In a recent New York Time article, Thomas Nagel offers a brief but robust explanation why a purely physical explanation of the universe will not work. This may not seem, at first glance, to be a big issue. However, if it is true that the universe is only physical, then there can be no human mind/soul and certainly no god. Here is the kicker: Dr. Nagel is an atheist. And, he … [Read more...]
Blind Men and the Elephant
There is an old known as “the Blind Men and the Elephant.” In this story, there are 4 blind men who are asked to determine what an elephant looks. The first blind man feels the leg of the elephant and says, “The elephant is like a tree because it is large and round like a pillar.” The second man feels the tail and says, “The elephant is like a rope because it is small and … [Read more...]
Apologetic Character
“God is just an invention that humans created to deal with the harsh realities of the world.” A statement like that began several weeks of my college Sociology professor giving his apologetic for atheism. “If you believe in God, you need to leave it at the door. God is not welcomed in scientific inquiry.” As a psychology major and a Christian, it was difficult to know how to … [Read more...]
Frustrated Apologists
It can be frustrating talking about issues of apologetics with someone who does not believe. If not careful, the apologist can feel as if the source of his or her frustration is the person. This can lead to guilt rooted in the sense that the apologist cares more about arguments of apologetics than loving the person. Have you ever felt that way? I know I have. However, I … [Read more...]
The Pride of Claiming Christianity Is True for All People
How could I, as a white American living in 2013 be so pompous as claim to know that Christianity is true for all cultures, ethnicities, languages, places, and times? Recently I found myself struggling with this question. I feel guilty even thinking that I could be so prideful as to make that claim. At first glance, it's a valid concern. However, inspecting the underlying … [Read more...]
In Kopplin's Words
In an age where many teens are concerned with paltry things, I am inspired by young people like Zack Kopplin and his incredible courage to articulate and defend his worldview. His passionate advocacy and political/social engagement is unmatched in today’s culture by most adults, let alone teens. Yet, I want to be clear that Zack is defending a non-scientific worldview and not … [Read more...]
Are Miracles Rational?
Before we jump into this question, we need to define miracles. In some ways, childbirth, the sun rising, and various other events in nature are “miraculous” in one sense or another. However, for the sake of this discussion, we want to define miracles as “an interference with Nature by supernatural power” (C.S. Lewis, Miracles). Or, more specifically as “an event in the … [Read more...]
Christmas Science
In an article from scienceblogs.com, the writer opens with this statement: “If there's one universal trait among humans, it seems to be an unquenchable thirst for certainty.” We want to know what is provable beyond a shadow of doubt. Where would you guess that most of us think that type of certainty is found? The realm of science! How is it that Science supposes gives us … [Read more...]