Tune-in to Backpack Radio: The New Atheists

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.--Romans 1:18-23

This Sunday night at 9pm I will be on Backpack Radio with the guys.  We did a special episode on the "new Atheists".  This Sunday's episode will have a particular focus on the speech given by fundamentalist Atheist Sam Harris (author of letter to a Christian nation) while at TED.  You can listen to the broadcast live by clicking here.

This is an important issue for Christians to become fluent in.  The new Atheists are simply not thoughtful enough to realize the darkness and bleakness inherent in their worldview (as the old Atheists DID realize).  The new Atheists are so zealous and so committed to their belief in Atheism that they are interested in nothing less than proselytizing their neighbors and communities.  Should there be any doubt about this I suggest you look here and here.  I know.  I know.  Odd isn't it?  Bags of chemicals that are desperate to convince other bags that the chemical reactions occurring in their brain matter are producing truth and that other bags should join their side.  If you are scratching your head about this one-- you are certainly not alone.  

God calls believers to be ready to give a reasoned defense to everyone who asks us for a reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15).  Our friends and family who are committed Atheists need the Good-news!  However, as Christians we cannot be satisfied with simply taking little nicks out of Atheism.  God is Sovereign: Yes!  They need God to open their eyes and grant them faith or they will never believe.  But, God is not glorified with poor arguments or professions of blind-faith in Jesus.  Christians love to point out when Atheists rely on poor arguments and blindly follow the high-priests of Atheism.  We can't be satisfied with the same type of behavior coming from us.  Atheists deserve far more from us than us saying "I'll pray for you".  Yes... pray.  Pray-lots, study-lots and think-lots.  Because, Atheists need to be shown that their worldview reduces to absurdity and that they do in fact know God.  All scientific method, reasoning, logic, evidence, facts and morality can only make sense within a Christian worldview.  From a purely philosophical standpoint, Christians stand on the high intellectual ground.  So don't be afraid!  Christians believe in objective truth and that truth matters!  We follow the One Who is the Truth (John 14:6).  We need to be prepared as Christians to put up a stiff fight for the faith (Jude 3) and to show (with love and grace) the utter futility and intellectual poverty of Atheism.  

Jesus said: 

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.--John 15:13

Sometimes, laying our life down for someone can begin by looking something like this:

1.  Spend time understanding them.  Study what they Bible says about them.  Listen to them.

2.  Create meaningful and genuine relationships with them.

3.  Pray for them.  

4.  Sacrifice time (give up a T.V. show, hobbies, etc...) to become prepared to reach them.

5.  Listen to debates, read books and hit the streets (start evangelizing them).

Here are some recommendations of some great stuff to equip you in your study:

  

Pastor Jeff Durbin

APOLOGIA

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APOLOGIA on the move...

We have an extremely busy and exciting next couple of months @ APOLOGIA.  Here is a listing of a few upcoming events.  If you would like to have APOLOGIA come to your church to equip and encourage your congregation feel free to contact us @ luke@defendthefaith.org.

We will be @ Pahrump Community Church in Pahrump, Nevada, on November 21st, 2010.

I will be the camp speaker for Wheaton Bible's Junior High/High School Winter Camps at the end of January in Wheaton, Illinois.

Also, I will be representing Calvary and equipping the Saints @ Wheaton on the issue of drug and alcohol addiction.

I will be the guest chapel speaker for about 900 students @ GCU on March 7th, 2011.

We have more stuff on the horizon.  But we wanted to give you some ideas of what we will be up to!  Pray for us!

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Backpack Radio Episode

Backpack Radio is a fantastic theologically driven and biblically sound program on a local Christian radio station (1360AM KPQX) in Phoenix.  It has a fresh and relevant slant and I highly recommend it (not just because I've been a guest :} ).  It is hosted by some really solid brothers in the Lord-- Vocab, Vermon and Bob.


If you missed last Sunday's episode-- here it is.

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***Don't miss this coming Sunday's episode.  We dealt with the new-Atheist issue with a specific focus on the speech given by fundamentalist Atheist Sam Harris @ TED.  This is a really important issue and one that I am extremely passionate about.  You can listen to the next episode live on Sunday @ 9pm @ KPXQ.

Pastor Jeff Durbin
APOLOGIA

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Reaching Mormons in Pahrump, Nevada.

