Ken Ham vs. Bill Nye - Why the debate Matters


Ken Ham vs. Bill Nye – The pair will face off in an epic battle that will once and for all decide the truth about human origins. At least that is the attitude of the hype surrounding the event.


I recently read similar article posted to Facebook called “God vs. Evolution.”  My only comment was ‘I wonder if they know they are supposed to be fighting.”

When I first saw Ham/Nye debate announced I have to admit that a very cynical part of me wanted the subtitle to read, “How much stupid can you fit into one room?”  Clearly that was not the right response, but I want to examine why the idea of such a debate irritates me.

The Ham/Nye debate and the God vs. Evolution article both share the limited perceptive that God and modern science are somehow pitted against each other.

Why do these two sides of the debate hold so strong to their stance? That is other than the fact that they seem to be somewhat unaware that this is a multisided debate.

Both have limited views on truth. The strict creationist and the strict material evolutionist suffer from very similar delusions. And from there both groups feel free to draw their own opposing philosophical conclusions.

The creationist, with a literal interpretation of Genesis 1-3, assumes the Bible is the only source of truth. So if he has a question of science he goes to the Bible (FYI not a science book) for answers.

The materialist evolutionist assumes scientific reasoning is the only source of truth. Being limited by his worldview the materialist is unable to imagine the possibility of metaphysical realities much less the possibility that alternative worldviews may also offer helpful angles to viewing Truth.

Both of these positions lack imagination, and display an arrogant pride in their own system of belief.

Do we really think anyone attending the Nye/Ham debate will leave with a change of heart? I dare say that a few hours of debate will not be enough to dismantle either one of these very inflexible worldviews and rebuild a convert.

So why does it matter? Both sides will leave feeling victorious and that much more confident in their position. So in my opinion it doesn't matter, because I refuse to put on the blinders required to defend either position.  




So do you stand anywhere on the issue Aubrey? I do have my opinions on what might be the best possible explanation for origins, but I am much more interested in how the origins of our philosophical frameworks influence the way we live and how we interact with others.

For me, I always come back to the saying “All truth is God’s truth.”

God is Truth, and I am limited in my understanding of Truth.


This allows me the freedom to explore various worldviews understanding that the truth I find in each one is also limited in perspective. But to the degree it does offer truth; that truth points back to the ultimate Truth.






* thanks Kyle Roberts for teaching me some of the ideas expressed here.


Check out the book I'm writing at www.adhogan.com
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5 Reasons we read Relevant Magazine more than the Bible


I’ll be the first to say that I like Relevant Magazine. I’m a late twenty-something Christian and
everything about the Relevant culture is marketed towards me. I subscribe to the magazine, follow the Facebook and Twitter feeds, read the articles they post, and recently I have started listening to the podcast (really great stuff). I also write, and Relevant is a goldmine for inspirational thoughts.

They are so great at what they do I’m afraid some of us would rather read Relevant magazine than our Bibles. Here are 5 reasons why.

Relevant Magazine has bullet points and the Bible doesn't.
For the sheer irony of it I created this blog post so it is a list of items. This is a really popular format blogs and online articles right now. People are attracted to articles with list and bullet points because it means we can scan it quickly and look for bold print. Who wants to read a whole article when you digest the main points in under 20 seconds? If we took this approach with the bible we would just be confused.

Relevant Magazine is written to a postmodern audience.
The literature published by Relevant seems well...wait for it... relevant. I know Cameron Strang says the magazine is so named because “God is still relevant,” but seriously these guys discuss pop culture better than any other Christian outlet. The Bible on the other hand was written to a series of pre-modern audiences. There are no chapters titled “5 Questions to ask before posting to Social Media” or “Why is it so hard to make Friends afterCollege.”

Relevant Magazine is on Facebook.
Seriously, how am I not supposed to stop what I’m doing to read a Relevant article whenever a large image of N.T. Wright (one of my favorite theologians) pops up on screen.  Relevant goes where I go: Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs.  Sure I can get a daily scripture emailed to me, listen to YouVersion on my iPhone, or visit BibleGateway online to look up a reference quickly. But most of the time I have to make it a point to sit down and read the Bible at a level that significantly connects me to its story.

     Relevant Magazine can list 5 truths to make your life better.
Similar to my first point, Relevant just lays it out there for you. Each article has a thesis statement (or 5). Most times the Bible doesn’t provide propositional truth nuggets. We have to read something written to a culture we can hardly relate to and struggle to find the implications for our own lives. The Bible is a lot of work.

We have less at stake when we read Relevant.
If our interpretation of truth of differs from Relevant it is no big deal. Throw the magazine away. Unsubscribe from the Twitter feed. Move on with your life. If we don’t like what we read in the Bible we have to really work to make sense of it.



Of course some of what I just wrote was satirical by design. Relevant magazine does a wonderful job and points thousands of readers toward a relationship with God. I pick on them only because they are at the top of their field.

