Latest Posts

• The Good Book Blog

  Questions on the Origin of the Universe

  William Lane Craig — July 04, 2014

  This week's Q & A topic with Dr. William Lane Craig addresses the beginning of the universe and includes reflections on Dr. William Lane Craig's recent debate with Sean Carroll.

• Biola News

  How Will Supreme Court Ruling on Religious Liberty Affect Biola?

  Hobby Lobby decision may have implications for Biola’s ongoing lawsuit against the federal government

  Jason Newell — July 02, 2014

  Owners of closely held private businesses do not have to provide free access to contraceptive drugs that violate their religious convictions, the...

• The Good Book Blog

  Critical Issues in Ministry with Children, Part Two: Knowing Where We Want to Go, How Can We Get There?

  Kevin Lawson — July 01, 2014

  In my last post, I talked about the importance of our ministry with children and some ministry objectives we need to pursue. In this follow up blog I would like to talk about four aspects of children’s ministry that together help us accomplish our goals of helping children grow and mature as a part of the church, the people of God. These are worthy goals, and it can be tempting to try to design one children’s program in the church to address them all. But if we take them each seriously, it will soon be clear that this is more than a matter of having a class or a club program for children. Instead, it requires thinking carefully about the full life of the church, as well as the church and family environment our children grow up in. It has implications for what we do for our children, with them, to them, and the opportunities we provide for them to be engaged in ministry themselves. I invite you to read and think with me about what this might look like.

• The Good Book Blog

  Pre-Marital Counseling Asian-American Style, Part Four

  Ben Shin — June 30, 2014

  We have previously been working through some of the unique and distinct challenges that Asian-American couples face in regards to preparing for weddings and marriage. This blog has raised some of the issues that typically come out during pre-marital counseling sessions. The goal of this series has been to try and understand some of these cultural dynamics that may be vastly different from the many books that are out there on the subject of pre-marital counseling and marriage that may be written from a Western perspective. Some of these differences include dealing with parents, setting up appropriate wedding venues and services, transfer of authority between parents and spouses, guest lists for the wedding, and other potentially shame based challenges. This blog will now give some general and practical advice on how to resolve some of these tensions.

• The Good Book Blog

  Fregean Abstract Objects and God

  William Lane Craig — June 27, 2014

  Hello Dr. Craig, I have recently become interested in your work on abstract objects. I have a quick question regarding the Fregean argument for mathematical platonism. The argument concludes that mathematical objects exist because they are referred to by singular terms. For example, "3 is prime" is a true, simple sentence in which "3" is a singular term referring to an abstract object. So, does the claim that abstract objects exist mean anything other than that they can be referred to by singular terms? I don't see how it could, since they have absolutely no impact on the world. But if that's the case, their "existence" seems to be more about the function of a word than anything to do with ontology. Thanks, Ander

• The Good Book Blog

  Did YHWH Condemn the Nations When He Elected Israel?: The Canaanites in Joshua

  Charlie Trimm — June 26, 2014

  The Canaanite destruction is the major ethical problem in the Old Testament. How can we serve a God who commanded genocide? As we saw in the previous posts on Midian, Amalek, and the Canaanites, the individuals and families who follow YHWH and become part of Israel are on one extreme of a spectrum (the Caleb end), while those who attack Israel are located on the other extreme (the Amalek end). The groups place themselves on the spectrum by means of their treatment of Israel and their attitude toward YHWH. A nation like Edom that neither helped nor attacked Israel would be near the middle of the spectrum, incurring YHWH’s displeasure but not a divine command for extermination. Although a nation like Midian might be placed on the Amalek end of the spectrum, individuals and families from Midian could turn to follow YHWH and place themselves on the Caleb end of the spectrum. In the case of Egypt, an entire nation could move on the spectrum, depending on their attitude toward Israel.

• The Good Book Blog

  “These Were My Thoughts On the Night I Thought I Would Die” - My Daughter’s Testimony

  Kenneth Berding — June 24, 2014

  Almost eleven months ago, my wife and I said a tearful goodbye to our young adult daughter Lydia just before she boarded a plane at the Los Angeles airport on her way to serve as a missionary nurse in Mindanao, Philippines ... About six weeks ago Lydia discovered that she had contracted typhoid fever, a very serious illness. Subsequently, she was hospitalized three times in Mindanao, first to treat the typhoid, then to rescue her during a life-threatening emergency related to the typhoid, then to treat sepsis, her second life-threatening emergency ...

• The Good Book Blog

  God, Evil, and the Rules of Logic

  William Lane Craig — June 20, 2014

  "As far as I understand God created all things that exist. He is the ultimate entity. Thus, can he not create a free being that follows him no matter what? Sure, to my human understanding that is impossible. But with God all things are possible. Could he not have created a world where freedom of choice and ultimate happiness co-exist? ..."

• Biola News

  Contribute to April Jace Memorial Fund

  Fund established for late employee’s sons

  Jenna Bartlo — June 18, 2014

  A memorial fund has been established for the family of April Jace, who died tragically on May 20, 2014. Jace had worked as a counselor in Biola...

