Dawkins - McGrath debate is now online!

Through a contact at Ravi Zachiaras Ministries, I was told that the important debate between Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, and Professor Alister McGrath, a former scientist, and Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University is now online. You can access the debate here.

D.A. Carson MP3s

D. A. Carson is one of the most respected evangelical New Testament scholars alive with a heart for the church. Andy Neselli, a student of Carson at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, has compiled most, if not all, of what is avaliable of his material on the internet. This is what Neselli says about Carson: "His manner of speaking is just as articulate, thoughtful, and engaging as his published books and articles. He exalts Christ by exegeting His words, tracing themes through the Bible's salvation-historical story-line, systematically addressing hot topics, and engaging and confronting bad theology as well as the culture." Go here to see the MP3s.

Thanks to Justin Taylor for the referral.

Tony Campolo on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos on CBC

Wow, this must be a first, having an evangelical on national television on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Look at this short interview here. Let me know what you think!

Wish I Was Here!

The Dawkins Confusion: Naturalism ad absurdum

Dr. Alvin Plantinga, John A. O'Brien Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, has written an insightful critque of Richard Dawkins new book titled: "The God Delusion." You can find Dr. Plantinga's critique here.

Did They Really Find Jesus' Bones?

Dr. Craig Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary and author of the Historical Reliability of the Gospels, provides a top rate critique of the ongoing controversy. You can find it here.

Also check out a series of posts by Dr. Darrell L. Bock, author of Breaking the Da Vinci Code: Answers to the Questions Everyone's Asking and The Missing Gospels : Unearthing the Truth Behind Alternative Christianities on the topic. You can find them here.

This whole discussion has strengthened my faith in the fact that the historical Jesus is the Jesus of the Bible, and the Jesus that I know personally.

Jesus' Tomb found at Talpiot?

You may have heard of the Discovery Channel special on the supposed discovery of Jesus’ tomb, ossuary, bones, and that of his mother, brothers, wife, and his child Jude as well. Well, here are a few key responses by Dr. Ben Witherington, a top New Testament scholar and prolific author:

"The Jesus Tomb? 'Titanic' Talpiot Tomb Theory Sunk from the Start"

"Problems Multiply for Jesus Tomb Theory"

"The Smoking Gun---Tenth Talpiot Ossuary Proved to be Blank"

Historic Event in Canada

Willingdon Church is hosting an historic conference called reFocus 2007: Christ, No Other Name (Here also is the blog). Why this is so historic, is that this, to my knowledge, is the first time anything like this has ever happened in Canada. The purpose of the conference is "to unite [Canadian] Pastors around a resurgent historical evangelicalism and equip them to preach the full counsel of God in an age of relativism." Will this be a start of a revival in Canada? Will the common Canadian, who has not heard the gospel clearly articulated, hear the truth because the people in our churches are actually sharing the gospel unapologetically with those they meet everyday? I hope and pray that this is the start. The speakers at this conference include: John Piper, Mark Driscoll, J.I. Packer, and Bruce Ware. Here is what John Neufeld, the Senior Pastor, says about the Conference:

The effects of pluralism have created a sense of uncertainty in the hearts of many Christian leaders and preachers. Whether it is intimidation because of cultural pressure to conform, or theological confusion in today’s bewildering milieu of competing answers, Christian leaders need a clearly articulated message that proclaims the centrality and supremacy of Christ. Many of the people whom we lead are also facing enormous pressure to surrender the exclusive claims of Christ. Both we and they are being told that we must proclaim Christ as a light, not Christ as the light. Never has the need been more urgent to provide answers informed by scripture that are meaningful and relevant, and ultimately winsome and attractive to world that needs to hear.

ReFocus Canada exists for the purpose of helping to reenergize a vibrant and resurgent historic evangelicalism. Its purpose is to help pastors preach, teach, write about and explain historic Christian truths in contemporary Canadian culture. In the face of both an entrenched secularism and a mosaic of spiritually eclectic voices, Christian leaders must be seen as those who have something meaningful and world altering to say. We must say it with both conviction and with a defensible clarity. It is most likely true, that the majority of Canadians have never been confronted with the real Jesus of history. Let Christ be presented as both the rock upon which it is reasonable to build ones life upon, and as the most offensive scandal that human ears can hear.

I invite you to come to ReFocus Canada 2007 Conference at Willingdon Church. You will notice that we have assembled a world class list of speakers. This conference really is a wonderful opportunity.

Come to be equipped, encouraged and to build a network of like minded pastors intent on proclaiming Christ alone, the sole reason for humanity’s hope.

Dr. John Neufeld
Senior Pastor
Willingdon Church