June 30, 2010 Posted by Roger OvertoncloseAuthor: Roger OvertonName: Roger Overton Email: rogeroverton@hotmail.com Site:http://ateamblog.com About: Roger Overton is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Talbot School of Theology. He has addressed various churches, schools and youth camps throughout the United States. Roger was co-editor of The New Media Frontier (Crossway, 2008) and God and Governing (Wipf & Stock, 2009).
Roger can be emailed at rogeroverton@hotmail.com.See Authors Posts (559)
This is the first poem I’m written in a few years. It’s not very sophisticated, but I think it works. “On Distant Shores” is a phrase that teases my imagination. It conjures in my mind thoughts of Aslan’s Country in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. What lies beyond that shoreline? One day we shall see.
My heart yet years for distant shores
Where pain and sorrow stain no more
Since my youth and from days of old
I’ve heard hopes excitedly told
Of sprawling vast mansion and streets of gold
Of countless fishing holes and treasures without mold
But I have longed for more than these
Something worth the journey on these troubled seas
For beyond the shores a kingdom lies
Filled with pure light and bluest skies
A king there reigns with proven might
He has conquered sin and made all wrongs right
He has healed the broken and given sight
And become for all people a wellspring of light
One day I’ll face that inevitable hour
And in death I’ll flee to that strong tower
At that grand moment I’ll see His face
My savior, brother and author of my race
More than gold or rest it’s Him I seek
He is true treasure and strength for the weak
Eternal communion with my dearest friend
Makes all trials meaningful and worth it in the end
June 14, 2010 Posted by Roger OvertoncloseAuthor: Roger OvertonName: Roger Overton Email: rogeroverton@hotmail.com Site:http://ateamblog.com About: Roger Overton is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Talbot School of Theology. He has addressed various churches, schools and youth camps throughout the United States. Roger was co-editor of The New Media Frontier (Crossway, 2008) and God and Governing (Wipf & Stock, 2009).
Roger can be emailed at rogeroverton@hotmail.com.See Authors Posts (559)
From the very first episode LOST was a complex show. Amongst its many layers of story telling were themes related to religion such as faith, destiny, spirituality and sin. One of the great things about the show is that it did not shy away from these topics, but voiced opposing viewpoints directly through skillfully written dialogue. LOST provided ample material to speculate about these themes and The Gospel According to LOST by Chris Seay begins to do just that.
The simplest way to summarize the book is that it explores the spiritual themes of LOST. It does so in the same way LOST does: through it’s characters. Twelve of its seventeen chapters are character specific. The other five chapters provide background and set-up the topics that follow them. Most of the material simply explores critical plot points throughout the characters’ lives. However, there are some more interesting points of exegesis. For example, the chapter on Eko looks at the various Bible verses inscribed on Eko’s stick and considers what they might mean for the plot of the show.
I have two criticisms of the book. The first is that it was published before the final season aired. Probably the best explanation for this is that the book is far more likely to be successful while the show is running than after it ends. But the premature timetable necessarily limits how far the author can go in his reflections. The other problem I have is with the title, The Gospel According to LOST. LOST’s “gospel” was never really elucidated, and my guess is that the title turns away readers who would otherwise find the book insightful. It sounds like one of the hokey religious books that reads religion into everything. Seay does a good job of avoiding that sort of hazard.
The Gospel According to LOST is a worthwhile read for any fan. If you care about the characters and the nuances of LOST’s narrative, this book will definitely interest you. Chris Seay is a pastor, and he doesn’t shy away from being pastoral, but he also doesn’t try to shove anything down anyone’s throats. This book is a great way to delve a little deeper into the many complexities that constitute LOST.
June 13, 2010 Posted by Roger OvertoncloseAuthor: Roger OvertonName: Roger Overton Email: rogeroverton@hotmail.com Site:http://ateamblog.com About: Roger Overton is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Talbot School of Theology. He has addressed various churches, schools and youth camps throughout the United States. Roger was co-editor of The New Media Frontier (Crossway, 2008) and God and Governing (Wipf & Stock, 2009).
Roger can be emailed at rogeroverton@hotmail.com.See Authors Posts (559)
Many of you are likely well aware of former coach John Wooden, who passed away just over a week ago. Wooden’s favorite poem was “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray. After hearing this referenced a few times I made a point of looking it up. It’s certainly worth a read. Here’s an excerpt:
The boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow’r,
And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave,
Awaits alike th’ inevitable hour.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
Nor you, ye proud, impute to these the fault,
If Mem’ry o’er their tomb no trophies raise,
Where thro’ the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault
The pealing anthem swells the note of praise.
