Latest Posts (In 2013)
Posted: Sunday 29 December 2013 ( 11 years ago )
114 Bible-based New Year's Resolutions for 2014
The Christian Post has an article suggesting 10 Bible-based New Year's resolutions for 2014. And I think that's a wonderful idea. So wonderful, in fact, that I thought I'd try to help them out with that. Here is a list of 114 ways to apply the Bible ...
Posted: Tuesday 10 December 2013 ( 11 years ago )
The LDS church finally admits it was wrong about race. (So it now rejects its own scriptures.)
The LDS church has finally confessed. It admits that it was wrong about race from the church's beginning in 1830 until 1978 when God changed his mind about black people.
Here is what the new document "Race and the Priesthood" says about it:
Today, ...
Posted: Thursday 05 December 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Smashing little ones against stones: Putting Psalm 137:9 in context
I'm often accused of taking things out of context. And sometimes, I suppose, I'm guilty of that. But generally if I fail to adequately consider the context of a biblical text, the context makes a seemingly bad passage even worse. Psalm 137:9 is a g ...
Posted: Wednesday 04 December 2013 ( 11 years ago )
The two wives of Yahweh: Aholah and Aholibah
There's a strange story in Ezekiel 23 about two sisters, Aholah and Aholibah. It is a story that is seldom told by Bible believers. And that's a shame, since it sheds so much light upon God's biblical plan for marriage.
Aholah and Aholibah were s ...
Posted: Wednesday 27 November 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Pope Francis: Islam and the Quran are opposed to every form of violence
In his first apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium ("The Joy of the Gospel"), Pope Francis pontificates about Islam.
Here's what he said in paragraph 253.
Faced with disconcerting episodes of violent fundamentalism, our respect for true followe ...
Posted: Wednesday 20 November 2013 ( 11 years ago )
The Poverty and Justice Bible: Another exercise in dishonesty
20 Nov 13 Note: Back in January of 2009, after President Obama took the oath of office (without a Bible), the Evangelical Alliance sent him a copy of "the poverty and justice bible." Now the American Bible Society is sending copies of the same edit ...
Posted: Monday 18 November 2013 ( 11 years ago )
The Skeptic's Annotated "Noah" trailer
...
Posted: Saturday 16 November 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Drunk With Blood: Audiobook preview
Well, we're finally back from our cross-country road trip. I'll put up a few more pictures (I'll even include one of Steve Weeks!) and tell you about our adventures in a later post. Until then, I thought I'd let you preview the first few chapters of ...
Posted: Wednesday 06 November 2013 ( 11 years ago )
On the road with the SAB: Palmyra, New York -- the birthplace of Mormonism
After Philip subbed for me at the Magnet Theater in New York City, we headed west toward Palmyra, New York -- the birthplace of Mormonism. We started with a guided tour of the Grandin Printing Shop, where the Book of Mormon was first printed in 1830 ...
Posted: Wednesday 06 November 2013 ( 11 years ago )
On the road with the SAB: The Magnet Theater in New York City
Steve was sick, so I filled in. The show will be up next week, but an audience member tagged me in this photo:
Here's the link.
...
Posted: Friday 01 November 2013 ( 11 years ago )
On the road with the SAB: Red Top Mountain and A. H. Stephens State Parks
As I mentioned back in August, Skeptic's Annotated Bibles were placed in cottages rented by the Georgia state parks. So since Philip and I were on our way to New York, and since Georgia is (sort of) on the way, we decided to visit the parks that ag ...
Posted: Thursday 31 October 2013 ( 11 years ago )
On the road with the SAB: Arkansas to Alabama
After the Reason in the Rock convention was over, Philip and I headed east through Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama, passing what must be the highest density of Baptist and Pentecostal churches in the entire world. As we drove we listened to the r ...
Posted: Friday 27 September 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Brucker's ASAB -- and was Jesus the (7th generation) son of a son of a bastard?
Some of you may recall Brucker's Bad News Bears post, which was a Christian response to God's 103rd killing. It is still the only response (after nearly four years) that I've had to my challenge to Christians, though I often get general excuses whic ...
