Category Archives: Critical Thinking/Discernment

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 →

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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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Both/And

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Tom Lemke

Two days ago I was reading a book that I got for Christmas from my family.  The subject of the section was “chivalry”, and the author made the statement that certain actions done by a man on behalf of a … Continue reading →

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I can still taste the soap…

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Tom Lemke

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” This phrase used by Paul in 1st Corinthians 5:6 is instructive of the determined assertiveness with which sin spreads, indeed infects, what is good and upright.  That is to say: that which is … Continue reading →

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Bloggin’ on an Impulse

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Tom Lemke

This is a sort-of continuation of my last post, brought on by a very pragmatically minded question: how does one avoid jumping to extremes in practice? In response, let me first address in a little more detail exactly why the … Continue reading →

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Swing, Swing

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Tom Lemke

Human beings tend to be very reactionary.  We see an error being made, some perceived ill take place, and in our zeal to rectify the situation we inevitably overcorrect and end up having an equal but opposite problem.  When we … Continue reading →

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Dogmatism without Scripture is bluster.

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Tom Lemke

My Pastor’s wife just gave birth to their first child this past weekend (congratulations!!!). My Pastor baptized his newborn son there in the hospital. Leaving aside the anabaptists, surely such an act is laudable – and in no way controversial. … Continue reading →

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“What is love?” pt. 2

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Tom Lemke

I was in my hometown of Norman, OK this past Sunday and attended Sunday morning service at my former congregation, Trinity Lutheran. The timing for my visit could not have been better. Having freshly written my post on love earlier last week, … Continue reading →

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Is Mormonism Christian?

Posted on October 15, 2011 by Tom Lemke

There’s been quite the hullabaloo about Mormonism in the news media lately.  As I’ve observed this discussion (brought into the fore due to being the religion of certain political candidates), I’ve noticed two things. #1 – There is a concentrated … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics, Critical Thinking/Discernment | 4 Comments

“What is love?”

Posted on October 15, 2011 by Tom Lemke

In the song of the same name, Haddaway asks a profound question.  In a day where the words “I love you” are used as sparingly as sand on the seashore, and passion seems to be the order of the day, … Continue reading →

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