Sunday Quote: Michael Green on Bias

“It is one thing to recognize bias and aim off for it: it is quite another to suppose that because men passionately believe something to be true it must therefore be false.”

– Michael Green

‘Jesus and Historical Scepticism’ in The Truth of God Incarnate, (Hodder & Stoughton, 1977), p.120

A Fine-Tuned Universe: Science, Theology and the Quest for Meaning by Alister McGrath

This resource comprises six talks given at the Gifford Lectures at the University of Aberdeen in 2009. In this series, Professor Alister McGrath explores the human quest for meaning in the universe, especially in light of its apparent "fine-tuning" to permit the origination of life. Why do we long to make sense of things? Do we possess some kind of "homing instinct" for heaven? What is the significance of "fine-tuning"? And can the Christian faith engage with these observations meaningfully?

Lecture series homepage is here. Each lecture is in PDF format:
Lecture 1 - Introduction: Yearning to make sense of things
Lecture 2 - Why we still need natural theology
Lecture 3 - The mystery of the constants of nature
Lecture 4 - The enigmas of evolutionary biology
Lecture 5 - Natural theology and the quest for meaning
Lecture 6 - Conclusion: Clues to the meaning of the universe?

Enjoy.

Norman Geisler Podcast

This 4-minute apologetics podcast is by Norman Geisler, who is the author or co-author of some 70 books and hundreds of articles. See Geisler author page here. See other Geisler resources on Ap315 here. Entitled "The Voice of Truth," this podcast presents Geisler's nutshell answers to dozens of issues.

Get the RSS feed here, or subscribe in iTunes here.

Enjoy.

Clay Jones Interview: The Crusades - part 1

Apologetics 315 is happy to welcome Clay Jones for a series of three interviews. Clay is assistant professor at the Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics program at Biola University - and he teaches courses in Theodicy & the Issue of Evil, apologetics research and writing, and defending the resurrection. He has been interviewed in the past on Apologetics 315 on the problem of evil.

Today's interview is the first of a series of three short podcasts dealing with some of the attacks against Christianity because of events such as the Crusades, witch hunts, and other historical events. This introductory episode begins to unpack how we as Christians should approach and think through the issues.

Clay Jones Interview on the Crusades - part 1 (12 min)

Clay's blog is here.

For more interviews, subscribe to the Interviews podcast here or in iTunes.
Enjoy.

Did Christianity Steal from Mystery Religions? MP3 Audio

In this four-part audio series, apologist Lenny Esposito of Come Reason Ministries unpacks the question: Did Christianity Steal from Mystery Religions? Lenny responds to the charge that "There were many resurrected messiahs in ancient religions," "Christianity ripped off other faiths," and the like.

Did Christianity Steal from Mystery Religions?
Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Audio (link bundle here)

Check out the Come Reason podcast here.

Enjoy.

Francis Schaeffer Lecture Collection

Wheaton College has an online archive of resources - which includes a large collection of lectures by the late Francis Schaeffer. The list can be found here (or broader index here), but here are a few that may be of apologetic interest:
• Christian Apologetics
• Christianity & Science
• Intellectual Proof & Faith
• Modern Man & Epistemology
• On the Problem of Evil & the God of Love part 1 | 2
• The Inspiration of Scripture
• The Question of Apologetics
• Basic Philosophical Questions
• and lots more here... 

Enjoy.

Sunday Quote: Nancy Pearcey on the Gospel

"The ultimate goal is to preach the gospel. But the gospel is not simple to those whose background prevents them from understanding it. Today's global secular culture has erected a maze of mental barriers against even considering the biblical message."

- Nancy Pearcey (Saving Leonardo, p.15)

[HT:JM]

New Apologetics Event Calendar

Due to numerous requests, Apologetics 315 is launching an apologetics event calendar. This page is designed to be a public calendar for apologetics meetings, conferences, gatherings, and the like. The content is all reader-submitted. So if you know of an event and want to get the word out -- just leave a comment or send an email to Apologetics315.

If you are an event coordinator or faculty of a seminary and wish to publish your events regularly to the calendar, please contact Ap315.

Thanks - and may 2011 be another great year of apologetics events!