Posted: Thursday 12 September 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Isaiah 17 and the non-prophet Muhammad
I suppose many Christians are disappointed now that Isaiah 17 is just another failed prophecy. Kerry and Putin have ruined everything for them. Now they won't be able to watch while God burns to death everyone in Damascus, with God himself lighting ...
Posted: Thursday 12 September 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Isaiah 17 and the non-prophet Muhammad
I suppose many Christians are disappointed now that Isaiah 17 is just another failed prophecy. Kerry and Putin have ruined everything for them. Now they won't be able to watch while God burns to death everyone in Damascus, with God himself lighting ...
Posted: Monday 02 September 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Call me Ishi
That's what God wants you to call him. He said so in the Bible.
It shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi. Hosea 2:16
If you call him "Ishi" (hubsand), he'll make a covenant with the beasts, fowls, and creeping things. ...
Posted: Thursday 22 August 2013 ( 11 years ago )
The Dragons of God
There's a new book out about dragons called Dragons or Dinosaurs? by Derek Isaacs.
It turns out that the dragons that are so often mentioned in the Bible are real after all! Here's what Mr. Isaacs says about them:
The Old Testament scribes wro ...
Posted: Monday 19 August 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Herman Cain doubts that anyone will want to relax on their vacation while reading The Skeptics Annotated Bible
I never thought I'd see the day when the SAB was mentioned by Herman Cain. But it happened today.
Mr. Cain wrote an article in The Canada Free Press about the Gideon vs. Skeptic's Annotated Bible competition that is now taking place in Georgia's ...
Posted: Wednesday 14 August 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Skeptic's Annotated Bibles to be placed in Georgia State Parks today!
We have donated 100 copies of the Skeptic's Annotated Bible to be placed in the cabins in two Georgia State Parks this afternoon.
Ed Buckner (former president of the American Atheists) is placing them in Red Top Mountain State Park and A.H. Stephen ...
Posted: Friday 09 August 2013 ( 11 years ago )
The Spirit of God came upon him and he stripped off all his clothes
Sometimes, to really get God’s attention, a prophet just has to get naked. At least that’s the way it worked for Saul.
The story begins with Saul being plagued by an evil spirit from God.
And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul. 1 S ...
Posted: Saturday 03 August 2013 ( 11 years ago )
I am the one who knocks
Or if you prefer the Bible to Breaking Bad, the title of this post could be: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Revelation 3:20
But whatever you call it, it was a complete disaster.
Here's what happened.
We packed the car with SABs an ...
Posted: Friday 02 August 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Mom and Dad! The atheists are at the door again.
A few months ago I announced our intention to go door to door with the Skeptic's Annotated Bible. So I figure it's time to tell you how that went.
The short answer is, unfortunately, not so well.
There's a good reason for that, of course. ...
Posted: Saturday 27 July 2013 ( 11 years ago )
God's design for marriage
According to the Bible, what was God's original plan for marriage and how did it changed over time? So I thought I'd try to figure that out. Here's what I came up with.
God's original plan was for Adam to select an animal for a "help meet" ( ...
Posted: Thursday 18 July 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Elisha and the dead boy
I've been busy working on another project lately that involves this Bible story. So I thought I'd share it with you, since I haven't had time for posting lately.
It's about Elisha. You know, the prophet who sent two bears to kill 42 boys for making ...
Posted: Monday 08 July 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Love Wins (Faith Loses)
It was hell that did me in as a Christian. I couldn't believe that my family and friends and billions of other nonbelievers (and religiously incorrect believers) would be tormented forever in hell for their honest disbelief (or their religiously inc ...
Posted: Monday 01 July 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Roy Zimmerman: I want a marriage like they had in the Bible
A few weeks ago, I attended Moscow's sixth (I think) annual Intolerista Wingding that featured Roy Zimmerman. Here's one of the songs that he sang (along with the lyrics and relevant Bible quotes).
I want a marriage like they had in the Bible, be ...