The Bible is important, really important. But we need to recognize that God works in ways beyond the scriptures to lead his people along his paths for us. The last thing I want to do is elevate the Bible above my relationship with its Maker.

So why make the comparison between Relevant and the Bible? Scripture is sacred. Relevant is not.  Something about scripture draws us closer to God in ways that other literature cannot. Scripture requires us to wrestle with God in a way that requires our surrender. Trying hard to make sense of the Bible helps us develop a relationship with Christ that demands our dependence on Him.


Are we actually relying on God for guidance in our life, or do we elevate something else above Him. Do we embrace struggle or look for the easy way out?  Are we relying on a magazine, friend, pastor, or priest as our primary engine for direction in life, or do you we lean into our relationship with the Holy Spirit.







Check out my upcoming writing project at www.adhogan.com
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The Church is a Lady

the church is a lady
Christ calls her his bride
but do we relate to her as such
feminine
having those qualities we admire in a women

not the gender roles society has placed upon us
but those innate qualities that endear us to all womankind
she offers the love of a mother
and communion with our brothers and sisters
as we await our return to Eden

But do we love her as such
for Christ gave himself up for her
cleansing her with water and word
so she shall be radiant
without stain, wrinkle, or blemish

a holy and blameless bride








Check out my upcoming writing project at www.adhogan.com
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I'm writing a book - How/When is it available to read?

How/When can I read this book?
Starting in March this book will be published in chapters at adhogan.com. Each week for 12 weeks I will publish a chapter at a time. Occasionally I will provide some commentary for a chapter at aubreyhogan.com.

My longterm hopes for this work include a paperback and Kindle version of the book available on Amazon.

So what is this book about?
It is a spiritual memoir about walking the road toward reconciliation with the church and its groom.

It is directed at young people questioning the need for their future role as a member of the church.

Did everything in these stories happen in real life? *Disclaimer
Sort of. Most of the characters have real life counterparts, but all story characters are only caricatures at best. Many but not all of the events actually happened in some fashion.  The events in my story are ordered for structure so they may not always show a true chronological reflection of real life. All of the themes and truths of this tale have been lived.



Follow along and get updates on Facebook and Twitter.
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Some days I fear I serve an Unjust God.

Sometimes I feel like God is unjust. At least his sense of justice is much different than mine.

I am currently studying the book of Mark with a group of 19-20 year olds. This past week the story of Jesus calling Matthew the tax collector to be his disciple has stood out in my mind. For those who don’t know tax collectors in Jesus' day were notoriously thieves who used somewhat legal means to take from those who couldn’t afford to give. (I might compare them to the guys who own payday loan stores, but that is another rant.)

What makes this story unique to me is that Matthew is not the victim of a crime or oppressive system. Matthew is the perpetrator and the enabler of the system, yet Christ called him to be one of his closest followers.

Jesus healed lepers, blind men, and paralytics. Jesus welcomed and uplifted women, even prostitutes, to be his followers.  He was always pulling from the bottom of the barrel of society. Everyone loves the Jesus who brings reconciliation to those trampled on by society. But does everyone love the Jesus who brings hope to those who are doing the trampling.

We all want healing for someone who is the victim of rape, but do we want healing for the rapist?

We all want healing for those who are devastated by the aftermath of abortion, but do we want healing for the abortionist?

We all want the victims of child slavery to be freed, but do we hope for the chance to bump into Joseph Kony when we get to heaven?

Most days my sense of justice would say NO to all of these questions, but when I read the story of Matthew I begin to think that my knee jerk reaction is quite unlike Christ.

I could never advocate for a Christ without accountability. But some days I fear my life may show advocacy for a Christ without forgiveness.





“When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” – Mark 2:17


Christ, let me to never forget that I am a sinner.












Check out my upcoming writing project at www.adhogan.com






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Recent Books I've Read Worth Reading

Emerging Prophet: Kierkegaard and the Postmodern People of God by Kyle Roberts

A well written book by a professor I admire. 

Among other things this book addresses Freud's critique of religion as a coping mechanism. 

Excellent introductory book for Apologetics.

Discusses the role of and need for imagination. 

Honestly a bit boring but very practical. 

International Best Seller. A new setting and characters for an action packed and suspenseful story. 

A classic tell of stock market success.

As always anything by Chesterton is a joy to read. 

One of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. 

Thanks Garrett Denney for this recommendation. A short read by a deeply insightful look into what it means to be human. 

A recent re-read. I understood the allegory must better now that I'm no longer 16. 

The story of a town. Another Steinbeck classic - always whimsical yet astute. 

Published by the founder of the Barna Research Group. The title says it all. Very perceptive.





Also I'm writing a book that will soon be released at www.adhogan.com. I can't say I recommend it yet. 
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