http://www.bethinking.org/feed.xml Latest updates to www.bethinking.org. Brought to you by UCCF: The Christian Unions. Bethinking.org brings together some of the best possible resources to help you to understand, defend and communicate the Christian faith. Copyright 2012 UCCF: The Christian Unions Christianity en-uk UCCF: The Christian Unions no Copyright 2012 UCCF: The Christian Unions Jesus,God,Gospel,UCCF, Christian,Union,Church,UCCF,Theology,Bible,uccf:thechristianunions Religion & Spirituality/Christianity webmaster@theologynetwork.org UCCF: The Chrstian Unions Jesus,God,Gospel,UCCF, Christian,Union,Church,UCCF,Theology,Bible,uccf:thechristianunions Latest updates to www.bethinking.org. Brought to you by UCCF: The Christian Unions. Bethinking.org brings together some of the best possible resources to help you to understand, defend and communicate the Christian faith. Latest updates to www.bethinking.org. Brought to you by UCCF: The Christian Unions. Bethinking.org brings together some of the best possible resources to help you to understand, defend and communicate the Christian faith. http://www.bethinking.org/feed.xml http://www.bethinking.org/Images/feeds/Latest_Thumb.jpg Pontius Pilate: are the Gospels accurate in their presentation of him? Giotto's famous fourteenth century painting of Pilate [view it here] is an intriguing departure from the popular interpretation of the Governor of Judea as culturally reflected and http://www.bethinking.org/bible-jesus/advanced/pontius-pilate-have-the-gospels-got-it-right.htm Pontius Pilate: are the Gospels accurate in their presentation of him? Giotto's famous fourteenth century painting of Pilate [view it here] is an intriguing departure from the popular interpretation of the Governor of Judea as culturally reflected and embedded by the musical Jesus Christ Superstar.[1] Rather than the amoral dandy of Broadway who sacrifices Christ to the executioners to preserve Pax Romana in Judea and his political career,... Wed, 16 May 2012 06:00:00 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-999 In this talk, GP Dr Rhona Knight asks what it means to be "old-fashioned" about sex and what it would mean to be "up-to-date" God's way. The talk is in four parts: 1. What does Scripture say? 2. What has the church believed and why http://www.bethinking.org/right-wrong/introductory/why-are-christians-so-old-fashioned-about-sex.htm In this talk, GP Dr Rhona Knight asks what it means to be "old-fashioned" about sex and what it would mean to be "up-to-date" God's way. The talk is in four parts: 1. What does Scripture say? 2. What has the church believed and why? 3. What is the current context of the Western church and what are its implications? 4. What does it mean for us to be up-to-date sexually, God's way? © 2011 Rhona Knight In this talk, GP Dr Rhona Knight asks what it means to be "old-fashioned" about sex and what it would mean to be "up-to-date" God's way. The talk is in four parts: 1. What does Scripture say? 2. What has the church believed and why? 3. What is the current context of the Western church and what are its implications? 4. What does it mean for us to be up-to-date sexually, God's way? © 2011 Rhona Knight Rhona Knight Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:11 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-1002-1 Life without certainty: Margaret Atwood's ambiguous worlds The true story is vicious and multiple and untrue after all. Why do you need it? Don't ever ask for the true story. Margaret Atwood, 'True Stories'[1] Summary Margaret Atwood is one of http://www.bethinking.org/culture-worldview/advanced/margaret-atwood-life-without-certainty.htm Life without certainty: Margaret Atwood's ambiguous worlds The true story is vicious and multiple and untrue after all. Why do you need it? Don't ever ask for the true story. Margaret Atwood, 'True Stories'[1] Summary Margaret Atwood is one of the most important and influential writers alive today. Her fiction explores and reflects the current cultural move away from metanarrative and towards fragmented notions of truth. She celebrates... Tue, 08 May 2012 14:42:50 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-1000 This talk on 'Sex and Sexuality' was given by Dr Peter May at Highfield Church, Southampton on 19th February 2012. Peter, a retired GP, talks openly about topics of marriage, sex, homosexuality, gay marriage, paedophilia, pornography, sexual orientation a http://www.bethinking.org/right-wrong/introductory/sex-and-sexuality.htm This talk on 'Sex and Sexuality' was given by Dr Peter May at Highfield Church, Southampton on 19th February 2012. Peter, a retired GP, talks openly about topics of marriage, sex, homosexuality, gay marriage, paedophilia, pornography, sexual orientation and sexual experimentation. Before listening please be aware that Peter speaks plainly about these issues. Please do not listen if this may be disturbing or distressing to you. © 2012 Dr Peter... This talk on 'Sex and Sexuality' was given by Dr Peter May at Highfield Church, Southampton on 19th February 2012. Peter, a retired GP, talks openly about topics of marriage, sex, homosexuality, gay marriage, paedophilia, pornography, sexual orientation and sexual experimentation. Before listening please be aware that Peter speaks plainly about these issues. Please do not listen if this may be disturbing or distressing to you. © 2012 Dr Peter... Peter May Fri, 04 May 2012 15:33:45 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-982-1 Greg Koukl explains why God is not like the Flying Spaghetti Monster. © 2012 Greg Koukl Go to Greg Koukl's Stand to Reason website for more great apologetics resources. http://www.bethinking.org/who-are-you-god/introductory/the-flying-spaghetti-monster.htm Greg Koukl explains why God is not like the Flying Spaghetti Monster. © 2012 Greg Koukl Go to Greg Koukl's Stand to Reason website for more great apologetics resources. Wed, 02 May 2012 06:00:00 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-998 This talk was given by Ann Brown at Canterbury University Christian Union. © 2012 Ann Brown This resource is provided by the kind permission of the speaker.   