CARM
The website CARM, an acronym for: Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry, is an extensive resource tool for those who are interested in defending the Christian faith in light of the various challenges other belief systems present. The aim and goal of CARM is to equip those who find themselves in the churches fold by imparting good basic information. This informative basis creates a database that the believer is then enabled to utilize in witnessing about Jesus and proclaiming the superior nature of Christianity over other belief systems.
CARM offers thumbnail sketches that cover a variety of topics apart from cult beliefs and practices as well. These listings include articles on: The Bible, Doctrine, Creeds and Confessions, a simplistic Dictionary of Theology, articles on Evangelism, Testimonies, Heresies, etc. These various resources include brief descriptions of the topics under consideration. Of greater interest however, are the extensive site-listings for additional research. Following these links creates a journey that can be fascinating and compelling, as the information can be quiet extensive.
An example of this could be observed by clicking on the Dead Sea Scrolls site, found under the topic of Archeology. The link connects the researcher with an exhibit site at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. There the site unfolds into both a textual presentation and a pictorial depiction of the exhibit that is on loan to the United States. The loan was facilitated by the “Project Judaica Foundation” with the express intent of making the scrolls accessible to the public via the Internet. This is one of many examples that could be pursued using CARM as the initial point of contact for the beginning of research.
The ministry website also includes articles of introspection and critiques of the Christian faith as well. There are adequate, albeit brief, treatments of various Bible difficulties that have created problems in interpretive understanding throughout the ages. These depictions are short. In this format, there is a possible need for more expansive dialogue and evaluation. Rather than giving the conservative standpoint alone, it may be beneficial to digress into the variant views of interpretation in order to provide a solider footing in apologetic presentations.
CARM’s treatment of secular concerns such as: Abortion, Atheism, Evolution, Relativism, etc. is also adequate in content. The brevity of the assorted papers and thesis precludes in depth analysis of the varied subject matters. As such, there is an inherent weakness in many of the presentations. This difficulty can be interpreted as an excessive bias, which is not necessarily inappropriate. The dilemma is found in the quandary of objective analysis when considering an opponent’s point of view. This is particularly relevant when the opposition is invited to visit the site and peruse the content. From an argumentative standpoint, a deeper depiction of other views, coupled with the Christian response, may be a stronger approach. These comments are stated with a guarded stance. CARM’s presentations are excellent in the limited format they are exhibited through. This website should be an ongoing link in the concerned Christian’s arsenal of available tools that are utilized in defending the faith.
