By: Brian G. Chilton | December 27, 2020
2020 has been a year that most people desire to forget. Despite the difficulties the year presented, it has proven to have held some bright spots. For me, my family and I were able to move into our new house. I was able to complete the classroom portion of my Ph.D. program as well as the language requirement. Additionally, 2020 has been a good year for Bellator Christi. The website posted the second-highest views of all-time, second only to 2018. Over 90% of the nations in the world accessed the material at Bellator Christi including all of North America, South America, Oceania, Europe, 80% of Africa, and 90–95% of Asia.
The top 20 nations that accessed Bellator Christi include the following:
1) United States
2) Philippines
3) United Kingdom
4) Canada
5) India
6) Nigeria
7) Australia
8) South Africa
9) Ghana
10) Germany
11) Kenya
12) Singapore
13) Indonesia
14) New Zealand
15) Ireland
16) Brazil
17) the Netherlands
18) France
19) Malaysia
20) United Arab Emirates
Certain articles held special importance for our readers. With that in mind, we present our yearly top 10 list of the most popular articles on BellatorChristi.com. Unless otherwise noted, all articles are authored by Brian G. Chilton.
10) “What COVID-19 Reveals About Us” (March 17, 2020). When COVID-19 first hit, people responded in four diverse ways. Being the only article from 2020 to make the top 10 list, the writing groups the responses into four categories and notes what can be learned about people in America by their reactions to the pandemic. What COVID-19 Reveals About Us: Four Categories of People Surfaced from the Pandemic (bellatorchristi.com).
9) “Seven Reasons Why Prayer Is Important” (June 24, 2013). This article has proven to hold staying power. Quite possibly, this article may be the most all-time viewed article of Bellator Christi.com. The article was the most viewed article from 2014 to 2016. It was the third-highest ranked article of 2017 and ranked second in 2018. Ranked 13th last year, the article moves up to the 9th position this year. As the name implies, the work examines the importance that prayer holds to the believer’s life. See what the hype is about by clicking on the following link. Seven Reasons Why Prayer is Important – Bellator Christi.
8) “3 Manifestations of God’s Love” (April 21, 2016). The article on God’s love reappears in the top 10 list for 2020 even though it dipped two positions from last year. The article examines the reality, response, and relationship found in God’s manifested love. 3 Manifestations of God’s Love – Bellator Christi
7) “When and What Time was Jesus Born?” (December 19, 2017). Although it dipped from the previous year from 3rd to 7th, the question of Jesus’s birth continues to intrigue people across the globe. The work surged in December nearing 400 views in one day. Last year, it exploded with nearly 1,000 views in one day. Do you agree with the assessment? Click the link and leave a response. When and What Time Was Jesus Born? – Bellator Christi.
6) “10 Reasons to Accept the Resurrection of Jesus as a Historical Fact” (April 11, 2017). Here is another article with staying power. Dipping from 4th to 6th, the article finds itself back on the top 10 list in 2020. Why can we accept the resurrection of Jesus as a historical fact? Click the link to the article and discover why. When and What Time Was Jesus Born? – Bellator Christi
5) “Who Wrote the Gospel of Matthew” (June 7, 2017). Written in 2017, this article defends the traditional view that Matthew the apostle penned the First Gospel. The article surged from 14th to 5th place in this year’s poll. It is the only article defending the traditional authorship of biblical books to make it to the top 10 list. Who Wrote the Gospel of Matthew? – Bellator Christi
4) “Voltaire’s Prediction, Home, and the Bible Society: Truth or Myth?” (March 18, 2019). By: Dr. Dan Merritt. The only article in the top 10 list to have been written by another author, Dr. Merritt explores the validity of a popular story about Voltaire and his prediction that the Bible would not be around in 100 years, only to have his home used by a Bible society to distribute Bibles 100 years after his infamous declaration. The question is, does the story hold any historical credibility? Dr. Merritt’s article increased from 9th place in 2019 to 4th place in 2020. Is there any credibility to the story? Decide for yourself by clicking the following link. Voltaire’s Prediction, Home, and the Bible Society: Truth or Myth? (bellatorchristi.com)
3) “Various Forms of God’s Grace” (November 5, 2013). The second oldest article on our list increased two spots from last year. The article explores how God’s grace is understood. Special attention is given to prevenient grace and irresistible grace. To understand more about God’s grace, click the following link to learn more. Various Forms of God’s Grace – Bellator Christi
2) “Ten Divine Attributes of the Messiah” (December 5, 2017). Five articles from 2017 are found in the top 10 list for 2020. The fifth 2017 article dips one spot as the most viewed article of 2019 is the second most viewed article of 2020. The article explores Jesus’s self-understanding of his divine nature. Additionally, it describes the revealed divine attributes of Jesus found in his life and John’s revelatory vision of Jesus. Check it out for yourself by clicking the following link. Ten Divine Attributes of the Messiah – Bellator Christi
1) “Family is Your First Ministry” (March 11, 2019). 2020 presented a lot of challenges for families across the board. It is of great intrigue that the highest viewed article of 2020 was a defense given for the primacy of the family. Many Christian leaders erroneously believe that their families must be sacrificed on the altar of success. This article seeks to set the record straight. The 7th ranked article of 2019 finds its rightful place as the most viewed article of 2020. Read the article for yourself by clicking the following link. Family is Your First Ministry (bellatorchristi.com)
This year promises to be an exciting year for Bellator Christi. We recently welcomed an additional member to our team. Amanda Burke joins us as a contributing writer. You may see a reduction in the number of articles produced this summer as I will begin the dissertation phase of my Ph.D. and work on my second book. Nonetheless, we will continue to cover the various apologetic and theological issues facing the church as we journey into 2021 in both written and audio form through the use of our articles and podcasts. Bellator Christi remains committed to taking up the sword of Christian theology and the sword of Christian apologetics as we enter the arena of ideas.
About the Author
Brian G. Chilton is the founder of BellatorChristi.com, the host of The Bellator Christi Podcast, and the author of the Layman’s Manual on Christian Apologetics. He received his Master of Divinity in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); and received certification in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. Brian is enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University and is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society. Brian has served in pastoral ministry for nearly 20 years.
https://www.amazon.com/Laymans-Manual-Christian-Apologetics-Essentials/dp/1532697104
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