They pick and choose which parts of scripture to adhere to, and which to discard,…

Yes, or at least which parts to prioritize and which to minimize. We all do it. As, indeed we should.

Christians do not worship the Bible – or at least should not worship the Bible (many do) – but rather worship God. The Bible is a tool to get to know God. And like all tools, it can be applied usefully or it can destroy.

I think the important thing is to distinguish between those who know that they use the Bible as a guide and an instruction (but not a textbook or rulebook) and those who have convinced themselves that they are “Bible believing Christians” while they jump in circles trying to be consistent.

Look at what was said, not what I or anyone else said was said.

I do wish a written transcript was available though, so I could easily quote from it.

I think that’s what is needed is to stop talking past each other. Dr B makes some points that need addressing. We should address them.

He also ignores all the points we make though. I can’t blame him if we do the same. What is most vexing is that, while making good points about freedom of religion, he completely ignores the continuing political persecution by evangelical “christians” (scare quotes intended) that outweighs it by 1000:1. He strains at a gnat (a very real gnat that should be dealt with) while swallowing vast herds of camels. In order to get him to see those camels, we need to deal with the gnat first. Then, hopefully, he’ll “get it”. That what he’s doing out of blindness is completely against his own principles.

At the same time, we must keep open minds ourselves. What if it is we who are wrong? We should not make it an “us vs them” deal. If I’m so very correct, then the mountains, the whole continents of evidence will show that. Perhaps by showing such open-mindedness ourselves, we’ll get others to do the same. We’re bound to learn something, anyway.

Ok, I’m tilting at windmills. But I wouldn’t try this on some – Peter LaBarbera for example, or George Rekers.

And it is only 2 hours not 3.

Sorry, I think that’s not optional, if I’m going to comment, it’s mandatory. Not only that, but I will try not to be prejudiced by Warren’s article. I may fail of course, but I have to try my hardest, or betray my own principles.

You have made some astute observations, I think. If Christianity is so hard to grasp by a believer and a follower of Christ, how could anyone on the outside hope to grasp it, either? There are seeming contradictions in Scripture aplenty.

What’s important is not what the world thinks, nor whether one will win the battle of ideas. What’s important is Integrity, to be correct.

Yes. Quite true.

Woe unto the person who tries to follow me, thinking he/she is following Christ! As long as I point others to Christ, himself, I am doing all I can. Otherwise, I am a miserable failure.

Just so you know, some of the people on this blog have had endless talks, debates, what have you with Mr. Brown, to the point they could probably tell you word for word what he will say in the debate.

I commend you for our principles – I really do. I would honestly need to see it myself before trying to make any sort of substantial comment here. But I also believe that some of the people on this thread – I won’t name names 😉 – probably don’t need to hear Dr. Brown speak – yet again – to know what he said and/or why he said it. And I don’t blame them.

Now, all I can say for certain is Jesus is real and I love him. I contend with “truth.” I try to sort out the wheat from the chaff, as we all do. When you read the Bible with much of life behind you and through the Christ-relationship prism, it reads differently. It speaks resoundingly at times. And it’s an individual thing for us all.

I could not agree more! Wiser words….

Now, all I can say for certain is Jesus is real and I love him. I contend with “truth.” I try to sort out the wheat from the chaff, as we all do. When you read the Bible with much of life behind you and through the Christ-relationship prism, it reads differently. It speaks resoundingly at times. And it’s an individual thing for us all.

I could not agree more! Wiser words….