The Resurrection From PhD On Easter

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Quote from Gary Habermas.com

'Dr. Gary Habermas is able to argue persuasively for the real, historical death and bodily resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth using only those facts that 95% of critics concede. In other words, using the facts about Jesus that virtually all scholars agree upon, Dr. Habermas is able to establish the historical reality of the resurrection. Listen to this brief audio description to learn more.'

Gary Habermas Resurrection Scholar Approach

From My PhD: Theodicy And Practical Theology 2010

Question 36:  God allows evil to exist to build human character

Eighty-one (38%) persons supported this idea; 46 (21.6%) were ‘NC’; 86 (40.4%) were not in support of the proposition.  This is a controversial question among respondents.  I agree strongly with the proposition in that I reason God creates significantly free creatures that will eventually commit wrong actions.  However, through the atoning work and resurrection of Christ applied to believers, they will develop a character that tires of rebellion against God and awaits God given restoration in his culminated Kingdom.[1]  If creatures never sinned and experienced evil, it is possible they would not have the steadfast commitment to God of creatures that have been rescued from the problem of evil, through the atoning work and resurrection of Christ.[2]  I am not stating that this is the only reason why elected individuals will have a steadfast commitment to God.  The regeneration and resurrection process will turn a previously sinful nature into a holy one.[3]  Moltmann writes that the resurrection message of the early Christian community was the anticipation of what was to come.[4]  The resurrection of Christ created the hope for the eventual world of a new righteousness.[5]  In the new heaven and new earth, the life of the believer will be transformed in completion.[6]  Believers will share the likeness of God,[7] and this will be a life of moral perfection. 

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[1] This is not to presume that all Christians will develop character in a similar mature fashion.  I admit that, in some cases, Christians may live relatively disobedient lives, but I am confident in finalized regeneration through the resurrection. 

[2] With this speculative idea, my personal sovereignty theodicy goes beyond that of Feinberg’s which, in my opinion, lacks in this area. It is better if a theodicy provides some good reasons why God would allow evil, and Feinberg’s explanation remains very general in nature. I do not pretend, however, to know why God allows evil in certain situations, for example, as in the premature death of loved ones.

[3] Thiessen (1956: 383-384).  Erickson (1994: 1184). 

[4] Moltmann (1993: 177). 

[5] Moltmann (1993: 177).

[6] Mounce (1990: 388). 

[7] Mounce (1990: 388).  

ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

ERICKSON, MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and When Does He Know It?, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

FEINBERG, JOHN.S. (1986) Predestination and Free Will, in David Basinger and Randall Basinger (eds.), Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press.

FEINBERG, JOHN.S. (1994) The Many Faces of Evil, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House. 

FEINBERG, JOHN.S. (2001) No One Like Him, John S. Feinberg (gen.ed.), Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Books.

MOLTMANN, JÜRGEN (1993) The Crucified God, Minneapolis, Fortress Press.

MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1990) The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

THIESSEN, HENRY C. (1956) Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

After a one hour walk outside in the Spring air...Blessings this Easter

 

From Facebook Status:

Mom living downstairs makes tea in the coffee maker and puts a tea bag in, but forgets to take out the previous coffee grinds. ‘You have made ‘Toffee’, I stated, as I drink it anyway. She tries to blame me for it after I showed her the coffee grinds.

Satirical Blogging Advice

Sweden, Google Images

Lake Como, Italy (trekearth)

Lake Como, Italy (trekearth)

Lake Como photos from trekearth.com once again on my blogs.

Not yet tiresome, and among the most colourful and varied photos.

As I noted on Dr. Russell Norman Murray that according to Blogger statistics, it is my best month in the history of that blog, since 2004 pageview wise. It should be the same this month with this blog as well, as I should reach the 30, 000 pageview mark with the two blogs combined. Surprisingly, a recent development within the last couple of weeks is that the pageviews between the two blogs are starting to nearly equal out, and this has been after two to three years where this blog has outperformed the other blog.

This blog is still ahead overall for the time being, but next month onward should be interesting.

For me anyway.

You may not care...

This is a blessing for me, and I do thank God. For the last few years the numbers have been up and down, with a gradual increase and hopefully they will stay up, but if they do not, that is life.

Blogging is just part of my life, as noted many times, people offline are more important to me. And building offline friendships.

Recently my Google/Blogger Friend Connect Followers have not been increasing, nor have my Facebook Networked Blog Followers. Therefore, in my case, there has not been a major philosophical and practical connection between gaining or maintaining followers and blog growth.

That is in no way to imply that I prefer that followers stay away in order that my pageviews continue to increase.;)

I am not anti-social, and certainly not that kind of anti-social, but I am just making a point.

Therefore, Satirical Blogging Advice #1

Do not increase your amount of blog followers.

