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Dr. David Madison<\/strong>\u00a0is an atheist who was a Methodist minister for nine years: with a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Boston University.\u00a0 You can see (by the number in the title) how many times\u00a0I have replied<\/a>\u00a0to his videos or articles.\u00a0Thus far, I haven\u2019t heard\u00a0one peep<\/em>\u00a0back from him\u00a0 (from 8-1-19 to this date). This certainly doesn\u2019t suggest to me that he is very\u00a0confident<\/em>\u00a0in his opinions. All I\u2019ve seen is\u00a0expressions of contempt from Dr. Madison<\/a>\u00a0and from his buddy, atheist author and polemicist, the extraordinarily volatile\u00a0John Loftus<\/a>, who runs the notoriously insulting\u00a0Debunking Christianity<\/em><\/a>\u00a0blog.<\/p>\n Loftus even went to the length of\u00a0changing his blog\u2019s rules of engagement<\/a>, in order for himself and Dr. Madison to avoid replying to me. Obviously, I have \u201chit a nerve\u201d over there. In any event, their utter non-responses and intellectual cowardice do not affect me in the slightest. No skin off of my back. If I want to critique more of their material, I\u00a0will<\/em>. If my replies go out unopposed, all the\u00a0better<\/em>\u00a0for my cause.<\/p>\n This is a reply to a portion of Dr. Madison\u2019s article,\u00a0Christianity Gets Slam-Dunked<\/a> (8-16-19).\u00a0 Dr. Madison\u2019s words will be in\u00a0blue<\/span>\u00a0below.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n A review of Tim Sledge\u2019s\u00a0Four Disturbing Questions with One Simple Answer<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n . . .\u00a0I always welcome books that expose the flaws, especially one that is as highly readable as Tim Sledge\u2019s short new book (120 pages),<\/span>\u00a0Four Disturbing Questions with One Simple Answer: Breaking the Spell of Christian Belief<\/a><\/i><\/b>. With ease and precision, Sledge focuses on just four realities that do indeed shatter the Christian spell.<\/span><\/p>\n . . .\u00a0for thirty years he was an evangelical Southern Baptist minister, a Number 10 Christian. In his longer book,<\/span>\u00a0Goodbye Jesus: An Evangelical Preacher\u2019s Journey Beyond Faith<\/a><\/i><\/b>\u00a0[my review is here<\/a>], Sledge mentions his practice over the years of relegating his reservations\u2014things about the faith that didn\u2019t make sense\u2014to a corner of his mind that he labeled,\u00a0Exceptions to the Rule of Faith<\/i>. Eventually the items deposited there became too weighty.<\/span><\/p>\n In his new book he distills many of these into four knockout categories, hence the title,\u00a0Four Disturbing Questions<\/i>:<\/span><\/p>\n (1) The Power Failure Question<\/span> [. . . ]<\/span><\/p>\n This is the Germ Warfare Question<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhy didn\u2019t Jesus say anything about germs.\u201d (p. 46)<\/span><\/p>\n We may wonder: Just when did Jesus become a full participant in the Holy Trinity, i.e., knowing everything that God knows? John\u2019s gospel tells us that Jesus was present right there at creation. It\u2019s bit difficult to reconcile this with a Galilean peasant preacher who could very well have been illiterate. <\/span><\/p>\n Really? It\u2019s pretty tough to be illiterate when one reads biblical texts in a synagogue:<\/p>\n Luke 4:16<\/strong> (RSV)\u00a0And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the sabbath day. And he stood up to read;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Moreover, there are the several instances of Jesus rhetorically asking about whether His detractors had read various Old Testament passages (ones that He had obviously read), with the words, \u201chave you not read . . . ?\u201d<\/a> And there are His many references to\u00a0\u201cscripture[s]\u201d<\/a>: with which He was obviously familiar. But I guess this is the sort of \u201chigher-level learning\u201d and logic that is (amazingly enough) beyond Dr. David Madison, doctorate (in biblical studies) and all. For him, Jesus was \u2014 more likely than not \u2014 illiterate.<\/p>\n But if John got it right, why not use his time on earth to pass along\u00a0really useful<\/i><\/b>\u00a0knowledge?<\/span><\/p>\n Sledge provides a helpful survey of discoveries about microbes in the 19th and 20th centuries, after billions of humans had suffered horrible deaths from disease. Yet we have a thousand pages of Bible that gives no information at all about how the real world works. \u201cBut it\u2019s hard to argue,\u201d Sledge says, \u201cthat any time was too soon for humans to learn about the microscopic organisms that cause so much sickness and death\u2014germs.\u201d (p. 35)<\/span><\/p>\n Yet Jesus the moralist was more concerned about\u00a0sin<\/b>. \u201cNothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.