Can storied urn or animated bust
Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath?
Can Honour’s voice provoke the silent dust,
Or Flatt’ry soothe the dull cold ear of Death?
June 8, 2010 Posted by David NcloseAuthor: David NName: Email: dvnilsen@gmail.com Site:http://reasonfromscripture.blogspot.com About: In 2003 I graduated from high school with no set direction for my life. I spent a year in Iowa before returning to California to attend Junior College. I changed majors 3 times; from Physics to Business to Film (as you can see, no direction). I was a Christian, attending church regularly, but furthering the cause of Christ in this fallen world was not a high priority.
In 2005 I picked up an issue of TableTalk magazine, and I was re-introduced to the work of R. C. Sproul (whom I had read once in high school). Later that year, while taking a biology class with an ardent atheist professor, I picked up a copy of Lee Strobel's "The Case For A Creator." In the Fall of 2006 I came to Biola University and was introduced to the works of J. P. Moreland and John Mark Reynolds. My fate was sealed.
Just a few years ago, I was passionless. Now I have two passions: Studying the Word of God and engaging in the task of Apologetics. 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts all Christians to be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have. My goal is to be able to give my answer articulately and powerfully, but even more importantly, in love. There are many purposes for apologetics, but by far the most important is the opening of minds and the softening of hearts for the work of the Holy Spirit. If we don't care about and pray for those with whom we engage in apologetics, we fail to fulfill this purpose. As a wise man once said, "Take a stand for the Truth, but do it in love fool!"
Education Info:--Currently: M.A. in Historical Theology student, Westminster Seminary California
--2008: B.A. in Philosophy, Biola University
--2006: A.A. in Liberal Arts, Palomar CollegeSee Authors Posts (75)
A lot of people (especially Reformed folk) have been asking this question. Here is John Piper’s 12-minute answer:
For the record, I’m all for Warren speaking at the DG Conference. Why? Just think about it for a second: When else would Rick Warren be guaranteed to hear R. C. Sproul and Al Mohler (not to mention Thabiti Anyabwile and Piper himself) speak? Sitting under the teaching of so many excellent Reformed pastors and theologians can only be a good influence on Pastor Warren.
April 22, 2010 Posted by David NcloseAuthor: David NName: Email: dvnilsen@gmail.com Site:http://reasonfromscripture.blogspot.com About: In 2003 I graduated from high school with no set direction for my life. I spent a year in Iowa before returning to California to attend Junior College. I changed majors 3 times; from Physics to Business to Film (as you can see, no direction). I was a Christian, attending church regularly, but furthering the cause of Christ in this fallen world was not a high priority.
In 2005 I picked up an issue of TableTalk magazine, and I was re-introduced to the work of R. C. Sproul (whom I had read once in high school). Later that year, while taking a biology class with an ardent atheist professor, I picked up a copy of Lee Strobel's "The Case For A Creator." In the Fall of 2006 I came to Biola University and was introduced to the works of J. P. Moreland and John Mark Reynolds. My fate was sealed.
Just a few years ago, I was passionless. Now I have two passions: Studying the Word of God and engaging in the task of Apologetics. 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts all Christians to be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have. My goal is to be able to give my answer articulately and powerfully, but even more importantly, in love. There are many purposes for apologetics, but by far the most important is the opening of minds and the softening of hearts for the work of the Holy Spirit. If we don't care about and pray for those with whom we engage in apologetics, we fail to fulfill this purpose. As a wise man once said, "Take a stand for the Truth, but do it in love fool!"
Education Info:--Currently: M.A. in Historical Theology student, Westminster Seminary California
--2008: B.A. in Philosophy, Biola University
--2006: A.A. in Liberal Arts, Palomar CollegeSee Authors Posts (75)
C. J. is always a delight to listen to, and this message is no different. This also might be the most important message of the whole conference, since most of us are right now sitting under the teaching of an “ordinary” pastor.
April 18, 2010 Posted by David NcloseAuthor: David NName: Email: dvnilsen@gmail.com Site:http://reasonfromscripture.blogspot.com About: In 2003 I graduated from high school with no set direction for my life. I spent a year in Iowa before returning to California to attend Junior College. I changed majors 3 times; from Physics to Business to Film (as you can see, no direction). I was a Christian, attending church regularly, but furthering the cause of Christ in this fallen world was not a high priority.
