Category Archives for Blog
By
AIIA
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Published
March 30, 2023
On numerous occasions over the years, when questions about the credibility of historic Christian faith have come to mind or been posed by others, I have turned to the […]
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AIIA
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February 23, 2023
23 February 2023 Here’s an eleventh hour event notice for all those within driving distance of Orono, Maine. This event is sponsored by our friends at Ratio Christi UMO. […]
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AIIA
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January 24, 2023
Those of you who have designated the AIIA Institute as your charitable organization of choice for the AmazonSmile program have probably already received notice that Amazon is ending their […]
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AIIA
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Published
December 26, 2022
The alarm clock goes off. Another day. Another year. Around we go again. But wait! What’s the point of it all? Just revised, updated, and released: an AIIA thoughtletter […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 18, 2022
Recently the words of an old hymn by Philip P. Bliss came to mind: “The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin, The Light of the world is […]
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AIIA
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Published
October 29, 2022
Early on the morning of October 19 Mary and I departed Monson for Pennsylvania. We stopped in Newburgh NY overnight. Even that has become a hard drive for me […]
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AIIA
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Published
October 18, 2022
This coming weekend (October 21-22) AIIA’s Board of Directors will be gathering from eight states for its annual meeting (in southeastern Pennsylvania this year). Mary and I will be […]
By
AIIA
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Published
July 7, 2022
Beginning at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 10 2022 (updated since original posting), AIIA will be hosting a five-week series on How We Got the Bible. We plan to […]
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AIIA
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Published
June 30, 2022
On Tuesday, June 28, a group of seven young men visited AIIA’s Study Center. They had just completed a hike through the 100-mile Wilderness (from Monson to Baxter State […]
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AIIA
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Published
May 6, 2022
After watching Season 1 of the popular video series, The Chosen, I was quite favorably impressed. I found Jonathan Roumie’s portrayal of Christ closer to my idea of how […]
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AIIA
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Published
May 2, 2022
Take a minute to read this article (published in April 2022) about how Monson Arts is bringing diversity to Monson. Artists of almost every ethnicity, from all over the country and […]
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AIIA
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Published
April 11, 2022
I’d like to recommend a book to you that I just finished reading this week. It’s entitled Reflections on the Existence of God. The author? Dr. Richard E Simmons […]
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AIIA
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Published
March 21, 2022
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW Another significant Christian Apologetics conference is coming to New England. This one is coming in the Spring. This Spring. 2022. Our friend and ministry colleague, Tim […]
By
AIIA
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Published
February 25, 2022
I first learned about Brady “Phanatik” Goodwin In late January 2022 from one of our faithful AIIA constituents. If you’ve never heard of Phanatik, I will tell you that […]
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AIIA
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Published
January 21, 2022
For over 30 years AIIA has tracked, purchased, collected, and reviewed Christian apologetics material of all sorts here at our AIIA Resource & Study Center. We have then listed […]
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AIIA
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Published
January 15, 2022
This past November (2021) AIIA’s Executive Director Daryl E. Witmer was asked to record an interview with his son, Stephen Witmer, pastor of the Pepperell Christian Fellowship in Pepperell […]
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AIIA
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Published
January 3, 2022
CLICK THIS LINK for details on L’Abri’s annual conference, scheduled this year for February 18-19 in Rochester MN. Plenary speakers include Dick Keyes, one of our fellow leading Christian […]
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AIIA
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Published
December 29, 2021
GOD WILLING, we’re about to launch yet another full year of ministry: validating the case for the Christian worldview. Here are a few ways to preview what’s coming: • A […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 29, 2021
Here are two excellent new Christian apologetics resources of which I recently became aware: 1. Is It Possible to Know God? Click here to view this great free new […]
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AIIA
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Published
October 20, 2021
Randy David Newman was one of the most popular speakers at AIIA’s landmark WHY JESUS? 2016 conference, hosted five years ago in Bangor, Maine. He has a long history […]
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AIIA
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Published
September 30, 2021
Is the idea that God created the heavens, the earth, the animals, the birds, and all human life unscientific? Is it just a matter of faith? Attend this seminar […]
