Latest Posts

• The Good Book Blog

  Did the Apostle Thomas Die as a Martyr?

  Sean McDowell — June 01, 2016

  In my last post, I evaluated the tradition that the apostle Thomas ministered in India. While the evidence for Thomas in India is not as strong as for Peter and Paul in Rome, it is at least probable that he founded the church in India. But did Thomas die as a martyr?

• The Good Book Blog

  Did the Apostle Thomas Minister in India?

  Sean McDowell — May 30, 2016

  In my recent book The Fate of the Apostles, I examine the evidence the apostles of Jesus died as martyrs. Because the evidence is early and consistent, there is widespread agreement that Peter, Paul, and both James died as martyrs. But scholars are much more divided over the tradition surrounding “doubting” Thomas. Did he really make it to India, as tradition suggests, and die there as a martyr? ...

• Biola News

  Biola Alumni Releases Documentary on Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

  Film reveals training behind an elite group of soldiers chosen to guard The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery

  Daryn Daniels — May 29, 2016

  On Memorial Day, three Biola University alumni released the documentary film “The Unknowns.” The film follows the training of the Sentinels, a...

• Biola News

  Congratulations, Biola University Class of 2016!

  Leading advocate for religious freedom, Paul Marshall, gives commencement address

  Jenna Loumagne — May 27, 2016

  Nearly 1,000 students graduated from Biola University today — more than 200 graduate students and more than 750 undergraduate students. Hudson...

• The Good Book Blog

  Philosophical Challenges in the Doctrine of the Atonement

  William Lane Craig — May 27, 2016

  In a recent Q&A, you mentioned "a theory of the atonement involving as an essential aspect the satisfaction of God's justice faces stiff philosophical challenges, which I hope eventually to address". I suspect I am not alone in excitedly anticipating the completion of your research! In the meantime, would you be able to summarize these challenges? I am certain this would be of significant interest to all your readers, especially those of us who are engaged in Philosophical Theology.

• Biola News

  Biola Counseling Center Expands Influence with APA Accreditation

  Accreditation distinguishes Biola Counseling Center as sought-after doctoral internship site

  Kathryn Toombs — May 24, 2016

  In May, the Biola Counseling Center (BCC) received accreditation with the American Psychological Association (APA) — a mark that increases the BCC...

• Biola News

  Biola Music Alumnus Louima Lilite Receives Distinguished Teaching Award

  Biola alumnus Louima Lilite (‘99) received the Distinguished Teaching Award at Oklahoma Baptist University

  Emma Bassett — May 23, 2016

  Biola alumnus Louima Lilite (‘99) received the Distinguished Teaching Award at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU). This award, presented on May 13,...

• The Good Book Blog

  Should Experience Trump Scripture?

  Sean McDowell — May 23, 2016

  In my recent book The Beauty of Intolerance, my father and I discuss how a new view of tolerance has crept its way into the church. One powerful way this is seen is how an increasing number of Christians approach Scripture. For instance, in his book God and the Gay Christian, Matthew Vines begins by affirming the final authority of scripture on questions of morality and doctrine.[1] And yet when Vines discovered his own same-sex attraction, his perspective began to change based on his personal experience. Now he has become an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights within the church, and his goal is to lead a movement to convince Christians that they can affirm the full authority of scripture and also affirm committed, monogamous same-sex relationships ...

• Biola News

  How to Combat Stress: A Psychology Professor Shares Tips

  April was National Stress Awareness Month, and with graduation right around the corner, college seniors understand why

  James O'Hearn — May 20, 2016

  At the end of the month, nearly 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students will walk across a stage at Biola University — a symbolic and...

• The Good Book Blog

  God’s Love and Justice in Contradiction?