Just a quick note to let everyone know that Pahrump Community Church has asked us to return to their church to equip the Saints to reach their Mormon friends and neighbors.  We will give you all more details as they become available.  So far here are the details:

Sunday November 21st
Pahrump Community Church
2-sessions-- one morning and one afternoon.
Topic:  Mormonism

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Worldviews in Collision

APOLOGIA will be teaching at the Worldview Conference this weekend at Arizona Community Church.  We will deal with defining and defending the Christian Worldview as well as critiquing and equipping to refute a few Worldviews that are in conflict with Biblical Christianity (Islam, Mormonism and Atheism).  The sessions will be as follows:

Saturday:
10AM:  Christian Worldview Basics
11:15AM:  Mormonism and Islam
12:15:  Questions and Answers

Sunday:
10AM: Atheism vs. Christianity in the classroom

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Fools? Yes. But, not like Mr. T. :]

God says:

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”-- Psalm 14:1

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools-- Romans 1:21-22

God says that all people know Him.  So much so that they are without excuse before Him for their unbelief.  God says that people who deny His existence are... fools.  Obviously, this infinite, omnipotent God is not "hatin" on people and just trying to throw a jab at finite little creatures.  He is not simply calling people names.  God keeps it real (to use the modern vernacular).  God is describing someone.  He is describing a person who knows something but is working very hard at convincing themselves otherwise.  He is describing the person who is hard-hearted and will not admit to what they and everyone else knows clearly in their heart-of-hearts.  He is describing the person who cannot escape the FACTS of His existence and chooses impotent reasoning over proper reasoning.  This kind of person may profess to be wise but their reasoning becomes futile.  Their outlook on life will reduce to simple foolishness.  In apologetics/evangelism with our Atheist friends all we have to do is give the Atheist (made inescapably in the Imago Dei) enough time in the conversation to display these truths.  As Greg Bahnsen used to repeat:

"Give the unbeliever enough rope and he will hang himself".

Biblical Apologetics Applied:

My friends and brothers Pastor Dustin Segers and Sye Ten Bruggencate recently debated some Atheists during a public debate at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  The futility of the Atheistic worldview couldn't be clearer and proper biblical methodology was on full display.  

Listen Closely.  Watch how Dustin and Sye do not abandon faithfulness to Christ (and proper reasoning) in their apologetic.  Watch how Dustin and Sye actually apply the Gospel (God, sin and the need to repent and believe in Christ for salvation) in their actual apologetic.  Very exciting!  Very educational!  

Big props to Dustin and Sye.  Although, all the glory goes to Jesus of course.... :]

Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46n5mrMFRzc

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Backpack Radio Tonight 10/17/2010

Be sure to catch Backpack Radio on 1360 KPXQ in Phoenix at 9pm.  We did two-shows that will be airing over the next two-weeks on Sunday @ 9pm.  One of the shows is on the new-Atheist movement with a specific focus on the speech given by fundamentalist atheist Sam Harris at TED.  Here is the info again:

Time:  9pm
Place:  1360AM KPXQ
Website:  (in case you miss the show)  http://backpack.podbean.com/

UPDATE:  Oops!  Looks like I misunderstood the start date.  I guess the shows begin next week.  :] Check it out then.  You can catch the live stream here:

http://www.kpxq1360.com/

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Look what He has done!

Hello everyone!

Would you take a moment to hear about the great things that God is doing at APOLOGIA?

We are so humbled and honored by all of the amazing things God is doing at APOLOGIA!  Here is an update as to what is going on:

1.  God gave us a great location in Tempe, AZ to meet, fellowship, worship, equip and serve.
2.  Our REACH group "Redeemed Rebels" (addictions group) is growing tremendously.
3.  We are seeing lives changed every week through our discipleship group RENEW!
4.  Our Sunday services are going great while we go through an exposition of the book of Romans.
5.  Luke and I are doing 2-conferences in the next two-months to equip Christians to defend the faith in two-different states.
6.  I'm scheduled to be a guest on a local Christian radio show "backpack radio" this Sunday at 9pm (I think).
7.  We are starting preparation for our month-long outreach at the Mormon temple in Mesa, Arizona-- where we will minister to thousands of Mormons and non-Mormons visiting.
8.  Luke and Cheryl just had the most beautiful baby named Evangeline Grace Pierson!
9.  We are seeing people come to Christ weekly through the ministry at Calvary and Apologia.
10.  I'm more in love with my wife Candi than ever before!  :]

Thank you so much for your prayers and support!  We CANNOT do this without you!  Please prayerfully consider something on this list of needs we are presenting before the Lord and His people:

MINISTRY NEEDS:

1.)  Many of the people that God has brought to APOLOGIA CHURCH have come from very difficult backgrounds and are essentially unemployed and have very little to give (which is OK).  So, we are having a tremendous difficulty currently making ends meet.  We have a VERY serious need right now.  We have a current ministry need of $4,000 just to get current and be able to keep the space we meet in. You can give through our website (defendthefaith.org) on our blog. Or you can call us.

Would you prayerfully consider helping our ministry and church plant with a financial gift?  We are trusting the Lord to keep us running by giving through you guys.  We believe that He will take care of us through His people.  Thank you so much for your love for Him and us.

