Book Review: God, Freedom, and Evil by Alvin Plantinga

In God, Freedom, and Evil Alvin Plantinga (AP) attempts to rebut the logical problem of evil [i], which posits that the following two propositions [i] are inconsistent:

(1) God (an omnipotent and perfectly good being) exists
(2) Evil exists

Where is the Inconsistency? 
AP spends the first section of the book attempting to demonstrate an inconsistency between the two premises. He argues that (1) and (2) are neither explicitly nor formally [ii] contradictory, and (following J. L. Mackie) decides that the most promising course for the atheologian [iii] is that the propositions are implicitly contradictory. A set of premises is implicitly contradictory if one or more of the terms violates a logically necessary truth. What the atheologian is looking for, then, in pressing the logical problem of evil is a necessary truth which, when added to (1) and (2) above, yields a contradiction.

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (06/20 - 06/27)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.

KINDLE DEALS:
• Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection - 1.99
• Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? by WLC - 3.99
• Hijacking the Historical Jesus by Phil Fernandes - 3.99
• Miracles by John Lennox - .99
• Reasons for Faith - 3.99
• There Is a God by Antony Flew - 2.99

WEEKLY LINKS:
• Tyndale House's STEP Bible study online tool
• Why Would Anyone Get a Degree In Apologetics?
• Breaking Down the ‘We’re all Atheists’ Objection
• 10 Things Every Christian Should Know about Islam
• Giunta vs. Dan Barker (“What kind of thing is God?”) MP3
• Dr. William Craig '71 - Distinguished Service to Society Award Winner
• Video: Nabeel Qureshi- The Jesus of Islam vs The Jesus of Christianity
• Greg Koukl debates Michael Shermer on God, atheism, meaning and morality
• Three Simple Strategies to Help You Become A Better Christian Case Maker

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us?

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Terminology Tuesday: Supererogation

Supererogation: Supererogation is the technical term for the class of actions that go “beyond the call of duty.” Roughly speaking, supererogatory acts are morally good although not (strictly) required. [...] The Latin etymology of “supererogation” is paying out more than is due (super-erogare), and the term first appears in the Latin version of the New Testament in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Although we often believe that Good Samaritanism is praiseworthy and non-obligatory at the same time, philosophical reflection raises the question whether there can be any morally good actions that are not morally required, and even if there are such actions, how come they are optional or supererogatory. (more here) 1

1. Heyd, David, "Supererogation", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2008 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.).

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (06/13 - 06/20)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.

KINDLE DEALS:
• Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection - 1.99
• Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? by WLC - 3.99
• Hijacking the Historical Jesus by Phil Fernandes - 3.99
• Miracles by John Lennox - .99
• Reasons for Faith - 3.99
• There Is a God by Antony Flew - 2.99
• Taking Christian Moral Thought Seriously - .99

WEEKLY LINKS:
• Why I’m A Christian Evidentialist
• Are you training your replacement?
• Videos: New Atheism, A Survival Guide
• Did God Appear in Bodily Form Before Jesus?
• 3 Good Reasons to Question What You Believe
• Is Mormonism Just Another Christian Denomination?
• Test Your Eyewitnesses, Even When the Eyewitness Is You
• Joseph Smith, the Founder of Mormonism, in His Own Words
• Philosophical Arguments that the Universe had a Beginning

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us?

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Terminology Tuesday: Confucianism

Confuciansim: Chinese school of ethical, political and religious teachings commonly attributed to Confucius (c. 551-479 B.C.). Confucianism places great weight on the cultivation of ethical virtues such as kingliness, humaneness and gentlemanliness that are cultivated through rituals. Ethical duties within Confucianism depend on one's social and family position. There is some dispute over the religious character of Confucianism, centering on the nature of tian, or "heaven," which is in some way the ground of our ethical duties. Some have interpreted this concept in a transcendent, metaphysical way, while neo-Confucians tend to think of "heaven" as a metaphorical way of describing the natural ethical order of things.1

1. C.Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), p. 26.

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (06/06 - 06/13)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.

KINDLE DEALS:
• Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection - 1.99
• Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? by WLC - 3.99
• Hijacking the Historical Jesus by Phil Fernandes - 3.99
• Miracles by John Lennox - .99
• Reasons for Faith - 3.99
• There Is a God by Antony Flew - 2.99
• That's Just Your Interpretation by Paul Copan - 2.99

WEEKLY LINKS:
• Why are There Four Gospels?
• Abortion Debate at Westmont College
• Without God, how can one explain the origin of life?
• Cold Case Christianity Weekend Seminar with J. Warner Wallace
• The Case for the Reliability of the New Testament (Free Bible Insert)

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us?