\u201d (Mark 7:15). Sledge is generous, but gets in his zinger: \u201c\u2026Jesus was focused on the importance of inner spiritual change over outward religious ceremony. But wouldn\u2019t this have been a great time to explain that they should wash their hands for health purposes, a good time to tell people about germs, a good time to talk about why they should be careful where they get their drinking water, along with a few tips about sewage disposal?\u201d (p. 42)<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhy didn\u2019t the God of the universe\u2014walking among mankind in the flesh as Jesus\u2014do a sidebar talk on germs?\u201d (p. 43)<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGod had been watching silently for thousands of years by the time Jesus came along. It was late in the game, but couldn\u2019t the Son of God\u2014the one described as the Great Physician\u2014have made a greater contribution to human health than healing a few people while he was on earth?\u201d (p. 46)<\/span><\/p>\n Horrendous suffering\u2014both human and animal\u2014is built in<\/i><\/b>; it\u2019s just how the world works. Any theism that posits a caring, Master-Craftsman god, collapses on that fact alone, and this Sledge chapter is a good primer for those who rarely consider the implication of germs for their concept of a good God.<\/span><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n It so happens that I have already thoroughly answered this challenge. Atheists mostly recycle old chestnuts in their arsenal of Christian-bashing pseudo-pseudo [fallacious] supposed \u201carguments\u201d. Thus, we observe that atheist Bob Seidensticker, whom I have also refuted 35 times<\/a> (and again with utterly no reply<\/a> back, since he is just as much an intellectual coward as Dr. Madison) brought this up in his hit-piece, \u201cYet More on the Bible\u2019s Confused Relationship with Science (2 of 2)\u201d<\/a>\u00a0(12-2-15), where he pontificated:<\/p>\n 10. Germs? What germs?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n The Bible isn\u2019t a reliable source of health information. . . . physical health and basic hygienic precautions are not obvious and are worth a mention somewhere. How about telling us that boiling water minimizes disease? Or how to site latrines to safeguard the water supply?<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019ll re-post my lengthy and (I think) devastating reply to this accusation in a moment. But first let me provide my previous answer to his closing lie \/ potshot:<\/p>\n Let me close with a paraphrase of an idea\u00a0from AronRa: When the answer is known, science knows it. But when science doesn\u2019t know it, neither does religion.<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s not true. As shown, Hippocrates, the pagan Greek \u201cfather of medicine\u201d didn\u2019t understand the causes of contagious disease. Nor did medical science until the 19th century. But the hygienic principles that would have prevented the spread of such diseases were in the Bible: in the Laws of Moses.<\/p>\n St. Augustine<\/a>\u00a0in the 5th century and\u00a0St. Thomas Aquinas<\/a>\u00a0in the 13th, both rejected astrology long before modern science, while even the most prominent modern scientists in the 16th-17th centuries, such as\u00a0Galileo<\/a>,\u00a0Tycho Brahe<\/a>, and\u00a0Kepler<\/a>\u00a0firmly believed in it.<\/p>\n I could go on and on, but just a few examples suffice to decisively refute a foolishly ignorant universal negative claim.<\/p>\n And of course, modern science (virtually the atheist\u2019s religion: \u201cscientism\u201d), for all its admirable qualities and glories (I\u00a0love<\/em>\u00a0science!) is not without much embarrassing error and foolishness, and skeletons in its\u00a0own closet: like belief in the 41-year successful hoax of\u00a0\u201cPiltdown Man\u201d<\/a>. This is true even up to very recent times, as\u00a0I have detailed<\/a>\u00a0for atheists\u2019 convenience.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Here, then, is my reply (from over two months ago, contra Seidensticker\u2019s similar \u201cargument\u201d) to the supposed \u201cslam-dunk\u201d against Christianity (made by Tim Sledge and ballyhooed by Dr. David Madison): alleged ignorance of God and the Bible regarding germs and their devastating effects:<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Once again, five minutes searching on Google would have prevented Bob from spewing more ignorance about the Bible. The\u00a0Bible Ask<\/em>\u00a0site has an article,\u00a0\u201cDid the Bible teach the germs theory?\u201d<\/a>\u00a0(5-30-16):<\/p>\n The Bible writers did not write a medical textbook. However, there are numerous rules for sanitation, quarantine, and other medical procedures (found in the first 5 book of the OT) . . .