Latest Posts

• The Good Book Blog

  Making Apologetics Personal: A Quick Lesson from John 4

  Sean McDowell — August 30, 2017

  It’s no secret that I love apologetics. I love to read apologetics blogs, study apologetics books, and have apologetics conversations. But there is a constant temptation I have to battle that I believe is common among many apologists: the temptation to simply study apologetics but not put it into practice ...

• Biola News

  Biola Welcomes New Faculty for Fall 2017

  17 new faculty members join Biola’s esteemed faculty

  Jenna Loumagne — August 30, 2017

  Biola University welcomes 17 new faculty members this fall — each of whom represent the university’s aspiration to attract and retain the finest...

• The Good Book Blog

  Warfare in the Ancient Near East and the Old Testament 4: Pictures From Friends

  Charlie Trimm — August 29, 2017

  My forthcoming book on warfare in the Ancient Near East and the Old Testament not only has many words, but also about 150 pictures. While ancient Near Eastern texts are somewhat familiar, visual imagery remains unknown for the most part. This is partly due to the difficulties of acquiring permission to print the pictures. Some pictures I was required to buy directly from museums or professional photographers (and so I will not be able to post these pictures online). However, I was also able to acquire pictures for free from three other sources. First, I will show some pictures that were taken by friends ...

• Student Life Blog

  Success is Not Accidental

  Louie Chong — August 28, 2017

  People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan...

• The Good Book Blog

  The Universe Diagnosed: Interview with Author Kris French, M.D.

  Sean McDowell — August 28, 2017

  Recently I had the opportunity to endorse a new book by Kris French, a medical doctor with an expertise in neuro-immunology. While he discusses many of the common arguments for God’s existence in The Universe Diagnosed, he does so uniquely from the perspective as a medic and in a way that is understandable to non-specialists. I think you will enjoy it! But first check out his answers to some of my tough questions about intelligent design, transgenderism, and more ...

• GRIT

  How To Survive the First Day of School

  a blogpost by Celeste Scott

  Celeste Scott — August 28, 2017

  Does anyone remember the opening scene in Finding Nemo? Nemo is bouncing around in his anemone screaming, “First day of school! First day of...

• The Good Book Blog

  Why Bother?

  Weekly Q & A with Dr. William Lane Craig

  William Lane Craig — August 25, 2017

  I am a very open minded person and consider all possibilities. I am open to the possibility of a God and an afterlife. I am also open to the possibility that this God could be one who demands and expects that I obey and serve him or that I would be condemned to a horrible afterlife. I have been doing some open-minded research on the subject of life after death. As of right now, it doesn't matter what anyone says to me or what claims other people present to me in regards to God's character, if he is real or not, or if I am a blind sinner or not. The reason why it doesn't matter to me is because, like I said, I am very open minded right now and am open to alternative explanations of the things people offer up here. I am a very wise open minded individual and I do not jump to any given conclusion based upon some things I read online or a holy book such as the Bible. There is so much more to look into and have an open mind to. Even things that sound very compelling cannot be trusted since there are plenty of things out there that sound compelling, but are actually not ...

• The Good Book Blog

  The Forgiveness of Jesus: No Longer in the Dark

  Matthew Williams — August 23, 2017

  This article gives an overview of one of the Bible studies from The Forgiveness of Jesus DVD Bible study in the Deeper Connections series: Jesus heals a blind man in John chapter nine. To most of us, this seems like a pretty cool miracle; and it is, but there is so much more behind this miracle that we miss because we do not understand the first century context. When we take the time to learn this historical context, the passage pops! ...

• The Good Book Blog

  What Can Christians Learn from the Apostolic Fathers? Interview with Author Ken Berding

  Sean McDowell — August 22, 2017

  Dr. Ken Berding is a colleague of mine at Biola University. Like me, he is very interested in the Apostolic Fathers. He recently wrote a brief and interesting introduction to the Apostolic Fathers called The Apostolic Fathers: A Narrative Introduction, which is different from any other book of its kind. Professor Berding was kind enough to answer a few of my questions about some of the earliest church fathers and his recent book. Enjoy! ...

