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Tim Keller shows the difference between Religion and Gospel in his new publication, Gospel in Life Study Guide (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010), p. 16.

Acceptance

• Religion: “I obey; therefore, I’m accepted.”
• Gospel: “I’m accepted; therefore, I obey.”

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Should we baptise babies?

This is one debate where I’ve never really landed solidly on one side or the other – but right now - Infant Baptism is stalking me.

Do you have an opinion on infant baptism? Share it below.

Disclaimer: Forgive me if this comes off a little arrogant. That’s not my intention…

Let me give you a window into a recent conversation I had with an atheist friend. I reckon this is pretty representative of dozens of conversations, debates, arguments, fights I’ve had in recent years:

My Atheist Friend: How can you believe in a god?

Me: Because it’s the truth.

My Atheist Friend: How do you know.

Me: The Bible is God’s word to us. We can trust what it says to be true. The Bible teaches that there is one God who created everything that exists. He also entered human history as Jesus Christ to redeem all things through his death on the cross. That’s why I believe in the Christian God.

My Atheist Friend: All of that is bulls**t because you’re relying on ‘the bible’ to tell you what is true. You can’t appeal to ‘the bible’ as a reason for your belief. It’s a circular argument to say that you believe in god because you read “god’s word”.

Me: Ok cool. So what are you relying on for your belief that there is no god.

My Atheist Friend: It’s not a ‘belief’. It’s fact.

Me: Don’t avoid the question. What do you base your understanding on?

My Atheist Friend: I base it on REASON!

Me: And what is your reason for trusting your reason?

Me (interrupting): You see? You’re doing the same thing as me.

My Atheist Friend: Huh? No I’m not.

Me: You are! You’re making a circular argument. And you’re appealing to an objective standard – every worldview does! In this case you’re appealing to the ‘objective’ standard of your own reason -  and furthermore, you’re appealing to that objective standard constantly – you can’t avoid it!

My Atheist Friend: …….

Can any of my Atheist Friends fill in the gaping blank in my (other) friend’s (non)response? I’d love it if you could contribute in the comments section below…