CARM Newsletter 03-05-08

Can we judge? A person in Wicca e-mailed me in was unhappy that I had stated what was false.  This person said she was raised as a Baptist and then quoted me Matt. 7:1, "Do not judge lest you be judged."

Can we make judgments?  Yes we can.  I judge lying to be wrong.  I judge murder to be wrong along with stealing, adultery, and abortion.  The context of Matthew 7:1 is dealing with rash and superficial judgments filled with hypocrisy.  It does not mean that we cannot make spiritual judgments.

1 Cor. 2:14-15 says, "But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man." The word "appraised" is anakrino.  It means to examine, judge, ask questions, search, and discern.  So, we are able to make spiritual judgments.

When you make yours, do so without hypocrisy and in a manner consistent with Scripture.
L.A. Trip The L.A. trip went well.  Unfortunately, at the last minute, the Mexican prison closed down and I couldn't go in to preach.
MAC
Computer		 We are ready to start filming and I plan to begin with a series of short videos on basic doctrine.  After we shoot, we will ship the tapes out to Missouri for editing.  However, that will take awhile.

My 16-year-old daughter is a whiz on the computer.  She has a high IQ and when Jacob was out here last month from Missouri (he is the video editing expert), he taught my daughter how to edit and produce video on his MAC.  He told me she caught on very quickly and could easily do what we need.  She's quite interested in the editing process.  So, I'm hoping to obtain a Macintosh computer, preferably with an Intel processor, so we can run our software.

Here's the cool part.  There is a guy out there who has a multiple license for the Macintosh's top video editing software (which cost several hundred dollars) and he said we can use it, legitimately, for free.  However, I'm embarrassed a bit because I've forgotten his name.  (Software dude.  When you read this newsletter contact me again.)

So, if anyone out there knows what a good Macintosh computer would be for CARM to purchase, I'm interested in some serious feedback.  Also, if there's anyone who would like to support the purchase of a Mac computer, please let me know at [email protected]  Thanks.
The Garden

So far, the response to my book The Garden has been very positive. I'm going to continue to submit itgarden to publishers as it usually takes several attempts before one picks up on it. In the meantime you can obtain a copy by going to http://www.carm.org/index/garden.htm. Here's what people are saying about it on the CARM discussion board.

  • I love Matt's book I just got it last night and i read the first 4 chapters and the story is very cool. I didn't want to put it down but hey I needed the sleep.
  • Last night I was reading the section on Kathy and Crasak...it brought so many tears to my eyes...It brought memories to my mind and I related quite strongly with her position.
  • Matt Ya done a GOOD JOB...it IS hard to put down and got really caught up in this man's revelation......exciting stuff for sure.
  • I'm actually enjoying it. The style is conversational, yet not dumbed down. Matt has integrated his knowledge into a suspenseful story, which has sympathetic characters and realistic situations.
  • I have it and am very much enjoying it. I have to say this "guy" who wrote this is very descriptive and articulate.
  • This short story that Matt penned really brought home the truth of Ephesians 6:10 for me...I would say that the description Matt put forth of the demon plying the minds of men on page 12 and on other pages with different characters is right on the mark....it is a battle ground for the minds of men...provoked by the untrustworthy 'feelings/emotions' of men.
  • This book makes it easy to imagine the spiritual realm, with angels and demons, and what might be going on all of the time. It really gives me a chance to reflect on some things in my own past and remember that God/angels very likely won my soul in a battle against demons.
  • Matt, you did a great job of bringing both worlds into view. The compassion you displayed in the book had to have come from experience and not just the mind, kind of like a good singer and a great singer....one sings the words and one sings from the heart. Ya made me cry too much though...my eyes were swollen for two days, my nose was plugged up and I mourned and shouted for glee at the same time. Highly recommend the book....
  • I read until 11:30; fighting sleep until I had to put it down. I wanted to say the description of demons was gory but really monsters in novels are gory, these demons were just REAL. The writing is terrific. When the main character was in the garden I could feel the softness of the breeze it was so descriptive. And by the way, not overly done on minute description like so many novels are.
34th
Annual
Atheist Conference		 From March 21 to 23, I  will be in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the 34th annual atheist conference.  A friend of mine will be going with me and we hope to possibly do some on camera interviews while we were there.  I went to the last one in Seattle and actually found it to be enjoyable.  Unfortunately, a lot of the presentations in the Seattle conference were filled with attacks on Christianity that weren't very well done.  I expect a lot more quality substance on their part.  But, there wasn't much at all.  We'll see what happens at this next conference.
Atheist Debate
April 17 2008		 I am set to go to Pensacola Florida on April 17th, to participate in a debate with an atheist.  The topic is "Does God exist?"  Please pray for me that I will represent the Lord properly and bring glory to his name.
Biblical Worldview Conference From April 10-12 here in Boise, Idaho, there will be a Biblical Worldview Conference.  I will be speaking on three topics.  They are not yet narrowed down, but they will be, of course, dealing with apologetics, Christianity, etc.  If you are interested in information on the conference, please go to http://www.biblicalview.com.
Emerging Church I released the emerging Church section on CARM.  Check it out at www.carm.org/emerging.htm.
Online Schools I'd like to remind you that CARM offers three online schools.  A lot of people sign up for them and they are one of the ways we use to support this ministry.  If you are interested in learning your theology, learning about false religious systems, and learning about critical thinking all in a logically arranged, self-paced, systematic manner, then please check out the schools.  It is a great way to get something for your support of this ministry. http://www.carm.org/online.htm
Computers We are going to be needing a new computer in June when Ryan, the new CARM employee gets here.  If you have a computer that's two years old or less and you would like to donate it to CARM, please let me know:  [email protected]
CARM Needs Staff CARM needs staff.  In June of next year Ryan Turner will be joining me for full-time ministry.  He's twenty-three and will be graduating with a Masters in Apologetics.  He came out here in June of this year and spent 10 days with me.  He's a great guy and he understands how much CARM can do, and how much help is needed.  I praise God for this young man. 

