Author Archives: Maryann

About Maryann

Maryann Spikes is the past President of the Christian Apologetics Alliance. She blogs at Ichthus77, and loves apologetics and philosophy. In particular she loves to study all things Euthyphro Dilemma and Golden Rule. Formerly a para-educator (autism) for five years, she holds a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, an AA in Humanities via Modesto Junior College, and moonlights as a freelancer on Upwork. You can follow her on Twitter @Ichthus77, connect with the Ichthus77 community on Facebook, or look her up on Google+.

Stanislaus Quatrain

Posted on January 21, 2014

Linger down good ol’ Briggsmore or McHenry; sun-bathed tulip trees and queen palms line these rarely wet streets plastered with autumns’ leaves. Murmurations of starlings eclipse Scenic’s foothills. *** Submitted to MoSt for inclusion in the Stanislaus Poem. More Poetry … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Poetry and Fiction | 3 Comments

The Seven Acts of the Universe, in Reverse

Posted on January 21, 2014

Final Act- Everywhere it is cold and still. The final frontier is the only thing, but there is only darkness to explore. Act 6- Things could not be moving faster and further away from eachother, drawn away by oblivion. Act … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Poetry and Fiction | Leave a comment

With Dad On A Windy Day

Posted on January 21, 2014

Fox tails move violently past our feet. I brace myself against the hair whipping my face, wind pushing so hard against me, I stumble. “Woah! That wind’s going to take you away!” Dad shouts. He doesn’t know I take everything … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Poetry and Fiction | Leave a comment

Growing Up

Posted on January 21, 2014

On my way to my desk in my office, I open the window to the spring-autumn scent and birdsong. Below it, under the drum stool, sits an old Marvin the Martian toy. Which of my sons left it there?—probably the … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Poetry and Fiction | Leave a comment

Who needs answers when nobody’s askin’?

Posted on January 12, 2014

This is written to those of you who consider yourselves Christians but think you don’t need answers to tough questions because you don’t ask them and nobody asks them of you. I am thinking a lot about this and I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics | Leave a comment

Ichthus77 2013 in retrospect

Posted on January 9, 2014

I didn’t get a lot of blogging done after the summer in 2013 because when I wasn’t helping my dad digitize his records or freelancing (those typos in the footers aren’t mine, but who’s looking, right?), I was busy helping The … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics, Bible Narrative Project, Carnival, Freelancing Tips and Tricks, News, Poetry, Poetry and Fiction, Reviews and Interviews | Leave a comment

Hell or Heaven: What about those who have never heard the gospel?

Posted on August 25, 2013

“What about the unevangelized? What happens to those who have never heard the gospel?”  Some answer that such people are “without excuse” and reference Romans 1:18-32 and 2:14-15, Psalm 19:1-6, Romans 10:18. However… Being without excuse only means that Gentiles, like Jews … Continue reading →

Posted in Golden Rule, Predestination, Problem of Evil & Hell | Leave a comment

Groothuis’ "Christian Apologetics" ch.25: The Problem of Evil

Posted on August 19, 2013

This chapter of Groothuis’ Christian Apologetics tackles the problem of evil.Related are the appendices dealing with hell and Old Testament issues.Groothuis tackles this issue last because one problem should not defeat the entire cumulative case for Christianity and against atheism–it doesn’t exist in a philosophical … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics, Evil as Privation of Good, Groothuis' 'Christian Apologetics', Predestination, Problem of Evil & Hell, Reviews and Interviews | Leave a comment

Defining the good: The Golden Rule

Posted on August 15, 2013

http://www.pflaum.com A major argument for God’s existence is that, if there is no God, there is no “true” good, because truth is that which corresponds to reality, to real being. A common counter-argument heard from atheists, agnostics, and skeptics is … Continue reading →

Posted in Euthyphro Dilemma, Golden Rule, Is-Ought Fallacy, Justified True Belief | Leave a comment

Bible Study Methods

Posted on August 10, 2013

I panned Rick Warren’s “Bible Study Methods” for nuggets which can be used in this Bible Narrative Project study. The emphasis will be on observing, asking questions, interpreting and applying—recording everything in a journal, and sharing at least some of it at … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Narrative Project, Reviews and Interviews | Leave a comment