Some Bible scholars believe that the Book of Jonah is a fictional tale written purely for teaching purposes by its original author. They argue that the original author never meant for the story to be taken as real history. While it may be impossible to know just based on the contents of the book itself, … Continue reading Is the Story of Jonah Fictional?
Chapter 11, verses 1-6, give financial and investment advice. In verses 1-2, Solomon is recommending that the reader spread out her investments over 7 or even 8 different areas. The phrase “cast your bread upon the waters” refers specifically to maritime trade. Solomon’s reign was characterized by extensive sea trade with other nations. By spreading … Continue reading Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11-12 (Wisdom from the Preacher)
It is not uncommon these days to hear something like the following: “Science has explained just about everything else in the world, so it is inevitable that science will explain the mind and consciousness.” This kind of comment always makes me roll my eyes because the people who make this comment are making a colossal … Continue reading #3 Post of 2015 – Why Can’t Science Explain Consciousness?
Joshua is the first book following the Pentateuch and it begins the series of books in the OT that are called the Historical Books (Joshua – Esther). The author of Joshua is unknown, although large portions of the book appear to have been written by a person who experienced the events recorded in the book. … Continue reading Commentary on Joshua 1-2 (Rahab and the Spies)
The Israelites have traveled around the borders of Edom and have arrived in the land of Moab, across the Jordan River from the city of Jericho. As they traveled, they encountered two kings who attacked them: Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. Both armies were completely defeated by the Israelites. Having … Continue reading Commentary on Numbers 22-23 (Balak Hires Balaam)
These days you may indeed be told that experiments conducted by neuroscientists and psychologists have proven that free will is an illusion. I always snicker when someone tells me this because it means that they did not come to that conclusion freely, but were determined by their brain chemistry. But, leaving that aside, how should … Continue reading Has Neuroscience Proven There Is No Free Will?
Post Author: Bill Pratt There is much debate among Christians about whether the universe was created in six literal days about 10,000 years ago, or whether the universe came into existence about 13.5 billion years ago, and the earth about 4.5 billion years ago, through the creative acts of God. Who is right? We just … Continue reading What Is the Age of the Earth?
Post Author: Bill Pratt Psychologist Daniel Kahneman, in his book Thinking Fast and Slow, has introduced us to the two processes going on inside our minds: System 1 and System 2. We’ve already looked at the fact that System 1 kicks in first when we are approached by a situation with which we aren’t familiar. … Continue reading Why Do We Answer Questions We Weren’t Asked?
Post Author: Bill Pratt There are many reasons why a Christian may not want to celebrate Christmas: it’s too commercial, it encourages greediness, it focuses too much on Santa Claus. I want to consider another reason, which is that Christmas is based on pagan beliefs and influences, and that if we celebrate Christmas, we are … Continue reading Should Christians Celebrate Christmas? Part 1
Post Author: Bill Pratt I am aware that there are philosophers who employ Bayesian analysis to determine probabilities that historical events occurred, but I am becoming skeptical of the value of these analyses. A Bayesian analysis requires a calculation of the prior probability that a historical event occurred, without considering any of the evidence we … Continue reading Should We Calculate Prior Probabilities to Determine if Jesus Was Resurrected?