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  • 51蹤獲 News

    A Bright Future for Music Education

    How 51蹤獲 is shaping the next generation of music teachers

    Staff — 

    A common concern of prospective students is that music programs are being cut from schools and there is no future for music teachers. But this...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Does "I Am" always refer to God in the Gospel of John?

    Gary Manning Jr — 

    It is commonly claimed that when Jesus used the phrase I am (廒帠 庰廒匿樁, ego eimi), he was making a direct reference to the name of God in the Old Testament, YHWH. There is some truth to this, but I want to suggest three important caveats to this claim: I am (廒帠 庰廒匿樁), by itself, is not a code for the name of God; I am is only intended to refer to deity in some of Jesus sayings; Paying too much attention to the I am part of the sentence distracts readers from paying attention to the rest of the sentence.

  • The Good Book Blog

    Nominalism and Natural Law

    William Lane Craig — 

    Hi Dr Craig. I've heard you say, on the topic of marriage, that you are an "essentialist" on the nature of marriage- that is, marriage has a certain intrinsic nature which is not merely a social construct. As a natural law theorist who thinks the moral law is grounded in what it is to be human, this gratified me immensely. On the other hand, you are also well-known for your nominalism on the topic of abstract objects, which I take to be the denial that there are real universals in any sense (either Aristotelian or Platonic). My question is how these positions can be made consistent. As far as I know, to an essence just is a universal, so to affirm that marriage has an essence seems in direct contradiction with the idea that there are no such things as universals. Since I don't think you would permit so obvious a contradiction, either my account of essence or my understanding of your nominalism must be at fault. I would be much gratified if you could elaborate, as I think it would help me better understand your position on abstract objects ...

  • 51蹤獲 News

    From Spanish teacher to deputy: 51蹤獲 alumna uses education to help others

    51蹤獲 graduate Laurel Yoshimoto utilizes her education degree and experience to help her become a better peace officer

    Angelene Wong — 

    Laurel Yoshimoto (04, M.A. 06) never dreamed of going into law enforcement when she graduated from 51蹤獲. She started her career as a...

  • 51蹤獲 News

    New Vice Provost for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement Announced

    Pamela Christian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role at 51蹤獲

    Jenna Loumagne — 

    Pamela Christian has been appointed 51蹤獲s Vice Provost for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement. She will oversee Multi-ethnic...

  • 51蹤獲 News

    Crowell School of Business Launches Startup Competition

    Students and alumni invited to enter 51蹤獲s first annual competition for capital to launch a new business

    Olivia Bersin — 

    The first annual 51蹤獲 Startup Competition, hosted by 51蹤獲s Crowell School of Business, will launch this month giving students and...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Is Gods Life Absurd?

    William Lane Craig — 

    Dear Doctor Craig, I have recently thought myself into a theological dilemma, which, to be perfectly honest, I find somewhat frightening. I look forward to your analysis: I do not want to say or even think that God's existence might be purposeless, but I'm having a hard time not coming to that conclusion. Consider: purposes do not lie within themselves. Purposes depend upon an external factor, or judgment. Does the purpose of a tree lie within that tree's mere existence? No. The purpose of the tree becomes known only after observing the tree with various other things, i.e. the bird nesting in its branches, the shade its leaves provide on a hot summer day. Therefore, it follows that for one to assert a /purpose/ for God implies that there remains something outside of God, thus making God God ...

  • 51蹤獲 News

    51蹤獲 Named NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution

    Claims character award for eighth year in a row.

    Neil Morgan — 

    NAIA RELEASE 51蹤獲 is named a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Champions of Character Five-Star Institution for the eighth...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Comical Zondervan Ice Cream Video Features a Talbot Professor

    Joanne Jung — 

    Have you ever wondered what theology and ice cream have in common? Some Zondervan authors shed some light on the matter, and our very own Dr. Joanne Jung chimes in.