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AIIA
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Published
September 13, 2021
Why Jesus? Why not Mohammed? Why not Buddha? Why not Lao-Szu? Why not Mishra? Why not Joseph Smith? Why not just science and reason alone — without religion? Of […]
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AIIA
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Published
August 9, 2021
It was early afternoon on August 2, 2021, when one of the most famous Appalachian Trail thru-hikers ever walked into AIIA’s Study Center here on Wilkins Street in Monson. Initially […]
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AIIA
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Published
August 6, 2021
WHEN October 1-2, 2021 WHERE Central Congregational Church Middleboro, MA WHO Craig Hazen Clay Jones J.P. Moreland Bob & Judy Pardon John & Claudia Kalmikov Brian Watson TOPICS INCLUDE […]
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AIIA
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Published
June 8, 2021
WHERE THE BATTLE RAGES Ten Key Current and Potentially Future Battlefronts in the Long War to Defend Historic Christian Truth and Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What follows here […]
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AIIA
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Published
June 1, 2021
Here is AIIA’s coronavirus policy statement for the third quarter (July-August-September) of 2021. AIIA remains fully committed to participating in the effort to conquer the coronavirus pandemic here in […]
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AIIA
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Published
May 20, 2021
In AIIA’s latest video Ryan Goding (with AIIA and Anchor New England) dialogues directly with Eve, Celia, and Josiah about reason, logic, and the Christian worldview. Click here to […]
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AIIA
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Published
April 6, 2021
How sure are you that all 27 New Testament Bible Books are God-inspired? Conversely, what if some Bible Books that God did inspire got lost? If you are a […]
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AIIA
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Published
March 26, 2021
Here is AIIA’s coronavirus policy statement for the second quarter (April-May-June) of 2021. AIIA remains fully committed to participating in the effort to conquer the coronavirus pandemic here in […]
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AIIA
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Published
March 5, 2021
WHAT SHOULD WE MAKE OF GENESIS 1-3? AND DOES IT REALLY MATTER? Ed Kalish thinks so. The Rev. W. Edwin Kalish is an Anglican clergyman with a storied past […]
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AIIA
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Published
December 31, 2020
AIIA’S FAITH MATTERS JANUARY 2021 MEETING CANCELED : Due to a snowstorm forecast to occur during meeting hours on Saturday, January 2, 2021, this event has been canceled. The topic […]
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AIIA
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Published
December 18, 2020
Here is AIIA’s coronavirus policy statement for the first quarter of 2021. AIIA remains fully committed to participating in the effort to deter the further spread of the coronavirus […]
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AIIA
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Published
December 18, 2020
Don’t miss this latest AIIA/ANE video release. Spread the word to others. Ryan Goding interviews Hillary Morgan Ferrer of Mama Bear Apologetics. Click here
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AIIA
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Published
December 8, 2020
THANK YOU for your prayers and concerns. Electric power has now been restored to AIIA’s Study Center. No pipe damage or other readily apparent problems. We are grateful. We […]
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AIIA
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Published
December 8, 2020
As a result of the major snowstorm (12+ inches of snow and high winds) that clobbered Maine this past Saturday and Sunday (December 5-6) there has been no electrical […]
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AIIA
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Published
December 4, 2020
AIIA’S FAITH MATTERS MEETING CANCELED THIS MONTH: Due to a major snowstorm forecast to begin at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 5, the December 2020 FAITH MATTERS meeting has been […]
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AIIA
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Published
December 3, 2020
There’s been a recent disturbing uptick in the number of individuals alleging to have personally heard God’s voice directly (even audibly) and then relating to others (via TV, books, internet) […]
By
AIIA
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Published
November 30, 2020
Is there more to the Black Lives Matter movement than just basic civil rights and equality for African-Americans — and maybe some other minorities? What is Antifa? Is critical […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 17, 2020
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was the fifth emperor of Rome. He ruled from 54 to 68 A.D. He was most noted for his extravagant debauchery, cruelty, and persecution […]
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AIIA
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Published
October 5, 2020
Take fifteen minutes to view this brand new video — filmed and produced by Ryan Goding and ANCHOR NEW ENGLAND — featuring a tour of AIIA’s Study Center in Monson, Maine, […]
By
AIIA
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Published
September 11, 2020
Here is an updated statement on AIIA’s current coronavirus-related policies and status. AIIA remains fully committed to participating in the effort to deter the further spread of the coronavirus as […]
By
AIIA
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Published
September 11, 2020