Something seems off there though, I have to admit.

It just seems counter-intuitive.

I am still trying to gain followers. I really like meeting new people online too, but I am dealing with supposed facts here people...

Interestingly, I have read online that one needs to link with fellow bloggers or in this context let us include Blogger blogger's in order to increase pageviews and build a successful blog or blogs.

However, most of, not all, of my fellow links have 'bailed' on blogging for the most part.

No negative judgement on my friends, it is very difficult building a blog or blogs online.

It is difficult:

Gaining pageviews.

Gaining comments.

Making any money associated with a blog, if that would be a goal.

And avoiding that online diary I have mentioned.

Often Facebook and other social networking sites provide a more fun and rewarding social environment.

Somehow, my pageviews have managed to increase even though my blogging and Blogging friends, have primarily bailed.

Not all of them of course, but most of them, as noted.

So,

Therefore, Satirical Blogging Advice #2

Hope and pray your fellow bloggers and Bloggers bail.

Something seems off there though, I have to admit.

It just seems counter-intuitive.

I miss many of my blogging and Blogger friends, but I am just sharing supposed facts.

It also appears that an online fan club is a must, as in persons that will provide one with pageviews.

Thousands of pageviews. These may be persons that dialogue with you or not.

They may have a mysterious crush, while drinking Orange Crush, maybe not.

A sometimes social difficultly with me is that I am male and many and most of the blogger/Bloggers are younger females. Some would assume that some of the social hesitation in social interaction may come from the female side only as in family of the younger women, or boyfriends.

However, to be honest when I discussed my fan club with an out of Province, Aunt and Uncle, my Aunt was concerned for my safety with a potential Fatal Attraction type situation occurring. The Uncle as well.

I assured my basically wise Aunt that it was not that kind of situation, in a Christian context, but to me it does show the changing social dynamics in society.

This is due largely to greater access and a 'smaller' world because of the web/internet.

Many persons have preconceived notions of what such and such a relationship would have to be and therefore that is what it is...

In their minds.

But not necessarily in the truth, and yet Christians are supposed to be of the truth. Jesus states he is the truth in John 14, and we should seek to be like in him also by the guidance of God/The Holy Spirit.

No area of life should be excluded. Easier said or written than done I admit.

Plus this issue is satirically amusing.

Therefore, Satirical Blogging Advice #3

Have a Fan Club.

Chucky suggested that my with all Curriculum Vitaes  I have sent out to potential employers in regard to Religious Studies, Theology and Philosophy, that these potential employers, may be adding to be pageviews.

Therefore, Satirical Blogging Advice #4

Stay unemployed and keep sending out CVs and resumes...

Remember I am working in a relationship marketing business and I homecare full-time.

I am only technically unemployed with my degrees. And I blog...

The reality is that I receive over one hundred SPAM email comments a day, so I deduce my philosophical decision to write more posts/articles is finally working out with increased pageviews.

Therefore, Satirical Blogging Advice #5

Write many quality posts/articles and increase web traffic.

This is very good.

The End

Fatal Attraction: According to my Aunt is it a good thing I practice with weapons?;)

Nationwide Football Annual Brief Review

Foschia, Italy-trekearth

Tuscany, Italy-trekearth

London-trekearth

My brother gave me this Irish green Balmoral cap as his head was too small. A new look for me and to be honest with my large and hopefully enlightened head, it definitely looks better than a baseball cap. Now I just need to think of an article for this post. 

A Facebook comment on my photo from a female friend... Quote: 'Don no1.....'

Well I am Irish, Swedish, Italian from my biological Father, according to a piece of paper from the hospital.

Nationwide Football Annual Review 

For the sixteenth season in a row, since 1997-1998, I have ordered from the United Kingdom, this helpful sports text. First of all, it is called 'Football' as in Soccer, as in FIFA and UEFA not the NFL and CFL.

As I noted on Facebook, I will admit that the professionalism and consistency of National Football League referees likely surpasses that of those of UEFA-Union of European Football Associations.

 

The text is not primarily an European football text and encyclopedia, but is mainly one for the British Isles as in the club and national teams of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. An interesting set of statistics which likely is not available in most Football encyclopedias is from each of the five British Isles nations versus each other and all nations historically in all matches, pages 254-277 and 305-310. Another interesting statistic is the all-time record of England versus Scotland with the Scots almost being equal at England 45 Wins Scotland 41 Wins Draws 24.

England being the much higher ranked nation traditionally the results may be surprising, however, I am not completely surprised that the Scots would play their very best against the English, traditional rivals.

Having lived in the United Kingdom two years and visited eight times, although still an outsider, I have some concept of the 'tribalism', and some of this is due to that fact that the sovereign United Kingdom is made up of four different non-sovereign nations of people from England, Scotland, Wales and (Northern) Ireland. Tribalism also takes places within England itself and within football.

