Nat Crawford - Executive Coach, Speaker, Leader

In the next couple of weeks I'll get back on the blog track. Until then I wanted to let you know about some upcoming classes I'll be teaching. Beginning February 2 through March 9, 2014, I will be teaching "Tactics in Defending the Faith." During our six one-hour sessions, you'll learn how to: Initiate conversations effortlessly Stop challengers in their tracks and turn the tables Graciously and effectively expose faulty thinking Maneuver through mine fields Present the truth clearly, cleverly, and persuasively Class will meet at 9am at First Free Church,  3280 S. 84th St. Best of all, there is no cost to attend. Beginning March 30 through April 13, 2014, I will be teaching a class called "In Defense of the Resurrection." We will   we will look at topics surrounding the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will address the following challenges: Can we trust the Bible’s account?   Is Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection mentioned outside o...

Well, folks, this is the last week focusing on the areas of agreement and disagreement between Roman Catholics and Protestants. You can go back and read part 1  and part 2 to get caught up if you missed. As you can see there are some important areas of agreement and many pivotal areas of disagreement. This week, we'll look at the last of these areas of disagreement: Mariology and Purgatory. Mariology  - Catholics hold Mary, the mother of Jesus, in high esteem. They first believe Mary was a virgin before, during, and after Jesus' birth. Protestants and Catholics agree on Mary's virginity before Jesus' birth. Catholics believe Jesus' birth caused her no pain and no change in her womb or hymen. Catholics view of her permanent virginity is drawn from Scripture (Luke 1:34), tradition, and reason. Protestants use Scripture and common sense reject Catholics position. Next is the immaculate conception. Catholics believe Mary was free from the "stain of original ...

Last week we started looking at the areas of doctrinal disagreement between Roman Catholics and Evangelicals. To read it, click here . There are some major differences in the areas of Scripture, infallibility of the pope, and justification. This week we'll look at our two more important topics: Sacramentalism (the sacraments) and Ecclesiology (the church).  Sacramentalism - The Catholic Church declared infallibly that the sacraments "of the New Law were not all instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord...let him be anathema." This excommunicates virtually all Protestants. Sacraments, or holy thing, has two aspects: the outward symbol and the grace it conveys. The Catholic Church states, "The sacraments...not only point externally to salvation; they contain and betwo the salvation they signify."  Catholics have seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, extreme unction, [holy] order, and matrimony. Baptism, communion, and holy orders hold importa...

Now we turn our focus to important areas of disagreement between Roman Catholics and Evangelicals. The goal here is not to be divisive or to put down anyone. Rather it is to take an honest look at the key differences and why each denomination holds to their views. On that note, let the fun begin. Apocrypha - A serious divide between Catholics and Protestants is over the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha is an additional eleven pieces of text that the Roman Catholic Church add to the Protestant canon of Scripture. It was adopted and made infallible at th Council of Trent in1546. Any who reject these are anathema. Issues are both doctrinal and canonical. Doctrinally the Apocrypha supports prayers for the dead resulting in a belief in purgatory. Canonically the Apocrypha does not test the true test of canonicity. Catholics support the Apocrypha for eleven reasons: 1) There is reference to events mentioned and mirrors some general thoughts found in it. 2) The New Testament quotes the Septua...

Last week we started looking at the areas of doctrinal agreement between Roman Catholics and Evangelicals. To read it, click here. We saw there is much agreement about revelation of Scripture, God, and human beings. We also observed a good amount of agreement on mankind. This week we'll look at our agreement about Christ, Salvation, the Church, ethics and last things. Christ - Both Catholics and evangelicals share a creedal sources, Athanasian and Chalcedonian, for the doctrine of Christ. Central to theology of Christ is He was Son of God, who became man to redeem humans to God. This redemption was through is death and resurrection.Christ is found in the Old Testament through prophecy and would be through three offices: Prophet, Priest, and King. It is by the Old Testament that Christ and His work is understood, thus central to the New Testament. To understand Christ, one must understand both the deity of Christ and the humanity of Christ. Jesus was wholly God as well as the So...

This past Summer I was able to attend a lecture from a former Catholic about the important areas of agreement and differences between Roman Catholicism and Evangelicalism. In addition to this lecture I read a lengthy, but thorough book by Norman Geisler called  Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences. I had the distinct "pleasure" reducing the book down to a 3,000 words. I have received many requests for a copy of this summary. So over the next few weeks I will be adding them on the website. Enjoy. Areas of Doctrinal Agreement Revelation Catholics and Protestants disagree the apocrypha belongs in the Old Testament, but do agree that the current sixty-six books are Divinely inspired. This revelation can be known by everyone. [1]   The Old Testament laid the foundation for Salvation. The New Testament is the completion of God's plan for salvation. [2]   There is both general revelation, which is seen by everyone, so mankind would be without...

In case you will be in the Lincoln area on December 7, 2013. Craig Hazen along with a handful of others will be speaking at Oasis Conference Center about 20 minutes outside of Lincoln. Craig Hazen is the founder of Biola's apologetics program. Main Session topics will include: • Evidence for the Resurrection • Comparing Christianity to other world religions • Discussing your beliefs in a respectful way Breakout Sessions will include: • Tactically deconstructing a worldview to determine its merit • Philosophical arguments for God’s existence • The reliability of the Scriptures • Objective morality Full details here . Hope to see you there!