  William Lane Craig — May 20, 2016

  Dr. Craig, Your ministry has radically changed my life. As a direct result of your arguments and debates, I went from a nihilist to a staunch Christian. However, I have encountered a problem with the ontological argument. Is there a contradiction between perfect justice and perfect mercy in a maximally great being? The way I have seen this objection posed is that the Christian God is just and merciful. Mercy is defined as the suspension of justice. Thus there is a contradiction. I have also seen the argument being put as perfect justice is giving everyone what they're due, and perfect mercy is giving some people less than what they're due. Is this objection as crushing as its proponents make it out to be? ...

• The Good Book Blog

  Theological Anthropology

  Ryan Peterson — May 18, 2016

  Christian anthropologies have been of vital importance throughout the history of the church because at each point in history there are cultural assumptions and philosophical perspectives about the nature of humanity that call the gospel into question, that question God’s Lordship, humanity’s servanthood, and their genuine fellowship in Jesus Christ. To maintain a biblical understanding of salvation, Christians have needed to emphasize humanity’s existence as embodied and as spiritual, as moved by intellect and by desire, as motivated by the will and as motivated by habitual acts that shape the will. These realities of human existence have been uncovered as theologians have thought through the logic of the gospel and its proclamation in their context ...

• Biola News

  Tenth Tour Stop Brings Biola’s Campaign to the Pacific Northwest

  Event draws local alumni and raises more than $92,000 toward campaign

  Cambria Aviles — May 18, 2016

  On Saturday, May 7, Biola University hosted the tenth stop of the Campaign National Tour in Seattle, Wash. More than 120 local alumni, parents and...

• Biola News

  Art Professors Release New Books

  Kurt Simonson releases first photobook; Jonathan Anderson releases book on modern art and theology

  Daryn Daniels — May 17, 2016

  Art professors Kurt Simonson (’00) and Jonathan Anderson (’00) are sharing pieces of their personal journeys through two different approaches in...

• The Good Book Blog

  What is Theology?

  Erik Thoennes — May 16, 2016

  The study of theology is considered by many to be dry, boring, irrelevant, and complicated. But for those who want to know God, the study of theology is indispensable. The word “theology” comes from two Greek words, theos (“God”) and logos (“word”). The study of theology is an effort to make definitive statements about God and his implications in an accurate, coherent, relevant way, based on God’s self-revelations. Doctrine equips people to fulfill their primary purpose, which is to glorify and delight in God through a deep personal knowledge of him. Meaningful relationship with God is dependent on correct knowledge of him ...

• Biola News

  New Provost Announced

  Deborah L. Taylor named to university’s second-ranking position

  Brenda Velasco — May 16, 2016

  Biola University President Barry H. Corey announced on May 16, 2016 the appointment of Deborah L. Taylor to the position of Provost and Senior...

• Biola News

  San Francisco Event Boosts Biola’s National Campaign Tour Momentum

  Campaign exceeds $170 million mark; on track to reach the finish line

  Cambria Aviles — May 16, 2016

  On April 16, the Campaign National Tour closed out it’s ninth event with an evening in San Francisco, Calif. Biola University President Barry H....

• The Good Book Blog

  Problems with Paul

  William Lane Craig — May 13, 2016

  Question I read your response to the person who responded to Jesus and disliked Paul. I too find myself in this position and was surprised that you found it difficult to figure out why somebody would object to Paul who is drawn to Christ. Jesus is filled with incredible love power mercy and grace and humility. Paul is full of well, Paul. He says he doesn't boast then boasts. I can't imagine Jesus approved of his rules for helping widows (or that any actual widow would make the cut and receive help.) Despite all of the efforts made to defend him he is obviously no fan of women and he worries far too much what other people think. So much so that he is willing to act like a phony to convert them. And whenever you go to church and meet a modern day Pharisees if you ask them a couple questions they always turn out to be really Paul focused. In fact the lack of Christ-like love in the American church and the eagerness to point out other people's sins seems to come from this guy because it's definitely not coming from Christ. I would love for you to finish answering your question and address the issues that most people have with Paul that it seems like you must be aware of. Thanks! ...