<\/p>\n Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis (1818 \u20131865), who was a Hungarian physician, . . . [He] proposed the practice of washing hands with chlorinated lime solutions in 1847 . . . He published a book of his findings in\u00a0Etiology, Concept and Prophylaxis of Childbed Fever<\/em>. Despite various publications of his successful results, Semmelweis\u2019s suggestions were not accepted by the medical community of his time.<\/p>\n Why was Semmelweis research rejected? Because germs were virtually a foreign concept for the Europeans in the middle-19th-century. . . .<\/p>\n Had the medical community paid attention to God\u2019s instructions that were given 3000 years before, many lives would have been saved. The Lord gave the Israelites hygienic principles against the contamination of germs and taught the necessity to quarantine the sick (Numbers 19:11-12<\/a>). And the book of Leviticus lists a host of diseases and ways where a person would come in contact with germs (Leviticus 13:46<\/a>).<\/p>\n Germs were no new discovery in 1847. And for this fact, Roderick McGrew testified in the\u00a0Encyclopedia of Medical History<\/em><\/a>: \u201cThe idea of contagion was foreign to the classic medical tradition and found no place in the voluminous Hippocratic writings. The Old Testament, however, is a rich source for contagionist sentiment, especially in regard to leprosy and venereal disease\u201d (1985, pp. 77-78).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Some other interesting facts regarding the Bible and germ theory:<\/p>\n 1. The Bible contained instructions for the Israelites to wash their bodies and clothes\u00a0in running water<\/em>\u00a0if they had a discharge, came in contact with someone else\u2019s discharge, or had touched a dead body. They were also instructed about objects that had come into contact with dead things, and about purifying items with an unknown history with either fire or running water. They were also taught to bury human waste outside the camp, and to burn animal waste (Num 19:3-22;<\/a>\u00a0Lev. 11:1-47<\/a>;\u00a015:1-33;<\/a>\u00a0Deut 23:12<\/a>).<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0Leviticus 13\u00a0and 14 mention leprosy on walls and on garments. Leprosy is a bacterial disease, and can survive for three weeks or longer apart from the human body. Thus, God commanded that the garments of leprosy victims should be burned (Lev 13:52<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n 3.\u00a0It was\u00a0not until 1873<\/a>\u00a0that leprosy was shown to be an infectious disease rather than hereditary.\u00a0Of course, the laws of Moses already were aware of that\u00a0<\/span>(Lev 13, 14,\u00a022;\u00a0Num 19:20<\/a>). It contains instructions\u00a0<\/span>about quarantine and about quarantined persons needing to\u00a0thoroughly shave and wash. Priests who cared for them also were instructed to change their clothes and wash thoroughly.\u00a0The Israelites were the only culture to practice quarantine until the 19th century, when medical advances discovered the biblical medical principles and practices.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0Hippocrates, the \u201cfather of medicine\u201d (born 460 BC), thought \u201cbad air\u201d from swampy areas was the cause of disease.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n See also:\u00a0\u201cOld Testament Laws About Infectious Diseases.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n The\u00a0entry on \u201cHealth\u201d<\/a>\u00a0in\u00a0Baker\u2019s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology<\/em>\u00a0reveals that ordinary medicinal remedies were widely practiced in Bible times. There wasn\u2019t\u00a0solely<\/em>\u00a0a belief that sin or demons caused all disease (as Bob often implies in his anti-Christian writings, and in this paper:\u00a0\u201cAccording to the Bible, evil spirits cause disease.\u201d). There was also a natural cause-and-effect understanding:<\/p>\n Ordinary means of healing were of most diverse kinds. Balm (\u00a0Gen 37:25<\/a>\u00a0) is thought to have been an aromatic resin (or juice) with healing properties; oil was the universal emollient (\u00a0Isa 1:6<\/a>\u00a0), and was sometimes used for wounds with cleansing wine (\u00a0Luke 10:34<\/a>\u00a0). Isaiah recommended a fig poultice for a boil (\u00a038:21<\/a>\u00a0); healing springs and saliva were thought effectual (\u00a0Mark 8:23<\/a>\u00a0;\u00a0John 5<\/a>\u00a0;\u00a09:6-7<\/a>\u00a0). Medicine is mentioned (\u00a0Prov 17:22<\/a>\u00a0) and defended as \u201csensible\u201d ( Sirach 38:4). Wine mixed with myrrh was considered sedative (\u00a0Mark 15:23<\/a>\u00a0); mint, dill, and cummin assisted digestion (\u00a0Matt 23:23<\/a>\u00a0); other herbs were recommended for particular disorders. Most food rules had both ritual and dietary purposes, while raisins, pomegranates, milk, and honey were believed to assist restoration. . . .