Author Archives: Tom Lemke

Slippery Slopes

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Tom Lemke

Since writing this post about how Christians are accused of resorting to the slippery slope fallacy when arguing against homosexuality, I’ve wanted to post some examples about what actual slippery slopes look like. I finally got the gumption to seek … Continue reading →

Posted in Critical Thinking/Discernment | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Is Scriptural Interpretation Possible?

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Tom Lemke

Just a brief note on the canard I’ve heard a lot this week that “there are just so many different interpretations of Scripture” (and therefore it can’t be held up as authoritative, even in discussions amongst Christians). What is it … Continue reading →

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Stayin’ Alive

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Tom Lemke

I’ve begun listening to the course, “The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World” with professor Robert Garland.  I’m in lecture 2, where he identifies the two central themes of the course.  One is how climate and … Continue reading →

Posted in Observations | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Blue Tarp of Doom

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Tom Lemke

Years and years ago I went to a weekend youth retreat with some kids from church at the Roman Nose State Park campgrounds.  There was a big hill leading up to the mess hall there, and at one particular point … Continue reading →

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The Creation Debate | A Chi Files reflection

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Tom Lemke

So the much hyped Creation Debate took place last night.  In the time since, I’ve read a comment or two, but no one that I’ve encountered is really looking at this from quite the angle I am, so I’ll go … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Multiverse? Wherefore art thou Multiverse?

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Tom Lemke

I read an opinion piece today by theoretical physicist Andrei Linde on why he thinks we need to abandon the traditional conception of the universe (i.e. one whole “uni” containing di-“verse” parts) in favor of the multiverse theory (which posits … Continue reading →

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Lowered prophetic standards

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Tom Lemke

So now that Ariel Sharon has died, I keep hearing about this “prophesy” given by the deceased Rabbi Kaduri that the Messiah would not return until after Sharon’s death. Ignoring the obvious questions about the identity of this messiah in … Continue reading →

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“Kumbaya” is still not the national anthem

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Tom Lemke

Picture with me a homicide scene.  The killer has been caught, literally red handed, standing over the body of the person whose life he stole.  Continue to imagine as the police take him into custody; it’s pretty cut-and-dry but there … Continue reading →

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The afterlife of the ancients

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Tom Lemke

I read someone on the web today positing that at the time of Moses there was “no belief in heaven and hell… nor were there firm beliefs about the afterlife.”  I’m no expert in the ancient near-east, but this assertion … Continue reading →

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Allies, yes. But allies over the gospel? That is the question.

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Tom Lemke

Pastor Brown has written a spot on piece about the trend in today’s battles over sexuality and abortion that see Lutherans allying themselves ever more closely with Roman Catholics. As he points out, there’s nothing wrong with this in principle. … Continue reading →

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