• The Good Book Blog

  Everyone Loves Sex: So Why Wait? Interview with Author Bryan Sands

  Sean McDowell — August 21, 2017

  I recently received a book in the mail called Everyone Loves Sex: So Why Wait? by Bryan Sands. Given that my father launched the “Why Wait” sexual purity movement in the 1980s, when I was in my early teen years, I was curious to see what approach Sands would take. And I was pleasantly surprised! His book is balanced, biblical, hopeful, and grace-filled. In fact, when young people ask me for a book on sexual purity, this is going to be one of the first books I will recommend. After thirteen years as a local pastor, Bryan has served as the Director of Campus Ministries at Hope International University in Fullerton, CA since 2011. He is also a public speaker who encourages students across the country. You can find out about his book at www.EveryoneLovesSex.org. I recently caught up with Bryan and asked him a few questions. Enjoy! ...

• GRIT

  Welcome & Welcome Back!

  a welcome note from the GRIT Editorial Board

  Lisa Igram — August 21, 2017

  In less than a week, Biola’s rather quiet summer vibe will become lively again as something really important happens: YOU COME BACK! You are why we...

• The Good Book Blog

  Does God Love the Devil?

  Weekly Q & A with Dr. William Lane Craig

  William Lane Craig — August 18, 2017

  Greetings Dr Craig, I am a Muslim, from the westernmost parts of Africa. I have been following your work for years, watching practically all your debates, reading some of your articles and much of the weekly Q&A section. Even though I am not a Christian, you have helped me greatly in my own pursuit of truth, to identify much more with the issues that Christians face today, and in learning to appreciate the Christian tradition in philosophical and theological thought ...

• The Good Book Blog

  The Forgiveness of Jesus: An Invitation to New Life

  Matthew Williams — August 16, 2017

  The following is an overview of one of the Bible studies from The Forgiveness of Jesus DVD Bible study in the Deeper Connections series: Do you ever feel like you are too far gone for God to forgive you? Or, maybe you feel like he might forgive you, but he does it grudgingly? This fear is the main reason that I published The Forgiveness of Jesus because nothing could be further from the truth. When Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector (Matthew 9:9-13), it shows us that God seeks out the lowest of the low in order to show that he loves to forgive. But in order to fully understand the meaning of this text, we must understand the first century context. When we take the time to learn this historical context, the passage comes to life!

• Biola News

  Biola Journalism Students Publish Book on Migration Issues

  “Beyond the Wall” showcases student writing and photography in the form of narrative journalism

  Jenna Loumagne — August 16, 2017

  As local school leaders, city officials and lawmakers in Sacramento debate what to do about migrants given changing federal policies, Biola...

• The Good Book Blog

  How Does Christianity Fulfill our Deepest Aspiration? Author Interview with Greg Ganssle

  Sean McDowell — August 15, 2017

  My friend and Biola colleague Greg Ganssle has written a fascinating new book called Our Deepest Desires: How the Christian Story Fulfills Human Aspirations. Professor Ganssle takes a unique approach to the apologetic task. Essentially, his goal is not to show that Christianity is true, but to argue that when it is properly understood, people should wish it were true. He talks about how tragedy, beauty, and freedom make the most sense in a Christian worldview and that only Christianity fulfills our deepest desires ...

• The Good Book Blog

  How Do We Cultivate the Art of Listening Well?

  Sean McDowell — August 15, 2017

  Along with asking good questions, cultivating the art of listening well is one of the most important skills for Christians to develop today. And it is especially important for those who want to be effective apologists in our “argumentative” culture ... So, how does one develop the art of listening well? Here are four tips I have learned from personal experience as well as through my undergrad Communication Studies program at Biola University ...

• The Good Book Blog

  What Could God Not Have Commanded?

