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Written by Mike Licona
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On February 26, 2007, a team announced that they have discovered the family tomb of Jesus. In this article, Mike offers some preliminary thoughts.
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Written by Mike Licona
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On April 9, 2006 National Geographic unveiled The Gospel of Judas. Here are a few succinct thoughts from Mike.
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Written by Mike
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Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code is a No. 1 New York Times bestseller that questions the traditional origin of Christianity and presents an alternate view that includes a married Jesus who never claimed to be divine. The Da Vinci Code also claims that the Church repressed certain earlier books from being in the Bible and that it borrowed many of its ideas, such as a resurrected savior and Sunday worship from pagan religions. However, almost all scholars have turned up their nose at the book. Why? Explore The Da Vinci Code with New Testament historian Mike Licona. (65-minute video)
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Written by Mike
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Looking for a concise yet meaty resource that goes right to the point concerning why the Mormon Church and the Watchtower are terribly mistaken? Mike's book is now out of print and available for free: Free Book
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Written by Mike
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In 2005, atheist Brian Flemming produced a DVD that makes the case that Jesus never existed. Read a critical review by Mike. _________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Written by Mike Licona
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"The Intrinsic Flaws Inherent in Christianity" is a short essay that is a collection of four standard objections to Christianity: 1. - Christianity cannot be proved.
- Hypocrites exist in the Church.
- The Bible is contradictory.
- The Problem of evil.
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Written by Mike Licona
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Acharya S is a skeptic with an interest in mythology who has written a book entitled The Christ Conspiracy: The Greatest Story Ever Sold. This book presents an hypothesis of how Christianity came into being. The occasion for this paper is to assess Murdock’s major claims in a brief manner in terms of their accuracy and whether her book is a worthwhile contribution on the origin of Christianity. The paper will sample some of her major claims. No attempts will be made to defend the Christian worldview.
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Written by Mike Licona
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Acharya responded to Mike Licona's initial critique of her book with an article titled, "A Rebuttal to Mike Licona's 'Refutation of The Christ Conspiracy.
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Written by Mike Licona
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Lenny Flank is a lay skeptic who has devoted a web site toward criticizing the creation view. Occasionally the arguments of lay skeptics should be addressed when they begin to receive some public attention. The objective of this article is to explain why Flank's arguments should be dismissed and why creation indeed stands as a live scientific option.
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Written by Mike Licona
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When the JWs come to your door, if you get into a conversation with them on who Jesus is, you can expect them to leave a tract with you titled, "Should You Believe in the Trinity?"(1) At first look the tract seems well researched. It is when one begins to look more closely at it that it becomes obvious that the Watchtower is misleading its own followers and readers of the tract.
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Written by Mike Licona
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We have all either asked the question or have been asked it: Who Made God? Everything we know of has a beginning and was caused to exist by something else. Everyone reading this article began to exist and was caused to exist by their parents. But what about God? Who caused Him to exist and when?
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Written by Mike Licona
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"[Julius] Caesar also put on a gladiatorial show, but had collected so immense a troop of combatants that his terrified political opponents rushed a bill through the House, limiting the number of gladiators that anyone might keep in Rome." (Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars 1:10, circa A. D. 117)
Much of what we learn today is never looked at with a critical mind. The more we hear it, the more plausible it begins to sound.
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Written by Mike Licona
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"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)
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Written by Mike Licona
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"Looking at herself in the mirror, Jennifer noticed that her graduation cap was off slightly to her left. She adjusted it so that it was perfectly aligned, took a deep breath and exhaled. This was her big day. Twelve years and Kindergarten culminated with today’s ceremony. She had come to this classroom at this time because she knew she would be able to spend a few moments in solitude reflecting upon the past four years of High School."
Throughout our lives, we become more experienced with the process of decision making. It is in our best interest for our decisions to reflect wise choices. Determining which choice is the wisest requires research, reflection, and oftentimes counsel from others. However, the effort is well worth it.
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Written by Mike Licona
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"In my vision, there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven."
Although Jesus claimed to be the divine Son of God, His favorite self-designation by far was "Son of Man." How do we know that Jesus actually referred to Himself as the Son of Man and what does it mean?
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Written by Mike Licona
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"And they all said, ‘Are You the Son of God, then?’ And He said to them, ‘Yes, I am.’" (Luke 22:70)
Although the Gospel writers portrayed Jesus as claiming to be the Son of God, can we verify this historically and, if so, what did Jesus mean by "Son of God?"
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Written by Mike Licona
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"’We are not stoning you for any of these [miracles],’ replied the Jews, ‘but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.’" (John 10:33)
Although Jesus claimed to be the divine Son of God, Christians believe that He is also "God the Son." But did Jesus ever claim to be "God" or is this a belief that evolved over time?
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Written by Mike Licona
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"The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him." (Proverbs 18:17)
Much of what we learn today is never looked at with a critical mind. The more we hear it, the more plausible it begins to sound.
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Written by Mike Licona
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"I just think that God let’s us come to Him in our own way. He does not require us to believe in the Christian God, the Muslim God, or any specific God. So when you to say that unless I believe in your God I am going to Hell, you claim that your beliefs are better than mine and that is judging."
Postmodern liberalism may sound liberating and enticing to its adherents, but it may be no more than a 21st century fairy tale for the uncommitted adult.
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Written by Mike Licona
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"Then the Jews demanded of him, ‘What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’ The Jews replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’ But the temple he had spoken of was his body." (John 2:18-21)
When you go around claiming to be divine, your critics are going to ask you a question or two and want some proof. Jesus’ critics were no different. When they asked for a sign, He responded that He would give them one – His resurrection from the dead!
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