Sunday Quote: F.F. Bruce on Jesus Christ

"The historicity of Christ is as axiomatic for an unbiased historian as the historicity of Julius Caesar."

- F.F. Bruce

Book Review: The Existence of God edited by John Hick

The Existence of God is part of Collier Books’ Problems of Philosophy series. It is a collection of readings on the subject of the existence of God, selected and edited by John Hick, who is also a contributor. Although first published in 1964, this small 300-page book contains many of the principal arguments on the existence of God from some very notable thinkers. As this is a compilation of the works of many thinkers, this review will provide only a summary of the selected content.

Argument from the Irreducible Complexity of Living Systems

This continues the series of weekly posts dealing with some basic theistic arguments. The purpose here is to introduce the reader to the idea behind each argument. Strengths and weaknesses will be presented after each summary. These are only summaries and springboards for further study in the theistic arguments. See Reason for the Hope Within for more.

An Argument from the Irreducible Complexity of Living Systems

Microbiology has identified systems at work in cells which are fundamental to life and which are irreducibly complex: their function depends upon the presence and close fit of many parts. For some of these systems it appears that the only plausible explanation for their existence is that they arose all at once (since in partial form they would work against the survival of the organism). The existence of these systems is nearly inexplicable in Darwinian terms (by gradual, single steps,) but is easily explained if the cause of life is an intelligent designer. The facts of microbiology are much more likely to be as they are if God exists than if God does not.

Greatest Strength: For those confident that science is close to making God unnecessary, these results present a serious challenge; and this line of argumentation may open up a consideration of the other features of reality more easily explained by God's existence.

Greatest Weakness: While it is currently difficult to see how a god-free account of these systems might work, Darwinians are convinced that such an explanation will be found.1

1 William C. Davis, Reason for the Hope Within (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman's Publishing Co., 1999), p. 35.

The Inner Life of the Cell Video

Here is the video "the Inner Life of the Cell". Created by the BioVisions group at Harvard University, this 8-minute movie presents a tour of a white blood cell. Shown here is the "Kinesin Walker" from the movie.
[HT: apologetics.org]

View here. For more stuff on the cell, see here.

Enjoy.

Dinesh D'Souza vs. Daniel Dennett: Is God a Man-Made Invention? Debate MP3 Audio

Dinesh D'Souza debates Daniel Dennett on the topic: Is God a Man-Made Invention? This took place at Tufts University on November 30, 2007.

Full MP3 Audio here. (2hr 15min)

Enjoy.

William Lane Craig vs. Lewis Wolpert: Is God a Delusion? Debate MP3 Audio

William Lane Craig debates Lewis Wolpert on the topic: Is God a Delusion? Moderated by John Humphrys, with an entertaining discussion time at the end. Also added to the WLC Audio Debate Feed.

Full MP3 Audio here. (1hr 45min)

Enjoy.

Sunday Quote: Don Stewart on Faith

"The Bible encourages people to put their faith in God. Unfortunately, many people equate faith with a blind leap in the dark or wishful thinking. But the faith that the Bible requires is intelligent faith. It is neither blind nor irrational. Biblical faith is a committing trust with an object (God) who is worthy of our faith. No one is asked to sacrifice his intellect when he puts his faith in the God of the Bible."

- Don Stewart

Book Review: Metaphysics: Constructing a Worldview by William Hasker

Metaphysics: Constructing a World View by William Hasker is a relatively short book (124 pages), but contains a great deal of information. Surprisingly enough, although the topic of metaphysics may sound daunting, the subject matter is presented very simply. The reader will come away with a good overview of metaphysics and the common metaphysical issues.

Basically, metaphysics asks the questions of What is there? What is real? What is ultimate? What is man’s place in what is real? It is, essentially, how one views the world, reality, and man’s place in the world. The subtitle is appropriate, as an exploration of metaphysical questions really does begin to construct one’s worldview.

