CARM Newsletter 03-14-08

The Basics are so important The Basics of what we believe are critically important. If you believe that evolution is true then you cannot have an objective moral standard.  Morality would be nothing more than a consensus of society and/or whatever works well enough to keep things harmonious.  Within Christianity we not only have doctrinal basics such as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, justification by grace and faith, etc., but we also have the basic presupposition that we are made in the image of God, that we have not evolved, and that we are to carry out the Great Commission of God.

A Christian worldview is the basis for harmony and proper function in the family and society.  If you do not hold to a Christian worldview, you will not hold the belief that everyone is created in the image of God and therefore worthy of respect and honor. This would remove racism and prejudice. If you do not hold to a Christian worldview, you most probably would not hold to the position that the life in the womb is human.  If everyone did, then killing babies in the womb would stop.  With moral relativism marriage would not need to be restricted to a man and a woman, but instead would be open to man to man and woman to woman.  Is this healthy for families?  If you do not hold to a Christian worldview, then how can truth be absolute since it would not be based upon God's nature and revelation but upon how mankind interprets what he believes to be true...and that changes!

How can society function, mature, and prosper when people are not honored whether in the womb or out, where marriage is not held in sacred esteem, or where truth is a commodity to be exchanged for convenience?  Such foundations are not healthy.

This is why it is important for the Christian family to train up all its members in the ways of the Lord according to the word of God.
Minneapolis, Minnesota From March 21 to 23, I  will be in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the 34th annual atheist conference.  It should be interesting.  I plan to bring a video camera and see if I can do some interviews.  I'll let you know what happens after I get back.
MAC
Computer		 Praise God!  Someone sent us enough money to cover the purchase of the new Macintosh computer so that we can do video editing here on site.  I want to thank the person who donated that money.

The only thing left now is to obtain the software needed for editing on the Mac.
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.
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.
Women in Ministry Section I and presently working on a new section on corn dealing with women in ministry.  I know it's a controversial subject but that hasn't stopped me before, has it?  I expect to offend some people because those people won't like the biblical position to be presented.
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
    • The Bible speaks against your manner of speak, people of all persuasions say the say and yet you deny all their voices?  Can you get honest for a moment and give me an honest answer? And what kind of father did you have? Was he hard and verbally abusive?
    • You are hypocritical.
    • Matt, you're an ******.
    • Your pathetic double standards are over your board and your life.
    • Let me just end by saying I think you're a little paranoid about LDS who write you. Sometimes the truth is as simple as they don't agree with the material you place on it. Also, I have to be frank and say I find your objections hypocritical in light of what you do on your own web site. In any case, I'm dissapointed that you were never willing to discuss my concerns. However, you can't say I didn't try. If in the future you ever do wish to discuss any of these points with me, I'll be waiting to talk to you about them.
    • You say Christianity is growing faster than before? If it's growing at all, it's growing with those who need the illusion of hope for coping with life's brutal realities. These adherents are usually little educated and poor wretched people especially in the 3rd world.
  • Love Mail
    • Matt, thank you for writing  "The Garden". I found myself once again enjoying a well written novel with great truths about spiritual warfare. If you like this type of story line from other authors. Your going to enjoy reading The Garden.
    • Just a thank you for the great site. As a pastor with a Master's in Theology, I appreciate the way you have organized your site. I frequently point church members and friends to your site. I teach a theology course on Wednesday nights and your website is a great resource for people who have more questions.
    • Hey Brother Slick, I love your ministry. I have found it to be useful. I enjoy reading your newsletter. I also enjoy your podcast, and especially enjoyed Bill McKeever when you had him on with you. I love Mormons. I am sorry to see all the hate mail that you get, especially when much of it sounds so ridiculous. I guess people just can't face truth in this postmodern age. Well thanks again for your ministry, as I get great encouragement from it. Glory to God.
    • Fantastic site. I will be camping out on the site for the next year, praise God. I will be signing up for all of the schools. thank you for all the hard, tedious and accurate work you have put into the site over the years, I appreciate your efforts and success. God bless you and your family.

Matt Slick
CARM President

 

 

 

 
 
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