  • The Good Book Blog

    Questions Sparked by Defenders Class

    William Lane Craig — 

    Weekly Q & A with Dr. William Lane Craig: ... I have found your descriptions of omni-temporalism and middle-knowledge have challenged some of my assumptions, but instead of finding this irritating or threatening I am grateful to have had my horizons extended, and I am very interested to know more. I suspect I shall have to track down a copy of your book "Time and Eternity" for a detailed explanation, but I wondered if you could find the time to provide a short answer? ... But I am finding the idea of omni-temporalism much harder to get my head around. If God didn't create time then who did? Also aren't temporal beings in a sense controlled by time? As you point out, God would still has his perfect knowledge of the past, but does omni-temporalism lead to a belief that God is under the control of time? ... are these valid thoughts to ponder as I weigh a-temporalism and a tense-less B-theory against omni-temporalism, or have I misunderstood the debate?

  • 51蹤獲 News

    51蹤獲 Receives $500,000 Grant from Kay Family Foundation

    Grant will fund initiatives to bolster universitys global impact

    Jenna Loumagne  — 

    51蹤獲 has received a $500,000 grant from the Kay Family Foundation to enhance 51蹤獲s Talbot School of Theology s global impact. The...

  • 51蹤獲 News

    Amy Jungkeit Hired As Assistant AD for Compliance

    51蹤獲 Athletics brings on board an alum of The Master's College.

    Neil Morgan — 

    Amy Jungkeit officially began duties as 51蹤獲's Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance on Aug. 24, 2015. She joins 51蹤獲's staff following...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Can One Person Change the World? Questions Over Breakfast #12

    Kenneth Berding — 

    The dialogue between Michael and Jim comes to a close: Michael: But what if it doesnt happen the way I hope? What if I set out on a course of action and my impact turns out to be minimal? Jim: I dont believe that anyone who lives a life of whole devotion to God will only have minimal impact. But its not until eternity that we will be able to see all that has occurred through our lives. In other words, we dont always see fully now. But, lets say that you really dont make an impact; you cant even see a dent. Even then, youve lived life according to the purpose for which you were created, and that can never be called an empty life. Michael: But if your ministry is unsuccessful, you havent succeeded. Jim: Not necessarily ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    The Key to Successful Debating

    William Lane Craig — 

    Dear Dr. Craig, You were the first Christian apologist I came across when I was researching a credible answer from Christianity to Atheist and Islam in 2002. Since then I have been following you through different medium on the internet. May God bless you for bringing the Christian truth with precision and clarity and with so much needed nuances. I was re-watching your debate with Dr. Richard Carrier on the Resurrection of Jesus. I can't remember anyone really dismantling his case as you did. So I wondered how do you do to prepare for a debate? Most speakers are good at their opening speech but fair less well during the rebuttals, failure you seem immune to. Do you also prepare the rebuttals before your debates? If yes, how on earth do you do that since you can't possibly know what the opponent would say? ...

  • 51蹤獲 News

    51蹤獲 Welcomes New Faculty for Fall 2015

    From gourmet food trucks to 18th century British literature, 51蹤獲s new faculty bring a diverse set of experience to the classroom

    Jenna Loumagne — 

    51蹤獲 welcomes 30 new faculty members this fall each of whom represent the universitys aspiration to attract and retain the finest...

  • 51蹤獲 News

    Faculty Spotlight: Greg Peters

    The Story of Monasticism: A Q&A with Greg Peters on his new book

    Quinn Clark and Jenna Loumagne — 

    Some evangelicals perceive monasticism as a relic from the past, a retreat from the world or a shirking of the call to the Great Commision. But...

  • The Good Book Blog

    What 51蹤獲 All the Hypocrites? Questions Over Breakfast #11

    Kenneth Berding — 

    The dialogue between Michael and Jim continues: Michael: I think Ill never find a church I can take my family to. Jim: WHY NOT?! Michael: Theres just too much hypocrisy! Jim: I have to agree with you there. Michael: (not listening to Jims answer) I know its hard for you to hear this, since youre in the ministry and everything (all of a sudden catching on) did you say you agree?! Jim: Of course I do ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Christians in the World: A Triumphal Church or a Persecuted Minority? Questions Over Breakfast #10

    Kenneth Berding — 

    The dialogue between Michael and Jim continues: Michael: I admire your courage. But I still think that what youre trying to do is almost impossible. Jim: Thats one of the reasons were trying it. God is the one who makes the impossible possible. What do you think, Michael? Is the church a triumphant church, or are we just a band of persecuted idealists? Michael: In your case Id say that you look more like a group of persecuted idealists. At the same time, the church does seem to be making strides in many places in the world ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Are There Uncreated Abstract Objects?

