“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” I Corinthians 15:22 What exactly did the writer of the first three chapters of Genesis mean to communicate about the origin of mankind? Views vary drastically within Christendom about where Adam came from in the material sense and even whether or not he was a historical individual at all. The debate shows no signs … [Read more...]
A Look at the New “Street Epistemology” Atheist Movement
Introduction I am about to read Peter Boghossian’s new book A Manuel for Creating Atheists which is just one more attempt to turn atheists into an army of evangelists. I recently went to the facebook page called “street epistemology” which happens to be an open group. By the way, my friend Tom Gilson has recently written a response to the book which is available on … [Read more...]
Presuppositions of Science
Often I am told that science should be the ultimate arbitrator of truth. While it would be nice if this were true it just does not hold up under scrutiny. Science would need to be the final authority on all matters and while that might be a nice thought, it can't stand under its own weight. We should believe only what can be scientifically proven. But is such a statement … [Read more...]
The New-er Atheists: Two movements battle for heart and mind
The term ‘New Atheist’ is beginning to get a bit old already. It is still relatively new, chronologically, at least in relation to centuries of classical atheists. The movement seems to have arisen, or at least gained popularity, after the events of 9/11 (2001) in the USA. It was characterized by a shift towards the use of rhetoric, emotion, fear, and embodied very ‘religious’ … [Read more...]
Bad Christian One-Liners
Christians are generally cool people. I like Christians. I’m actually one of them. And yet, sometimes they can say the darndest things. Christianity is arguably the most thought-out faith in existence. The number of philosophers, theologians, and thinkers that have shaped, not only Christianity, but the whole of Western thinking, is beyond the count. Despite this, the number of … [Read more...]
Faith, Reason, & Science
[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: Controversy-loving media, as well as New Atheists and Internet agnostics, have popularized the idea that a war exists between religion and science, between faith and reason. They redefine faith to be belief without … [Read more...]
Essential DNA Required for Life
If one believes in evolution, it is important to know what is required for life. Not just what environmental conditions are needed, but also what biochemical conditions. It is often quoted that there are 250 essential proteins required for basic life. To have life, you need 250 proteins so it was thought. While those were previous guesses it is now possible to … [Read more...]
Does the evidence matter, or is it mere distraction?
What miraculous event would remove all doubt that God exists? I spent some time as an atheist in my early-to-mid twenties. I knew there was no convincing evidence for God's existence. I didn't buy the "God says it, I believe it, that settles it," mantra, or the "Faith takes over where reason leaves off" stand-by. I still don't, even after becoming a Christian. Now I know the … [Read more...]
Faith and Reason (Conclusion)
(Continued from Part 1) Justification is the concept that provides our belief with the assuredness of its truth. People believe things for reasons, which provide the warrant for their belief. Without these reasons, you do not have knowledge, although you could get lucky in your belief. Guessing is not knowledge. If a belief is justified, then we have the right to believe … [Read more...]
Misinformed History: Galileo, the Church, and Science
Thanks to the History Channel I discovered that on April 12, 1633: Italian astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei [went] on trial in Rome for challenging Church orthodoxy, postulating that the Earth revolves around the sun. Chief inquisitor Father Vincenzo Maculano da Firenzuol found Galileo guilty of heresy. The astronomer spent the remainder of his days under house … [Read more...]