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  • Business. Ministry. Life.

    Recap: Startup Competition Kickoff

    Robert Harp — 

    On September 14, the ŷַ Startup Competition, http://crowell.biola.edu/startup, kick-off event opened with a standing-room only crowd of...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Disobeying the Supreme Court

    William Lane Craig — 

    Hello Dr. Craig. I must say that I began my travels as an agnostic, and after watching a multitude of your debates, reading your book Reasonable Faith, and reviewing your website, I confess to be impressed by the breadth and depth of your research. I have come to accept Christianity. In fact, much of the apologetics I use now to help others understand what I had trouble understanding I learned from you! So thank you for that. Now, as of recent, with the legalization of gay marriage across the United States, someone pointed out to me that the Bible says that to resist the authorities would be directly against God's wishes. To support this, he showed me Romans 13 verses 1-7. The verses seem to suggest that authority is placed by God, and we are to obey them because disobeying would be akin to disobeying God ...

  • Business. Ministry. Life.

    Recap: Crowell Distinguished Speaker Series with Michael Fleming, CEO of Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor

    Robert Curtis — 

    You can view the video of Michael’s talk at: http://open.biola.edu/resources/six-phases-of-faith-in-business The speaker for the first Crowell...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Prince of Peace—Jesus, or Pope Francis?

    Doug Geivett — 

    “Prince of peace” is biblical language. In other words, it derives from its use in the Bible as a descriptive title with a very specific context. The title “Prince of Peace” is used of the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6. It is, therefore—according to Christian orthodoxy—a reference to Jesus Christ. This is an extraordinarily honorific title. It denotes the full realization of messianic hope. In the Christian Scriptures it alludes to human reconciliation with God, and only by extension to the realization of peace within the human community. The agent, of course, is the Prince of Peace ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    New Commentary On Philippians

    Joe Hellerman — 

    Dr. Joseph Hellerman, Professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology, talks about his volume on Philippians in the Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament series ...

  • ŷַ News

    Kellian Hunt Named National Runner of the Week

    The senior standout is recognized nationally.

    Neil Morgan — 

    After placing fourth overall at last weekend’s The Master’s College Mustang Invitational Kellian Hunt has been awarded ŷַ’s first NAIA Women’s...

  • ŷַ News

    A Bright Future for Music Education

    How ŷַ is shaping the next generation of music teachers

    Staff — 

    A common concern of prospective students is that music programs are being cut from schools and there is no future for music teachers. But this...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Does "I Am" always refer to God in the Gospel of John?

    Gary Manning Jr — 

    It is commonly claimed that when Jesus used the phrase “I am” (ἐγώ εἰμι, ego eimi), he was making a direct reference to the name of God in the Old Testament, YHWH. There is some truth to this, but I want to suggest three important caveats to this claim: “I am” (ἐγώ εἰμι), by itself, is not a code for the name of God; “I am” is only intended to refer to deity in some of Jesus’ sayings; Paying too much attention to the “I am” part of the sentence distracts readers from paying attention to the rest of the sentence.

  • The Good Book Blog

    Nominalism and Natural Law

    William Lane Craig — 

    Hi Dr Craig. I've heard you say, on the topic of marriage, that you are an "essentialist" on the nature of marriage- that is, marriage has a certain intrinsic nature which is not merely a social construct. As a natural law theorist who thinks the moral law is grounded in what it is to be human, this gratified me immensely. On the other hand, you are also well-known for your nominalism on the topic of abstract objects, which I take to be the denial that there are real universals in any sense (either Aristotelian or Platonic). My question is how these positions can be made consistent. As far as I know, to an essence just is a universal, so to affirm that marriage has an essence seems in direct contradiction with the idea that there are no such things as universals. Since I don't think you would permit so obvious a contradiction, either my account of essence or my understanding of your nominalism must be at fault. I would be much gratified if you could elaborate, as I think it would help me better understand your position on abstract objects ...

  • ŷַ News

    From Spanish teacher to deputy: ŷַ alumna uses education to help others

    ŷַ graduate Laurel Yoshimoto utilizes her education degree and experience to help her become a better peace officer

    Angelene Wong — 

    Laurel Yoshimoto (’04, M.A. ’06) never dreamed of going into law enforcement when she graduated from ŷַ. She started her career as a...

  • ŷַ News

    New Vice Provost for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement Announced

    Pamela Christian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role at ŷַ

    Jenna Loumagne — 

    Pamela Christian has been appointed ŷַ’s Vice Provost for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement. She will oversee Multi-ethnic...

  • ŷַ News

    Crowell School of Business Launches Startup Competition

    Students and alumni invited to enter ŷַ’s first annual competition for capital to launch a new business

    Olivia Bersin — 

    The first annual ŷַ Startup Competition, hosted by ŷַ’s Crowell School of Business, will launch this month giving students and...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Is God’s Life Absurd?

    William Lane Craig — 

    Dear Doctor Craig, I have recently thought myself into a theological dilemma, which, to be perfectly honest, I find somewhat frightening. I look forward to your analysis: I do not want to say or even think that God's existence might be purposeless, but I'm having a hard time not coming to that conclusion. Consider: purposes do not lie within themselves. Purposes depend upon an external factor, or judgment. Does the purpose of a tree lie within that tree's mere existence? No. The purpose of the tree becomes known only after observing the tree with various other things, i.e. the bird nesting in its branches, the shade its leaves provide on a hot summer day. Therefore, it follows that for one to assert a /purpose/ for God implies that there remains something outside of God, thus making God God ...

  • ŷַ News

    ŷַ Named NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution

    Claims character award for eighth year in a row.