• Biola News

  Student-Led Groups Support the Fight Against Cancer

  Biola’s Love Your Melon Campus Crew and Colleges Against Cancer chapter work to provide hope for those hurting from cancer

  Daryn Daniels — May 13, 2016

  Biola University students are helping support the fight against cancer through different on-campus organizations like the Love Your Melon Campus...

• Biola News

  From Second Baseman to Pitcher: McCarrell Pushes Biola Baseball to Postseason

  After a slow start, Biola Baseball makes a statement after first tournament berth since 2012

  Drew Mattocks — May 12, 2016

  Sean McCarrell may be one of the most fun pitchers to watch on the Biola Baseball team due to his unorthodox pitching method, but before he was...

• Biola News

  From Second Base to Pitcher: McCarrell Pushes Biola Baseball to Postseason

  After a slow start, Biola Baseball seeks to make a statement after first tournament berth since 2012

  Drew Mattocks — May 12, 2016

  Sean McCarrell may be one of the most fun pitchers to watch on the Biola Baseball team due to his unorthodox pitching method, but before he was...

• The Good Book Blog

  5 Tips for Young Apologists

  Sean McDowell — May 11, 2016

  It seems strange to be writing a blog with advice for young apologists. After all, I still think of myself as young! There are many “seasoned” apologists I turn to for advice and direction that are much older and more experienced than me (don’t worry, dad, I won’t mention any names!). But since I’m turning 40 this May, I do have some insights for younger apologists that I have learned along the way ...

• The Good Book Blog

  ¡Gracias Mamá!

  Octavio Esqueda — May 07, 2016

  Ser mamá es uno de los más grandes privilegios, honores y responsabilidades en esta vida. El amor de una madre por sus hijos trasciende el entendimiento y supera cualquier otra expresión de cariño. Por todos es conocida la figura de una “madre abnegada” que da todo por sus hijos sin esperar nada a cambio. A pesar de su amor desinteresado es triste que como hijos y como sociedad en general tomemos este amor por sentado y no lo apreciemos como deberíamos. Qué bueno que podemos celebrar el día de las madres para honrar su servicio y legado en nuestras vidas. Lo malo es que no tengamos la tendencia a reconocer su esfuerzo durante todo el año y celebremos también sus vidas como mujeres que tienen sueños y dones más allá de su labor como madres ...

• The Good Book Blog

  Resurrection Appearances in the Longer Ending of Mark

  William Lane Craig — May 06, 2016

  Dr. Craig, I am Brazilian and doing research on the historical Jesus found some articles written by you. I confess that I was surprised with the gift that God gave you to explain and argue about Christ. The reason of writing it is in respect of a doubt that is messing with my faith and Jesus Christ. I am a servant of our Lord Jesus as a child, but for some time, many questions have taken my mind, which meant I started researching the Bible and the gospel writers. With this research, I found that the Bible contains several flaws, but nothing that came to shake my faith ...

• Biola News

  Center for Marriage and Relationships Expands Influence

  Sold-out conference highlights need for marriage mentoring in churches

  Kathryn Toombs — May 06, 2016

  Since its inception, Biola’s Center for Marriage and Relationships (CMR) has received a tremendous amount of positive response from the community,...

• The Good Book Blog

  What Does a Swastika Mean to Me?

  Rick Langer — May 05, 2016

  In light of Holocaust Remembrance Week and Holocaust Remembrance Day on May 5, professor Rick Langer shares what a swastika means to him. ... Likewise, the swastika, the twisted cross, is a distillation of all of Nazism. It proclaims “racial purity” and narratives of “supermen” and “lives unworthy of living.” Its jagged arms encompass a thousand crimes both large and small, and circumscribe many million corpses, named and unnamed, which lie in graves across the continent of Europe. But the swastika has also etched a personal meaning into countless souls. Some of these souls whisper stories from their graves, but others still walk among us. And for some, myself included, the stories of our fathers and mothers have been etched into our souls as well ...