  Weekly Q & A with Dr. William Lane Craig

  William Lane Craig — August 11, 2017

  ... Before I address your question, David, let’s make sure that we state accurately the view I have defended. God’s freedom to issue commands to do certain things that would be immoral in the absence of a divine command is not rooted in God’s having morally sufficient reasons for so commanding. Rather it is rooted in the idea that the source of moral obligation is divine commands, and since God doesn’t issue commands to himself, he therefore has no moral obligations ...

• Business. Ministry. Life.

  Crowell School of Business Biola Faculty Member and 2 Biola MBA Alumni Ring the NYSE Closing Bell

  Shane Enete — August 11, 2017

  Crowell School of Business Biola faculty member and 2 Biola MBA alum ring the NYSE closing bell. Two Biola MBA students, Aaron Moon (’15) and...

• Business. Ministry. Life.

  Digital Business Students Learn SEO from Expert in the Field

  David Bourgeois — August 11, 2017

  Evan Baer, a serial entrepreneur and author of Get Backed, was asked the question during a panel on raising capital, “Where is the best place to...

• Student Life Blog

  Discontinuation of SGA/Residence Hall Events

  Heat of the Night, Deck the Haven and Mosaic Masquerade

  Brenda Velasco — August 09, 2017

  As some students have heard through word of mouth or social media, Student Development has made decisions to discontinue Heat of the Night, Deck the Haven and Mosaic Masquerade.

• The Good Book Blog

  The Forgiveness of Jesus: Interview with Matt Williams

  The Good Book Blog — August 09, 2017

  Dr. Matt Williams (Professor of Biblical & Theological Studies) recently released a new DVD Bible study series titled The Forgiveness of Jesus (a DVD Bible study, in the Deeper Connections series). We were able to catch up with Dr. Williams to learn more about this exciting series ...

• Biola News

  Faculty Spotlight: Brad Christerson

  A Q&A with sociology professor Brad Christerson on his recent research and new book

  Jenna Loumagne — August 07, 2017

  Brad Christerson, professor of sociology, was thrust into the spotlight earlier this summer when his newly released book The Rise of Network...

• The Good Book Blog

  A Review of Zombie Science: Is Darwinism Dead?

  Sean McDowell — August 07, 2017

  With the release of his 2000 book Icons of Evolution, Jonathan Wells became one of the leading evolution critics of today. Unlike some detractors, Dr. Wells has impeccable credentials—with Ph.Ds. in molecular and cell biology from U.C. Berkeley and religious studies from Yale. Last week he released a new book that is just as controversial (and frankly, just as fun) called, Zombie Science: More Icons of Evolution ...

• The Good Book Blog

  Should Old Testament Difficulties Be an Obstacle to Christian Belief?

  Weekly Q & A with Dr. William Lane Craig

  William Lane Craig — August 04, 2017

  Dear Dr. Craig, I am a great admirer of yours despite being a non-religious theist myself. For the sake of full disclosure, I have never been able to bring myself to take atheism seriously and am convinced on purely philosophical grounds that the atheist worldview is consigned to logical absurdity. That said, I have never been able to bring myself to subscribe wholeheartedly to any one religion either, and this for a variety different reasons depending on the religion under discussion. However, since you are a Christian I will limit myself to the principal reason why I cannot bring myself to accept Christianity, to which I have yet to receive a satisfying response. I figure if I won't get a compelling answer from Dr. William Lane Craig, then most likely no such answer is available at least for now ...

• The Good Book Blog

  5 Reasons Our Culture Is Obsessed with Sex

  Sean McDowell — August 02, 2017

  Western culture is obsessed with sex. Sex dominates our movies, music, television, advertising, conversations, social media and more. But the question many people fail to ask is: why? There are myriads of reasons for this. Some reasons are certainly more germane than others. And they undoubtedly overlap. Nevertheless, here are 5 reasons for western culture’s obsession with sex ...