Cowan Chronicles

• Article Published on Free Will in Heaven
  For those who might be interested, my paper, "Compatibilism and the Sinlessnees of the Redeemed in Heaven," has just come out in the journal Faith and Philosophy (October 2011 issue). In this paper I argue in defense of the claim that a compatibilis…
  - 59 days ago, 21 Mar 12, 3:36am -
• If Ron Paul Were President in 1941...
  Ron Paul touts himself as a "non-interventionist" in his foreign policy. He believes that we should have few if any military bases in foreign countries, that we should have few if any defense treaties with other countries, and that we should not invo…
  - 27 Dec 11, 3:22am -
• Christian Hedonism Challenged
  I just ran across this very insightful critique of Piper's Christian hedonism by Reformed philosopher and theologian Paul Helm. Though Piper's views on this emphasize some elements in Christian theology and living that have been sadly neglected and t…
  - 14 Oct 11, 3:57am -
• Women's Subordination Revisited
  The latest issue of the philosophy journal Philosophia Christi features an exchange between egalatarian Adam Omelianchuk and myself over my 2009 article "The Metaphysics of Subordination: A Response to Rebecca Merrill Groothuis." As you might guess,…
  - 29 Jun 11, 7:32pm -
• Scooby Doo and Philosophy
  Because my son loves it and gets me to watch it with him, I have become a pretty ardent fan of the Scooby Doo cartoons and movies over the last couple of years. So I was much intrigued when I heard about a blog by David Leonard that brought out some…
  - 18 Jun 11, 4:28am -
• Thor -- Reluctant Messiah
  I just saw the new Thor movie. I really liked it. Not my favorite superhero moview, but still worth seeing. I am sure that other bloggers will notice some of the same themes and ideas in the film that I'm about to mention, and will probably explore t…
  - 9 May 11, 7:31pm -
• Resurrection Debate
  I will be participating in a debate on the resurrection of Jesus on April 4, 2011, at Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Leeds, Alabama. A great lead-up to Easter! I'd appreciate prayers and your attendance if possible.
  - 1 Mar 11, 3:50am -
• Apologetics Conference on Islam
  The Third Annual Apologetics Resource Center/Southeastern Bible College Apologetics Conference is scheduled for January 28-29, 2011. This year's theme is Islam and Christianity: In the Balance. The conference will feature former Muslim, David Nasser,…
  - 28 Dec 10, 8:26pm -
• Review of "Salvation and Sovereignty"
  My review of Ken Keathley's recent book, Salvation and Sovereignty: A Molinist Approach, was just published in the journal , Themelios. You can access it here:www.thegospelcoalition.org/publications
  - 10 Dec 10, 1:45am -
• Debate on the Problem of Evil
  This past Monday I had the privilege of participating in a debate on the question, "Why does a good God allow evil and suffering?" The debate was held at the University of Montevallo, Alabama, sponsored by the Christian Ministries Association there.…
  - 10 Nov 10, 9:44pm -

