Elias Ayala

Consider the Evidence Book Review

Consider the Evidence: A Trial Lawyer Examines the Eyewitnesses in Defense of the Reliability of the New Testament – An Apologist’s Thoughts As an apologist, I deal frequently with evidence and argumentation. The Christian is bombarded with objection after objection to the faith such that evidence and argumentation becomes very important. Unfortunately, the average Christian is ill-equipped to deal with such things and so they often retreat into silence and timidity. However, this need not be the case. The Christian position can be thoroughly defended; indeed, we are commanded to … Read More »

Postmodernism in the Church: A Hinderance to the Gospel

Postmodernism is a philosophical position in which meta-narratives are denied and hence absolute objective truth is illusory. If objective truth does exist, it is not possible for any one person to attain such a God’s Eye perspective on the world. With the denial of such objective truth, what is then highlighted are the individual sub-narratives of every person. People have their own individual truths or individual narratives all of which are equally valid. Unfortunately, such unbiblical denials of objective truth have infiltrated the church and have greatly hindered the effectiveness … Read More »

Was Jesus a False Prophet?

The longest prophetic utterance of Jesus can be found in what is called the Olivet Discourse. This discourse can be found respectively in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. Many have associated these sections of scripture as referring to events that will usher in the Second Coming of Jesus. Indeed, what precedes the coming of the Son of Man are various “signs” of the times, which are to indicate that the time is “near”. Many have sought to interpret these texts with a newspaper in one hand, and an … Read More »

What are the Communicable and Incommunicable Attributes of God?

The Bible teaches that man is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). To some extent we are similar to God in that we have certain similarities with him although they are to a lesser degree. For instance, man has knowledge and God has knowledge, but God’s knowledge is greater given that he is an omniscient being; that is to say that God knows all things. Man can love but God’s love is greater and purer given that he is also holy, good, and without sin. God is a … Read More »

Diffusing Alleged Contradictions in the Bible

Amongst the common attacks upon the Bible is the oft repeated claim that the Bible is hopelessly contradictory. That is to say, that there are statements or propositions of scripture that are logically incompatible with one another. The examples are legion, from the apparent two creation accounts in Genesis 1 & 2, to the number of women who visited the tomb of Jesus within the Gospel accounts. The claim usually comes in the following form: The Bible is contradictory and unreliable, and so there is no reason to believe that … Read More »

How Do I Keep a Discussion with an Unbeliever on Topic?

Anyone engaged in apologetics will understand how difficult it can be to stay on topic. Depending on who you are talking with, the conversation can go in a number of directions. Christians engaging with Jehovah’s Witnesses for instance, tend to make the mistake of focusing on non-essential issues that have no ultimate significance as it relates to where the JW and the Christian disagree. This same mistake is done when talking with atheists. The Christian can chase red herrings and run-down rabbit holes while missing key points and opportunities throughout … Read More »

How Do You Defend the Faith When You Can’t Use Scripture?

This question was asked at an apologetics conference I had spoken at. It is a common question given the fact that many skeptics will not accept any statement of scripture as being part of an argument for the Christian position. They will say something along the lines of: “You can’t use the Bible to prove the Bible”. At this point, the Christian will often scramble to marshal various facts from secular history and science in order to formulate a response to the skeptic. I can sympathize with the believer who … Read More »

The Folly of Atheism

The Bible says that the “Fool says in his heart that there is no God” (Psalm 14:1). This fact is continuously demonstrated to me as I reflect upon my interactions with atheists. I have heard all sorts of silly responses to the arguments for God’s existence and the truth of the Bible. While it is not the case that all atheists believe or say the same things, here are a few of the comments that have been thrown around throughout the course of my many interactions: 1) It is impossible … Read More »

Does Justification by Faith Alone Lead to Moral Laziness?

It has been a concern throughout history that the belief in justification by faith alone leads to a sort of moral laziness. It has been argued that because one is saved by faith alone independent of our moral actions, people would become lazy in doing what is right given the fact that salvation is not based upon what we “do”. Indeed, the Apostle Paul asked this very question. Consider Romans 5:20-21 when Paul says, “Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all … Read More »

Were Adam & Eve Created Immortal?

Many believe that Adam was created by God with inherent immortality until he ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Although Eve was deceived by the serpent first, Adam took of the fruit and hence plunged mankind into the bondage of sin and death. However, an interesting question arises concerning the nature of Adam and Eve prior to eating the forbidden fruit. Did Adam and Eve have the intrinsic ability within their created nature to live forever? Or was their living forever contingent upon their access … Read More »