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Terminology Tuesday: Virtue

Virtue: A disposition or character trait that is itself an excellence or good or that tends to lead to what is good, with moral virtues being those excellences that foster human flourishing. In ancient and medieval philosophy ethical thinking centered on the virtues - what they are, how they are related and how they are to be achieved. The medievals accepted the cardinal virtues of the ancient world (wisdom, justice, courage, temperance) and added to them the three principle Christian virtues (faith, hope and love). Both ancient and medieval thinkers tied their account of the virtues as leading to human flourishing to accounts of human nature. Recent ethical theory has seen a rediscovery of the importance of the virtues and the development of virtue theory, which holds that concepts of the virtues are basic to ethics and not reducible to claims about moral duties or what is impersonally valuable.1

1. C.Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), p. 121.

Ticket Giveaway: Unbelievable Conference 2014

Premier Christian Radio and Biola University present an apologetics day conference on Sat, 12 July 2014 in London. This year's conference will help ordinary Christians like you be equipped to:

• Be confident in your faith and share it effectively

• Engage with atheism, Islam and other worldviews

• Give good reasons for God and the truth of Christianity

Guest speakers include: William Lane Craig, Os Guinness, Tim McGrew, Craig Hazen, Jeff Zweerink, Clay Jones, David Robertson, Ruth Jackson, Tanya Walker, and more.

Apologetics 315 is giving away some FREE TICKETS.

See a conference trailer here.

ENTER THE DRAWING HERE.

Sign up here.

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (05/30 - 06/06)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.

KINDLE DEALS:
• Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection - 1.99
• Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? by WLC - 4.10
• Hijacking the Historical Jesus by Phil Fernandes - 3.99
• Miracles by John Lennox - .99
• How Do You Know You're Not Wrong? by Copan - 2.99

WEEKLY LINKS:
• Aquinas' First Way (image)
• Review of Defining Inerrancy
• A Quick Refutation of Pluralism
• New Atheism’s Wardrobe Malfunction
• Five Reading Tips to Stretch Your Mind
• Question of the Week: The Definition of Faith
• Natural Theology: What It is and Why You Need It
• I’m Not a Christian For Any of These Good Reasons
• What You'll Need Most to Continue to Engage Atheists
• Frank Turek's List of 20 Influential Apologists (MP3)
• What Investigative Principle Does Every Christian Need?
• The Case for the Reliability of the New Testament (Free Bible Insert)

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us?

• Shopping via Amazon? If you use this link, a bit of your purchase goes to fund Apologetics 315. Thanks for those of you using the link, as it helps Ap315.
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R. Douglas Geivett on the Hiddenness of God

"We cannot foreclose on the question of God’s willingness to disclose himself and his purposes in some concrete, particularized way without first looking into the evidence for the authenticity of an alleged revelation from him; even if a quest for some particular truth of the matter is scandalous by today’s ephemeral standards, It will hardly do to accuse God of hiding from us if we have not sincerely sought him in appropriate ways, or if we have insisted on prescribing for God the conditions under which we would approve a revelation of himself."

—R. Douglas Geivett

[HT: Truthbomb Apologetics]

1. "IS JESUS THE ONLY WAY?" IN JESUS UNDER FIRE, EDS. MICHAEL J. WILKINS AND JP MORELAND (GRAND RAPIDS: ZONDERVAN PUBLISHING HOUSE, 1995), 194.

Review: Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

In a culture where elders are to be obeyed, not questioned, and where abandonment of one’s religion can be punished by death, it is a significant challenge for a Muslim to walk away from his or her faith. Nabeel Qureshi outlines the long and often painful process that led him to do just that in Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus.

He begins by describing a rather lonely childhood. He was born in Pakistan, but his family immigrated to the United States when he was still very young. His father was in the U.S. navy and was stationed in a variety of American cities as well as in Scotland for awhile. Wherever they went, Muslims were in the minority. Qureshi notes that he was always aware of being different and that his Muslim heritage was a deterrent for many would-be friends and their families (32).

The author notes that Muslims believe Christians are an immoral and promiscuous lot. For this reason, immigrants like his parents are fearful of their offspring being Americanized. Therefore, the Qureshis would not allow their son to spend time with non-Islamic children outside of school. It also meant that they spent a great deal of time and energy indoctrinating Nabeel and his older sister in the ways of Islam.

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (05/23 - 05/30)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.

