“More Human Than We Imagined”

Media Culpa reports on an article detailing a study done on “minimally conscious” patients in “More Human Than We Imagined”.

From the original New York Times article:

Thousands of brain-damaged people who are treated as if they are almost completely unaware may in fact hear and register what is going on around them but be unable to respond, a new brain-imaging study suggests.

In a measure of overall brain activity, the two groups were vastly different: the two minimally conscious men showed less than half the activity of the others.

But the researchers also recorded an audiotape for each of the nine subjects in which a relative or loved one reminisced, telling familiar stories and recalling shared experiences. In each of the brain-damaged patients, the sound of the voice prompted a pattern of brain activity similar to that of the healthy participants.

More On Those Who Haven’t Heard The Gospel

Revenge of Mr. Dumpling has posted a truly outstanding piece on the question of what happens to those who never had a chance to hear the gospel. It’s a must read.

A Bill To Remove ‘Sexual Orientation’ From PA’s Hate Crime Law

AgapePress is reporting that a bill is being introduced to strip ‘sexual orientation’ from Pennsylvania’s hate crimes law. The original law — which was passed over objections that it would be used to suppress the right of free speech — is being used against the “Philly 5” for protesting at an “Outfest” event in October 2004.

Update: 2005 EU Blog Winners

The winners of the first annual 2005 Evangelistic Underground Blog Awards have been announced. Congratulations to all the winners! 

Vox Apologia IV

firstPete315 has posted the results of this week’s Vox Apologia. The question of the week is “What happens to those who have never heard the gospel?”

What Is Truth?

The question, “What is truth?” has been on my ‘posts to write’ list since before I launched The Greatest Pursuits. Hello Infidels! has posted a truly excellent article which answers that question. This one is a must read!

Answering Bill Moyers

On January 30th, the Minneapolis Star Tribune published a wild-eyed screed by Bill Moyers which falsely claimed that Bible believing Christians are trying to destroy the environment in an attempt to hasten the tribulation and Jesus’ return. As his central evidence he claimed a quote supposedly made by James Watts during congressional testimony. Powerline has the whole story on how Moyers’ “evidence” was simply fabricated and proof that Watts’ actual position was the exact opposite of what Moyers claims: “Bill Moyers Smears a Better Man Than Himself”

Gerald Schroeder: Science And The Bible

Gerald Schroeder, author of the book “The Hidden Face of God: Science Reveals the Ultimate Truth” has a web site where he describes various aspects of how science agrees with the Bible. I will definitely be spending some time reading his articles.

(HT to much (of a which of a) wind for the link.  much (of a which of a) wind is another site worth exploring.)

Who’s Afraid of the Fetus?

Planned Parenthood, that’s who.

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

(Is. 5:20, NASB)

And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

(John 1:5, NASB)

And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.

(Eph. 5:11-13, NASB)

This reminds me of a joke: Q. How many cockroaches does it take to screw in a light bulb? A. You can’t tell. As soon as the light goes on, they all scatter!

Weapons of Warfare on Purgatory

Weapons of Warfare points out that the doctrine of purgatory is not supported by scripture.

Vox Apologia IV

firstPete315 will be hosting Vox Apologia IV. This week’s topic is, “What happens to those who have never heard the Gospel?”

Religion of Peace?

So, Islam is the “religion of peace,” is it? Not!

• “Source: Slayings resembled Islamist executions”
• A Hate Crime In Jersey City Heights—Horrid New Details
• “Christians stalked on Islamic website
• Islamists Tracking Christians Online

Jihad Watch is tracking these stories as well as many others related to Islam’s efforts to take over the world.

And in case you’ve forgotten, now is a good time to review some of Jesus’s instructions from the last supper:

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. But they have done this in order that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me, and you will bear witness also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

“These things I have spoken to you, that you may be kept from stumbling. They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. And these things they will do, because they have not known the Father, or Me.”

(John 15:18-16:3, NASB)

And He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” And they said, “No, nothing.” And He said to them, “But now, let him who has a purse take it along, likewise also a bag, and let him who has no sword sell his robe and buy one. For I tell you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘And He was numbered with transgressors’;for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.”

(Luke 22:35-37, NASB)

Update: Kim du Toit points to an article about Islamic literature being distributed and adds his two cents in his own inimitable style. That article by Daniel Pipes can be found here. He provides a link to the actual study (a PDF file).

On Love And Knowledge

Bob at Mr. Standfast has written two very interesting and thoughtful posts examining what Paul meant when he wrote:

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,

(Phil. 1:9, NASB)

• “Love & Knowledge”
• “More on Love & Knowledge”

Iraqi Election Photo Essay

Brain Shavings has posted a fascinating photo essay of the Iraqi election. To add a unique twist of irony, he has interspersed quotes from those opposed to our goals in Iraq. Very cool…

The Argument From Evil

Joshua at RazorsKiss has posted an excellent response to an atheist’s claim that the existence of evil proves that God doesn’t exist.