Doug Taylor Apologetics, LLC

In Philadelphia for Defending the Faith Conference and may have to weather the storm (literally). Decided to run out for our favorite lunch Texas Roadhouse.

The problem of evil is one of the questions we get asked in many different situations and is vital to be able to answer with truth and love. Register today!

Kathryn and I can’t wait to get to PA for the Defending the Faith Conference with Rise Up Church!

It’s Not Supposed To Be Like This…

Today is a special day, at least in my life and for my family. You won’t find this date on any published calendar. Today, I am officially cancer-free for seven years. While this is a great thing, “I” did not “do” anything to achieve this status. By this I mean I was lacking in the skills, ability, or power to eliminate cancer from my own body. Yet, this brings me to a certain realization.

We realize there are a lot of different contributing factors associated with whether or not someone gets cancer, but the one point everyone recognizes is cancer is not the way it is supposed to be. Cells normatively function in one way, yet they begin functioning in a way inconsistent of their normative practice. Again, we understand cancer to be less than the way things are supposed to be, and we take steps, where possible, to return the body to the state it is supposed to function. Yet, if we truly believe in the “settled science” of evolutionary biology (side note: I don’t, and for good academic and evidential reasons), why should we care? Why should we attempt to eradicate cancers and diseases if we truly believe “survival of the fittest” is true and immutable?

Could it be there is more to the story? Do we at some level understand there is something within humanity that communicates a high value, that disease and affliction is to be addressed and cured where possible simply because one is human? If so, there is no difference between Prince or Pauper, and more importantly, would appear to demonstrate we cannot live out “survival of the fittest” because we simply don’t believe this to be true. If survival of the fittest is truly settled science, then one has to wonder why the scientists continue to develop medicines and procedures to intervene and prevent the very condition many claim to be absolute and immutable.

Disease, pain, suffering, and evil all show us there is something wrong. If we can recognize the “wrong”, then it means there is a “right”, or desired state. Survival of the fittest devalues humanity, yet if it is true “In the beginning, God…”, then we have a very different outlook on the value of even a single individual.

I saw it attributed to George R. R. Martin, "When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say."

This post is not about the killing of CHARLIE KIRK earlier this week, but this event has been the catalyst for this post. In fact, I've been contacted by many asking "why" and expressing how a conservative political voice, and even a Christian voice has been silenced. Some actually wondered what we would do without Charlie.

To be clear, Charlie was not the Savior. He was a man. One of his mentors was actually a professor who taught me during one of my Masters programs. Charlie was not formidable because he was a Christian. Charlie was not formidable because he was politically conservative. Charlie was formidable because he had learned how to think well and express himself clearly. Charlie could think critically without being critical.

For those who have contacted me, or those who haven't but have wondered the same thing, what will we do without Charlie, I am reminded of 1 Kings 19. Elijah had just defeated the prophets of Ba'al, was hiding in a cave, bemoaning that he was the only prophet left, the only person who believed in God and hadn't worshiped idols. It is interesting to read how God had to inform Elijah that He had seven thousand others in Israel who had not been guilty of idol worship. Elijah was on the National stage, but there were far more working quietly behind the scenes. Yes, it is a very bad and sad thing that happened to Charlie, but the work does not stop. There are many schools that offer degree programs in apologetics, but there are also many trained scholars who teach people, outside of academia, helping them learn how to think well and communicate well. College degrees aren't necessary to effectively defend why you believe what you believe. The reality is, the work CHARLIE KIRK began did not end with his death, nor did it start with Charlie. Just as Elisha picked up the mantle of Elijah, and Elijah built on the work of those who came before him, others will continue defending not only what, but also why, we as Christians believe and teach what we do. Learn to think well, communicate clearly, and do not fear embracing the truth.

Thirty Years

Thirty years ago, where were you? What were you doing, and what plans did you have? Honestly, at that time I was thinking I’d be retired now from a very successful career in the Army, and perhaps a very successful businessman with more money in the bank than my parents could have ever dreamed of having, hoping for two or three commas to always be present in my balance. The path I had charted was not to be. The path I followed has led me to “thirty”.

Thirty years ago, I married my best friend. Thirty years ago, I married the woman who would become the mother of our children. Thirty years ago, I married the strongest advocate for “me” I could have ever asked or hoped for. Now, looking at thirty years in the rear-view mirror, I see that it was never “me”, rather it was “we”. My plans were all about “me”, but all my successes have come about because of “we”.

Oh, we’ve had our share of ups and downs. We’ve not always behaved like grown-ups. But what we have done is remember in the tough times love is not an emotion, it’s a choice. We live in a disposable world today. In America the nuclear family is all but gone. We job hop almost endlessly. The newest gadget comes out and we are ready to dump the thing we bought last week in order to have something newer, or shinier. Is it possible we have also become consumers of relationships rather than contributors to relationships?

Thirty years. That’s a mighty long time in anyone’s life, yet I still feel like we’re newlyweds. What’s the secret? First, I’d repeat it is not good for man to be alone. People are relational, and we have to embrace that. Second, we took the time to make sure when we said “for better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness or health” we knew we were making a lifetime commitment to each other.

Thirty years. It’s only the beginning!

The Problem

It’s that time of year again when we celebrate Easter. Much will be said about Jesus and the resurrection, but too often we miss the reality that fraud and deception led up to and followed the resurrection event. The Sanhedrin (ruling body within Judea) held trials at night, which was illegal. They and others bore false witness against Jesus, leading to the crucifixion. It was the High Priest who understood Jesus to have claimed he would rise from the dead, a point missed by the disciples. Then, when the illegal acts and deception had been followed by the empty grave, these same Jewish leaders paid off the guards at the tomb to offer yet another lie. The reality is, there is an overwhelming amount of data in favor of the resurrection of Jesus.

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Will be back in Philadelphia in a few weeks. Going to be a great day of iron sharpening iron!

Kathryn and I are always excited when we can visit Catalysts in person and spend time with Bill, Mel and the kids. It was a great Sunday morning!

It’s gotcha day for our new family member. We haven’t picked a name yet, but he’s ours! Mud River Cockers thank you!!!