<\/p>\n Luke\u2019s constant care of Paul reminds us that nonmiraculous means of healing were not neglected in that apostolic circle. Wine is recommended for Timothy\u2019s weak stomach, eye-salve for the Thyatiran church\u2019s blindness (metaphorical, but significant).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Doctors today often note how the patient\u2019s disposition and attitude has a strong effect on his health or recovery. The mind definitely influences the body. Solomon understood this in several of his Proverbs: written around 950 BC (Prov 14:30; 15:30; 16:24; 17:22).<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Further note of 12-10-19: since Jesus observed Mosaic Law, including ritual washings, etc., He tacitly accepted (by His example of following it) the aspects of it that anticipated and \u201cunderstood\u201d germ theory. The knowledge was already in existence.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Dr. David Madison\u00a0is an atheist who was a Methodist minister for nine years: with a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Boston University.\u00a0 You can see (by the number in the title) how many times\u00a0I have replied\u00a0to his videos or articles.\u00a0Thus far, I haven\u2019t heard\u00a0one peep\u00a0back from him\u00a0 (from 8-1-19 to this date). This certainly doesn\u2019t […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2331,"featured_media":41890,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[124,112],"tags":[2519,1738,1043,745,258,2639,9137,335,525,9946,9949,9952,171,6519,1367,9119,648,6522],"class_list":["post-41887","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-atheism-agnosticism","category-philosophy-science","tag-alleged-biblical-contradictions","tag-anti-christian-bigotry","tag-anti-theism","tag-anti-theists","tag-atheism","tag-atheist-exegesis","tag-atheist-hermeneutics","tag-atheists","tag-bible-contradictions","tag-bible-germs","tag-bible-infectious-diseases","tag-bible-sanitary-conditions","tag-bible-science","tag-contradictions-in-the-bible","tag-critiques-of-christianity","tag-david-madison","tag-debunking-christianity","tag-divine-inspiration"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n(2) The Mixed Message Question<\/span>
\n(3) The Germ Warfare Question<\/span>
\n(4) The Better Plan Question<\/span><\/p>\nUnfortunately, Money Trees Do Not Exist<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0If you have been aided in any way by my work, or think it is valuable and worthwhile, please strongly consider financially supporting it (even $10 \/ month \u2014 a mere 33 cents a day \u2014 would be very helpful). I have been a full-time Catholic apologist since Dec. 2001, and have been writing Christian apologetics since 1981 (see\u00a0my Resume<\/a>).\u00a0My work has been proven (by God\u2019s grace alone) to be fruitful, in terms of changing lives (see the tangible evidences\u00a0from unsolicited \u201ctestimonies\u201d<\/a>).\u00a0I have to pay my bills like all of you: and have a (homeschooling) wife and three children still at home to provide for, and a mortgage to pay.<\/div>\n*<\/div>\nMy book royalties from\u00a0three bestsellers in the field<\/a>\u00a0(published in 2003-2007) have been decreasing, as has my overall income, making it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.\u00a0 I provide over 2600 free articles here, for the purpose of your edification and education, and have\u00a0written 50 books<\/a>.\u00a0It\u2019ll literally be a struggle to survive financially until Dec. 2020, when both my wife and I will be receiving Social Security. If you cannot contribute, I ask for your prayers (and \u201clikes\u201d and links and shares). Thanks!<\/div>\n*<\/div>\nSee my\u00a0information on how to donate<\/a>\u00a0(including 100% tax-deductible donations). It\u2019s very simple to contribute to my apostolate via PayPal, if a tax deduction is not needed (my \u201cbusiness name\u201d there is called \u201cCatholic Used Book Service,\u201d from my old bookselling days 17 or so years ago, but send to my email: apologistdave@gmail.com). Another easy way to send and receive money (with a bank account or a mobile phone) is through\u00a0Zelle<\/a>. Again, just send to my e-mail address.\u00a0May God abundantly bless you.<\/div>\n*<\/div>\n***<\/div>\n<\/div>\nPhoto credit:<\/strong> Portrait of Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis (1818-1865), the Hungarian-Austrian physician, who discovered the principles of germ theory and hygiene, some 3000 years after Moses taught them in what became the Old Testament. Better late than never! This file comes from<\/span>\u00a0Wellcome Images<\/a>, a website operated by Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation based in the United Kingdom. Refer to\u00a0<\/span>Wellcome blog post<\/a>\u00a0(archive<\/a>). [Wikimedia Commons<\/a> \/\u00a0Creative Commons<\/a>\u00a0Attribution 4.0 International<\/a>\u00a0license]<\/div>\n<\/div>\n***<\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"