Have you seen the following advice that some wag recently offered? “Life is short,” he wrote, “so be sure to spend as much time as possible on the internet arguing […]
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AIIA
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Published
August 19, 2020
I just finished reading Mama Bear Apologetics. I also just finished ordering three more copies of Mama Bear Apologetics — one for each of my daughters-in-law. Not because they aren’t […]
By
AIIA
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Published
June 17, 2020
On June 1, 2020, I sent an open letter to every one of my neighbors and friends here in Monson, Maine. It was a saturation mailing, so every single […]
By
AIIA
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Published
June 12, 2020
Here is an updated statement on AIIA’s current status, policies, and response to the coronavirus pandemic. AIIA remains fully committed to participating in the effort to deter the further […]
By
AIIA
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Published
May 21, 2020
Do you sometimes feel that the deck has been stacked against you? Why do people often instinctively ask “Why?” when encountering adversity? If everything is just a matter of […]
By
AIIA
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Published
May 5, 2020
Here is an updated statement on AIIA’s status, policies, and response to the coronavirus pandemic, as of Tuesday, May 5, 2020. • AIIA remains fully committed to participating in the […]
By
AIIA
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Published
April 9, 2020
Are you feeling hopeless? Is there any hope for life beyond coronavirus? What is hope? What’s the difference between hope and just wishful thinking? Take just eight minutes to […]
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AIIA
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Published
April 3, 2020
Here is an updated statement on AIIA’s status, policies, and response to the current coronavirus crisis, as of Friday, April 3, 2020. AIIA remains fully committed to participating in the […]
By
AIIA
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Published
March 28, 2020
The Northern Maine Apologetics Conference (NMAC) is currently scheduled to be held on July 15, 2020, in Mapleton, Maine. This event is sponsored by Baptist Park and coordinated by […]
By
AIIA
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Published
March 28, 2020
It’s a good time to think about heaven. It’s an especially good time to sing songs about heaven. The current COVID-19 crisis has triggered widespread uneasiness and discouragement — […]
By
AIIA
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Published
March 18, 2020
As of this writing (Wednesday afternoon, March 19, 2020), here at AIIA’s Study Center in north central Maine, we’re still feeling somewhat removed from the vortex of the COVID-19 […]
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AIIA
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Published
March 2, 2020
ReasonableFaith.org is the website of William Lane Craig, a widely respected philosopher and one of the leading evangelical Christian thinkers of our time. Reasonable Faith has produced a number […]
By
AIIA
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Published
December 29, 2019
Here’s a brief reminder that the window of opportunity for sharing a tax deductible year-end financial contribution with AIIA is about to close. In order to be able to deduct […]
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AIIA
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Published
December 18, 2019
On November 5, 2019, InterVarsity Press (IVP) published a book authored by Stephen Witmer titled: A Big Gospel in Small Places, © 2019 InterVarsity, 216 pages, ISBN 0830841555. The […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 22, 2019
Someone recently wrote: “So America, a while back you decided to base your morality on the subjective shifting sands of political correctness instead of on the objective bedrock of Judeo-Christian […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 4, 2019
Here’s information on a significant apologetics event coming to north central Maine, this time sponsored by Ratio Christi and hosted at the University of Maine campus on November 13, 2019 at […]
By
AIIA
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Published
October 9, 2019
This blog is addressed to you if you are an agnostic willing to acknowledge that there may be at least something to the claims and person of Jesus Christ. Perhaps […]
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AIIA
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Published
September 13, 2019
The AIIA Institute was incorporated in 1991. It has been headquartered here in Monson, Maine, ever since. Like many other small towns in Piscataquis County, the town seemed to be […]
By
AIIA
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Published
August 20, 2019
My sons have long sung the praises of novelist Wendell Berry. So about a year ago I bought Berry’s most famous fictional work, Jayber Crow, and began listening to it […]
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AIIA
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Published
August 7, 2019
If you’re within driving range of Harrisonburg, Virginia, this coming Monday evening, August 12, we’d love to spend a little time with you at an AIIA-sponsored reception. Our entire […]
By
AIIA
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Published
June 12, 2019
From its very inception we have tried to make AIIA more than a ministry of mere sterile academic apologetics. We’ve attempted to make it existential, alive, and connected with the […]
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AIIA
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Published
May 23, 2019
What do you know about Buddhism? What’s the Christian response to Buddhism? What question often leaves Buddhists stumped? Click here for details.
By
AIIA
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Published
May 10, 2019
View the newly updated slideshow on AIIA’s homepage. Click on each individual slide. Be informed. Be current. Be in touch. Be thinking. Be ready.
