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Taking a look at an earlier series we did to reply to "10 Nonbelievers arguments," your Podcast Host Deputies respond to the claim that religion is too narrow minded for science to flourish. We've taken the audio track from the YouTube video, so if you're interested in it, do a search, and look it up.

Science and Religion.

The historian in the clip has some good information on how the seat of knowledge shifted out of the Middle East,, into Europe. And other parts of the globe. Astronomy, mathematics, and more had thrived in Bagdad until the Mongols invaded.

Why didn't science and learning make a comeback? The historian lays blame on a Muslim holy man who shaped that religion. He claimed that math and such things were of the devil, and should be avoided. The main statistic used for proof of the lingering, backwards thought is in the glaring lack of Muslims receiving a Nobel Peace Prize in sciences.

I' with him except for two points.

First, he tries to say that the god of islam is the same one as the god of the Bible. Second, he tries to say that one holy man reforming islam is the same as one holy man forming the Christian faith. I figured he would then use his statistics to show a glaring disparity of religious folk across the board as recipients of the Nobel prize. Though it's true that by his claim, and he's being generous to allow that 2% out of a world population of 1.3 billion Muslims have won it in the science categories. He never offers a breakdown for atheist, or christians.

He then does something confusing. He states that Jews have won 25%

Out of a world population of only 15 million. Wait. Is he trying to say that a small people group dominates the world in science, while one of the largest one barely puts a dent in it? And it all must be due to longstanding, close-minded, religious teaching? He does know that the god of the Jews is the same one he just claimed was the same as the god of Islam? The god where the religious, and holy men are the same?

Which is it? All religions can't bee the same, based on his own scientific evidence.

Here's a quick rundown on the latest numbers on the Nobel prizes, thanks to wikipedia.

Nobel prize winners, by religious affiliation.

Sciences.

Total: 300 awards.

Chemistry and Physics awards (CP): 164

Chemistry, economics, physics, medicine

Non-religious: 18, 6, 36, 24

Total: 84

CP: 54

Total: 28%

CP: 18% (out of 300)

Adjusted CP: 32.9% (out of 164)

p, C, M, e

Christian: 14, 3, 9, 11

Total: 37

CP: 17

Total: 12.3%

CP: 5.6% (out of 300)

Adjusted CP: 10.4% (out of 164)

C, m, p, e

Jewish: 35, 54, 55, 32

Total: 176

CP: 90

Total: 58.6%

CP: 30% (out of 300)

Adjusted CP: 54.9% (out of 164)

P, c, e, m

Muslim: 1, 2, 0, 0

Total: 3

Total: 1%

Adjusted CP: 1.8% (out of 164)

Continuing our expository look at the gospel of John, we start with the closing thought in chapter 2, "Jesus knows what is in man." Joined by the magic of post production, and collaboration efforts, Keith presents thoughts from Nathan Caldwell, and old time bible teacher, J Vernon McGee. Along the way, a few challenges to the text are included.

Jesus had apparently been teaching and healing. Although John is silent on what those miracles might be.

John 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.

Though many believed, it was a superficial, shallow faith.

24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people

The people likely figured it took God to do the miraculous signs, and equated Jesus with God. However. their purpose would likely be to seek to make him a physical leader. Jesus knew his purpose, and didn't need the approval of man.

25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

Jesus knew their intent even better than they did, and didn't need their approval. .

The text moves seamlessly into the visit by Nicodemus, and his meeting with Jesus in the middle of the night.

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

From these simple words we know Nicodemus was a political leader,,, and as a Pharisee, was in the upper class. His intent showed his interest in teaching, not so much politics. Of course, he was likely motivated by the signs Jesus did. He was cautious, open minded, and ready to receive revelation.

2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him."

The fact that Nicodemus approached Jesus by night might not mean he was timid, but by the same token he was not aggressive as a disciple either. He was courteous, and not hostile. Jesus gets to the point, and abruptly cuts him off, and gets to the real point Nicodemus needed to hear.

3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Born again, or of above. A spiritual birth. Keith shares a challenge over what being born again means in the face of those claiming it relates to reincarnation.

4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

Nicodemus goes for the obvious, materialistic response. He possibly held an attitude of, "You can't teach old dogs new tricks."

5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Jesus restates his answer. Instead of born above, he says Born of water and spirit.

