Challenge: Who Created God?

It’s time again for the weekly challenge! (If you missed last week’s training, check out the challenge and Brett’s response.)

You’re probably familiar with the kalam cosmological argument for the existence of God:

1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause.
2. The universe began to exist.
3. Therefore, the universe has a cause.

Once, while discussing this argument with an atheist, he responded:

“Why does the argument for a first cause of the universe conveniently stop with God? Where did God come from?”

So now I pose his question to you. Give it your best shot! What would you say to this atheist? How would you begin? What points would you try to make? What would your overall strategy be? Address any or all of these points. Both short and long answers are welcome.

As before, Brett will have a video up on Thursday to give his response and interact with your comments, and on Friday I’ll post an article on this subject at STR Place. But first, let’s hear from you!

To Grow, Put Yourself in Increasingly Difficult Situations

Challenge Response: Belief in God Is Rational

Thanks to everyone who participated in this week’s challenge.  I give my thoughts here:

Alan Asks Randy if the Qur’an is the Word of God

Alan asks 23 year-old Randy (San Diego State University and Biola University) if he thinks the Qur’an is the word of God and why.

Challenge: Is It Rational to Believe in God in an Age of Science?

We’re starting something new today on the STR Place Blog–a weekly “how would you respond” challenge. We’ll describe a scenario that you might encounter while talking to someone who doesn’t share your beliefs, and then the challenge begins! You take your best shot at a response, then later in the week Brett will post a video giving his own response and offering you tips for yours. This is a great way to train with Brett and get some practice putting what you’ve learned to work. So without further ado, here is the first challenge…

The following was just overheard by my roommate at her workplace:

When we can genetically modify human DNA, I don’t understand how rational people can still believe in God.

Now it’s your turn. How would you respond? What would you say first? How would you steer the conversation? What would you ask? What would your game plan be?

We’re looking forward to hearing your ideas! Check back again this week to hear Brett’s.

(View Brett’s response.)

Just One of the Reasons You Should Go to Utah With Us

Get more info about the Utah Mission HERE.

What is the Trinity?

This begins a series of Monday video posts on the Trinity:

We Need Knowledge, Not Just Belief

Brett has a new article up at STR Place on the necessity of our having real knowledge about God if we’re to be spiritually transformed:

I don’t want you to merely believe true things. That’s a good start, but it’s not enough. I want you to have knowledge.

You may be thinking, “What’s the difference?” Well, the difference is crucial.

Read the article to find out what that difference is and why it matters.

The Sounds You Hear Living in a Muslim Country…

…only this video was taken in Michigan. No, this isn’t one of those “America is becoming a Muslim country!” scare posts. It’s just to give you an idea of what the Islamic call to prayer sounds like.

I was eating lunch in my car in Hamtramck, Michigan (pretty glamorous life I lead) when I heard the sound from the loudspeakers of a nearby Mosque. I reached for a mini video camera and walked over to see (and hear) the call to prayer. Muslims are required to pray five times a day and this was the afternoon signal for nearby Muslims to come to the mosque and pray.

If you want to learn more about Islam and learn a handy technique for talking to Muslims, I recommend The Ambassador’s Guide to Islam.  It’s a short book I wrote (no, I don’t make any money of the sale) and you can download a PDF version of the whole book for less than the cost of a caramel macchiato at Starbucks. In fact, you can probably buy the book and drink a caramel macchiato for about $5. Stimulate your body and your mind.

The Cost of Freedom is $4.98

All right, all right, my title is a little misleading. Focus on the Family produces some great radio theater, and one of my favorite productions is Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Freedom. It’s on sale at ChristianAudio.com for only $4.98, and it’s well worth it.

I’ve always been fascinated by Christians who are (or were) able to persevere in the face of all sorts of evil. What gives them the courage to stand up and be hated, not to mention physically persecuted or killed? What gives them the hope to continue when evil seems overwhelming?

Bonhoeffer, the pastor, author, and co-conspirator against Hitler in Nazi Germany seems a perfect example of the kind of person I mean. You can read more about his life and work in this review Melinda posted at STR of the biography, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. Her closing paragraph includes the answer to my perseverance question:

The most enduring thing I took from Bonhoeffer’s life is that he was able to do what he did by the power of God. He sought it daily and earnestly. The good news is that the same God has abundant grace and mercy to strengthen us for doing His will in the world for the Kingdom.

It really is that simple.