• Biola News

  New “Conviction and Courage” Award Honors Legacy of Chuck Colson

  Inaugural award given to late Christian leader at Biola’s spring commencement

  Jenna Bartlo — June 18, 2014

  Christian leader Chuck Colson lived a life of biblical conviction with the courage to advocate for truth even when it was difficult or...

• The Good Book Blog

  Some Life Lessons from Mom & Dad, Part One

  Mick Boersma — June 17, 2014

  This year’s Mother’s and Father’s Day season brought to mind some wisdom my folks shared with me years ago. These morsels of sound reason have helped me navigate the diverse oceans and streams I’ve crossed over the years. I do realize that not everyone has great parents, but mine were pretty solid. So, please let me share some of the gold I received from Bob & Reka Boersma, two lovebirds who shared an incredible adventure in life with four kids and a huge assortment of farm animals.

• The Good Book Blog

  Gospel Authorship—Who Cares?

  William Lane Craig — June 13, 2014

  Dear Dr. Craig, I am an atheist and have found you to be very sincere and reasonable in your defense of the Christian religion. You have addressed many of Dr. Bart Ehrman's positions on textual criticism of the bible, yet I haven't found you address the main claim of his book dealing with forgeries. How do we know that the gospels were written by the authors listed in our current day bibles? The titles were later additions, and upon reading through the other books of the new testament a common theme is that there are ample false teachers spreading false doctrine. In short, is there good evidence supporting the claims to the gospels authorship, and if so, what is it?

• Biola News

  La Mirada Partners with Biola to Host Special Olympics Athletes

  Biola will house athletes from the 2015 Special Olympics

  Staff — June 10, 2014

  The city of La Mirada announced today that the community has been officially selected to participate in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games...

• The Good Book Blog

  The Coherence of Theism

  William Lane Craig — June 06, 2014

  Dear Dr. Craig, You have often said that the problem of evil is the best argument for atheism, but I actually disagree. I think that the incoherence argument(s) is the best. What responses have you given to these arguments ... To me, this seems to be a serious problem for theism and I'm even thinking of giving up belief in God because of it so I would appreciate your help. If nothing else, please let me know of some books that answer these arguments. Thank you very much.

• The Good Book Blog

  A Father’s View of Adoption

  Dave Keehn — June 05, 2014

  In November 2009 my family had the incredible honor to adopt Mfundo from South Africa. The journey to that point was filled with unknown challenges to us, as we happened to be the first adoptive family from the United States to legally adopt in South Africa. We were not the first to try to adopt from this country; we were just the family that happened to be furthest into the adoptive pre-work when the two countries came into agreement for international adoptions.

• The Good Book Blog

  Windows to the Ancient World of the Hebrew Bible

  Kenneth Way — June 03, 2014

  I want to recommend a recent book that brings honor to one of my teachers, Rabbi and Professor Samuel Greengus from Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion. It is called Windows to the Ancient World of the Hebrew Bible: Essays in Honor of Samuel Greengus (Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 2014), and it is edited by Bill Arnold, Nancy Erickson and John Walton.

• The Good Book Blog

  Human Insignificance

  William Lane Craig — May 30, 2014

  Dr. William Lane Craig addresses questions regarding God's love for us and our significance as human beingings in a vast and uncomprehendable cosmos.

• Biola News

  Reba DePriest Named All-American

  Junior pitcher makes a big impact and learns a reward.

  Neil Morgan — May 30, 2014

  Biola made the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics postseason for the first time since 2002, and it would not have been possible...

• Biola Magazine

  Biblical Literacy Quiz

  Test your biblical literacy with this 20-question quiz. No Googling, Bible-opening or other cheating allowed!

  Biola Magazine Staff — May 30, 2014

• Biola Magazine

  In Print: Spring 2014

  Biola Magazine Staff — May 30, 2014

  Bible Revival: Recommitting Ourselves to One Book, by Kenneth Berding (M.A. ’96, professor of New Testament), Weaver, January 2014. Bible Revival...

• Biola Magazine

  Biolans Up Close: Spring 2014

  Soyon (Chun, ’05) Thompson brings God’s love to trafficking victims in Nepal

  Biola Magazine Staff — May 30, 2014

  Not far from some of the highest peaks on earth, Soyon (Chun, ’05) Thompson works with people in the deepest of need. Together with her husband,...

• Biola Magazine

  Alumni Files: Spring 2014

  What We’re Doing About Debt

  Rick Bee — May 30, 2014

  As a faculty member who teaches a “Faith and Money” course, I have the opportunity to work with and counsel numerous juniors and seniors each year....

• Biola Magazine

  Where Are They Now?: Spring 2014

  Amber Amaya — May 30, 2014

  Richard Camacho (’94), an assistant hospitalist at Dameron Hospital in Stockton, Calif., said his friends would’ve never expected he’d make it...

• Biola Magazine

  Get to Know: Spring 2014

  Melissa Schubert, beekeeping Shakespeare enthusiast

  Biola Magazine Staff — May 30, 2014

  As an adviser for Biola’s new Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts, Melissa Schubert (’00) helps to bring some of this generation’s most...

• Biola Magazine

  A Psalm for South Korea

  Barry Corey — May 30, 2014

  Being invited to grieve alongside the bereaved is one of life’s highest but least acknowledged honors. Quiet grieving in the company of the bereft...