Essay: Orthogonal Complexity by Peter Grice

Orthogonal Complexity by Peter Grice
Something resembling Christianity must be true, in my view, due to a pervasive phenomenon I'd like to call orthogonal complexity.  It is distinct from two related concepts, irreducible complexity and specified complexity, as elaborated below.

All three concepts fall under the general category of teleology.  Telos is a mode of explanation described by Aristotle,1  where a physical object or system has a purpose that exists in prior causal relation to its features of form and function.  In other words, its traits serve the interests of a goal. (MP3 Audio | RSS | iTunes)

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (04/02 - 04/09)

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

• Want the Bad News First?
• Piper’s “50 Reasons Why Jesus Had To Die”
• Illustra Media on YouTube
• National Apologetics Conference in October
• William Lane Craig answers questions about Debating
• William Lane Craig explains why God permits evil and suffering
• A Summary of the Craig vs. Tooley Debate at UNCC
• Veritas48 defends the Kalam Argument on Youtube
• New book: Son of Hamas
• The Rage Against God: How Atheism Led Me to Faith by Peter Hitchens
• Resources on the Crucifixion and Resurrection
• Easter is a good time to learn how to defend the resurrection of Jesus
• Great new New Zealand online bookstore: Catalyst Books

• Find Apologetics 315 on FriendFeed

Get these sorts of links and more by following on Twitter.

Or just add this feed to your RSS reader

Historical Apologist Profiles

Get to know some notable historical apologists. Below is a brief list of some of the most influential. Each link takes you to a brief synopsis of who they were and the impact they made. Or click here to view them all in order. No particular order.

• Thomas Aquinas
• St. Augustine
• Blaise Pascal
• William Paley
• C. S. Lewis
• G. K. Chesterton
• Francis Schaeffer
• Anslem of Canterbury
• Irenaeus
• Turtullian
• Cornelius Van Til
• Joseph Butler
• John Calvin
• Edward John Carnell
• Clement of Alexandria

Enjoy.

Essay: Defrocking the Priests of Scientism by Bob Perry

Defrocking the Priests of Scientism by Bob Perry
The “skeptical” materialist, Michael Shermer recently offered the following as a description of his atheism: “There’s no, like, central set of tenets that we adhere to or believe in, or anything like … a Christian or a Jew or whatever. We don’t have anything like that, because there is nothing. It’s just simply we just don’t believe.”1

Shermer’s denial of any adherence to religious belief is instructive in light of the widely heralded claims he and others make about the legitimacy of Christian input to the marketplace of ideas. A “religion,” let us remember, is nothing more than a template by which one understands and responds to the world. Everybody has one. Shermer’s religion is simply informed by a belief that God does not exist. But that assertion does not allow him to escape the fact that he holds to a systematic view of the world. He has simply tried to construct his understanding of ethics, truth and ultimate reality on the non-existence of God. The question is not about who holds religious views. The question is which of those views correspond best with reality. (MP3 Audio | RSS | iTunes)

European Leadership Forum May 22-27, 2010: Eger, Hungary

The European Leadership Forum is a yearly conference held in Eger, Hungary. This year's conference is May 22-27, 2010. Christian leaders, apologists, educators, pastors, scientists, and scholars come together to:
• Receive expert teaching / training from some of the world's best teachers
• Find mentors and build friendships
• Be encouraged
• Invite key Forum speakers back to their city
• Discover Best Practices resources and seminars in evangelism, Bible study, church life, and leadership development

Click here to download the 2010 European Leadership Forum brochure. If you are in any European country and wish to take part, go to the website for more information and to register. This conference is extremely beneficial, with a heavy emphasis on apologetics, scholarship, and evangelism. (Be sure to look for this blogger in attendance.)

Check out resources from some past conferences here. Promo video here.
Go ahead - register.