Satirically, a very good friend of mine in Manchester sometimes criticizes me for laughing at some of the public antics of British people at football matches and related. I am not disrespectful but I find some of the things deemed more acceptable within their society, which would be more unacceptable in our Canadian society, amusing.

I suppose it would work both ways, admittedly in regard to our society as well. But for one, would be spectator activity and potential for violence at football matches. In the United Kingdom and some other football nations.

In the United Kingdom. and I assume most places in Europe spectators enter in the stadium divided up in home and away sections and sit in home and away sections, attend the home and away restrooms and purchase products from home and away vendors.They do not mingle. The related at times public drunkenness and rude and related activity would not be considered proper activity by Canadian standards, although yes, some of this does take place and there have been sports related riots and violence in both sovereign nations.

I have routinely witnessed public urination outside of the match grounds, for example.

But in North America there are no such divisions between home and away spectators. My friend was very surprised that these divisions did not take place in North America. An indication of a cultural divide.

However, at a pub in Manchester my friend, an Arsenal supporter, became embroiled in a short heated debate with a Manchester United supporter, which amused me after his cultural warnings to me. And he noted to me on occasions that for some reason he had only been punched twice in the head at football matches; sucker punched both times.

I, on the other hand have never had that type of conflict in Europe, although I have faced criminal violence or potential violence in Manchester as noted on this blog previously. For one, I will not wear any football gear. I attend matches with a neutral look...

Back to the Nationwide text, the brief European statistics are useful with UEFA Champions League results from the previous year of 2012 pages 216-224 and the all-time champions from 1955-2012 are listed on page 226. It would be helpful to have the number of championships by clubs listed, and they are not this year. The FIFA World Cup results from 1930 to 2010 are summarized from pages 210 to 215. From pages 440 to 507, all English and Scottish clubs are listed with vital information such as stadium capacity.

The text is also full of many pages of historical and current information concerning British Isles football players, including many records.

Overall, once again a very useful text, but again a British Isles guide more than a European one.

North Korea Propaganda/A Thousand...

Via email

North Korea Propaganda



I first viewed this propaganda spokesperson on the BBC yesterday.

Some thoughts...

Admittedly as a propaganda tool for a totalitarian regime I suppose she is 'good' at her job. She strikes me as subscribing to the Adolf Hitler school of public speaking, as in loud and seemingly abrasive and then it 'must be true' to the brainwashed citizens that buy her brand. Not stating that all persons do in North Korea, but enough do. And of course it is spin and not a presentation concerned with truth.

Satirically, I would hate to be a family member of hers...

 

Historical background. The spokesman looks like he could be the brother of the woman in first clip above...

North Korea propaganda posters

From Business Insider: Translation 'Death to U.S. imperialists, our sworn enemy!'

Google Images

Google Images

The End

A Thousand...

According to Blogger, this blog is now receiving approximately 800 pageviews per day, while my other blog, Dr. Russell Norman Murray/thekingpin68, which is linked at the top right of this blog receives approximately 200 pageviews a day. That means I am at approximately 1000 pageviews per day with my work and ministry and should receive over 300, 000 pageviews in 2013. I deduce from the various statistics sources I use, I have approximately with the two blogs 500, 000 pageviews since 2004, this blog starting in 2006, the other blog in 2004. I appreciate the increased amount of pageviews which has mainly taken place on this blog with the other blog having a slight increase.

It is a bit troubling to see that any increase in followers has leveled off with Google/Blogger Friend Connect and Networked Blogs/Facebook. I honestly I am not certain why I am having a steady increase in pageviews on this blog without having an increase in followers, although since adding Google+ and Google+ followers on the Dr. Russell Norman Murray/thekingpin68 blog, there has been a decent increase in the number of those followers. Perhaps the amount of spam emails is an indicator that my strategy over the years is working. I receive three figures a day in spam email comments, and the strategy to cumulatively add more and more articles/posts seems to be leading to increased pageviews.

Sadly, Stats Counter and Site Meter which like Blogger keep track of my blog statistics and also, unlike Blogger, keep track of the location of hits, are not keeping accurate statistics in my mind. These two services have me at approximately 200 pageviews per day. With the distribution of the blog hits being virtually equal. I reason that many, many of the Satire And Theology pageviews are being missed, perhaps as many as 80%-90%.

A good sign is that I have been receiving more personal email requests for assistance or just a comment, mainly in regard to the other blog. I always attempt to assist. Free of charge (my brother asked if I charged). When I was an MPhil/PhD student few scholars would assist me in such a way...

As I have stated before, blogging is important to me but not as important as meeting people online and perhaps in person.

Numbers are numbers, people are people.

Thank you for your support.