http://www.bethinking.org/bible-jesus/introductory/is-christianity-sexist.htm This talk was given by Ann Brown at Canterbury University Christian Union. © 2012 Ann Brown This resource is provided by the kind permission of the speaker.   This talk was given by Ann Brown at Canterbury University Christian Union. © 2012 Ann Brown This resource is provided by the kind permission of the speaker.   Ann Brown Tue, 01 May 2012 09:59:39 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-983-1 During the 2007 Reasonable Faith Tour, Professor William Lane Craig debated Andrew Pyle at Bristol University on the topic "Does the Christian God Exist?" This is now available for the first time on YouTube. Andrew Pyle is Reader in Early Mode http://www.bethinking.org/who-are-you-god/advanced/does-the-christian-god-exist-bill-craig-debates-andrew-pyle-2007.htm During the 2007 Reasonable Faith Tour, Professor William Lane Craig debated Andrew Pyle at Bristol University on the topic "Does the Christian God Exist?" This is now available for the first time on YouTube. Andrew Pyle is Reader in Early Modern Philosophy at Bristol University. His research interests include the History and Philosophy of Science and the Metaphysics and Epistemology of the 17th & 18th centuries. He is the author o... Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:00:23 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-997 During the 2007 Reasonable Faith Tour, Professor William Lane Craig debated Professor Mike Begon at Liverpool University on the topic "Is God a Delusion?" This is now available for the first time on YouTube. Mike Begon is Professor of Ecology i http://www.bethinking.org/who-are-you-god/advanced/is-god-a-delusion-bill-craig-debates-mike-begon-2007.htm During the 2007 Reasonable Faith Tour, Professor William Lane Craig debated Professor Mike Begon at Liverpool University on the topic "Is God a Delusion?" This is now available for the first time on YouTube. Mike Begon is Professor of Ecology in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool. The author of around 150 articles in professional scientific journals, most recently his research has focused on infectious diseases ... Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:48:51 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-996 You've just arrived at art college. It's a pretty exciting time; for the first time in your life you are able to release the shackles of other subjects and wholly delve into your artistic practice and make work all day long! And yet coupled with this exci http://www.bethinking.org/your-course/introductory/studying---art-fine-art.htm You've just arrived at art college. It's a pretty exciting time; for the first time in your life you are able to release the shackles of other subjects and wholly delve into your artistic practice and make work all day long! And yet coupled with this excitement is a nervous anticipation: what will art college be like, and more importantly what will it be like to be a Christian at art college? Together with the prevalent tension of wanting to give... Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:12:25 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-994 The forthright defence of the permissibility of "after-birth abortion" – infanticide – by two Melbourne-based philosophers in the Journal of Medical Ethics, edited from Oxford, has unleashed a firestorm of protest, at least among observers http://www.bethinking.org/right-wrong/intermediate/do-we-know-why-we-are-all-equal.htm The forthright defence of the permissibility of "after-birth abortion" – infanticide – by two Melbourne-based philosophers in the Journal of Medical Ethics, edited from Oxford, has unleashed a firestorm of protest, at least among observers unfamiliar with the academic world of medical ethics where, disturbingly, the idea has long been deemed worthy of scholarly airing. Debates on some of the associated controversies evoked by the... Thu, 19 Apr 2012 06:00:00 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-991 Melvyn Bragg, who says he is not religious himself, provides an interesting rebuttal of some of the arguments made against Christianity, along with an attack on the "ignorance" that he says has entered the new atheist arguments. http://www.bethinking.org/truth-tolerance/introductory/melvyn-bragg-rebuts-new-atheist-arguments.htm Melvyn Bragg, who says he is not religious himself, provides an interesting rebuttal of some of the arguments made against Christianity, along with an attack on the "ignorance" that he says has entered the new atheist arguments. Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:55:37 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-993 This debate on "Does God Exist?" took place in front of a capacity audience at the University of Manchester (including an overspill room). It was recorded on Wednesday 26th October 2011 as part of the UK Reasonable Faith Tour with William La http://www.bethinking.org/who-are-you-god/advanced/does-god-exist-bill-craig-debates-peter-atkins.htm This debate on "Does God Exist?" took place in front of a capacity audience at the University of Manchester (including an overspill room). It was recorded on Wednesday 26th October 2011 as part of the UK Reasonable Faith Tour with William Lane Craig. William Lane Craig is Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, La Mirada, California and a leading philosopher of religion. Peter Atkins is former Professor of ... Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:40:30 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-992 If God, Why Evil? A New Way to Think about the Question Norman L. Geisler Bloomington, MN:Bethany House, 2011 167 pages £9.99 / $14.99 Buy from Amazon.com. Buy from Amazon.co.uk. Previews of the Introduction and Chapter 1 of the book are available http://www.bethinking.org/suffering/intermediate/if-god-why-evil-book-review.htm If God, Why Evil? A New Way to Think about the Question Norman L. Geisler Bloomington, MN:Bethany House, 2011 167 pages £9.99 / $14.99 Buy from Amazon.com. Buy from Amazon.co.uk. Previews of the Introduction and Chapter 1 of the book are available at the end of this review. Those who have read many of Norman Geisler's earlier works will likely recognize that this book is major update of an earlier book, The Roots of Evil (Grand Rapids: Z... Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:05:34 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-990 Bread and Circuses Author: Sophie Lister Keywords: Survival, life, death, power, television, reality TV, morality Film title: The Hunger Games Director: Gary Ross Screenplay: Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins & Billy Ray, based on the book by Suzanne http://www.bethinking.org/culture-worldview/introductory/the-hunger-games.htm Bread and Circuses Author: Sophie Lister Keywords: Survival, life, death, power, television, reality TV, morality Film title: The Hunger Games Director: Gary Ross Screenplay: Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins & Billy Ray, based on the book by Suzanne Collins Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks Distributor: Lionsgate (USA/UK) Cinema Release Date: 23 March 2012 (USA/UK) Certificate: PG-13 (USA); 12... Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:54:28 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-989 A Vogue for Vincent Author: Rachel Thorpe Keywords: Religion, creativity, transcendence, art Vincent Van Gogh is now a solid fixture in our cultural vocabulary. I need only mention sunflowers or a bandaged ear to conjure up his life and legacy. Shu http://www.bethinking.org/culture-worldview/introductory/a-vogue-for-vincent.htm A Vogue for Vincent Author: Rachel Thorpe Keywords: Religion, creativity, transcendence, art Vincent Van Gogh is now a solid fixture in our cultural vocabulary. I need only mention sunflowers or a bandaged ear to conjure up his life and legacy. Shunned during his lifetime, by the 20th century he had been declared one of the greatest painters to have lived. The publication of his complete illustrated letters in late 2009 thrust him back i... Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:06:13 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-976 'This house believes God is not a delusion' – Analysis of the 2011 Cambridge Union Debate One of the speakers at the Cambridge Union Society debate, Peter S. Williams, provides an anaysis of the debate. An opportunity to follow the arguments, counter http://www.bethinking.org/who-are-you-god/advanced/cambridge-union-society-debate-an-analysis.htm 'This house believes God is not a delusion' – Analysis of the 2011 Cambridge Union Debate One of the speakers at the Cambridge Union Society debate, Peter S. Williams, provides an anaysis of the debate. An opportunity to follow the arguments, counter-arguments and interruptions from the floor, with comments from the proposer of the motion and additional links to delve deeper into some of the arguments. This debate, on the motion 'This... Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:04:04 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-981 Professor William Lane Craig was invited by the undergraduate Christian Union at Imperial College, London to give a lunch-time lecture on "The Evidence for God". This took place on Tuesday 18th October at 12.45 hrs (London Time) as a part of http://www.bethinking.org/who-are-you-god/intermediate/william-lane-craig-the-evidence-for-god-imperial-college-london-.htm Professor William Lane Craig was invited by the undergraduate Christian Union at Imperial College, London to give a lunch-time lecture on "The Evidence for God". This took place on Tuesday 18th October at 12.45 hrs (London Time) as a part of The Reasonable Faith Tour. Dr Craig presented seven arguments and then invited questions from the student audience. The lecture was web streamed at the time. This is a high definition film reco... Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:07:36 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-980 In this paper, Stuart Judge considers whether discoveries in neuroscience that correlate our mental activity with our brain activity undermine Christian beliefs. Do such discoveries justify the claim that we are "nothing but a pack of neurons&qu http://www.bethinking.org/science-christianity/advanced/nothing-but-a-pack-of-neurons.htm In this paper, Stuart Judge considers whether discoveries in neuroscience that correlate our mental activity with our brain activity undermine Christian beliefs. Do such discoveries justify the claim that we are "nothing but a pack of neurons"? Nothing but a pack of neurons? FARADAY PAPER NO 16 Summary This paper refutes the claim that we are "nothing but a pack of neurons". Furthermore, the reductionistic notio... Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:28:10 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-974 William Lane Craig sets out the historical and Biblical evidence that leads to the conclusion that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Audience Q&A follows the main presentation. Filmed in Southampton Civic Hall, this event was part of the UK Rea http://www.bethinking.org/resurrection-miracles/advanced/bill-craigs-lecture-the-evidence-for-jesuss-resurrection.htm William Lane Craig sets out the historical and Biblical evidence that leads to the conclusion that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Audience Q&A follows the main presentation. Filmed in Southampton Civic Hall, this event was part of the UK Reasonable Faith Tour during October 2011. The Tour was sponsored by the Damaris Trust, UCCF and Premier Christian Radio. William Lane Craig is Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School ... Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:48:15 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-979 Philip Vander Elst describes his journey from atheism to Christianity via the apologetics works of C.S. Lewis. From atheism to Christianity: a personal journey Do you find it difficult to believe in God or accept the claims of Christianity? I did http://www.bethinking.org/stories-illustrations/intermediate/from-atheism-to-christianity-a-personal-journey.htm Philip Vander Elst describes his journey from atheism to Christianity via the apologetics works of C.S. Lewis. From atheism to Christianity: a personal journey Do you find it difficult to believe in God or accept the claims of Christianity? I did, when I was an atheist, but I changed my mind, and my reasons for doing so may be of interest to you in your own personal journey and attempts to make sense of life. I am a freelance writer and... Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:00:00 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-975 Introducing the Talking About Jesus App for iPhone The Website: www.talkingaboutjesus.org Buy it now: Talking About Jesus - the App Did you know that in the UK there are over 1,500,000 regular church-goers with Smartphones? Increasingly Christians http://www.bethinking.org/bible-jesus/introductory/talking-about-jesus-the-app.htm Introducing the Talking About Jesus App for iPhone The Website: www.talkingaboutjesus.org Buy it now: Talking About Jesus - the App Did you know that in the UK there are over 1,500,000 regular church-goers with Smartphones? Increasingly Christians are becoming switched on to new technologies, and looking for innovative ways to share the Gospel. Damaris are committed to providing resources for people where they focus their time and attenti... Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-973 Atheists and Muslims often criticise the Christian concept of the Trinity as contradictory, meaningless or false. In this article, Peter S. Williams counters these criticisms, approaching the issue from the perspective of a philosopher. A demanding but http://www.bethinking.org/who-are-you-god/advanced/understanding-the-trinity.htm Atheists and Muslims often criticise the Christian concept of the Trinity as contradictory, meaningless or false. In this article, Peter S. Williams counters these criticisms, approaching the issue from the perspective of a philosopher. A demanding but worthwhile read! Understanding The Trinity "the doctrine of the Trinity reconciles the paradoxical affirmations that God is self-sufficient and that he is love." – H.P. Owen[1] As M... Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:38:47 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-971 The Grey: Exploring the Great Beyond Film title: The Grey Director: Joe Carnahan Screenplay: Joe Carnahan and Ian Mackenzie Jeffers Cinema Release Date: 27 January 2012 (UK and US) Certificate: 15 (UK) More information on the film is available at i http://www.bethinking.org/culture-worldview/introductory/the-grey.htm The Grey: Exploring the Great Beyond Film title: The Grey Director: Joe Carnahan Screenplay: Joe Carnahan and Ian Mackenzie Jeffers Cinema Release Date: 27 January 2012 (UK and US) Certificate: 15 (UK) More information on the film is available at imdb.com. Warning: If you haven't watched the film yet, don't read on. “Spoilers!” I watched The Grey the other night, and thought it was disturbing, haunting, devoid of hope and the best ... Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:52:10 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-972 The Jesus Scandals: Why He Shocked His Contemporaries (and Still Shocks Today) David Instone-Brewer's new book The Jesus Scandals not only shows how the life and teaching of Jesus must have shocked his contemporaries but helps us better to understand http://www.bethinking.org/bible-jesus/intermediate/bible-scandals-6-eternal-torment.htm The Jesus Scandals: Why He Shocked His Contemporaries (and Still Shocks Today) David Instone-Brewer's new book The Jesus Scandals not only shows how the life and teaching of Jesus must have shocked his contemporaries but helps us better to understand and apply Jesus' teaching to our own times. Read some selected chapters from the book on bethinking. See what's available in the 'Contents and Introduction' article. Click here or on the cover... Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:00:05 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-967