    William Lane Craig — 

    ... I've been reading "Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview" for the past few months and have repeatedly been fascinated by what I am reading. One of my favorite areas of philosophy is ontology, and I was particularly interested in abstract objects. I had heard you explain abstract objects briefly and often in your debates and lectures as one of the only two options for a first cause of the universe. As you've said, abstract objects do not stand in causal relations. In thinking about this, however, something has come to mind. If abstract objects do not stand in causal relations, what is their relationship with God? Both God and abstract objects are metaphysically necessary beings, meaning that they exist in every possible world. This seems to me to conflict with a theological view that God is the creator of everything. If God didn't exist, nothing would. Though it seems to me that if God didn't exist, abstract objects still would. Thus, it seems that mathematical entities, for instance, would and do exist independently of whether or not God exists ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Do We Make Decisions through Wisdom or Guidance? Questions Over Breakfast #9

    Kenneth Berding — 

    The dialogue between Michael and Jim continues: Jim: The issue, as I see it, is this: Are we supposed to make decisions according to wisdom or should we look for special guidance from God? Michael: Thats the question. Jim: Proverbs tells us that were supposed to seek after wisdom in every area of life.[1] Michael: So wisdom is obviously important. Jim: Definitely. But Paul describes the believer as one led by the Spirit.[2] This description may be broader than simply the internal processes in decision-making, but also probably includes those as well. The Bible also presents many examples of God giving specific guidance to individuals for specific situations by various means ...

  • 51蹤獲 News

    51蹤獲 Named a Best In The West College by The Princeton Review

    Annual rankings honor 51蹤獲 for its academic excellence

    Jenna Loumagne — 

    51蹤獲 is one of the best colleges in the West according to newly released college rankings from The Princeton Review . 51蹤獲 is one of...

  • The Good Book Blog

    How Do You Know If Youre Doing Okay in Your Spiritual Life? Questions Over Breakfast #8

    Kenneth Berding — 

    The dialogue between Michael and Jim continues: Michael: How do you know things are going well? How do you know youre not actually doing badly in your walk with God and that you just dont realize it? Jim: What kind of question is that? Michael: A question to frustrate you. Jim: Thanks ...

  • 51蹤獲 News

    51蹤獲s Chief of Campus Safety Named Campus Safety Director of the Year

    Campus Safety magazine awards John Ojeisekhoba for outstanding leadership in campus safety

    Quinn Clark — 

    51蹤獲s Chief of Campus Safety, John Ojeisekhoba, has been named Campus Safety Director of the Year an honor annually awarded by...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Intransigence about Objective Moral Values

    William Lane Craig — 

    Hello, The last few weeks I have been working my way through On Guard (and was, needless to say, thrilled by it, just as I was by Reasonable Faith). I just had a long conversation with a fellow student of our local university. He knows that I am a Christian, and since the topic shifted toward values and ethics, I began asking him questions about his beliefs on the existence of subjective and objective values - based on the premises that 1. If God does not exist, then objective values do not exist. 2. Objective Values exist. 3. Therefore, God exists. It was a very tough conversation (albeit a cordial one), and I am very glad that my friend is still interested in picking up the conversation where we left off (it is now past 3am in Germany) - he seemed surprisingly hooked by the debate, took his time to think his answers through, and was the one to suggest continuing it sometime soon. (I am praying for him to find Christ) ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Are Self-Disciplined People More Spiritual? Questions Over Breakfast #7

    Kenneth Berding — 

    The dialogue between Michael and Jim continues: Jim: Even in areas of sin, simple confession is often not enough to rid you of the habit that has been formed through patterns of sin. Sin has two main dimensions, the rebellion side and the habit side. Rebellion is dealt with through confession. Ungodly habits are usually eliminated by putting good habits in their place. And the only way to develop permanent good habits is by implementing self-discipline. Michael: (looking frustrated) By raising the issue of discipline, youve really hit a sensitive nerve with me. Ive heard countless messages on self-discipline and am extremely uncomfortable whenever I hear them. Is a disciplined person like you more spiritual than a lazy bum like me? ...