Argument from the Existence of Necessary Truths

This continues the series of weekly posts dealing with some basic theistic arguments. The purpose here is to introduce the reader to the idea behind each argument. Strengths and weaknesses will be presented after each summary. These are only summaries and springboards for further study in the theistic arguments. See Reason for the Hope Within for more.

An Argument from the Existence of Necessary Truths

Humans are capable of apprehending necessary truths, propositions like "2+2=4" and "No proposition can be both true and false at the same time." These truths would be true, however, even if no human existed, indeed, even if no physical thing existed at all. But no proposition could exist without a mind to entertain it, so there must be a mind (God) that necessarily exists.

Greatest Strength: The truths of logic and mathematics seem to be true in a way that is independent of both what humans think and even practical facts about the makeup of the universe.

Greatest Weakness: Confidence in the existence of mind-independent objective truth (let alone necessary truth) is currently declining.1

1 William C. Davis, Reason for the Hope Within (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman's Publishing Co., 1999), p. 33.

Free Apologetics Curriculum from Please Convince Me

The Please Convince Me Blog recently announced the release of their free apologetics curriculum. Check it out. And don't forget about their excellent podcast.

PleaseConvinceMe Academy Course 1
Answering the Objections of Atheists
The "Popularity of Atheism" Curriculum

PleaseConvinceMe Academy Course 2
Making A Case for God's Existence
The "Plausibility of Theism" Curriculum

PleaseConvinceMe Academy Course 3
Articulating the Gospel of Grace
The "Promise of Christianity" Curriculum

Enjoy.

Ronald Nash Apologetics & Philosophy MP3 Audio

In this series of lectures provided by biblicaltraining.org, Dr. Ronald Nash teaches on Apologetics and the History of Philosophy and Christian Thought. Now you have to go right to biblicaltraining.org to get the audio. They do not allow direct linking to their audio files. (Also added to the Ultimate Apologetics MP3 Audio Page.)


APOLOGETICS -
Lesson 1 - Introduction
Lesson 2 - What is Apologetics?
Lesson 3 - Worldviews in Conflict
Lesson 4 - The Law of Non-contradiction
Lesson 5 - Invalid Worldviews
Lesson 6 - Introduction to the Problem of Evil
Lesson 7 - Divine Omnipotence
Lesson 8 - Noetic Structure
Lesson 9 - Methodology
Lesson 10 - Objection
Lesson 11 - Evidentialism
Lesson 12 - Foundationalism
Lesson 13 - Natural Theology
Lesson 14 - The Existence of God: Background
Lesson 15 - The Existence of God: Arguments
Lesson 16 - The Existence of God: Cosmological Argument
Lesson 17 - Introduction to Possible Worlds
Lesson 18 - Possible Worlds
Lesson 19 - Middle Knowledge
Lesson 20 - Introduction to Miracles
Lesson 21 - David Hume
Lesson 22 - Two Central Miracles
Lesson 23 - Introduction to Is Jesus the Only Savior
Lesson 24 - Pluralism
Lesson 25 - Inclusivism
Lesson 26 - When a Baby Dies
Lesson 27 - The Concept of God
Lesson 28 - Open Theism
Lesson 29 - Attributes of God
Lesson 30 - Final Thoughts

HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY AND CHRISTIAN THOUGHT
Lesson 1 - Introduction
Lesson 2 - Milesians
Lesson 3 - Heraclitus, Pythagoras, Parmenides
Lesson 4 - Worldviews
Lesson 5 - Naturalism
Lesson 6 - Introduction, Opposition
Lesson 7 - The Forms
Lesson 8 - Dualism
Lesson 9 - Rationalism
Lesson 10 - Appraisal, Creation, Tensions
Lesson 11 - Rationalism
Lesson 12 - His Life
Lesson 13 - Contrast, Substance, Causes, Categories
Lesson 14 - Incarnation
Lesson 15 - View of God, Psychology
Lesson 16 - Intellect
Lesson 17 - Law
Lesson 18 - Matter
Lesson 19 - Introduction to Hellenistic
Lesson 20 - Stoicism
Lesson 21 - Hedonism
Lesson 22 - Philo
Lesson 23 - Hebrews
Lesson 24 - Plotinus
Lesson 25 - Augustinian: His Life
Lesson 26 - Confessions
Lesson 27 - Augustinian: Faith
Lesson 28 - Augustinian: Evil
Lesson 29 - Augustinian: Pelagianism
Lesson 30 - Augustinian: Donatism
Lesson 31 - Augustinian: Skepticism
Lesson 32 - Augustinian: History
Lesson 33 - Augustinian: Knowledge
Lesson 34 - Augustinian: Illumination
Lesson 35 - Thomistic: Background
Lesson 36 - Thomistic: Faith
Lesson 37 - Thomistic: Arguments
Lesson 38 - Thomistic: Law
Lesson 39 - Modern
Lesson 40 - Kant: Understanding
Lesson 41 - Kant: Two Worlds
Lesson 42 - Kant: Response
Lesson 43 - Kant: Postmodernism
Lesson 44 - Hegel
Lesson 45 - Marx: Stages
Lesson 46 - Marx: Faces
Lesson 47 - D. Nietzsche

Enjoy.

William Lane Craig Q&A Videos and MP3s

Philosopher William Lane Craig answers some common tough questions in a very clear and concise manner in this series of video Question & Answers. The MP3s are also available for your convenience.

• The Relationship Between Faith and Reason - Video / MP3
• The Best Argument for Belief in God - Video / MP3
• Can We Be Good Without God? - Video / MP3
• Is God a Logical Necessity - Video / MP3
• Can We Trust the Bible Written 2000 Years Ago - Video / MP3
• Why Is Richard Dawkins So Popular? - Video / MP3
• Who Designed the Designer? A Response to Dawkins - Video / MP3
• The Flying Spaghetti Monster & Evidence for God - Video / MP3
• Can We Trust Religious Experiences? - Video / MP3
• Can There Be Meaning Without God? - Video / MP3
• How Can Christianity Be the Only One True Religion? - Video / MP3

Find all the William Lane Craig Q&A videos at 100huntley.com here.
Get all the MP3s in an RSS feed here. Or add directly to iTunes here.

Enjoy.

Saddleback Apologetics Conference Audio MP3 and Video

Saddleback Church recently hosted an Apologetics Conference with a number of great apologists. Now their audio and video are available for listening and viewing online. But if you prefer MP3s or a podcast feed, you can download them right here:

• How Can I Know God Exists? - Dinesh D'Souza - MP3
• How Did the Universe Begin - William Lane Craig - MP3
• If God Exists, Why is there Evil? - Norman Geisler - MP3
• Has Science Made Belief in God Obsolete? - J.P. Moreland - MP3
• What Do the Gospels Really Say About Jesus? - Darrell Bock - MP3
• How Can I Defend My Faith Without Sounding Defensive? - Greg Koukl - MP3

RSS feed here. Subscribe directly in iTunes here. (HT: Rob)

Enjoy.

Sunday Quote: Socrates on Reading

"Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for."

- Socrates

Book Review: Philosophy of Religion by C. Stephen Evans

Philosophy of Religion: Thinking About Faith by C. Stephen Evans is part of the “Contours of Christian Philosophy” series. This book in the series deals with philosophy of religion, defined as critical reflection on religious beliefs.

The book begins by exploring various approaches to philosophy of religion. These include the opposite approaches of fideism (the claim that faith is the precondition for any correct thinking about religion) and neutralism (the insistence that thinking about religion must be presuppositionless). The author settles on an approach to philosophy of religion viewed as a process of critical dialog, where reason is employed with a willingness to test one’s commitments.

Argument from the Definition of God and the Superiority of Existing in Reality

This continues the series of weekly posts dealing with some basic theistic arguments. The purpose here is to introduce the reader to the idea behind each argument. Strengths and weaknesses will be presented after each summary. These are only summaries and springboards for further study in the theistic arguments. See Reason for the Hope Within for more.

