I am privileged to be one of the general editors of the upcoming Dictionary of Christianity and Science (Zondervan, April 2017). Paul Copan, Tremper Longman, Michael Strauss, and I–along with our excellent team at Zondervan–have endeavored to create a reference work that tackles the most important terms, concepts, people, and debates at the intersection of Christianity and … [Read more...]
Objection(s) to the Ontological Argument
It may be strange to some that there are philosophical objections raised by Christians against arguments for belief in God. For example, St. Anselm's "Ontological Proof" (as it would come to be called) was taken under a critical lens when Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) took consideration of the argument in his epic Summa Theologiae (ST hereafter). Over the last year or so, I have … [Read more...]
The Legitimate Use of Thomas Aquinas in Apologetics
Much has been said of the 13th-century philosopher, Thomas Aquinas, from both secular as well as religious critics alike. For instance, Bertrand Russell once wrote with respect to Aquinas that he “cannot. . . feel that [Aquinas] deserves to be put on a level with the best philosophers either of Greece or of modern times” [1]. This is due to Aquinas’ apparent prior commitment to … [Read more...]
First Cause & Other Thomistic Cosmological Arguments
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Below are Aquinas’ “Five Ways” -- the third being the traditional Thomistic Cosmological Argument. The First Way: Argument from Motion Nothing can essentially change itself (i.e., grow wings or grow gills by one’s … [Read more...]
A Unifying Theory of Everything
Where did the universe come from? Some cosmologists want to hypothesize that it sprang into existence from “nothing.” However, their “nothing” is something. Alexander Vilenkin believes that “something is in place beforehand – namely the laws of physics.” However, he admits: It’s a great mystery as to where the laws of physics come from. We don’t even know how to approach it … [Read more...]
Science vs. God on the Stossel Show
On December 13, an episode of the Stossel show titled "Science vs. God" aired on the Fox Business Channel. John Stossel opens the show asking questions and making statements about the origin of the universe, the origin of life, evolution vs. intelligent design, and whether or not God is involved. Three segments of interest to Christian apologists would be the opening panel … [Read more...]
Convince Me There’s A God: Questions
Atheists know that “changing sides” is against the code. Not many of us do that – change sides – but I did. Atheists have been asking me for the past 40+ years why I went from atheism to theism. It’s a fair question and why I’m writing this series of articles about what convinced me that God exists. I’m reaching back to those months before May 1971 when I made “the change” to … [Read more...]
What Caused God?
Adam: Chris, earlier in our conversation you said that physical reality must've been caused by something—either by God or by something like God. Right? Chris: Yeah, that’s right. Adam: That’s all very well. But then what caused God? Chris: I’m not entirely sure I understand your question. Can you elaborate a bit? Adam: Well, take the so-called argument for a … [Read more...]
The New Atheism and Five Arguments for God
Reprinted with the gracious permission of William Lane Craig. Are there good arguments for God’s existence? Have the so-called New Atheists shown that the arguments for God are no good? Copyright © 2010 by Christ on Campus Initiative (CCI) It’s perhaps something of a surprise that almost none of the so-called New Atheists has anything to say about arguments for God’s … [Read more...]
Convince Me There’s a God
So, you don't believe there's a God. I understand. I didn't believe in God either, until May of 1971. Most atheists I've talked with about the existence of God during the last 40 years have expressed their concern for me in one way or another. Some have asked if I was ill and on heavy medication at the time of my conversion. Others said I must have been a very poor atheist … [Read more...]