Essay: The Failure of Naturalism by Richard Gerhardt

The Failure of Naturalism by Richard Gerhardt
Though I have come to the same recognition from each of several independent perspectives, today I’ll argue that science leads me to embrace Christianity. My arguments will address the leading alternative scientific view, scientific naturalism; my primary purpose, then, will not be to affirm Christianity vis à vis Islam, Hinduism, or other world religions.  The perceptive reader may apply some of these arguments against those other worldviews, but space dictates that I adhere to the primary task of debunking the ideas that (in the words of the late astronomer Carl Sagan) “the Cosmos is all there is, or was, or ever will be” and that modern science has somehow proved this metaphysical claim. (MP3 Audio | RSS | iTunes)

Douglas Groothuis Apologetics Course Audio Feed

Christian philosopher and apologist Dr. Douglas Groothuis has an apologetics course consisting of 44 audio files. Although this can be downloaded one by one on the Ultimate Apologetics MP3 Audio page, now you can download them as a complete batch via RSS Feed here or add them directly into iTunes with one click here.

• RSS Feed / iTunes 1-click podcast

You may also be interested to check out the table of contents of Groothuis' upcoming apologetics book What Matter Most. His blog is here. More Doug Groothuis resources here.

Enjoy.

Essay: Coherent, Consistent & Livable by Wes Widner

Coherent, Consistent, Livable by Wes Widner

Christianity is a worldview, a way of viewing the world we live in. This encompasses metaphysical beliefs such as the origin of the universe, meaning and purpose of life, and what happens to us after we die. It also encompasses things like how we view family, marriage, and careers. It even encompasses mundane decisions such as what we choose to wear, what entertainment we prefer, and how we spend our leisure time.

Most people don't really think about their world-views and, as a consequence, their world-views end up being a hodge-podge collection of beliefs. Very few people take the time to critically think through the beliefs they hold and examine whether their world-view passes three basic tests: (MP3 Audio | RSS | iTunes)

Craig Evans vs. Bart Ehrman Debate: Does the New Testament Misquote Jesus? MP3 Audio

This is the March 31, 2010 debate between two prominent New Testament scholars: Dr. Dr. Craig Evans and Dr. Bart Ehrman (specific debate info and bios here) on the topic: Does the New Testament Misquote Jesus? The format revolves around 7 critical questions on the topic, with each participant providing their prepared answers. Wintery Knight has his overview of the debate here. Video can be found here.

Full Debate MP3 Audio here. (90 minutes)

Enjoy.

More Bart Ehrman debates and responses here.

Essay: The Christian Worldview is the Best Explanation by Jim Wallace

The Christian Worldview is the Best Explanation by Jim Wallace
As a detective, I have an interesting job. I have to enter the crime scene and assess the evidence in front of me: is this a natural death or a homicide? If it's a homicide, which suspect best explains the evidence at the scene? While there may be a number of potential suspects that account for some or most of the evidence we see, one suspect will usually emerge as the "best" in that he or she most completely (and most reasonably) explains the evidence. This suspect simply makes the most sense of what I am seeing. I then "infer", from the fact that this suspect provides the best explanation (given the evidence) that the suspect is, in fact, the true killer. This process of "inferring to the best explanation" is sometimes called "abduction". I understand the importance of examining a number of potential solutions (suspects) and carefully assessing which of these solutions best explains the evidence. When I utilize the process of abduction, I end up with an explanation that is simple and coherent and adequately explains the evidence in question. Is it "possible" that I might have the wrong suspect? Sure, especially if I grant that anything and everything is possible. But is it "reasonable" to believe that someone else committed this crime when my final suspect accounts for all the evidence at the crime scene? No. And that's the beauty of utilizing abduction in this manner. I arrive at a place of "evidential sufficiency" and I'm able to make sense of what I am seeing. (MP3 Audio | RSS | iTunes)

Apologist Interview: Michael Licona

Today's interview is with Michael Licona. He is the Apologetics Coordinator at the North American Mission Board. Mike is a frequent speaker on university campuses, churches, and has appeared on dozens of radio and television programs. His Ph.D. is in New Testament Studies from the University of Pretoria. His website is RisenJesus.com and more of his material can be found at 4truth.net.

He talks about his ministry, influences, his upcoming book, his criteria for justifying historical hypotheses, resources he would recommend for studying the resurrection, the Certified Apologetics Instructor program, and more.

Full Interview MP3 Audio here. (48 minutes)

Many of Mike's debates can be found here. One with Bart Ehrman here, and his first Richard Carrier debate here.

His videos answering Bart Ehrman can be found here.

