of the educational process (reading, logic, speech, and writing).
66. Strengthen the deficient areas of your education.
67. Acknowledge that no one can master all fields of study; therefore find your strengths and focus on those areas.
68. Be prudent in planning for a career.
69. Consider how your education will impact your career or occupation.
70. Interview people who are working in the careers you are interested in studying.
71. Reflect upon how your education will impact your civic responsibilities as a citizen.
72. Do not evaluate your academic performance purely in terms of letter grades.
73. Strive to learn everything you can as a student, and let the letter grades take care of themselves.
Student life
74. Avoid students who are apathetic about school or the educational process.
75. Build relationships with students who share your moral and intellectual virtues.
76. Avoid spending excessive time on entertainment and amusement.
Christian application
77. Offer your mind as a living sacrifice to the glory of God.
78. Incorporate the study of the Bible into your ongoing education.
79. Integrate your education with your Christian faith and worldview.
80. Think in terms of worldview.
81. Seek after both moral and intellectual virtues.
82. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your mind and give you wisdom and understanding.
83. Recognize that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
84. Recognize that in Jesus Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
85. Acknowledge that being uninformed and ignorant is not a Christian virtue.
86. Accept the importance of education according to the Christian world-and-life-view.
87. Make it your life’s goal to become a wise and noble soul.
88. Accept the fact that being the only intellectual animal on the planet has moral implications.
89. Acknowledge that abstract ideas have concrete consequences.
90. Recognize that education can function as an important equalizer in life.
91. Accept that all truth is ultimately God’s truth.
92. Don’t fear science.
93. Never engage in cheating, plagiarizing, or any other academic dishonesty.
94. Never use a bad argument to support Christian truth.
Parental guidelines95. Be directly involved with your children’s education.
96. Create an intellectual environment for yourself and your children.
97. Plan educational vacations and field trips for your family.
98. Be an intellectual role model for your children and introduce them to others who can serve likewise.
99. Expose your children to sound Christian apologetics.
100. Teach your children to never, never, never give up.
The original can be found here: http://reflectionsbyken.wordpress.com/2011/01/19/100-academic-commandments/
Think often. Think deeply.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
When They Awake In HELL!
A video to tell of the practice of modern evangelism and it affects on sinners. Enjoy!
Powerful!
Powerful!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
A Great Video on Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms.
Here is a great video on Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms. I was convicted by it and encouraged. Please watch it and take note.
Good stuff!
Good stuff!
Apologetics: 6 Pre-Answer Attitudes to Adopt
This was a post I found on another Apologetic Website. Enjoy!
Apologetics: 6 Pre-Answer Attitudes to Adopt
by Alwyn Lau
In a typical 'Christian apologetics' session at a local church group, the typical mix of questions (based on my experiences) would roughly consist of the following:
•60% Apologetics/Philosophy/History (e.g. "If God was good, why [fill in your favourate global problem]?", "How can we be sure that Jesus was raised from the dead?"),
•30% Christian Education (e.g. "What is the rationale for infant baptism?")
•10% Misc/Uncommon/Weird Questions (e.g."Why is God referred to in the Bible as HE and not SHE?").
Whislt it was tempting to focus on the answers to most of the above, I'm glad I didn't (and besides it was only an hour-long gathering). Instead I tried to target the pre-answer attitudes, especially when doing apologetics (i.e. 'defending' the faith intellectually). Here are some:
1. It's okay to remain silent or say, "I don't know" - especially if you don't know the answer (duh) or the malice/hostility index is too high, or you're too emotional or angry, and you just know it's no longer a debate but a debacle. We don't see Jesus arguing very much during his passion, right?
I still remember Glenn Miller saying that we can raise more questions in 5 minutes than we can answer in 50 years. Read: There is simply NO NEED to feel helpless when barraged with questions you can't respond to. Because if satisfactorily answering EVERYTHING asked was a criteria for legitimate belief, no one could believe anything!
2. It's more important to communicate lovingly than logically - basically an extension of no.1, and this wouldn't be worth saying if not for the fact that there are many apologists and theologians who are EXTREMELY logical but whose logic seem to correlate very well with their arrogance and unkindness.
Apologetics is about ministering to people. It's a good chance to prove not only that Christians have good reasons for their faith, but also to demonstrate that we care MORE about merely giving answers (and sometimes we make the 'point' that scoring argumentative points can be a bad way to live).
We're not mini-professors each one of us; we are mini-replicators of Calvary. And Calvary was one BIG BLOODY answer beyond answers and reason and even words.