This brings up another challenge. What exactly does he mean by water and spirit? Is water physical birth, or spirit. One view is it means being born of the water of the womb, and later a spiritual birth. A second view is the water related to the repentance of what John the Baptist taught. This still requires a later spiritual baptism .

One thing it does not mean, is that water baptism has some kind of power to regenerate the lost soul.

Water is often connected to being washed in the word. The word is revealed in the opening statements of John's Gospel as the word. So salvation is to come through the water, or word, or Jesus himself.

Susan and I are interviewed by Keith.  This one is near and dear to my heart.

First up, a Silly Segment with Isaac, as part of our Summer of Kids. There's time for a few news headlines with Chris the Wild Moose, in our Dumb News segment.

Main Topic

Where has Nathan Caldwell been all Summer? You're about to find out about his own Summer of Kids. Keith interviews him about his recent experience with adopting 2 boys. There's an added bonus for listeners, when he is joined by his wife, Susan, to bring a perspective from being a new mom into the mix.

Listen, enjoy, and hear what they had to say in response to these questions.

* What has been the biggest adjustment so far in having kids live with you?

* Is that particular adjustment the one that you thought would be the biggest change? Or a different one?

* There is usually something of a honeymoon time when family changes are made. Being on best behavior, etc. Has that time passed for you yet with the kids?

If so, what clued you in the honeymoon was over?

If not, how do you think you will be able to tell when the honeymoon is over?

* What are some of the things your kids say they like about you, or are looking forward to you, and having you as parents?

* Did they have any expectations about you as parents? How have they been met, or not?

* What expectations did you have about the kids? How have they been met, or not?

* What do the kids think about you being a pastor? Did they have any religious background before coming into your home?

* Do they have any chores to do around the house? Do they prefer a particular chore over another?

* Are they expecting an allowance? How much do you think is fair, if anything?

Here's your chance. Drop us a line to tell us how we did. Comment on this, or any of the show notes on the web page. Use our Contact page to send an email, or call our voice mail line: (401)753-4844 if you prefer to suggest something that way.

Or... …the Revelation Church in Thyatira

The show isn't overly long today, so there's time for a silly segment with (Isaac, and our Summer of kids series. To follow up on the round of singing, and finding out whether Isaac ever plays pranks, or knows any jokes, we shift into a short look at news headlines. The headlines are real, but the commentary that is offered by Chris and Keith is entirely made up. Why ruin the fun by actually reading the news article?

Main Topic

Nathan joins Keith in the look at what was going on in the early church in Asia, particularly to the Church in Thyatira. We break down each verse to dig deeper into their problem.

Verse 18 "

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

Thyatira. Little is known about this city of commerce. It was known for wool, dyed material, bronze work, among other industries.. Lydia, the woman who felt in purple fabrics in the book of Acts was from here.

As with each of the churches, Jesus identifies himself in a way that's tailored to their situation. He claims to be the son of God. A title only used here in Revelation, but relates to the title of son of man used through the gospels .

He is described as having eyes like flames of fire, possibly to counter worship- of a sun god prominent in Thyatira. . More likely, it has to do with having eyes of discernment of judgement.

His feet of polished brass might have had significance to bronze workers, but more likely revealed his strength, and foundational attributes.

Revelation 1

14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,

15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.

Verse 19 "'

I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

Jesus saw they had good qualities, and their works were increasing. They had love (or agape), faith, service, and they had a cheerful attitude in enduring hardships.

Verse 20

But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Their downfall was in following a woman in their leadership. At worst they followed her teaching. At best, they tolerated, or suffered with her, meaning they did nothing. They let her alone to run her course of doing damage. The woman is never named, but is compared to Jezebel.

Jezebel:

* Ahab, a weak king, married Jezebel and was enticed to worship other gods. 1 Kings 16

* Elijah, God's prophet, was protected and fed when her wrath rose against him. 1 Kings 17.

* Ahab told Jezebel of her prophets being killed, and it was her who threatened Elijah. 1 Kings 19.

* Jezebel plots murder to get land Ahab wanted. 1 Kings 21.

This unnamed woman was a self proclaimed prophet, and had no real calling from God. Prophets were usually gifted with teaching, predicting, or other signs. The sign given was intended as a proof of divine authority. In her case, she not only didn't have any outward sign, but her teaching led astray the believers to live in all manner of sexual immorality. Not to mention participating in idolatry. Once enticed, willingness sells out.

1 Kings 21:25 (There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab,