Sunday Quote: Ravi Zacharias on Evidence

"Ultimately, the problem with man is not the absence of evidence, it is the suppression of it."

- Ravi Zacharias

Book Review: Natural Signs and Knowledge of God

Natural Signs and Knowledge of God is a little book by C. Stephen Evans that deserves more attention than it has received. A contribution to contemporary debates in religious epistemology, this volume begins by considering a certain historical puzzle surrounding the traditional theistic proofs of natural theology: On the one hand, they have continued to capture the imagination of thinkers throughout the ages, having some intuitive pull even for their most insightful critics. On the other hand, they have failed to be widely convincing even for many of those who consider them carefully and honestly. Taking this curiosity as a launching point for his own model, Evans sets off in a new direction—a sort of via media between reformed epistemology and evidentialism—by introducing the concept of a “natural sign” to religious epistemology.

Before presenting his model, Evans lays out some desiderata for a plausible epistemology of religious belief. “When a hypothesis is posed,” he explains, “one must begin by thinking about what one would expect to find if that hypothesis were true.”[1] What might we expect with regard to knowledge of God if in fact God exists? Though I lack the space to reproduce his case here, Evans argues that two principles would likely hold: the Wide Accessibility Principle, according to which knowledge of God is widely accessible to people around the world and throughout time, and the Easy Resistibility Principle, which states that knowledge of God, whether widely accessible or not, is easily resistible. Those who wish not to believe are not coerced. But besides meeting these conditions, we noted above that Evans also wants his epistemology to shed light on what he calls the problem of natural theology: that the arguments of natural theology have persistently held wide appeal, yet nevertheless fail to convince many careful thinkers. This is where natural signs enter the picture.

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (09/19 - 09/26)

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

KINDLE DEALS:
• Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection - 1.99
• A To Z With C. S. Lewis by Louis A. Markos - 0.99
• Did Jesus Rise From the Dead? by WL Craig - 1.99
• More Than a Theory by Hugh Ross 2.99
• History, Law and Christianity: The Evidence for a Historical Jesus 3.99
• The Love of Wisdom: A Christian Introduction to Philosophy by James Spiegel 2.99

WEEKLY LINKS:
• Apologetics in Tennessee
• Biola Apologetics Events
• Why Does Training Trump Teaching?
• Apologetics in Michigan in October
• 5 Ways That Christianity is Unique
• Book Review: Connecting with Muslims
• Three Ways Our Universe is Designed for Life
• Paley's Horae Paulinae on Aquila and Priscilla
• Video: Why Am I Not Moved by Evidence for God?
• Quote: Nancy Pearcy on the Importance of Apologetics
• Resources to Help You Defend the Historicity of Jesus
• 2014 Apologetics Conference - Women Equipping Women
• Defending the Faith Apologetics Conference, Austin Texas
• Auckland Events: Debating Naturalism and Exploring the Reliability of the Bible

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.
Canada here. UK here.

• Would you like to help with interview transcription? If so, contact Ap315 here.

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Read Along: Chapter Eight—The Art of Persuasion

Today we begin Chapter Eight of the Read Along with Apologetics 315 project. This is a chapter-by-chapter study through the book The Gospel in the Marketplace of Ideas: Paul's Mars Hill Experience for Our Pluralistic World by Paul Copan and Kenneth D. Litwak. (Hear the introductory interview about the book here.) Below you will find an audio intro for Chapter Eight, a brief summary of the chapter, a PDF workbook with questions for the chapter, and some notable quotes. You're also encouraged to share your comments and feedback for each chapter in the comment section below. Feel free to interact on the Christian Apologetics Alliance Facebook page here.

Terminology Tuesday: Correspondence Theory of Truth

Correspondence Theory of Truth: Most natural and widely held view of propositional truth, which holds that a proposition is true if it corresponds to or agrees with reality. The core of the correspondence theory of truth is the commonsense notion that the truth or falsity of a proposition is determined by an independent reality. Thus this view of truth is linked to metaphysical realism. When developed beyond this commonsense notion of truth (for example, by the metaphysical postulation of a realm of facts corresponding to propositions), the correspondence theory becomes controversial. Its major rivals are the coherentist and pragmatic theories of truth, which tie truth closely to human thinking and human acting, respectively.1

1. C.Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), p. 28.

The Fine Tuning of the Universe

Enjoy this video on the Fine Tuning of the Universe, brought to you by the drcraigvideos YouTube channel.

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (09/12 - 09/19)

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

KINDLE DEALS:
• Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection - 1.99
• A To Z With C. S. Lewis by Louis A. Markos - 0.99
• Did Jesus Rise From the Dead? by WL Craig - 1.99

WEEKLY LINKS:
• An Apologist’s Insights on “God’s Not Dead”
• Everyday Virtues of an Ambassador for Christ
• Resources to Help You Defend the Deity of Jesus
• Want to Be an Apologist Missionary in New Zealand?
• Frank Tipler on Physics and the Claims of Christianity
• Greg Ganssle explains the problems of evil and suffering
• William Lane Craig debates Austin Dacey: Does God Exist?
• What’s the earliest historical source on the life of Jesus?

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.
Canada here. UK here.

• Would you like to help with interview transcription? If so, contact Ap315 here.

Get these sorts of links and more by following on Twitter.
For daily post links, please follow on Facebook.

Read Along: Chapter Seven—Paul's Gospel for the Educated

Today we begin Chapter Seven of the Read Along with Apologetics 315 project. This is a chapter-by-chapter study through the book The Gospel in the Marketplace of Ideas: Paul's Mars Hill Experience for Our Pluralistic World by Paul Copan and Kenneth D. Litwak. (Hear the introductory interview about the book here.) Below you will find an audio intro for Chapter Seven, a brief summary of the chapter, a PDF workbook with questions for the chapter, and some notable quotes. You're also encouraged to share your comments and feedback for each chapter in the comment section below. Feel free to interact on the Christian Apologetics Alliance Facebook page here.

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (09/05 - 09/12)

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

KINDLE DEALS:
• Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection - 1.99
• A To Z With C. S. Lewis by Louis A. Markos - 0.99
• Holman Guide to Interpreting the Bible - 2.99
• Did Jesus Rise From the Dead? by WL Craig - 1.99

WEEKLY LINKS:
• A Brief Overview of Buddhism
• The Strength of a Cumulative Case
• Free Advance Pro-Life Argument Course
• 22 Important Questions for the Buddhistic Worldview
• Video: The Kalam Cosmological Argument by J.P. Moreland
• The Fact of the Resurrection and the Faith of Historians
• Ten Important Questions for the Jehovah’s Witness Worldview
• Christianity & Science: An Interview with Dr. Timothy McGrew (MP3)
• Book Review: “The New Atheist Novel” by Arthur Bradley and Andrew Tate

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.
Canada here. UK here.

• Would you like to help with interview transcription? If so, contact Ap315 here.

Get these sorts of links and more by following on Twitter.
For daily post links, please follow on Facebook.

Read Along: Chapter Six—Paul's Audience

Today we begin Chapter Six of the Read Along with Apologetics 315 project. This is a chapter-by-chapter study through the book The Gospel in the Marketplace of Ideas: Paul's Mars Hill Experience for Our Pluralistic World by Paul Copan and Kenneth D. Litwak. (Hear the introductory interview about the book here.) Below you will find an audio intro for Chapter Six, a brief summary of the chapter, a PDF workbook with questions for the chapter, and some notable quotes. You're also encouraged to share your comments and feedback for each chapter in the comment section below. Feel free to interact on the Christian Apologetics Alliance Facebook page here.

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (08/22 - 09/05)

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
• A To Z With C. S. Lewis by Louis A. Markos - 0.99
• Holman Guide to Interpreting the Bible - 2.99
• The Love of Wisdom: A Christian Introduction to Philosophy - 2.99

WEEKLY LINKS:
• Tips for Studying the Bible
• William Paley's Watchmaker Argument
• What Is Christian Case Making? (Video)
• 5 Reasons Why I am No Longer an Atheist
• 10 Conflicting Beliefs of Modern Atheism
• What Makes a Successful Apologetic Argument?
• Mt. Airy's "Defending the Faith" Conference
• Biologist William Provine on Natural Selection
• A Brief Overview of the Jehovah’s Witness Worldview
• Video: Contradictions in the Bible? with Mike Licona
• Book Review: “Questioning the Bible” by Jonathan Morrow
• Use It or Lose It: Intellectual Exercise Can Save Your Mind
• Interview with R. Scott Smith: In Search of Moral Knowledge
• Interview with Richard Howe: "Theology and Philosophy" (MP3)
• Francis Schaeffer’s How Should We Then Live Free Audio Download
• The Evidentially Diverse Resurrection Appearances of Jesus (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.
Canada here. UK here.

• Would you like to help with interview transcription? If so, contact Ap315 here.

Get these sorts of links and more by following on Twitter.
For daily post links, please follow on Facebook.

Read Along: Chapter Five—Paul's Speeches in Acts

Today we begin Chapter Five of the Read Along with Apologetics 315 project. This is a chapter-by-chapter study through the book The Gospel in the Marketplace of Ideas: Paul's Mars Hill Experience for Our Pluralistic World by Paul Copan and Kenneth D. Litwak. (Hear the introductory interview about the book here.) Below you will find an audio intro for Chapter Five, a brief summary of the chapter, a PDF workbook with questions for the chapter, and some notable quotes. You're also encouraged to share your comments and feedback for each chapter in the comment section below. Feel free to interact on the Christian Apologetics Alliance Facebook page here.

Terminology Tuesday: Exclusivism

Exclusivism: Within Christian theology, the view that salvation is possible (at least for adults since the time of Christ) only for those who explicitly have faith in Jesus. This view is contrasted with inclusivism, which holds that, though people can only be saved through Christ, it is possible that some who lack explicit faith in Christ in this life will be saved by him, and pluralism, which holds that Jesus is not the only means of salvation. More broadly, the term is used for any religious view that holds that salvation is possible only through that particular religion.1

1. C.Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), p. 43.