I just got caught up and watched the two-part Doctor Who episode(s) “Silence in the Library” and “Forest of the Dead“. We’ve been given snippets of hints at the Doctor’s identity before – in one episode in the Tom Baker era, an old acquaintance knew him by the name Theta Sigma – which is the abbreviation for the Greek word THEOS, meaning God, used in many New Testament manuscripts. In “Forest of the Dead”, Professor River Song whispers the Doctor’s... Read more

With my family all around me I’ve all the riches I can hold I’m a beggar Sitting on a beach of gold (Mike and the Mechanics, “Beggar on a Beach of Gold“) Read more

It is interesting to note the literally out of this world news that has appeared recently… On the one hand, there are early reports that scientists have confirmed the extraterrestrial origin of organic molecules in a meteorite, suggesting that, however much progress may be made research on how life may have formed on earth, it may be necessary to look to heaven (er, I mean, the heavens) to account for some steps in the process. On the other hand, apparently... Read more

Apparently the prediction that the world would end was slighly off. In fact, what ended was the era of the banana argument. Chuck Blanchard blogs about John Haught. Iyov wonders why I didn’t comment on the latest news from the Discovery Institute. Bay of Fundie has a flow chart to help you figure out if it is religion or science. Clash of Culture discusses creationism as an easy target. On The Panda’s Thumb: should evolutionists be allowed to vote? Debunking... Read more

I hope everyone will get a kick out of the spoof site Intelligent Design Society of Kansas (HT Amused Muse). Be sure to poke around and read things like the FAQ and research pages! AIG Busted is highlighting recent observations of evolution producing new “information” and Science Avenger also mentions Behe’s denial of it. Michael White discusses where genes come from. Wesley Elsberry discusses Tom Willis’ problem. Bob Cornwall looks for middle ground in the evolution wars. eSkeptic highlights the... Read more

John Hobbins at Ancient Hebrew Poetry decided to reinvigorate the blogosphere by starting a meme/blog-a-thon in which two bloggers reciprocally ask each other a set number of challenging questions. He gave me the honor of being first. Visit his blog to read his three questions and my answers: (1) Reframing the God debate(2) Scary experiences of God(3) Faith and science intersect Read more

The more I think about the fact that so many blogs and web sites are speculating about Barack Obama being the antichrist, the more annoyed and puzzled I get. I once used to be part of this apocalyptic-oriented Evangelicalism, until actually reading the Book of Revelation and paying attention to the details persuaded me that the whole approach was misguided. Just think about the following implications, two of which are ridiculous and one of which, though plausible, is unlikely to... Read more

Undeception points out another young-earth creationist claim that can be laid to rest (although if their past actions are anything to go by, the scientific evidence for their claim being false won’t stop them repeating it and believing it). Open Parachute highlights the challenges of coming out as a Christian who is persuaded by the evidence for evolution. Demonbaby explores the creation museum, and Robert Ritchie tackles regime change in heaven (HT Pharyngula). Vridar continues discussing Evans’ Fabricating Jesus. Bay... Read more

Somehow I found myself involved in a discussion of the Genesis creation stories on a blog called The Celtic Chimp. I hope to resume regular posting soon (although I suspect the amount of work I’ve caught up on recently and the lack of regular blogging may be connected somehow). Read more

“Time is the creator, it knows no limits, no one is above it, it has no foundation in anything, it has always existed and will exist for ever, and the wise one asks not ‘Whence comes time?'” (Ulemai Islam, quoted in Svend Aage Pallis, Mandaean Studies (Amsterdam: Philo Press, 1926) p.69). Read more