2.)  We need people to hit the streets with us as we do our outreach to the wonderful Mormon community during their Christmas lights event.  If you would like to join us please email or call!

3.)  We desperately need your prayers.

Thank you so much for your gracious love and support!  Again, we need your love, support and prayers!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Jeff Durbin
Pastor/Elder
APOLOGIA Christian Ministries

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Sister Wives

I must confess. I'm fascinated by TLC's new show "Sister Wives". No. I do not find the lifestyle at all acceptable. But, we get to take an inside look at a fundamentalist Mormon sect currently practicing polygamy in the state of Utah. It is utterly fascinating. And it is interesting to witness some of the psychological manipulation used by these types of men to further their desire to abandon God's design of one-man and one-woman marriage in order to satisfy their desire to be with more than one woman. The show is a telling example of why God's design is the way that it is.

Another interesting thing to point out is the common Mormon response I'm finding. Many Mormons that are part of the larger sect (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Utah) want very desperately to distance themselves from the practices of these people. Many are saying that these "aren't true Mormons" or that they don't reflect the true teachings of the church. Of course, one must recognize that the church distanced themselves from the practice of polygamy after being forced to do so by the United States government in the late 19th century. Apparently, the United States was able to convince God to change His mind. We must of course also recognize that there are many contradictory statements among Mormon leaders and Mormon doctrinal works that confuse the issue. Be that as it may, we must of course ask the question:

Does the lifestyle of the people in this show accurately reflect a faithful commitment to the principle of polygamy as taught by Joseph Smith Jr, Brigham Young and other early prophets and apostles in Mormonism?

In other words, who is actually closer and more faithful to the classic teachings of the founding Mormon prophets and apostles-- the modern Utah sect or these fundamentalist Mormons that still practice the principle? I believe that an honest look at a couple of references from early Mormon prophets should satisfy and convince any open-minded investigator:

"We are told that if we would give up polygamy—which we know to be a doctrine revealed from heaven, and it is of God and the world for it—but suppose this Church should give up this holy order of marriage, then would the devil, and all who are in league with him against the cause of God, rejoice that they had prevailed upon the Saints to refuse to obey one of the revelations and commandments of God to them … Will the Latter-day Saints do this? No; they will not to please anybody." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 11, page 239)

"The only men who become Gods, even the sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy... I heard the revelation on polygamy, and I believed it with all my heart … ‘Do you think that we shall ever be admitted as a State into the Union without denying the principle of polygamy?’ If we are not admitted until then, we shall never be admitted." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 11, page 269)

"Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned…" (Brigham Young, Deseret News, November 14, 1855)

"Though I go to prison, God will not change his law of celestial marriage. But the man, the people, the nation that oppose and fight against this doctrine and the Church of God, will be overthrown." (Lorenzo Snow, Historical Record, page 144)

See also Joseph Smith, Jr's revelation in D & C 132

I realize that this is a very touchy subject for my Mormon friends. I can appreciate that. So why would I write about this? Because the Mormon view of salvation/exaltation is based on a Mormon's obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel and faithfulness to the teachings of the church. It is only the most faithful Mormons that will be exalted to godhood (a damnable teaching). Exaltation is part of the story of salvation for the faithful Mormon. It is clear that Brigham Young undeniably taught plural marriage as necessary for salvation. Again, Brigham Young taught:

"Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned…" (Brigham Young, Deseret News, November 14, 1855)

So the questions surrounding the religious commitments and lifestyle of those cast in this show are important ones. Glib responses and sound-bites don't settle the issues. The determination must be made the same as any question of Christian practice for orthodox Christians--- EXEGESIS. We must dig-into the teachings of the early Mormon leaders and ask the honest question:

Are the fundamentalist Mormon sects closer to the original teachings and intentions of the early Mormon prophets concerning the principle of polygamy than the larger Utah sect?

Jeff Durbin
Pastor/Elder
Apologia Church

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Backpack Radio is on!

Yes. Yes. I know. I haven't blogged in a LONG time. I apologize everyone! I've been so busy with so much amazing ministry and family stuff that I have a hard time finding where to fit a haircut into my schedule!

Just a quick note about a really great, theologically driven and apologetically focused radio show hosted by my friend Vocab Malone and the elders @ Roosevelt Community Church in downtown Phoenix. I filled the pulpit there this weekend and it is a tremendous church where God is doing great things! Check out the radio show. You'll love it and you just might learn some great stuff too!

Time: 9pm on Sunday nights
Channel: 1360 KPXQ in Arizona
Website: http://backpack.podbean.com/

Jeff Durbin
Pastor/Elder
Apologia Church

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