    Neil Morgan — 

    NAIA RELEASE ŷַ is named a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Champions of Character Five-Star Institution for the eighth...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Comical Zondervan Ice Cream Video Features a Talbot Professor

    Joanne Jung — 

    Have you ever wondered what theology and ice cream have in common? Some Zondervan authors shed some light on the matter, and our very own Dr. Joanne Jung chimes in.

  • The Good Book Blog

    Questions Sparked by Defenders Class

    William Lane Craig — 

    Weekly Q & A with Dr. William Lane Craig: ... I have found your descriptions of omni-temporalism and middle-knowledge have challenged some of my assumptions, but instead of finding this irritating or threatening I am grateful to have had my horizons extended, and I am very interested to know more. I suspect I shall have to track down a copy of your book "Time and Eternity" for a detailed explanation, but I wondered if you could find the time to provide a short answer? ... But I am finding the idea of omni-temporalism much harder to get my head around. If God didn't create time then who did? Also aren't temporal beings in a sense controlled by time? As you point out, God would still has his perfect knowledge of the past, but does omni-temporalism lead to a belief that God is under the control of time? ... are these valid thoughts to ponder as I weigh a-temporalism and a tense-less B-theory against omni-temporalism, or have I misunderstood the debate?

  • ŷַ News

    ŷַ Receives $500,000 Grant from Kay Family Foundation

    Grant will fund initiatives to bolster university’s global impact

    Jenna Loumagne  — 

    ŷַ has received a $500,000 grant from the Kay Family Foundation to enhance ŷַ’s Talbot School of Theology ’s global impact. The...

  • ŷַ News

    Amy Jungkeit Hired As Assistant AD for Compliance

    ŷַ Athletics brings on board an alum of The Master's College.

    Neil Morgan — 

    Amy Jungkeit officially began duties as ŷַ's Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance on Aug. 24, 2015. She joins ŷַ's staff following...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Can One Person Change the World? Questions Over Breakfast #12

    Kenneth Berding — 

    The dialogue between Michael and Jim comes to a close: Michael: But what if it doesn’t happen the way I hope? What if I set out on a course of action and my impact turns out to be minimal? Jim: I don’t believe that anyone who lives a life of whole devotion to God will only have minimal impact. But it’s not until eternity that we will be able to see all that has occurred through our lives. In other words, we don’t always see fully now. But, let’s say that you really don’t make an impact; you can’t even see a dent. Even then, you’ve lived life according to the purpose for which you were created, and that can never be called an empty life. Michael: But if your ministry is unsuccessful, you haven’t succeeded. Jim: Not necessarily ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    The Key to Successful Debating

    William Lane Craig — 

    Dear Dr. Craig, You were the first Christian apologist I came across when I was researching a credible answer from Christianity to Atheist and Islam in 2002. Since then I have been following you through different medium on the internet. May God bless you for bringing the Christian truth with precision and clarity and with so much needed nuances. I was re-watching your debate with Dr. Richard Carrier on the Resurrection of Jesus. I can't remember anyone really dismantling his case as you did. So I wondered how do you do to prepare for a debate? Most speakers are good at their opening speech but fair less well during the rebuttals, failure you seem immune to. Do you also prepare the rebuttals before your debates? If yes, how on earth do you do that since you can't possibly know what the opponent would say? ...

  • ŷַ News

    ŷַ Welcomes New Faculty for Fall 2015

    From gourmet food trucks to 18th century British literature, ŷַ’s new faculty bring a diverse set of experience to the classroom

    Jenna Loumagne — 

    ŷַ welcomes 30 new faculty members this fall — each of whom represent the university’s aspiration to attract and retain the finest...

  • ŷַ News

    Faculty Spotlight: Greg Peters

    The Story of Monasticism: A Q&A with Greg Peters on his new book

    Quinn Clark and Jenna Loumagne — 

    Some evangelicals perceive monasticism as a relic from the past, a retreat from the world or a shirking of the call to the Great Commision. But...

  • The Good Book Blog

    What About All the Hypocrites? Questions Over Breakfast #11

    Kenneth Berding — 

    The dialogue between Michael and Jim continues: Michael: I think I’ll never find a church I can take my family to. Jim: WHY NOT?! Michael: There’s just too much hypocrisy! Jim: I have to agree with you there. Michael: (not listening to Jim’s answer) … I know it’s hard for you to hear this, since you’re in the ministry and everything … (all of a sudden catching on) … did you say you agree?! Jim: Of course I do ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Christians in the World: A Triumphal Church or a Persecuted Minority? Questions Over Breakfast #10

    Kenneth Berding — 

    The dialogue between Michael and Jim continues: Michael: I admire your courage. But I still think that what you’re trying to do is almost impossible. Jim: That’s one of the reasons we’re trying it. God is the one who makes the impossible possible. What do you think, Michael? Is the church a triumphant church, or are we just a band of persecuted idealists? Michael: In your case I’d say that you look more like a group of persecuted idealists. At the same time, the church does seem to be making strides in many places in the world ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Are There Uncreated Abstract Objects?

    William Lane Craig — 

    ... I've been reading "Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview" for the past few months and have repeatedly been fascinated by what I am reading. One of my favorite areas of philosophy is ontology, and I was particularly interested in abstract objects. I had heard you explain abstract objects briefly and often in your debates and lectures as one of the only two options for a first cause of the universe. As you've said, abstract objects do not stand in causal relations. In thinking about this, however, something has come to mind. If abstract objects do not stand in causal relations, what is their relationship with God? Both God and abstract objects are metaphysically necessary beings, meaning that they exist in every possible world. This seems to me to conflict with a theological view that God is the creator of everything. If God didn't exist, nothing would. Though it seems to me that if God didn't exist, abstract objects still would. Thus, it seems that mathematical entities, for instance, would and do exist independently of whether or not God exists ...