3. Think about (or find out) the real question/charge being thrown, not just the presenting one - "Why do Christians have so many denominations?" may be a simple historical inquiry OR a thinly veiled insinuation (i.e. "Why are you Jesus freaks so messed up and always breaking away from each other?"). When we focus on the real issues, as always, time and energy is better spent.
4. Ask what you can learn from the question - it keeps your eyes fixed, if not on ministry to the questioner, then on self-development. Much better than aiming for just another intellectual triumph which usually comes along with the idea that, "Ah, this is just another ignorant anti-Christian attack by a dude who has an attitude problem and who's either stupid, incoherent, heretic or all three!"
5. Read 1st Peter 3:15 and 16 - take to heart the 'gentleness and respect' (15b) parts, the Christlike behaviour part (16a) and the slander-reversal parts (16b). Don't get carried by the 'always be ready to give an answer' thinggy, as if you just GOTTA respond like a pro if you're challenged (grin).
(Finally a more 'technical' one...)
6. With simply outrageous, near-illogical questions, refrain from answering and work on the questioner's logic - e.g. for something like, "If we're made for God's glory, does this mean we are puppets for His amusement?", it's best to ask - gently and respectfully - for the thought patterns and the process leading up to the conclusion. Like, "I'm really curious as to how you went from one point to the other...I'm really interested to understand why you would equate A and B, etc."
From the blog found at http://alwynlau.blogspot.com/2009/11/60-apologetics-e.html
Apologetics: 6 Pre-Answer Attitudes to Adopt
by Alwyn Lau
In a typical 'Christian apologetics' session at a local church group, the typical mix of questions (based on my experiences) would roughly consist of the following:
•60% Apologetics/Philosophy/History (e.g. "If God was good, why [fill in your favourate global problem]?", "How can we be sure that Jesus was raised from the dead?"),
•30% Christian Education (e.g. "What is the rationale for infant baptism?")
•10% Misc/Uncommon/Weird Questions (e.g."Why is God referred to in the Bible as HE and not SHE?").
Whislt it was tempting to focus on the answers to most of the above, I'm glad I didn't (and besides it was only an hour-long gathering). Instead I tried to target the pre-answer attitudes, especially when doing apologetics (i.e. 'defending' the faith intellectually). Here are some:
1. It's okay to remain silent or say, "I don't know" - especially if you don't know the answer (duh) or the malice/hostility index is too high, or you're too emotional or angry, and you just know it's no longer a debate but a debacle. We don't see Jesus arguing very much during his passion, right?
I still remember Glenn Miller saying that we can raise more questions in 5 minutes than we can answer in 50 years. Read: There is simply NO NEED to feel helpless when barraged with questions you can't respond to. Because if satisfactorily answering EVERYTHING asked was a criteria for legitimate belief, no one could believe anything!
2. It's more important to communicate lovingly than logically - basically an extension of no.1, and this wouldn't be worth saying if not for the fact that there are many apologists and theologians who are EXTREMELY logical but whose logic seem to correlate very well with their arrogance and unkindness.
Apologetics is about ministering to people. It's a good chance to prove not only that Christians have good reasons for their faith, but also to demonstrate that we care MORE about merely giving answers (and sometimes we make the 'point' that scoring argumentative points can be a bad way to live).
We're not mini-professors each one of us; we are mini-replicators of Calvary. And Calvary was one BIG BLOODY answer beyond answers and reason and even words.
3. Think about (or find out) the real question/charge being thrown, not just the presenting one - "Why do Christians have so many denominations?" may be a simple historical inquiry OR a thinly veiled insinuation (i.e. "Why are you Jesus freaks so messed up and always breaking away from each other?"). When we focus on the real issues, as always, time and energy is better spent.
4. Ask what you can learn from the question - it keeps your eyes fixed, if not on ministry to the questioner, then on self-development. Much better than aiming for just another intellectual triumph which usually comes along with the idea that, "Ah, this is just another ignorant anti-Christian attack by a dude who has an attitude problem and who's either stupid, incoherent, heretic or all three!"
5. Read 1st Peter 3:15 and 16 - take to heart the 'gentleness and respect' (15b) parts, the Christlike behaviour part (16a) and the slander-reversal parts (16b). Don't get carried by the 'always be ready to give an answer' thinggy, as if you just GOTTA respond like a pro if you're challenged (grin).
(Finally a more 'technical' one...)
6. With simply outrageous, near-illogical questions, refrain from answering and work on the questioner's logic - e.g. for something like, "If we're made for God's glory, does this mean we are puppets for His amusement?", it's best to ask - gently and respectfully - for the thought patterns and the process leading up to the conclusion. Like, "I'm really curious as to how you went from one point to the other...I'm really interested to understand why you would equate A and B, etc."