In 2005 I picked up an issue of TableTalk magazine, and I was re-introduced to the work of R. C. Sproul (whom I had read once in high school). Later that year, while taking a biology class with an ardent atheist professor, I picked up a copy of Lee Strobel's "The Case For A Creator." In the Fall of 2006 I came to Biola University and was introduced to the works of J. P. Moreland and John Mark Reynolds. My fate was sealed.
Just a few years ago, I was passionless. Now I have two passions: Studying the Word of God and engaging in the task of Apologetics. 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts all Christians to be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have. My goal is to be able to give my answer articulately and powerfully, but even more importantly, in love. There are many purposes for apologetics, but by far the most important is the opening of minds and the softening of hearts for the work of the Holy Spirit. If we don't care about and pray for those with whom we engage in apologetics, we fail to fulfill this purpose. As a wise man once said, "Take a stand for the Truth, but do it in love fool!"
Education Info:--Currently: M.A. in Historical Theology student, Westminster Seminary California
--2008: B.A. in Philosophy, Biola University
--2006: A.A. in Liberal Arts, Palomar CollegeSee Authors Posts (75)
Now there’s a provocative question! But it is certainly a question that needs to be asked. Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox apologists like to tell the story this way: The consensus of the Early Church Fathers agrees completely with later Roman/Eastern theology and disagrees fundamentally with Protestant theology. Unfortunately, most Protestants are totally unfamiliar with the Fathers, and so they tend to accept this story without question and either convert out of Protestantism, or reject the Early Church Fathers wholesale. Both responses are a mistake, because the original Catholic/Orthodox claim is unfounded. In this excellent message, Dr. Duncan helps Protestants to put the Fathers in proper perspective, and guides us as to how we ought to study and use them today.
April 16, 2010 Posted by David NcloseAuthor: David NName: Email: dvnilsen@gmail.com Site:http://reasonfromscripture.blogspot.com About: In 2003 I graduated from high school with no set direction for my life. I spent a year in Iowa before returning to California to attend Junior College. I changed majors 3 times; from Physics to Business to Film (as you can see, no direction). I was a Christian, attending church regularly, but furthering the cause of Christ in this fallen world was not a high priority.
In 2005 I picked up an issue of TableTalk magazine, and I was re-introduced to the work of R. C. Sproul (whom I had read once in high school). Later that year, while taking a biology class with an ardent atheist professor, I picked up a copy of Lee Strobel's "The Case For A Creator." In the Fall of 2006 I came to Biola University and was introduced to the works of J. P. Moreland and John Mark Reynolds. My fate was sealed.
Just a few years ago, I was passionless. Now I have two passions: Studying the Word of God and engaging in the task of Apologetics. 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts all Christians to be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have. My goal is to be able to give my answer articulately and powerfully, but even more importantly, in love. There are many purposes for apologetics, but by far the most important is the opening of minds and the softening of hearts for the work of the Holy Spirit. If we don't care about and pray for those with whom we engage in apologetics, we fail to fulfill this purpose. As a wise man once said, "Take a stand for the Truth, but do it in love fool!"
Education Info:--Currently: M.A. in Historical Theology student, Westminster Seminary California
--2008: B.A. in Philosophy, Biola University
--2006: A.A. in Liberal Arts, Palomar CollegeSee Authors Posts (75)
April 14, 2010 Posted by David NcloseAuthor: David NName: Email: dvnilsen@gmail.com Site:http://reasonfromscripture.blogspot.com About: In 2003 I graduated from high school with no set direction for my life. I spent a year in Iowa before returning to California to attend Junior College. I changed majors 3 times; from Physics to Business to Film (as you can see, no direction). I was a Christian, attending church regularly, but furthering the cause of Christ in this fallen world was not a high priority.
In 2005 I picked up an issue of TableTalk magazine, and I was re-introduced to the work of R. C. Sproul (whom I had read once in high school). Later that year, while taking a biology class with an ardent atheist professor, I picked up a copy of Lee Strobel's "The Case For A Creator." In the Fall of 2006 I came to Biola University and was introduced to the works of J. P. Moreland and John Mark Reynolds. My fate was sealed.
Just a few years ago, I was passionless. Now I have two passions: Studying the Word of God and engaging in the task of Apologetics. 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts all Christians to be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have. My goal is to be able to give my answer articulately and powerfully, but even more importantly, in love. There are many purposes for apologetics, but by far the most important is the opening of minds and the softening of hearts for the work of the Holy Spirit. If we don't care about and pray for those with whom we engage in apologetics, we fail to fulfill this purpose. As a wise man once said, "Take a stand for the Truth, but do it in love fool!"
