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  • The Good Book Blog

    8 Inconvenient Truths about Pornography

    Sean McDowell — 

    For the past few years, I have been speaking and writing about the dangers of pornography. Although I have read dozens of books about the effects of porn, I recently heard Matt Fradd discuss it on Unbelievable? radio and decided to pick up a copy of his recent book: The Porn Myth: Exposing the Reality Behind the Fantasy of Pornography. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. In fact, it now my top recommendation for a book of its kind. Without using Scripture or religious argumentation, and relying upon dozens of recent studies, Fradd makes the case that porn is damaging to individuals, relationships, and society as a whole. He is not out to censor porn, but to educate people so they can live more healthy sexual lives ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    What is God's Purpose in Life?

    Weekly Q & A with Dr. William Lane Craig

    William Lane Craig — 

    Hi Dr. Craig, I appreciate your work for the kingdom of Christ. You have been of great influence in my life as a Christian. I recently came across this piece by an unknown skeptic that was reviewing a book by Stewart Goetz ( The Purpose Of Life: A Theistic Perspective) "The first question that seems fitting when discussing the purpose of life from a theistic perspective is: what is the purpose of God's life? If our being/life is somehow derived from God's being/life, then any relevant discussion of human purpose must be contingent upon God's purpose. But since purpose necessarily entails an initial directive, a beginning-less being cannot have a purpose. A being that has no origin or beginning cannot exist for anything. Since it would follow that this supposed being's actions must derive from the nature of its existence, it would be hard to logically defend the existence of purposeful actions resulting from a being that must be categorically devoid of purpose. " I'm completely puzzle by this. Does God exist for something? Can it be said that if God had remain in eternity without creating he would be living a purposeless life? ...

  • Business. Ministry. Life.

    Bachelor of Science in Business Management

    David Bourgeois — 

    Biola University and the Crowell School of Business are excited to announce the launch of a new online business degree beginning this fall. This...

  • Student Life Blog

    Looking for Joy? Hit “Return”

    Todd Pickett — 

    Joy is not quite the same as happiness. Happiness is an enduring mood state (sometimes called “well-being” or contentment) and comes to rest over...

  • Business. Ministry. Life.

    The Ministry of Management

    Jim Canning — 

    When I was growing up in the 1940 and ‘50, most churches and other ministries were small and not very complex. Much of the work was done by...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Making Apologetics Personal: A Quick Lesson from John 4

    Sean McDowell — 

    It no secret that I love apologetics. I love to read apologetics blogs, study apologetics books, and have apologetics conversations. But there is a constant temptation I have to battle that I believe is common among many apologists: the temptation to simply study apologetics but not put it into practice ...

  • Biola News

    Biola Welcomes New Faculty for Fall 2017

    17 new faculty members join Biola esteemed faculty

    Jenna Loumagne — 

    Biola University welcomes 17 new faculty members this fall — each of whom represent the university aspiration to attract and retain the finest...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Warfare in the Ancient Near East and the Old Testament 4: Pictures From Friends

    Charlie Trimm — 

    My forthcoming book on warfare in the Ancient Near East and the Old Testament not only has many words, but also about 150 pictures. While ancient Near Eastern texts are somewhat familiar, visual imagery remains unknown for the most part. This is partly due to the difficulties of acquiring permission to print the pictures. Some pictures I was required to buy directly from museums or professional photographers (and so I will not be able to post these pictures online). However, I was also able to acquire pictures for free from three other sources. First, I will show some pictures that were taken by friends ...

  • Student Life Blog

    Success is Not Accidental

    Louie Chong — 

    People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan...

  • The Good Book Blog

    The Universe Diagnosed: Interview with Author Kris French, M.D.

    Sean McDowell — 

    Recently I had the opportunity to endorse a new book by Kris French, a medical doctor with an expertise in neuro-immunology. While he discusses many of the common arguments for God existence in The Universe Diagnosed, he does so uniquely from the perspective as a medic and in a way that is understandable to non-specialists. I think you will enjoy it! But first check out his answers to some of my tough questions about intelligent design, transgenderism, and more ...

  • GRIT

    How To Survive the First Day of School

    a blogpost by Celeste Scott

    Celeste Scott — 

    Does anyone remember the opening scene in Finding Nemo? Nemo is bouncing around in his anemone screaming, “First day of school! First day of...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Why Bother?

    Weekly Q & A with Dr. William Lane Craig

    William Lane Craig — 

    I am a very open minded person and consider all possibilities. I am open to the possibility of a God and an afterlife. I am also open to the possibility that this God could be one who demands and expects that I obey and serve him or that I would be condemned to a horrible afterlife. I have been doing some open-minded research on the subject of life after death. As of right now, it doesn't matter what anyone says to me or what claims other people present to me in regards to God's character, if he is real or not, or if I am a blind sinner or not. The reason why it doesn't matter to me is because, like I said, I am very open minded right now and am open to alternative explanations of the things people offer up here. I am a very wise open minded individual and I do not jump to any given conclusion based upon some things I read online or a holy book such as the Bible. There is so much more to look into and have an open mind to. Even things that sound very compelling cannot be trusted since there are plenty of things out there that sound compelling, but are actually not ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    The Forgiveness of Jesus: No Longer in the Dark

    Matthew Williams — 

    This article gives an overview of one of the Bible studies from The Forgiveness of Jesus DVD Bible study in the Deeper Connections series: Jesus heals a blind man in John chapter nine. To most of us, this seems like a pretty cool miracle; and it is, but there is so much more behind this miracle that we miss because we do not understand the first century context. When we take the time to learn this historical context, the passage pops! ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    What Can Christians Learn from the Apostolic Fathers? Interview with Author Ken Berding