Go to the Calendar

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (01/07 - 01/14)

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

• A Review of the ESV Study Bible
• Biblical Archaeology Review
• The Case for Christianity in 15 Minutes
• T.H. Huxley on Science & Religion
• John Lennox coming to New Zealand
• Unjustified belief
• Just Think Podcast
• Isn’t science more rational than faith?
• William Lane Craig reviews his debate with Dawkins (mp3)
• Currently reading: World Religions by Warren Matthews
• Three Ways Christians Must Change – Dr J.P. Moreland
• Can there be moral accountability if there is no life after death?
• Alvin Plantinga – Why Does A ‘Loving God’ Permit Evil In Our World?
• Peter S. Williams on '5 Flaws In The Thinking Of The New Atheists'

Get these sorts of links and more by following on Twitter. Or just add this feed to your RSS reader

Did God Create the Universe? MP3 by Hugh Ross

In this audio file available, at the great CS Lewis Institute website, Hugh Ross (Reasons to Believe) speaks on the subject: Did God Create the Universe?: Why a Personal God Must be Responsible for The Grand Design of the Universe. Ross surveys current scientific evidence to show how it points to the design of the universe by a personal God.

Full MP3 Audio here (68 min).
Download page here. Lecture page here.

Hugh Ross's books include:
• Why the Universe Is the Way It Is
• More Than a Theory: Revealing a Testable Model for Creation
• A Matter of Days: Resolving a Creation Controversy
• Genesis One: A Scientific Perspective

Enjoy.

Featured Podcast: Overflow Today

Overflow Today is a free 3 to 5 minute video/audio podcast for Christians which teach us how to naturally “overflow” into our non-Christian friends’ lives with the gospel. Each show is different and brings new and helpful ideas. Topics include: how to transition to talking about Jesus; intellectual answers to objections about our faith; and many more. From answering questions, to removing doubts, Overflow Today seeks to give you confidence and connect you better with non-believers.

You can subscribe to the podcast here or via RSS or in iTunes.

Have a look at some of the topics you'll find. Lots of short snippets from some of the best apologetics and evangelism resources out there. Some of the apologetic topics:

• DNA Evidence for a Creator
• Scientists Who Believe
• You’re Wrong to Convert Others!
• All Religions Lead to the Same Place!
• How Could a Good God Allow Evil and Suffering?
• Religion Causes Most Violence and Wars!
• Christians are Judgmental!
• Bible – Reliable? Defendable?
• Hard to Believe Bible Passages
• Shutting Down Cheap Shots
• Hypocrites in the Church?

Enjoy.

Apologist Interview: Paul Copan - Is God a Moral Monster?

Today's interview is with Christian apologist and philosopher Paul Copan. This is my second interview with Paul - the first covered a number of different topics for apologists -- but today's interview focuses on his recent book entitled: Is God a Moral Monster? Making sense of the Old Testament God. He explores the questions of the "mean" Old Testament God, is God proud and jealous, Abraham being commanded to sacrifice Isaac, challenging Old Testament laws, slavery, and the judgement of the Canaanites.

Full Interview MP3 Audio here (55 min)

Some of Paul Copan's other excellent books:
• True for You, But Not for Me: Overcoming Objections to Christian Faith
• When God Goes to Starbucks: A Guide to Everyday Apologetics
• How Do You Know You're Not Wrong?: Responding to Objections That Leave Christians Speechless
• That's Just Your Interpretation: Responding to Skeptics Who Challenge Your Faith

Enjoy.

God, the Universe & Stephen Hawking by John Lennox

In this lecture, part of the University of Dundee's Margaret Harris Lecture on Religion (original and video found here), Professor of Mathematics John Lennox (Oxford) talks about A Matter of Gravity: God, the Universe and Stephen Hawking. Lennox gives an overview and concise critique of some of Hawking's ideas presented in The Grand Design, while including some of his own ideas from his upcoming book: God and Stephen Hawking: Whose Design is it Anyway? Followed by question and answer session.

Full MP3 Audio here. (97 min)

More resources by John Lennox here. More resources dealing with The Grand Design here, and review here.
Enjoy.

Sunday Quote: Austin Farrer on Reasonable Faith

"Though argument does not create conviction, the lack of it destroys belief. What seems to be proved may not be embraced; but what no one shows the ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish."