Books by Mike Licona include:
• Paul Meets Muhammad
• The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus

He has two upcoming books for release in 2010:
• 50 Arguments for Faith from the Bible, History, Philosophy, and Science, with co-editor William Dembski (Baker, July 2010)
• The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach (IVP Academic, November 2010)

Enjoy.

For more apologist interviews, subscribe to the RSS feed or in iTunes.

Sunday Quote: William Lane Craig on the Resurrection

"These three great facts--the resurrection appearances, the empty tomb, and the origin of the Christian faith--all point unavoidably to one conclusion: The resurrection of Jesus. Today the rational man can hardly be blamed if he believes that on that first Easter morning a divine miracle occurred."

- William Lane Craig, quoted from "Contemporary Scholarship and the Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ".

More resurrection resources here. Also: read 50 Reasons Jesus had to Die. (great)

Happy Easter.

Hugh Ross vs. Jason Lisle Debate: Thousands or Billions?

In this 'in-house' debate about the non-salvation issue of the age of creation, astrophysicist Hugh Ross (old earth) and astrophysicist Jason Lisle (young earth) present their best case for old earth and young earth perspectives. This is an interesting look at some of the key points to consider on both sides of the issue. The debate was respectful and well-moderated on KKLA. Wintery Knight has provided his synopsis/recap of the discussion here.

Full MP3 Audio here (40 minutes)

Enjoy.

For further research from both, see Hugh Ross's book A Matter of Days and Jason Lisle's book Old Earth Creationism on Trial.

Essay: Does God Exist? by Tawa Anderson

Does God Exist? by Tawa Anderson
Is there a God?1 How can you be sure that God exists?  Can you prove to me that God is real?  Does the existence (or lack thereof) of God make any significant difference?  Was Nietzsche right in declaring: “God is dead!”?  These questions strike at the very heart of human existence, and cry out for our personal attention and deliberation.  Furthermore, these questions must be answered before we can inquire into the truth of Christianity.  After all, if there is no God, then Jesus certainly isn’t God in the flesh!  If there is no God, there is no Christian faith worth considering.  In this brief essay, I will share three persuasive clues (traditionally called arguments or proofs) that point to the existence of God.  This is not an apologetic for Christianity, but rather for basic theism – an argument that God exists, not an argument that the Christian God is real. (MP3 Audio | RSS | iTunes)

Weekly Apologetics Bonus Links (03/26 - 04/02)

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

• Evidence for the Resurrection by Mary Jo Sharp
• Report on Licona-Patterson debate on the resurrection
• The Passion and the Empty Tomb FREE ebook
• Getting Serious About Pornography
• Why Evolutionists Say Evolution is a Fact
• Read More, Read Better
• Former Muslim Blogging for Christianity
• Free online storage and file syncing - extremely useful
• Naturalism: Self-Defeating, Unintelligible, and Ungrounded
• Intelligent Design Viable? Dr. Craig debates Francisco Ayala Video now available
• How to smell out a bad faith debater and recognize a good faith one
• Currently Reading Contending with Christianity's Critics
• Hugh Ross & Jason Lisle Old Earth/Young Earth Debate MP3

• Subscribe to Apologetics 315 Interviews in iTunes

• Find Apologetics 315 on FriendFeed

Get these sorts of links and more by following on Twitter.

Or just add this feed to your RSS reader

Is Christianity True? Essay Series Foreword by Chris Reese

Christians have always defended their beliefs in the marketplace of ideas.  One well-known instance in the life of the apostle Paul—particularly appreciated by apologists—is his speech at the Areopagus in Athens in Acts 17.  At this location, where important civil and religious matters were discussed, Paul addressed a diverse and educated audience, including “Epicurean and Stoic philosophers” (v. 18). 

Paul was eager to engage the Athenians here because “his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols” (v. 16).  In his speech, from which we can glean important lessons concerning apologetics, Paul sought to establish common ground with his audience by commending the Athenians’ religious devotion, quoting two of their poets, and connecting their intuitions about “the unknown god” to the God of Scripture and the person and work of Jesus Christ.  (MP3 Audio here - podcast it here or in iTunes)

Is Christianity True? Introduction by Brian Auten

For every weekday in April 2010, Apologetics 315 will feature an essay contributed by a Christian apologetics blogger in response to the question: Why is Christianity True? The goal of this project is a simple one: to share the reasons that we have found compelling to believe that Christianity is true. This is not intended to prove the Christian worldview beyond all doubt or to counter every objection of those who zealously reject God. Rather, it is intended as a starting point for those sincerely looking for truth – for those wondering if there are good reasons to believe. (MP3 audio here)

Essay Series: Is Christianity True?