KINDLE DEALS:
• Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection - 1.99
• Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? by WLC - 4.10
• Hijacking the Historical Jesus by Phil Fernandes - 3.99
• Miracles by John Lennox - $.99
• Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air by Koukl & Beckwith - 2.99

WEEKLY LINKS:
• Ex-Mormons UK Tour UK
• Rick Mattson's "Faith is Like Skydiving"
• Abdu Murray on Appealing Only to the Mind
• Tim McGrew's Recommended Apologetics Reading
• Making a Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Video)
• Moving Mountains: How an Atheist Came to Believe in God
• The Art of Biblical Integrity for the Christian Intellectual
• Featured Resource: Treesearch- A Novel Apologetics Debate Encyclopedia

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us?

• Shopping via Amazon? If you use this link, a bit of your purchase goes to fund Apologetics 315. Thanks for those of you using the link, as it helps Ap315.
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Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (05/16 - 05/23)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.

KINDLE DEALS:
• Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection - 1.02
• Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? by WLC - 4.10
• Hijacking the Historical Jesus by Phil Fernandes - 3.99

WEEKLY LINKS:
• What Does “Gospel” Really Mean?
• Book Review: Grand Central Question
• Pre-Christian apologetics
• There are no slippery prior probabilities
• A question to Peter Boghossian at the microphone
• Video: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? by William Lane Craig
• Ten Principles When Considering Alleged Bible Contradictions
• Video: Investigating the Resurrection of Jesus by Chad A. Gross
• Peter Boghossian Debates Timothy McGrew Saturday on “Unbelievable”

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us?

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Terminology Tuesday: Divine Foreknowledge

Divine Foreknowledge: God's knowledge of future events, including future free human choices. Some philosophers argue that since God's knowledge cannot be mistaken, and since the past cannot be changed, God's knowing future events before they occur implies that no other events could possibly occur and that free will is an illusion (the determinism viewpoint). A variety of responses to this problem have been given, including holding that since God is timeless he has no knowledge before an event but knows all things in a timeless now. Others accept Molinism, the view that God's foreknowledge and providence are linked to his middle knowledge, which is a knowledge of how free creatures would act in different circumstances. Still others limit God's foreknowledge by holding that, while omniscience includes knowing all true or false propositions, some propositions about the future are as of yet neither true nor false. And similarly, others limit divine foreknowledge by holding that, while God knows all that it is logically possible to know, it is logically impossible to have infallible prior knowledge of free decisions.1

1. C.Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), p. 45.

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (05/09 - 05/16)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.

KINDLE DEALS:
• Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection - 1.99
• Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? by WLC - 3.99
• If God Is Good: Why Do We Hurt? 1.99
• Hijacking the Historical Jesus by Phil Fernandes - 3.99
• New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? - 2.99
• When God Goes to Starbucks: A Guide to Everyday Apologetics by Paul Copan - 2.99

WEEKLY LINKS:
• The Watchtower and the Word
• More on Apologetic Infighting
• The Creation Debate in a Nutshell
• Do Old Testament Laws Apply Today?
• Man or Rabbit? by CS Lewis - Video
• "Unbelievable? The Conference 2014"
• Paul Copan on God, Materialism and Value
• How Do Moral Absolutes Prove That God Exists?
• Remember "HANDS" When Arguing for Jesus’ Deity
• Video: Jesus, the Gospels, and the Telephone Game
• Is Jesus Simply a Retelling of the Osiris Mythology?
• Worldview and Apologetics Events for Students This Summer
• Greg Koukl explains how to be a consistent moral relativist
• Christian philosopher (Craig) vs atheist scientist (Atkins) debate: Does God Exist?

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us monthly?

• Shopping via Amazon? If you use this link, a bit of your purchase goes to fund Apologetics 315. Thanks for those of you using the link, as it helps Ap315.
Canada here. UK here.

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Terminology Tuesday: Fatalism

Fatalism: The view that whatever happens does so necessarily and that therefore human choice and effort make no difference. Critics of determinism allege that fatalism is a logical consequence of determinism, but most determinists (particularly so-called "soft determinists") reject this on the grounds that human choices do make a difference as part of the causal order. Some "hard determinists" accept the idea that whatever happens does so necessarily and claim that recognizing this truth frees a person from anxiety and leads to peace of mind.1

1. C.Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), p. 44.

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (05/02 - 05/09)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.

