Articles - Miscellanea

Minnie Louise Haskins (1875-1957) was a British writer, missions worker, London School of Economics student and teacher, and industrial welfare leader in the first half of the 20th century. In addition to her literary work as a poet and novelist, Haskins and Eleanor T. Kelly co-authoredFoundations of Industrial Welfare, a significant publication promoting a spirit of cooperation between worker and employer. However, it is a small collection of poetry published in 1908 that contains the obscure poem for which Minnie Haskins is best remembered. Originally published under the title “God Knows,” this poem is best known from its popular title “The Gate of the Year.”

In his book, A Severe Mercy, Sheldon Vanauken describes his friend and mentor, C. S. Lewis, as “a man who could so swiftly cut through anything that even approached fuzzy thinking.” Van (as he was called by Lewis) goes on to say that C. S. Lewis “in brilliance, in wit, and in incisiveness, could hold his own with any man that ever lived” (of course, excluding the God-Man, Jesus Christ).

One of the most frequently asked questions about Warren Apologetics Center is: “What is this ‘apologetics center’ about?” Answering this question in such a way that people have a clear understanding is extremely crucial to the overall success of this project. We have worked hard to do this, but we continue working harder attempting to do an even better job communicating what Warren Apologetics Center is all about.

Less than ten years ago, the late Dr. Antony Flew, whom Professor Thomas B. Warren debated on the existence of God in 1976, announced that he (Flew) had given up atheism and embraced theism. The news sent shock waves through the philosophical world. Professor Flew’s “pilgrimage of reason” (as he described it) is chronicled in his 2007 book There Is A God. This former British atheist wrote that he had been influenced in recent years by the philosopher David Conway’s argument for God’s existence in Conway’s 2000 book The Rediscovery of Wisdom: From Here to Antiquity in Quest of Sophia. 

A NEWSMAX article in late December 2012 stated: “Hardcore atheists are one of society’s fastest growing demographics and they are marching assertively into the public square” (18). 
In their 2008 book—Religious America, Secular Europe?—three professors (Berger, Davie, and Fokas) address the growth and influence of secularistic thought, especially in the western world. Concerning America they write,

After scrubbing all recognition of God from its official 2012 Presidential platform, one of Americas two major political parties, in unprecedented fashion, narrowly "passed" a resolution to "put God back in" the platform. Most observers seemed to agree that the decision was by no means made with the two-thirds majority needed. However, somehow, in an arena shaking with a chorus of "boos," God was "voted back in." Is it a sad situation? Yes. Disappointing? Very. Alarming? Certainly. But, surprising? Not!

My attention has often been arrested by the many contrasts between the death of the unrighteous and the death of the faithful child of God. The writer of Proverbs presented this contrast when he wrote: “The wicked is banished in his wickedness, but the righteous has a refuge (hath hope, KJV) in his death” (Proverbs 14:32). Many have been the incidents which have illustrated this great truth.

Robert Ingersoll was a renowned agnostic who lived during the 19th century. His philosophy was summarized with the words, "The Bible is a Delusion." On November 29, 1896, The New York Journal presented a caricature of Ingersoll and stated, "Ingersoll illustrated the ever increasing boldness and audacity of doubt as to the Christian faith. . ." (qtd. in Sweeting 100).

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship, is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:1-4)

I came across some worldling’s definition of New Year’s Eve. He defined it as the ceremonial passage from one year to another that involves a sanctioned party which makes way for another 365 years of drudgery and responsibility. How different this is from the Christian perspective which views things with God as the priority so that one can say “You crown the year with Your goodness . . .” (Psalm 65:11).

The root of rationality is a basic fiber that runs through human beings. Doubt may reject it. Disease and decay may ravage it. However, normal human beings seek to be rational. Varghese in his book, The Wonder of the World: A Journey from Modern Science to the Mind of God, shows how an atheistic answer to life’s ultimate questions is both scientifically and philosophically insufficient. Concerning the reality of rationality he wrote:

When the Pilgrims came to the northern wilderness of America by way of the Mayflower in 1620, they pledged themselves to a mission “for the glory of God, and the advancement of the Christian faith” (Moore 16). When they arrived, they wanted to thank God for His blessings so they set aside a special time of Thanksgiving during that first fall of 1621. It is a great reminder of the rich religious heritage of America! For nearly four centuries, people in this great land have observed Thanksgiving during autumn. The first official national proclamation of the observance of Thanksgiving under the Constitution was in 1789. Following the approval of the Bill of Rights, including the First Amendment, the Congressional Record for September 25, 1789, states that Elias Boudinot, President of Congress during the American Revolution, said he could not allow the congressional session to pass without providing an opportunity for U. S. citizens with one voice to thank God for His many blessings.