Today begins a series of 23 essays contributed by various apologetics bloggers from across the web. This series responds to the question: Why is Christianity True? Today the series is introduced, along with its foreword. Tomorrow begins the first essay. Here is the schedule of contributing bloggers:

April 1: Chris Reese - Foreword
Brian Auten - Introduction
April 2: Tawa Anderson - Does God Exist?
April 5: Jim Wallace - The Best Explanation
April 6: Wes Widner - Coherent, Consistent & Livable
April 7: Richard Gerhardt - The Failure of Naturalism
April 8: Bob Perry - Defrocking the Priests of Scientism
April 9: Peter Grice - Orthogonal Complexity
April 12: Chad Gross - Cumulative Reasons for Christianity
April 13: Shelby Cade - Prophecy and Resurrection
April 14: Luke Nix - Making Sense of the Resurrection
April 15: Aaron Brake - The Facts of the Resurrection
April 16: Amy Hall - The Historical Event of the Resurrection
April 19: James Patrick Holding - The Impossible Faith
April 20: Stephen J. Bedard - Christianity and Other Ancient Religions
April 21: Anthony Horvath - Christianity Proved by the Nature of the Jewish Nation
April 22: Mariano Grinbank - The Euthyphro Dichotomy
April 23: Marcus McElhaney - Christianity is Objectively True
April 26: Vocab Malone / Paul D. Adams - The Gospels Tell Me So

April 27: Glenn Hendrickson - Christianity Explains Logic

April 28: Brian Colón - Atheism: A Falsified Hypothesis

April 29: Kyle Deming - Testing Christianity's Core Truth Claims

April 30: Matthew Flannagan - Showing Christianity is True

May 1: Brian Auten - The Wise Man Seeks God

Subscribe to the Is Christianity True Podcast for audio of all these essays.
Enjoy the series.

Francis Schaeffer Audio Collection

The L'Abri ideas library has provided a vast online resource of audio recordings of theologian/philosopher Francis Schaeffer, as well as from others involved with L'Abri. Check out the Francis Schaeffer Collection where you can find MP3 audio for download - the complete list is here, with around 100 audio files or so from Schaeffer.

Enjoy.

You may also be interested in other historical apologists.

Apologist Interview: Craig Hazen of Biola University

Today's interview is with Dr. Craig Hazen of Biola University. He is the founder and director of the M.A. program in apologetics at Biola and the editor of Philosophia Christi (of the Evangelical Philosophical Society). He talks about his background and influences, Philosophia Christi, his book Five Sacred Crossings, the Biola apologetics program, their certificate program, advice to apologists, and more.

Full Interview MP3 Audio here. (34 minutes)

Giveaway for FREE Apologetics Products
The Graduate Program in Christian Apologetics is giving away two copies of Hazen’s Five Sacred Crossings to two people. To be entered in this contest, leave a comment on this post. Each person will only be counted once, even if multiple comments are left. Giveaway ends on April 2 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be chosen at random using random.org and notified by email.

10% off anything in the Biola apologetics product catalog Apologetics Resources.

Buy Craig Hazen’s apologetics novel, Five Sacred Crossings @ $10 each Special Discount

Only $75! Biola’s Certificate in Christian Apologetics. $20 discount. Special Discount

Biola’s apologetics program will honor such rates until the end of April for all readers and friends of Apologetics 315. If you want to receive the 10% discount off of anything in the apologetics product catalog that is not clickable above, please order by phone (562-906-4570) or email.

Enjoy.

Sunday Quote: Blaise Pascal on Knowing Truth

“We know truth not only through our reason but also through our heart. It is through the latter that we know first principles, and reason, which has nothing to do with it, tries in vain to refute them.”

- Blaise Pascal, Pensées (110) / 28