KINDLE DEALS:
• Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection - 1.99
• Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? by WLC - 3.99
• If God Is Good: Why Do We Hurt? 1.99
• Hijacking the Historical Jesus by Phil Fernandes - 3.99
• What's Your Worldview?: An Interactive Approach to Life's Big Questions - .99

WEEKLY LINKS:
• Convictions (Part One)
• Were books left out of the Bible?
• Share Your Thoughts: Alex McLellan and Atheism
• Video: Why I'm Not an Atheist by J. P. Moreland
• 5 Reasons Apologists Should Not Attack Apologists
• Is Jesus Simply a Retelling of the Mithras Mythology?
• Worldview and Apologetics Events for Students This Summer
• How Christianity Created Science (and Why Atheism Wouldn’t Have)
• Is God Real? God is the Best Explanation for Objective Moral Laws
• “Telling the Big Story” (or how not to engage culture with theology)
• How to Respond to Claims Jesus Is a “Copycat Savior” (Free Bible Insert)

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us monthly?

• Shopping via Amazon? If you use this link, a bit of your purchase goes to fund Apologetics 315. Thanks for those of you using the link, as it helps Ap315.
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Terminology Tuesday: Universalism

Universalism: The belief that all persons will eventually be saved and thus that no one will be eternally lost. Some universalists hold that all will be saved because of the work of Christ, but some deny the unique deity of Christ and necessity of his work for salvation in favor of a pluralistic view that sees the world's religions as equally valid. Universalism should not be confused with the view that it is possible that some who do not have conscious faith in Christ in this life may be saved. It also should be distinguished from annihilationism, which holds that those who are eternally lost cease to exist altogether.1

1. C.Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), p. 119.

Apologist Interview: Tom Gilson of Ratio Christi

Today’s interview is with Tom Gilson, the National Field Director for Ratio Christi, and blogger at ThinkingChristian.net. He talks about Ratio Christi and its growth, Ratio Christi College Prep and Ratio Christ Chapters. He also discusses the print publication of the book True Reason: Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism, responding to the new atheism, the book A Manual for Creating Atheists (Peter Boghossian: Atheist Tactician), the approach of Peter Boghossian, and an an argument in favor of the historicity of the Gospel accounts (found at Touchstone magazine here).

Full Interview MP3 Audio here (36 min)

Enjoy.

R. T. France on the Historicity of the Gospels

"At the level of their literary and historical character we have good reason to treat the gospels seriously as a source of information on the life and teaching of Jesus, and thus on the historical origins of Christianity. Ancient historians have sometimes commented that the degree of scepticism with which New Testament scholars approach their sources is far greater than would be thought justified in any other branch of ancient history. Indeed many ancient historians would count themselves fortunate to have four such responsible accounts, written within a generation or two of the events, and preserved in such a wealth of early manuscript evidence. . . . Beyond that point, the decision as to how far a scholar is willing to accept the record they offer is likely to be influenced more by his openness to a ‘supernaturalist’ world-view than by strictly historical considerations."

—R. T. France
“The Gospels as Historical Sources for Jesus, the Founder of Christianity,” Truth 1 (1985): 86. (link)

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (04/25 - 05/02)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.

KINDLE DEALS:
• Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection - 1.99
• Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? by WLC - FREE
• If God Is Good: Why Do We Hurt? 1.99
• Hijacking the Historical Jesus by Phil Fernandes - 3.99
• What's Your Worldview?: An Interactive Approach to Life's Big Questions - .99

WEEKLY LINKS:
• Atheism of the gaps
• The Gospel Truth of Jesus
• Just a Sabbath Day's Journey
• Alvin Plantinga on Apologetics
• Was Jesus a real person? - Video
• Video: Is God a Moral Monster? by Paul Copan
• Belief in God is the motor that drove science
• Is Jesus Simply a Retelling of the Horus Myth?
• Abdu Murray and Grand Central Questions, Part 1
• Abdu Murray and Grand Central Questions, Part 2
• Is There Any Evidence for Jesus Outside the Bible?
• Is the Old Testament Ethical? Peter Williams MP3 Audio
• Detroit Pastor Envisions an ‘Urban Turn’ in Christian Apologetics
• William Lane Craig discusses reason and faith with university students
• Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions Audiobook
• Tim McGrew explains how undesigned coincidences affect textual reliability
• J. P. Moreland explains the meaning of happiness in the Christian worldview
• Debate Video: Karl Giberson vs. Stephen Meyer- Should Christians Embrace Darwin?
• Free: Dr. Craig answers tough questions On the Trinity and The Problem of Evil
• Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels Audiobook

Apologetics 315 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Would you support us monthly?

• Shopping via Amazon? If you use this link, a bit of your purchase goes to fund Apologetics 315. Thanks for those of you using the link, as it helps Ap315.
Canada here. UK here.

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