By
AIIA
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Published
May 3, 2019
You may be among those who follow and pray for our family as well as our ministry. If so, we’d appreciate your prayers for our youngest grandson, John Wyatt Witmer […]
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AIIA
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Published
April 19, 2019
Did God supernaturally inspire the king of Israel to write about the coming Messiah’s death by crucifixion 1000 years before it actually even happened? If so, what are the implications […]
By
AIIA
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Published
April 9, 2019
In the May-June 2019 issue of AIIA’s Proclamation thoughtletter (scheduled for publication later this month), I refer to an exchange that I had with a Buddhist some time ago […]
By
AIIA
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Published
March 9, 2019
On March 8, 2019, I completed an initial cursory read-through of Darwin Devolves: The New Science About DNA That Challenges Evolution, ©2019 HarperOne, by Michael J. Behe, PhD. Behe […]
By
AIIA
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Published
February 6, 2019
Robert Valiant, an AIIA Ministry Associate from southern New Hampshire, recently authored an 11-page critique of BIOLOGY (©2008 edition, Prentice Hall), a major textbook that has been used for many […]
By
AIIA
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Published
January 26, 2019
So many wars and conflicts throughout history have been driven by religion. Why believe in a God who advocates war and violence? Why accept a Bible that seems to repeatedly […]
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AIIA
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Published
January 16, 2019
Are all Christians intellectually deficient? In his highly-touted book, The End of Faith, Sam Harris (neuroscientist, atheist, author) caustically writes: “Tell a devout Christian that his wife is cheating […]
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AIIA
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Published
January 7, 2019
Late last night I finished reading a new book by Abdu Murray, North American Director of RZIM (Ravi Zacharias International Ministries). It’s entitled Saving Truth | Finding Meaning & Clarity […]
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AIIA
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Published
December 30, 2018
CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS MAINE NEW ENGLAND AIIA INSTITUTE THE WITMERS IN MONSON, MAINE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• IS GOD’S TRUTH under serious attack these days? IS THE INCREASED ATTRITION OF YOUTH from evangelical […]
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AIIA
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Published
December 17, 2018
Someone once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” Do you know where you’re going today? Do you know where you’re going in […]
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AIIA
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Published
December 6, 2018
Great news today from Homer Hill in Monson, Maine. Yesterday (Wednesday, December 5) at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine, Mary and I met with Dr. John Klemperer, the […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 27, 2018
EVERYBODY HAS TO BELIEVE IN SOMETHING. I believe I’ll have another piece of cake. Chocolate cake. Lots of frosting. Eat, drink, be merry. Tomorrow we might . . . eat […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 26, 2018
Just a brief update here this morning to let those of you who are interested know that Mary continues to make good progress in healing from her aortic valve replacement […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 20, 2018
In the four days since my last post on Mary’s status there have been a number of positive developments. First, the bleeding from a secondary wound created during Mary’s open […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 16, 2018
It’s been a number of days since I’ve provided an update on Mary’s recovery from aortic valve replacement surgery on November 1. In general she is making good headway but […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 12, 2018
Suppose someone says to you, “Everyone has their own worldview — which makes true objectivity impossible. If true objectivity is impossible then no worldview can be considered universally valid. Therefore […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 10, 2018
Mary continues to steadily recuperate from aortic valve replacement surgery on November 1. Thanks for tracking along with her progress here and on previous blogs. Each day seems to be another […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 7, 2018
Today has been a day of nurses visiting, calling, and checking in as a follow up to Mary’s heart valve replacement surgery last Thursday, November 1. I’ve been “picking up […]
By
AIIA
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Published
November 6, 2018
Good evening from Homer Hill in Monson, Maine! That’s right — we’re home — and so far, so good. Our friends Wayne & Jane Armstrong came to Eastern Maine Medical […]
By
AIIA
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Published
November 5, 2018
It’s been a long day of ups and downs, but one that on net seems to have ended well. At about 8:30 AM Mary’s heart slipped back into afib. So […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 4, 2018
The good news of the day is that, within minutes of Mary’s two chest tubes being removed, her heart rhythm suddenly converted from atrial fibrillation (afib). However, it converted to […]
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AIIA
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Published
November 3, 2018
As of 2:00 PM Saturday afternoon, Mary’s heart continues in afib. This leaves her feeling very washed out. (I understand that feeling from years of experience with afib myself.) She […]
By
AIIA
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Published
November 2, 2018
Within minutes of my posting the previous blog from my hotel room at about 3:00 PM on Friday afternoon, while enroute back to Mary’s bedside at the hospital, Stephen phoned […]
By
AIIA
