This is the fourth part of a four part series introducing logical fallacies commonly used by Neo-Darwinists, Evolutionists, and Atheists. To better understand why we should bother to know what these fallacies are, please read the introduction.

It’s all about the Faith. Illogical but true…
The fallacy called Appeal to Ignorance, or Argumentum ad Ignorantiam can be understood in the phrase “X is true because it hasn’t been proven false”. So, in the discussion of evolution, the argument goes like this: “we may not have enough evidence to prove evolution, but there is no evidence to disprove it either—therefore, it must be true.” As a reminder—the only reason I am even pointing these out is to help equip the thinking believer with some internal measure of understanding that, even though atheistic scientists and neo-Darwinists like to posture as if they speak from authority and reason, the opposite is most often the case.

There are so many more examples of Logical Fallacies within the ongoing discussions and arguments published out there by the noisy crowd, that I can’t possibly explain all of them. The important thing is to be encouraged by the conclusion that it’s intellectually OK—in fact, more honest and rational to boldly stand on your faith—not relying on logic or reason. Even those who emphatically claim that their position stands solely on reason do not actually employ the discipline of logic in their own publications. Rather, they practice a faith of their own, shaped by their worldview and emotion.

It should be even more encouraging to find that scripture speaks to this very issue—in a way that could not be more relevant to where we are in the progression of how science and faith intersect with our culture.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:
“ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty…”
-1 Corinthians 1:18-27 (NKJV)

“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
-1 Corinthians 2:14

We conclude our three-part podcast series featuring conversations with two of the passionate, creative leaders from ReachLife Ministries:

BJ Thompson is the Outreach Coordinator for ReachLife Ministries where he spends his time evangelizing, discipling men, and training leaders. BJ grew up in inner-city Dallas and trusted Christ as a freshman in college. Not long after, along with the Hip-Hop artist Lacrae and Executive Director Ben Washer, BJ helped create Reach Records. BJ has been married six years and he and his wife are raising two wonderful children to be God-honoring leaders.

Miguel Davilla is the Curriculum Director for ReachLife Ministries. Miguel grew up in New York City in the Bronx; immersed in the Hip-Hop culture with virtually no contact to authentic Christianity or any connection to church. It was while serving in the Navy that he trusted Christ through a Bible Study led by a friend. Having discovered a passion for Christ and desire to minister full time, Miguel attended seminary after completing his service in the Navy. Shortly thereafter, through God’s providence, Miguel connected with the team at ReachLife. Miguel grew up in New York City and served in the U.S. Navy. He came to know Christ while he was serving in Norfolk, VA. After his naval service, he attended seminary and is currently working as curriculum director for ReachLife Ministries.

We continue our three-part podcast series features conversation with two of the passionate, creative leaders from ReachLife Ministries:

BJ Thompson is the Outreach Coordinator for ReachLife Ministries where he spends his time evangelizing, discipling men, and training leaders. BJ grew up in inner-city Dallas and trusted Christ as a freshman in college. Not long after, along with the Hip-Hop artist Lacrae and Executive Director Ben Washer, BJ helped create Reach Records. BJ has been married six years and he and his wife are raising two wonderful children to be God-honoring leaders.

Miguel Davilla is the Curriculum Director for ReachLife Ministries. Miguel grew up in New York City in the Bronx; immersed in the Hip-Hop culture with virtually no contact to authentic Christianity or any connection to church. It was while serving in the Navy that he trusted Christ through a Bible Study led by a friend. Having discovered a passion for Christ and desire to minister full time, Miguel attended seminary after completing his service in the Navy. Shortly thereafter, through God’s providence, Miguel connected with the team at ReachLife. Miguel grew up in New York City and served in the U.S. Navy. He came to know Christ while he was serving in Norfolk, VA. After his naval service, he attended seminary and is currently working as curriculum director for ReachLife Ministries.

Reach Records and now ReachLife, has a tremendous impact contextualizing the Christian message into the Hip-Hop culture through music and curriculum. Featuring Hip-Hop artists such as Lacrae, Trip Lee, and the 116 Clique, Reach Records continues to impact a generation heavily influenced by not just the music, but the culture of Hip-Hop. Seeing a greater need for discipleship, the leaders at Reach records branched out and formed the ministry of ReachLife.

This three-part podcast series features conversation with two of the passionate, creative leaders from ReachLife Ministries:

BJ Thompson is the Outreach Coordinator for ReachLife Ministries where he spends his time evangelizing, discipling men, and training leaders. BJ grew up in inner-city Dallas and trusted Christ as a freshman in college. Not long after, along with the Hip-Hop artist Lacrae and Executive Director Ben Washer, BJ helped create Reach Records. BJ has been married six years and he and his wife are raising two wonderful children to be God-honoring leaders.

Miguel Davilla is the Curriculum Director for ReachLife Ministries. Miguel grew up in New York City in the Bronx; immersed in the Hip-Hop culture with virtually no contact to authentic Christianity or any connection to church. It was while serving in the Navy that he trusted Christ through a Bible Study led by a friend. Having discovered a passion for Christ and desire to minister full time, Miguel attended seminary after completing his service in the Navy. Shortly thereafter, through God’s providence, Miguel connected with the team at ReachLife.

Pluralism is doing quite well while Christianity seems to be feeling a little ill.

A couple of weeks ago I touched on the spread of mainstream populist tolerance for Islamic law and the potential effects on Christianity in the public forum. Evidence of the complete breakdown of orthodox Christian doctrine in American life is, of course, everywhere. However, it is interesting to note that even within the ranks of those who would state that they believe Jesus’ claim to be The Way, The Truth, and The Life, many also believe that Christ does not have a monopoly on the concept.

In a recent survey of 35,000 adults, a full 57% of “evangelical church attenders” believe that the teaching of other religions can also lead to eternal life. It’s important to avoid a clever play on words—implying that yes, although everyone has eternal life we won’t all be enjoying it—because I don’t think that’s what they had in mind.

The following percentages may not be as surprising, but are nevertheless of concern:

“Nearly across the board, the majority of religious Americans believe many religions can lead to eternal life: mainline Protestants (83 percent), members of historic black Protestant churches (59 percent), Roman Catholics (79 percent), Jews (82 percent) and Muslims (56 percent).”

It is interesting to note that the smallest percentage belongs to the Muslim group—once again; the commitment to their religion should make us look inward.

Furthermore, and perhaps even more interesting,

“Another finding almost defies explanation: 21 percent of self-identified atheists said they believe in God or a universal spirit, with 8 percent “absolutely certain” of it.”

WOW—isn’t that telling? Read the rest of this entry »