From the blog found at http://alwynlau.blogspot.com/2009/11/60-apologetics-e.html
Friday, March 18, 2011
Ever wonder about those "mythical" Animals in the Bible?
You know this is not an area where I have done much study but found this video very helpful. Christians keep doing good work and people will be blessed by it.
Pretty good huh? Spread it around.
Pretty good huh? Spread it around.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Apologists are you in a church?
Here is a word from James White on the problem with apologetics in America today.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
More Problems at New Birth. My Lord!
Bishop Eddie Long Congregation Is Shrinking Due To Scandals
By Ron Collins
On March 2, 2011 Fox 5 in Atlanta reported Bishop Eddie Long is laying off staff and cutting salaries of essential staff members. Bishop Eddie Long released a statement saying the cuts are due to the down turn in the economy, but sources within the congregations say attendance has bottomed due to all the scandals that have plagued New Birth Missionary Church.
According to a spokesperson from the Preacher Bureau of Investigation (PBI) who attended New Birth’s most recent service, the once filled to capacity balcony section of the church was pretty much empty!
“There is no doubt that all of the scandals have taken a toll on this once thriving congregation, there are now empty seats throughout the sanctuary. This lesson should go out to all Pastors who feel that they can exploit their members and get away with it because God knows their heart. The members of these congregations are no longer tolerating a lack of integrity in the pulpit.”
According to Dale Russell of Fox 5 in Atlanta - Bishop Eddie Long’s $1 million love offering has gone into the general operational budget for 2011.
“When Bishop Eddie Long spoke at his New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in the past, his 10,000-member congregation was often packed to the rafters and financial contributions flowed freely. But church sources say attendance is down, now forcing the church to make dramatic cutbacks.
The I-Team was first to tell you how Jamal Parris and three other young men filed a sexual misconduct suit against Bishop Long and his New Birth Missionary Baptist church. In all four of the law suits, Bishop Long denied any sexual activity.”
The announcement that Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth is making major cuts in staff comes on the heels of a donations letter sent to the members of Crenshaw Christian Center by Frederick K. C. Price also stating that their ministry donations are down $4 million from last year’s financials.
The PBI says Pastors will try to blame the drop in donations on the economy rather than face the fact that the members are no longer willing to finance their extravagant lifestyles and purchases.
For more coverage of this story and others concerning Prosperity Preachers please visit www.PimpPreacher.com
By Ron Collins
By Ron Collins
On March 2, 2011 Fox 5 in Atlanta reported Bishop Eddie Long is laying off staff and cutting salaries of essential staff members. Bishop Eddie Long released a statement saying the cuts are due to the down turn in the economy, but sources within the congregations say attendance has bottomed due to all the scandals that have plagued New Birth Missionary Church.
According to a spokesperson from the Preacher Bureau of Investigation (PBI) who attended New Birth’s most recent service, the once filled to capacity balcony section of the church was pretty much empty!
“There is no doubt that all of the scandals have taken a toll on this once thriving congregation, there are now empty seats throughout the sanctuary. This lesson should go out to all Pastors who feel that they can exploit their members and get away with it because God knows their heart. The members of these congregations are no longer tolerating a lack of integrity in the pulpit.”
According to Dale Russell of Fox 5 in Atlanta - Bishop Eddie Long’s $1 million love offering has gone into the general operational budget for 2011.
“When Bishop Eddie Long spoke at his New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in the past, his 10,000-member congregation was often packed to the rafters and financial contributions flowed freely. But church sources say attendance is down, now forcing the church to make dramatic cutbacks.
The I-Team was first to tell you how Jamal Parris and three other young men filed a sexual misconduct suit against Bishop Long and his New Birth Missionary Baptist church. In all four of the law suits, Bishop Long denied any sexual activity.”
The announcement that Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth is making major cuts in staff comes on the heels of a donations letter sent to the members of Crenshaw Christian Center by Frederick K. C. Price also stating that their ministry donations are down $4 million from last year’s financials.
The PBI says Pastors will try to blame the drop in donations on the economy rather than face the fact that the members are no longer willing to finance their extravagant lifestyles and purchases.
For more coverage of this story and others concerning Prosperity Preachers please visit www.PimpPreacher.com
By Ron Collins
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
BE a christian...
There are some stories that touch your heart at a very deep level. When I see people ACTING like Jesus in what they are doing it makes me cry. It should not be done so all can see but it is being done in small ways every day.
Lord I want to be a Christian in my heart...
Lord I want to be a Christian in my heart...
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