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Published
November 2, 2018
Over twenty-seven (27) hours following the conclusion of aortic valve replacement surgery, Mary continues to make good progress. She has had many IVs, catheter, and other tubes and wires removed. […]
By
AIIA
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Published
November 1, 2018
Mary has continued to recover from aortic valve surgery throughout the afternoon and evening hours. She is still sleepy as the result of anesthesia administered during her surgery, but was […]
By
AIIA
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Published
November 1, 2018
Mary’s surgery ended just before Noon today, November 1. Her preparation time lasted somewhat longer that initially projected, so the operation itself didn’t begin until after 9:00 AM, although we […]
By
AIIA
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Published
October 31, 2018
As of 8:00 PM this evening, October 31, Mary Witmer remains scheduled for aortic valve replacement surgery first thing tomorrow morning, November 1, at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine. We […]
By
AIIA
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Published
October 27, 2018
On June 6, 2013, The Atlantic magazine published an article by Larry Alex Taunton entitled Listening to Young Atheists: Lessons for a Stronger Christianity. Here is a brief excerpt: “Sincerity […]
By
AIIA
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Published
October 18, 2018
Mary Witmer is now scheduled for aortic valve replacement surgery on November 1 at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine. We hope to be able to post […]
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AIIA
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Published
October 15, 2018
Late last week an invitation to attend the 12th Annual Natural Living Expo in Marlborough MA arrived in the morning mail. This large-scale event is scheduled to take place on […]
By
AIIA
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Published
October 9, 2018
We’ve been waiting to post this month’s family update until we got word about the results of Mary’s latest echocardiogram on October 1. Yesterday it came. The phone rang just […]
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AIIA
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Published
September 11, 2018
Andrew and his family were in Monson for approximately ten days in early August. Mary and I had a great time with Maureen and the grandchildren while Andrew researched and […]
By
AIIA
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Published
September 10, 2018
What’s the big deal about Christian Apologetics? Is it relevant? Is it necessary? You’ll have your answer in less than 10 minutes if you’re willing to invest that amount of […]
By
AIIA
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Published
August 24, 2018
This year, with an exciting multi-million-dollar rejuvenation project currently underway in our little village, and hundreds of Appalachian Trail hikers on their usual annual migration through town, there has been a […]
By
AIIA
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Published
August 3, 2018
Never before in my life has four months seemed to fly by so quickly. Our sabbatical was wonderful. Except for the threat of Mary’s impending surgery and the considerable time […]
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AIIA
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Published
July 5, 2018
Mary had her most recent echocardiogram on Monday, July 2. The very next day we received a call from her cardiologist’s office with some surprising news — her numbers had […]
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AIIA
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Published
June 23, 2018
One deeply memorable impression of my visit to L’Abri in Huemoz Switzerland in 1972 was of the water troughs in that picturesque little Swiss village. Water flowed freely and continually […]
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AIIA
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Published
June 4, 2018
Mary and I were in the midst of our AIIA board-appointed sabbatical recently, quietly checking out a Native American Spring festival in downtown Bar Harbor, Maine, totally minding our own […]
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AIIA
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Published
May 3, 2018
Mary and I met with her cardiologist in Bangor earlier today — May 3, 2018. Based on her most recent echocardiogram in April, and unless she begins experiencing symptoms, Dr. […]
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AIIA
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Published
May 2, 2018
I once heard about a birthday card that on the outside read: “I was in a card store the other day looking for a card with a message that […]
By
AIIA
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Published
April 13, 2018
Thanks to so many of you who have written, called, and/or been praying about Mary’s diagnosis of aortic valve stenosis since January. It means a great deal. Mary’s latest echocardiogram […]
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AIIA
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Published
March 30, 2018
On this Good Friday 2018 the words of the late Anglican minister, John W. Stott, come to mind: “I could never myself believe in God if it were not for […]
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AIIA
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Published
March 12, 2018
In spite of maintaining a normal rigorous routine (which includes walking on her treadmill most every day, carrying wash baskets up the basement steps, and much more) — all of […]
By
AIIA
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Published
March 6, 2018
Generally speaking, mainstream science today endorses a version of Darwinian evolution which proposes that humans are the unanticipated result of wholly natural random forces at work over long ages. But […]
By
AIIA
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Published
February 18, 2018
Welcome to our new blog! I really hope that you’ll “follow” along by subscribing with your email address at right. Or bookmark this page and check in often. The pace of […]
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