Education Info:--Currently: M.A. in Historical Theology student, Westminster Seminary California
--2008: B.A. in Philosophy, Biola University
--2006: A.A. in Liberal Arts, Palomar CollegeSee Authors Posts (75)
April 12, 2010 Posted by Roger OvertoncloseAuthor: Roger OvertonName: Roger Overton Email: rogeroverton@hotmail.com Site:http://ateamblog.com About: Roger Overton is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Talbot School of Theology. He has addressed various churches, schools and youth camps throughout the United States. Roger was co-editor of The New Media Frontier (Crossway, 2008) and God and Governing (Wipf & Stock, 2009).
Roger can be emailed at rogeroverton@hotmail.com.See Authors Posts (559)
The general assumption in our society is that atheists are those who have rational reasons for disbelief in God. Dr. James Spiegel challenges this assumption in his latest book, The Making of an Atheist: How Immorality Leads to Unbelief. As the title suggests, Spiegel attempts to show that the foundations of atheistic belief are comprised of immorality rather than rational arguments.
In the introduction, Spiegel explains that the purpose of The Making of an Atheist is to present a Christian account of atheism. Based on biblical doctrine, philosophy, and atheist’ own admissions, he proposes that “Atheism is the suppression of truth by wickedness, the cognitive consequence of immorality. In short, it is sin that is the mother of unbelief.” (18)
In the first chapter, Spiegel debunks the most common arguments offered by atheists, consolidating them to the problem of evil and the notion that naturalistic science can account for all of reality. The chapter ends with some insights from atheists that theists would do well to heed, showing that atheists do have something to offers theists.
The biblical explanation of atheism is explored in the second chapter. “We may summarize the biblical diagnosis of atheism as follows. The atheist’s problem is rebellion against the plain truth of God, as clearly revealed in nature. This rebellion is prompted by immorality, which diminishes understanding, and a genuine ignorance results. This is not a loss of intelligence so much as a selective intellectual obtuseness or imperviousness to truths related to God, ethics, and human nature. But the root of this obtuseness is moral in nature. It follows from the biblical diagnosis that the atheists’ arguments are an intellectual ruse masking their rebellion.” (56)
Chapter three considers the psychological context for atheism, focusing on the lack of good fathers in the childhoods of the most well-known atheists. The fourth chapter addresses the “obstinacy of atheism,” explaining how the atheistic worldview is a method for self-deception. The fifth and final chapter contrasts the difficulties of living in an atheistic worldview with the benefits of living in a theistic worldview.
This brief 130 page book is the fruit of years of academic and personal experiences. James Spiegel is very careful with how he frames his premise and arguments, yet his case cuts to the very heart of atheistic belief. Given that the book is primarily addressed to Christians and most readers will be those concerned with evangelism and apologetics, I would have liked Spiegel to offer some guidance on how this explanation of atheism affects evangelism. That said, the biblical diagnosis Spiegel offers is well-grounded and attested common experience.
The Making of an Atheist offers an important account of atheistic belief that ought to be considered by any Christian who wishes to engage in evangelism. James Spiegel successfully shows that the heart of atheism is immorality, masked by rationalizations.
Readers should check out www.themakingofanatheist.com for more information and a discussion questions for the book.
March 25, 2010 Posted by Roger OvertoncloseAuthor: Roger OvertonName: Roger Overton Email: rogeroverton@hotmail.com Site:http://ateamblog.com About: Roger Overton is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Talbot School of Theology. He has addressed various churches, schools and youth camps throughout the United States. Roger was co-editor of The New Media Frontier (Crossway, 2008) and God and Governing (Wipf & Stock, 2009).
Roger can be emailed at rogeroverton@hotmail.com.See Authors Posts (559)
This is one of the many reasons I love my church.
Jason and Melody Lietzau are leaving to pick up and adopt their special needs daughter with a heart condition today from China. In this video, shot this past Sunday, the couple details how they decided to adopt after a miscarriage and how Melody’s pacemaker played a role in deciding to adopt a child with special needs.
June 30, 2010 Posted by Roger Overton 
This is the first poem I’m written in a few years. It’s not very sophisticated, but I think it works. “On Distant Shores” is a phrase that teases my imagination. It conjures in my mind thoughts of Aslan’s Country in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. What lies beyond that shoreline? One day we shall see.
Posted in Culture, Poetry/Scripture/Liturgy/Etc., Roger's Posts 
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Many of you are likely well aware of former coach John Wooden, who passed away just over a week ago. Wooden’s favorite poem was “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray. After hearing this referenced a few times I made a point of looking it up. It’s certainly worth a read. Here’s an excerpt:
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