Are you interested in a ministry opportunity?  I am Looking for people who don't mind working hard, who will have cultists praying against them, who don't mind facing spiritual difficulties, who will have to raise their own support, who can do research, write, don't mind learning the ins and outs of CARM, and are willing to move here to Boise, Idaho.  Glamorous, huh?

I wish I had enough money to hire three people right now.  I need a programmer Web person, an administrator, researchers, writers, video editors, audio editors, etc.  The goals are to produce teaching materials in writing, audio, and video formats.  There is so much to do and I'm absolutely buried.

I know that you might be wondering why we can't do this over the Internet.  Some things can be done that way, but not everything.  I need people on site.  I need people to interact with, to brainstorm with, to sit with for long periods of time and train, to have them do video shoots with me, answer emails, maybe help with radio, etc.  In short, I need to disciple people on how to be better apologists, how to write, and how to do everything necessary to continue this ministry and/or produce their own.

You can be male or female.  You have to agree to the CARM statement of faith, and I prefer people who are educated and/or experienced in their field of expertise.  But I must reiterate; this is not an easy ministry.  It is time-consuming, often unrewarding, frustrating, etc.  But, there are rewards.  You get to know that what you produce will affect thousands of people for years to come.  This ministry is a challenge and it is not for the fainthearted.   Interested?  If so, contact me at [email protected]

Love and Hate Mail

  • Hate Mail
    • It seems you spend a lot of energy attacking other faiths, if you were truly “Christians” you would spend more time supporting your own faith! Its hypocrites like you that causes the unbelievers to continue to remain unbelievers. I will pray for your vindictive hearts!
    • oh sorry just did a bunch of more reading of your crap. god you a angry person. must be the demonds
    • Thank you for your website - - it is the fuel for division in what was a loving marriage. The battle will wage on and on and Satan will rejoice in your fuel for my husband.
  • Love Mail
    • Just started reading few of your stuff and I could say It's quite  brilliant and impressive. I like this website and may the Lord Jesus bless you with wisdom.
    • I just wanted to say thank you and my God continue to bless you.  I consider myself a spiritual youth, yet your explanations about the Trinity and prayer has greatly helped me.  I've been praying for guidance and do believe finding your site was divinely directed.  Thank you again.
    • Your site is a great resource. Thank you for being a light to the lost.
    • I first would like to tell you how great of a ministry that you guys have.  It has completely given me the tools to defend my faith.  Thank you so much.
    • I Thank Almighty GOD that I stumbled onto your website which I find very Biblically based n I want to encourage you to keep up your good work for The Glory of The GOD of The Holy Bible to expose unbiblical doctrines taught by people who misinterpret GOD's WORD being deceived themselves n leading others along with their false teachings!
    • My wife and I enjoy your site. Thanks for all your efforts.
    • I just wanted to thank you for being there. You have been a great teacher and great source of sanity in my walk with our Lord.

Matt Slick
CARM President

 

 

 

 
 
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