Watchman's Bagpipes

• newYoung People and Discernment
  Without biblical discernment, this upcoming generation is "adrift at sea"--heading for a rocky coast and pending shipwreck. As I have had the opportunity to speak with young people throughout the U.S. and around the world, many of whom seem to be b…
  - 10 hours ago, 18 May 12, 7:08pm -
• Random Apostasies and Heresies
  First, an update on Andy Stanley’s apparent approval of homosexuality.  I’d say with the language he uses against Christians - i.e., calling us “judgmental, homophobic, moralists” - demonstrates his sympathies.  It really looks like St…
  - 4 days ago, 14 May 12, 5:38pm -
• 10 Keys to Witnessing to Cults
  The following are the notes I took during a plenary session taught by Ron Rhodes at the 2012 St. Louis Conference on Biblical Discernment.  There are some good things to think about.Counterfeit Jesus + counterfeit gospel = counterfeit salvatio…
  - 7 days ago, 12 May 12, 3:26pm -
• Did They Really Say That?
  ?!?Christ died to make it possible for you to cease to sin, and sin is the transgression of the law. (The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, vol. 71, no.35, p.1, 8/28/1894)To be redeemed means to cease from sin. (The Advent Review and Sabbath…
  - 9 days ago, 9 May 12, 5:47pm -
• Random Apostasies and Heresies
  It’s that time again to expose the stuff I’ve found in the news since my last Random post.  Sometimes this stuff can really be discouraging and frustrating to learn, but someone has to expose these false teachers and false teachings for what t…
  - 14 days ago, 4 May 12, 7:29pm -
• International House of Prayer
  I’m just beginning to type up the notes I took at the St. Louis Conference on Biblical Discernment, which was held April 19-21.  I have decided to post them as I finish them.  This is the first workshop class we attended.IHOP notes from Kei…
  - 15 days ago, 3 May 12, 8:34pm -
• The Non-Virgin Virgin Mary of Mormonism
  According to LDS teachings, Mary was like every other person on earth; she originated as a spirit-child of Heavenly Father and one of his wives.  Then, after she was on earth and betrothed to Joseph, Heavenly Father had sexual relations with her t…
  - 16 days ago, 2 May 12, 6:21pm -
• An Interaction With Some Atheists
  This past week I was asked by a reader to engage in a comment string about Mormonism on an internet news source.  The topic was Mitt Romney’s presidential bid, and how the LDS is not a Christian church.  Two atheists decided to join in condemni…
  - 17 days ago, 1 May 12, 8:57pm -
• Random Apostasies and Heresies
  Things have been collecting because I spent a few days at the St. Louis Conference on Biblical Discernment.  This biennial event was as good as ever, and I learned lots of good stuff!  Teaching discernment is what my blog is about, especially with…
  - 25 days ago, 24 Apr 12, 1:32am -
• Some Interesting Thoughts About Worship Issues
  These are just some citations I copied down many years ago because they made me think.  I was going to make a collection of this type of citation, but I decided there would be too much work writing them all out (before I had a computer) so I just ke…
  - 31 days ago, 17 Apr 12, 9:07pm -

Flatland Apologetics

• Line em' up
  In taking a few months off in blogging, I was somewhat surprised at a couple of atheist comments that I received.  One of the comments made the point that my apologetics were no different than rehashed Josh McDowell arguments.  Evidently, this per…
  - 3 Jan 12, 11:49pm -
• Bell's Hell - Another look at "Love Wins"
  Much has been said about Rob Bell's controversial book "Love Wins."  Also, much has changed recently for Rob Bell, as he is now moving out of pastoring a mega-church to do more writing and concentrating on various speaking engagements.  In reviewin…
  - 2 Jan 12, 10:25pm -
• Dr. Jeffress, Mormonism and dialogue
  A few weeks back,  Dr. Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas caused a stir by calling the Mormon religion a cult before the national media.  Was this the correct avenue to take?  I took a survey shortly after Jeffress statemen…
  - 28 Oct 11, 8:20pm -
• Die for a lie?
  One of the arguments given for the Christian faith deals with the statement that individuals would not be willing to die for a lie.  In general this is true, but many recognize that this argument by itself is incomplete.  Besides, couldn't any reli…
  - 26 Sep 11, 11:07pm -
• Apologetics in the church
  Here is a great article from a former professor of mine.An Apologist in Every ChurchPosted on December 21, 2010 by clayjones It is my heartfelt contention that every church in the world needs an apologist. Here’s why I say that. I have found that…
  - 16 Aug 11, 11:30pm -
• L killers of Church
  In a previous blog, I wrote concerning 10 reasons why the church is broken.  I'm sure many reasons exist that hinder God's people, but believe that three main reasons are wreaking havoc upon the Church of the West.LiberalismLiberalism can be viewed…
  - 15 Aug 11, 2:08pm -
• A personal note
  Flatland Apologetics will soon be moving; moving to another state that is.  Flatland Apologetics is a personal ministry that was started in the high plains of Northwest Kansas.  My family and I will now be moving to the Northwest; Washington State…
  - 9 Aug 11, 8:30pm -
• The benefits of doubt
  The apostle Thomas is most commonly known as "doubting Thomas."  Poor Thomas, is almost looked at in a negative light for that one incident of doubt.  Even though Thomas doubted, it was not a negative that impaired his entire life.  In fact,…
  - 6 Aug 11, 4:43pm -
• Is baptism necessary for salvation? - Closing statement
  Thanks to both Jacob and James for their willingness to debate this issue.  I hope the arguments have been thought provoking from both sides.  I appreciate both opponents willingness to debate the issues in a respectful manner.  And now,  the…
  - 28 Jul 11, 5:44pm -
• Wishful thinking
  In his article, Religion as a Black Market for Irrationality, Sam Harris lays out his case against religious belief. [1]  It must be noted that two other articles tie in to this one, which I hope to address in coming blogs.  These articles are of…
  - 27 Jul 11, 5:13pm -

Extreme Theology