- Oxford theologian and New Testament scholar, Austin Farrer


[HT: Faith Interface]

Is God a Moral Monster? Theology Unplugged Interview

Michael Patton's Theology Unplugged podcast has just interviewed apologist Paul Copan on the content of his new book: Is God a Moral Monster? The Theology Unplugged Podcast can be found here in RSS or in iTunes. A good interview.

Interview MP3 Audio here. (37 min)

Enjoy.

You may also be interested with Ap315's interview with Paul Copan.

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (12/17 - 01/07)

Here are this week's recommended apologetics links. Enjoy.
• Apologetics posters that speak to passers-by
• The odds form of Bayes's Theorem
• Apologetics Conference on Islam
• Rationality and Science
• What is Old Earth Creationism? MP3
• The Reason for God - book review
• More pro-intelligent design peer-reviewed papers
• Philosophy Word of the Day: Wave-Particle Duality
• Ten questions with: Doug Wilson
• Christian Philosopher Peter S. Williams audios
• How Critical Thinking Saves Faith
• How Not to Argue Against Religious Experience
• The Shoddy Research of the New Atheists
• 2011 Christian Apologetics Training in Georgia
• An Apologist in Every Church
• A moral argument for theism
• Just Preach the Simple Gospel?
• Free HCSB Bible for Kindle
• 18 Peer Reviewed Scientific Papers that Support Intelligent Design Theory
• Currently Reading: Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message by Ravi Zacharias
• Did Peter and Paul Die for Their Belief that Jesus Rose?
• Thinking in Tongues: Pentecostal Contributions to Christian Philosophy (book review)
• If You Cannot Scientifically Prove Your Belief, Is It Meaningless? by Paul Copan

Get these sorts of links and more by following on Twitter. Or just add this feed to your RSS reader

Arrogant Christianity? MP3 Audio by Tom Gilson

Are Christians arrogant when we say we know the truth? Is it morally acceptable for us to say we have access to truth that applies to every person? Or are we being offensive and rude, trying to impose our version of truth on everyone else? Tom Gilson, of the Thinking Christian blog, discusses the exclusive truth claims of Christianity in this audio entitled: The Truth Holds Us. Original here.

Check out Tom's interview with Apologetics 315 here.

Full MP3 Audio here. (28 min)

Enjoy.

God Questions: An Atheist & Christian Dialogue

God Questions is a record of debate arising out of a correspondence between American Atheist Professor Carl Stecher and English Philosopher Peter S. Williams in 2001-2002. It is reproduced at bethinking.org here, as edited by the authors. The table of contents is as follows:

• Introduction
• Morality and the Biblical God
• The Problem of Evil
• Cosmological and Design Arguments
• Some Questions about Jesus
• Desire & Religious Experience
• Heaven and Hell
• Closing Reflections

More Peter S. Williams resources here.
Enjoy

Refutation of Zeitgeist MP3 Audio

If you have heard of or watched the online conspiracy-theory movie Zeitgeist, then this audio file may be helpful in dissecting just how deceptive and incorrect it is. In this audio file, Glenn Peoples unpacks and refutes many of the movie's false claims and errors. A good audio file to point people to who may have questions. This audio is from Glenn's "Say Hello to My Little Friend" podcast, found here. Blog here.

Full MP3 Audio here (55 min)

Enjoy.

Sunday Quote: Tim Keller on Doubting Your Doubts

"The only way to doubt Christianity rightly and fairly is to discern the alternate belief under each of your doubts and then ask yourself what reasons you have for believing it. How do you know your belief is true? It would be inconsistent to require more justification for Christian belief than you do for your own, but that is frequently what happens. In fairness you must doubt your doubts. My thesis is that if you come to recognize the beliefs on which your doubts about Christianity are based, and if you seek as much proof for those beliefs as you seek from Christians for theirs – you will discover that your doubts are not as solid as they first appeared."

- Tim Keller, The Reason for God, pg. xix

[HT: Fear and Trembling]

Best Bible Reading Plans for 2011

There are many Bible reading plans to choose from for the new year, but perhaps the best place to start for the most options is the ESV reading plan. They offer multiple reading plans and methods of subscribing, such as RSS feeds, iCal schedules, daily emails, mobile access, and printable plans. The ESV site also allows you to listen to the audio as well. The ESV Bible Podcasts are probably some of the best daily audio plans for reading through the Bible in a year.

Check out the ESV Bible reading plan here.

Happy New Year!