An Argument from the Definition of God and the Superiority of Existing in Reality

Anselm defined God as that being than which no greater can be conceived, and further assumed that it is greater to exist in reality than it is to exist only in the mind (as a thought). But given these two premises, the supposition that God exists only in the mind can't possibly be true: the greatest conceivable being can't exist only in the mind because we can conceive of that same being existing in reality as well. A greatest conceivable being (God) which exists in the mind is contradictory. Thus, God must exist in reality.

Greatest Strength: The argument requires accepting only a definition and the claim that to exist is better than not.

Greatest Weakness: It feels like a trick, even if it is hard to say why. One likely source: widespread misgivings about deriving existence from a definition.1

1 William C. Davis, Reason for the Hope Within (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman's Publishing Co., 1999), p. 30.

Featured Podcast: Theology Unplugged

The Theology Unplugged Podcast is an internet radio show that speaks on theological issues of the day, allowing the listener to make informed judgments on the most important theological issues today.... Over 50 MP3s dealing with subjects such as orthodoxy, hermeneutics, inerrancy, trinitarianism, truth, postmodernism, the emergent church, problem passages, and more.

Open in iTunes, or Subscribe directly in iTunes here. RSS feed here.

Enjoy.

Apologetics 315 Blog Interview at Cloud of Witnesses

The Cloud of Witnesses blog covers topics of theology, philosophy, writing, and culture. They kindly asked to know a little more about the owner of Apologetics 315. A two-part interview has been posted.

For those interested, check out part one here. Part two is here, and includes 52 tidbits of advice for those learning apologetics.

Thanks to Chris for the kind offer.

Enjoy.

Learning Skills 101: Series by Kenneth Samples MP3 Audio

Philosopher and apologist Kenneth Samples is doing a series of lectures on the topic of Learning Skills. This is a tremendous series. This is based upon Adler's "How to Read a Book," but Samples adds lots of personal insights and challenges. RSS Feed here.

• Learning Skills 101: Introduction (Part 1)
• Learning Skills 101: The Academic 10 Commandments (Part 2)

• Learning Skills 101: The Renaissance Christian (Part 3)

• Learning Skills 101: Ideas (Part 4)
• Learning Skills 101: Introduction to Logic 1 (Part 5)
• Learning Skills 101: Introduction to Logic 2 (Part 6)
• Learning Skills 101: Three Types of Arguments (Part 7)
• Learning Skills 101: Logical Fallacies (Part 8)

Enjoy.

Sunday Quote: Francis Crick on Origin of Life

"An honest man, armed with all the knowledge available to us now, could only state that in some sense, the origin of life appears at the moment to be almost a miracle, so many are the conditions which would have had to have been satisfied to get it going. But this should not be taken to imply that there are good reasons to believe that it could not have started on the earth by a perfectly reasonable sequence of fairly ordinary chemical reactions. The plain fact is that the time available was too long, the many microenvironments on the earth's surface too diverse, the various chemical possibilities too numerous and our own knowledge and imagination too feeble to allow us to be able to unravel exactly how it might or might not have happened such a long time ago, especially as we have no experimental evidence from that era to check our ideas against."

- Francis Crick

Book Review: The Existence of God by Richard Swinburne

The Existence of God (2nd Edition) by Richard Swinburne is an impressive and significant philosophical work on the existence of God. Swinburne’s premise is to weigh the evidence for and against theism and determine which way the balance falls. This review will only summarize his approach and some of the ideas developed in the book.

Swinburne introduces his approach. He is not trying to come to an indubitable conclusion; his goal is a probabilistic one based upon confirmation theory. So, of the fourteen chapters, the first four describe inductive arguments, the nature of explanation, justification of explanation, and complete explanation. The author first aims to show the need to take the arguments for God’s existence together: