Yesterday I was on the atheist talk show Dogma Debate Radio with David Smalley (www.dogmadebate.com). First, I’d like to thank David, Shayrah and Daniel for giving me the opportunity to be on the show as well as being great hosts. This was my first time on the radio or even debating in a public forum and it was a very unique experience. I wasn’t able to be as clear as I would have liked on a few points, but time was an issue and that’s something I have to work on for future debates. During the show Smalley kept using Malachi 3:6 as a reference stating, “I the Lord do not change.” Smalley used this claim as the Bible’s support of killing homosexuals and slavery. What he did not read, and I failed to bring to his attention, was the second half of that verse which also states “So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed”. Smalley also avoided my continual usage of Jesus’ statement to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31). This is why a proper contextual understanding of the Bible is so critical to not only bring balance and understanding to God’s word but also to his nature. He is a God of justice and mercy, he has given us every opportunity to avoid death and it is only up to us to receive it. Enjoy the podcast and feel free to leave your comments.
