The Maker

"The watchmaker" is a reference to God; the one who designed and created things we see and know today. It is a very old concept and one that has seen much use. Within the past decade however, an atheistic writer has coined the revision, "The Blind Watchmaker" as an insult to Gods creative works in an effort to state that their is no God because God would not make the world as it is. While God did not make the world "as it is" today (thereby removing the bite of his commentary) people still hold onto this phrase as a rebuttal to the videos point.

Their are many complaints about this video, but one I hear a lot is that you cannot compare metal and plastic mechanics to organic mechanics. Essentially, "watches, being made of inorganic material, don't evolve so the comparison is fallacious". However, they say this missing the point...

Obviously, a watch needs a designer as it is just matter (chemicals, minerals, etc) and no person believes matter can self-design. Most evolutionists would agree to this point, but once they do they backed into a corner as the truth is they all accept the notion of matter self-designing when they claim evolution to be true. At one point long ago, according to them, inorganic materials mixed and created "organic" life. They then go further down that rocky road to claim that these organics composed of inorganic materials can generate complexity to give the appearance of design.

Is this not the weakest and most self-defeating argument they could create?! A shame so many trust it implicitly. In reality the watchmaker argument for Gods creations still rings true. Take a look at the video...

On the Tube

My youtube account has been updated with clips from various AiG videos which can be used online as a reference for others or as a jumping point for discussion. It has already served as both in the short time I have had it posted. I'll be sure to use them here as well, but feel free to go watch some of them or the older clips @ my youtube account.

On that note, I recently got into a discussion on youtube with a boy named Mike from the UK. Now, starting off a discussion by mocking or insulting someone is not new on "the tube", but instead of ignoring my response to his initial commentary, he replied! We have gone back and forth now over half a dozen times and it seems as though he is gaining a perspective. This is note-worthy in that it is rare and seems to be having an effect. What is not rare is that I have not heard back from him in some time now and he was usually very quick with a reply.

I always wonder what the effect was after a discussion like this? Did I say what I should have said? Did it read in the same way I wrote it? I never know the answers to these questions, but I try harder each time to be clear and kind. Clarity and kindness are two rare attributes in the average conversation about God, especially online. Pray that the Holy Spirit is working on his heart even if he doesn't come back to the conversation.

Letter Press and Page

Well, the last of it is ordered and I'm excited for it! Soon the Church library will be stocked with different apologetic materials; over 2 dozen DVDs ranging from the children’s level all the way up in apologetics and christian education. As of now the many books which have been ordered are in transit, so with the last bit of material in the mail now I feel like the library won't be the vast wasteland it once was. Granted, getting people to go there and check out the materials is a whole other matter.

However, the plan is (and has been) that upon stocking the library with materials I could finally start up the many small group or bible studies I have laid out. Since the studies are not anything like the ones I've seen from our church over the years I can only imagine what the interest will be in them. It doesn't matter if only a few come at first, so long as they are affected by it it will be a success. Who knows, it may breed more interest as it goes and I can always try and start up a kids version for the youth.

We'll see, but whether the turn out is good or bad I'll be able to pull from the libraries resources now, instead of scrambling to create my own stuff. Plus, when someone asks for information on a topic, I can direct them to a source in the library instead of having to write out a 10 page letter, citing sources they might not find. It's been a long time in coming... (^_^)

Home Front Challenge

Recently I started getting ready for the JWs (Jehovah's Witnesses) which have been coming around. I imagine they are here because of all the new houses and developments in the area near us. I'm sure to the JWs this is represents a fresh chance to recruit and/or train up young JWs. I have long wanted to hold a discussion with them, but did not have any training of my own and talking to them requires a bit of training or experience. Long ago I read up on them, but not enough to hold a lively on-the-spot discussion and so purchased a book called "The 10 most important things you can say to a JW". It is small, but it is well designed. Acknowledging false doctrines and the verses that JWs quote, then using other verses to debunk their theology. The book also makes sound arguments against their bible revisions (NWT) and the Watchtower Society that runs the organization.

The watchtower society (which I have written about before) has created a profoundly damaging theology. Ultimately, it is a problem with their source, not them as they are often well trained and very passionate about the cause they claim. They are only following the directions they have been given which is much like other Christians, but the difference is that they are listening to men first while Christians are (or should be) listening to God first; one is a corrupted source and the other is not. Consequently, poor understanding and bad theology runs rampant within the organization.

So I've spent several nights marking a spare KJV bible with point/counterpoint verses, quick notes, and questions. It will take patients and practice, but most good things do. If you have the heart for it, go by this $15 book and Practice. I know how it sounds to some, very arrogant, but these are God fearing people who are not saved. Hence they need our help as much as those who are ardent about God not existing. These things, these conflicts, are not about arrogance but about love for fellow man...those unaware of the danger they are in.

Stealing lights & waves

Okay, I've been known to find things on the internet; things I shouldn't find. To the degree that, if you are trying to imagine what I could mean, you might very well be right. In fact, the spectrum implied is so broad that you probably are. While no exact details are to be provided, this is a confession, brought on in part by a short conversation recently held. While many of the places I have visited I no longer return to, I still found myself wandering where I shouldn't. So in that light I am handing over my internet; forfeiting it.

In years past and still today, I've been nestled deep in the internet; pressing into its recesses for all manner of things. In other words, I've been the guy you go to if you wanted to find things that shouldn't be found. Even in those darker times I felt the injustice of it pressing down on me. I ignored it then, only dealing with what I chose to deal with. "Oh it's enough that I'm trying to correct my life in terms of X so Y and Z will just have to wait till later.", I would say in an attempt to justify it. Songs, shows, movies, programs, or whatever; it would be mine if I wanted it while employing the above excuse.

So over the years I had put my digital fingers on countless things, very few of which I have today. These days I pay for programs I use and I generally pay for my music services (Napster, etc), but I've been watching movies and cartoons online and while I can see the legal loopholes that exist, their are no moral loop-holes to speak of, only condemnation. For this reason it has to go; as Christ has said, "And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,".

He is correct, it is sinful and in all reality sin is lawbreaking. What we don't often realize is that all these broken laws are driven by desire for personal gain; be it money, fame, respect, power, influence, items, satisfaction, or anything else. So after many years of searching the depths it is time to put up my hands and let it go. I will always have it for emergencies, but it is guarded by someone trust worthy. I will always have it at work as well, but at least I am limited there in several ways. So, while I have a handful of movies downloaded (from over the weekend) I aim to make them the last. If I want any from here I'll be paying for them in some fashion, either renting or buying.

I said once before in a poetic rebuttal to an atheist concerning misuse of the internet, "Ah, the internet, a very large two sided sword. Wield her well, children of the keystroke." My own words ring both true and bitter, but it is better I lose my internet then my eye; better the internet than my soul or yours. It is true that we all have sinned and make mistakes, but the quality of a persons faith is reflected in their passion for God and willingness to repent; it's important to remember that.

*No this is not my New Years resolution.