Posted: Monday 01 July 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Nicanor's army: The Almighty being their helper, they slew above nine thousand men
It’s hard to sort out God’s killings in First and Second Machabees. The same stories are often told, but the details are so different that it’s hard to believe they are the same story.
This is the account from 2 Machabees.
King Philip (Demet ...
Posted: Monday 01 July 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Genesis 1-3 and the definition of marriage
In the Bible's first creation story (Genesis 1:1-2:3), God created humans in his own image, male and female.
God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness … So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; ma ...
Posted: Monday 01 July 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Nicanor's army: The Almighty being their helper, they slew above nine thousand men
It’s hard to sort out God’s killings in First and Second Machabees. The same stories are often told, but the details are so different that it’s hard to believe they are the same story.
This is the account from 2 Machabees.
King Philip (De ...
Posted: Monday 24 June 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Can I get an Amen for Jerry DeWitt?
Last October, I was lucky enough to hear Jerry DeWitt speak (preach, actually) at the Freedom From Religion Foundation convention in Porland , Oregon. Iit was an experience I'll never forget. If he'd had an altar call, I'd have gone up.
We need mor ...
Posted: Friday 21 June 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Douglas Wilson: Casting the first (and only) stone
Poor Doug Wilson. He has no one to throw stones with anymore.
Here is what he said in a recent post about the Exodus International affair.
I need to say a quick something about Exodus International shutting down, as they did so with apologies ...
Posted: Saturday 25 May 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Mosiah 22: The escape of the Nephites
Ammon and Lemhi decide to call a meeting of all the people. There was only one order of business: how to deliver themselves out of bondage.
And now it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver t ...
Posted: Wednesday 22 May 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Mosiah 21: The Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage
Poor Limhi couldn't catch a break. After the incident with the stolen Lamanite daughters, he made an agreement with the Lamanite king. Apparently he wasn't specific enough, because soon after the Lamanites were surrounding them on all sides, putting ...
Posted: Friday 17 May 2013 ( 11 years ago )
How many has God killed? Complete list and estimated total (Including Apocryphal killings)
Drunk With Blood Audiobook: Introduction
I kill ... I wound ... I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and mine sword shall devour flesh. -- Deuteronomy 32:39-42
The table shows two numbers: the number given by the Bible, if any, and an estimate ...
Posted: Friday 17 May 2013 ( 11 years ago )
How many has God killed? Complete list and estimated total (Including Apocryphal killings)
Drunk With Blood Audiobook: Introduction
I kill ... I wound ... I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and mine sword shall devour flesh. -- Deuteronomy 32:39-42
The table shows two numbers: the number given by the Bible, if any, and an esti ...
Posted: Tuesday 14 May 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Mosiah 20: Stolen Daughters
In case you missed it, A lot changed last chapter. Limhi is now king, but he is under the rule of the Lamanites, and has to pay them an enormous tribute (1/2 of all their possessions and earnings). Everything was going well for two years, without ...
Posted: Tuesday 14 May 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Hello! My name is Elder Wells
My son, Philip, and I are getting ready (girding our loins, so to speak) for a new project. We don't know what to call it yet, but it's inspired by the Mormon missionaries and Jehovah's Witnesses.
We're going door to door with the Skeptic's Annotat ...
Posted: Saturday 11 May 2013 ( 11 years ago )
Mother's Day: A few good examples from the Bible
Last year, I posted some Bible verses for Mother's Day.
I thought this year I'd try to find a few good examples from the Bible. Here's what I could find.
(Taken from my Good People in the Bible post.)
Hagar
At Sarah and God's insistence, Abraham ...
Posted: Monday 06 May 2013 ( 11 years ago )
When should you kill a prophet?
As I mentioned in my previous post, a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door on Saturday, and, after listening to their chosen verse, I asked them to read Deuteronomy 13:6-10. The young man who read the passage had apparently never read it be ...
Posted: Saturday 04 May 2013 ( 11 years ago )
So the Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door this morning...
They started by saying they'd like to share a few verses from the Bible with me.
I said, "Sure, go ahead."
So one of them started reading this passage:
Beloved ones, let us continue loving one another, because love is from God, and everyone who l ...