    Sean McDowell — 

    Dr. Ken Berding is a colleague of mine at 91Ƭ University. Like me, he is very interested in the Apostolic Fathers. He recently wrote a brief and interesting introduction to the Apostolic Fathers called The Apostolic Fathers: A Narrative Introduction, which is different from any other book of its kind. Professor Berding was kind enough to answer a few of my questions about some of the earliest church fathers and his recent book. Enjoy! ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Everyone Loves Sex: So Why Wait? Interview with Author Bryan Sands

    Sean McDowell — 

    I recently received a book in the mail called Everyone Loves Sex: So Why Wait? by Bryan Sands. Given that my father launched the “Why Wait” sexual purity movement in the 1980s, when I was in my early teen years, I was curious to see what approach Sands would take. And I was pleasantly surprised! His book is balanced, biblical, hopeful, and grace-filled. In fact, when young people ask me for a book on sexual purity, this is going to be one of the first books I will recommend. After thirteen years as a local pastor, Bryan has served as the Director of Campus Ministries at Hope International University in Fullerton, CA since 2011. He is also a public speaker who encourages students across the country. You can find out about his book at www.EveryoneLovesSex.org. I recently caught up with Bryan and asked him a few questions. Enjoy! ...

  • GRIT

    Welcome & Welcome Back!

    a welcome note from the GRIT Editorial Board

    Lisa Igram — 

    In less than a week, Biola rather quiet summer vibe will become lively again as something really important happens: YOU COME BACK! You are why we...

  • The Good Book Blog

    Does God Love the Devil?

    Weekly Q & A with Dr. William Lane Craig

    William Lane Craig — 

    Greetings Dr Craig, I am a Muslim, from the westernmost parts of Africa. I have been following your work for years, watching practically all your debates, reading some of your articles and much of the weekly Q&A section. Even though I am not a Christian, you have helped me greatly in my own pursuit of truth, to identify much more with the issues that Christians face today, and in learning to appreciate the Christian tradition in philosophical and theological thought ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    The Forgiveness of Jesus: An Invitation to New Life

    Matthew Williams — 

    The following is an overview of one of the Bible studies from The Forgiveness of Jesus DVD Bible study in the Deeper Connections series: Do you ever feel like you are too far gone for God to forgive you? Or, maybe you feel like he might forgive you, but he does it grudgingly? This fear is the main reason that I published The Forgiveness of Jesus because nothing could be further from the truth. When Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector (Matthew 9:9-13), it shows us that God seeks out the lowest of the low in order to show that he loves to forgive. But in order to fully understand the meaning of this text, we must understand the first century context. When we take the time to learn this historical context, the passage comes to life!

  • Biola News

    Biola Journalism Students Publish Book on Migration Issues

    “Beyond the Wall” showcases student writing and photography in the form of narrative journalism

    Jenna Loumagne — 

    As local school leaders, city officials and lawmakers in Sacramento debate what to do about migrants given changing federal policies, Biola...

  • The Good Book Blog

    How Does Christianity Fulfill our Deepest Aspiration? Author Interview with Greg Ganssle

    Sean McDowell — 

    My friend and Biola colleague Greg Ganssle has written a fascinating new book called Our Deepest Desires: How the Christian Story Fulfills Human Aspirations. Professor Ganssle takes a unique approach to the apologetic task. Essentially, his goal is not to show that Christianity is true, but to argue that when it is properly understood, people should wish it were true. He talks about how tragedy, beauty, and freedom make the most sense in a Christian worldview and that only Christianity fulfills our deepest desires ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    How Do We Cultivate the Art of Listening Well?

    Sean McDowell — 

    Along with asking good questions, cultivating the art of listening well is one of the most important skills for Christians to develop today. And it is especially important for those who want to be effective apologists in our “argumentative” culture ... So, how does one develop the art of listening well? Here are four tips I have learned from personal experience as well as through my undergrad Communication Studies program at 91Ƭ University ...

  • The Good Book Blog

    What Could God Not Have Commanded?

    Weekly Q & A with Dr. William Lane Craig

    William Lane Craig — 

    ... Before I address your question, David, let make sure that we state accurately the view I have defended. God freedom to issue commands to do certain things that would be immoral in the absence of a divine command is not rooted in God having morally sufficient reasons for so commanding. Rather it is rooted in the idea that the source of moral obligation is divine commands, and since God doesn’t issue commands to himself, he therefore has no moral obligations ...

  • Business. Ministry. Life.

    Crowell School of Business Biola Faculty Member and 2 Biola MBA Alumni Ring the NYSE Closing Bell

    Shane Enete — 

    Crowell School of Business Biola faculty member and 2 Biola MBA alum ring the NYSE closing bell. Two Biola MBA students, Aaron Moon (’15) and...

  • Business. Ministry. Life.

    Digital Business Students Learn SEO from Expert in the Field

    David Bourgeois — 

    Evan Baer, a serial entrepreneur and author of Get Backed, was asked the question during a panel on raising capital, “Where is the best place to...

  • Student Life Blog

    Discontinuation of SGA/Residence Hall Events

    Heat of the Night, Deck the Haven and Mosaic Masquerade

    Brenda Velasco — 

    As some students have heard through word of mouth or social media, Student Development has made decisions to discontinue Heat of the Night, Deck the Haven and Mosaic Masquerade.