AtheismBarriers to Salvation
1/1/1999 Barriers that block people from committing themselves to Jesus Christ and accepting His gift of salvation appear to fall under three general categories: 1) self-imposed ignorance, 2) pride, and 3) moral impurity. In time, the presence of any one of these three leads to the other two. Believers and Unbelievers, Part 1 (of 3)
11/6/2007 In this brief series of articles I would like to accomplish three things. First (in Part 1), I will identify how believers (biblical theists) and unbelievers (atheists or skeptical nontheists) typically explain why people come to believe in God’s existence. Believers and Unbelievers, Part 2 (of 3)
11/13/2007 In Part 1 of this series I briefly attempted to explore how both believers (biblical theists) and nonbelievers (atheists or skeptical nontheists) attempt to explain how some people come to believe in God’s existence. Believers and Unbelievers, Part 3 (of 3)
11/27/2007 In Parts 1 and 2 of this series I explored how believers (biblical theists) and unbelievers (atheists or skeptical nontheists) attempt to explain both belief and disbelief in God from their distinctive points of view. Does Faith Support or Hinder Reason?
5/30/2008 In the April 2008 issue of Nature, an essay by Philip Ball explains how, in his view, modern science began “in the twelfth century…several hundred years earlier than we have imagined” through a break with the theology of medieval Christianity as it emerged out of the darkness of the Middle Ages. Evolution as Mythology, Part 1 (of 5): The Theory of Evolution is a Myth
5/5/2008 The creation-evolution debate is usually framed as science v. religion: verifiable fact v. faith. But we contend that it takes at least as much faith to believe in the theory of evolution as in creation by a supernatural God. And in reality, evolution has more characteristics of a “myth” than of a scientific theory. Evolution as Mythology, Part 2 (of 5): Evolution is not a Scientific Theory
5/12/2008 A previous article noted how the theory of evolution evinces characteristics of a myth. This article will consider how it measures up to the definition of “science.” Evolution as Mythology, Part 3 (of 5): The Myth of Abiogenesis
5/19/2008 The last two articles have discussed how the theory of evolution has characteristics of a myth (which cannot be proven or disproven by the technology of the culture), and lacks characteristics of a scientific theory (which is testable and falsifiable). Evolution as Mythology, Part 4 (of 5): The Myth of Macroevolution
5/19/2008 The last article discussed the mythlike characteristics of abiogenesis, a key component of the theory of evolution, that says living organisms appeared spontaneously from nonliving matter. This article discusses evolution itself, which is separated into two categories. Evolution as Mythology, Part 5 (of 5): Conclusion
5/19/2008 The four previous articles in this series have shown that the theory of evolution is more like a creation myth than a scientific theory. A myth may be true or false, but its principle characteristic is that it validates the thinking, practices, and ideals of a culture. Evolution explains our existence within the framework of our modern culture of naturalism, which has no need for a god. God-of-the-Gaps or Best Explanation?
1/1/2008 A common skeptical objection to Christian apologetics is that theists engage in a god-of-the-gaps form of reasoning. This charge means that when it comes to various theistic arguments, the believer typically attributes gaps in (especially) scientific knowledge to God. God’s Plan for Humanity—Paradise Restored or Paradise Replaced?
10/1/2000 Christians argue and divide over many issues, from core issues such as the doctrine of free will to peripheral issues such as the age of the Earth. Ironically, some of the least weighty questions draw the most vigorous public debate while the more important ones receive less attention. If God Created All Things, Then Who Created God?
10/1/2007 This question is posed by small children, by college students, and by leaders of atheist societies. It is essentially an interrogative about the nature of causality. To answer this common query effectively requires both a philosophical and a theological response. Is Dogmatic Agnosticism Logically Self-Defeating?
6/12/2007 The word agnosticism literally means “no-knowledge-ism”. The skeptical position held by agnostics usually comes in two distinct forms: soft and hard. Soft or flexible agnosticism simply claims to have an absence of knowledge as to whether God exists (thus reserving judgment). Is Faith in God Merely Wishful Thinking?
4/1/2008 Sigmund Freud (1859-1939), the father of psychoanalysis, formally developed the psychological theory that human beings invented God out of desire to find security in the midst of a fearful natural world. Life Without God
9/26/2008 I just finished reading a book that has been on my shelf for some time. It is William Lane Craig’s apologetic for the Christian faith entitled Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics. More Than Intelligent Design
7/1/2002 Scholars involved in what has come to be known as “the Intelligent Design movement” deserve respect. They swim against the powerful tide of naturalism, and I applaud their efforts and integrity. Predictive Power: Confirming Cosmic Creation
4/1/2002 Scientists focus enormous effort on turning detections (observations and measurements) into predictions. Meteorologists use data to predict temperatures, wind, and precipitation. Astronomers use data to predict meteor showers and eclipses. Response to Michael Shermer, Part 1 (of 3)
7/24/2009 On November 15, 2008, Michael Shermer, PhD, president of the Skeptics Society, presented arguments against Christianity at a Reasons To Believe Orange County Chapter meeting. Response to Michael Shermer, Part 2 (of 3)
7/31/2009 This article continues my response to Michael Shermer's "God-of-the-gaps" argument against Christianity, which he presented to the Reasons To Believe Orange County Chapter in November 2008. Response to Michael Shermer, Part 3 (of 3)
8/7/2009 This is the third and final part of the response to Michael Shermer's "God-of-the-gaps" argument1 against Christianity, as presented at a meeting of Reasons To Believe Orange County Chapter in November 2008. The "New Atheism" Phenomenon, Part 1 (of 3)
2/12/2008 In the year 2007, four books on the topic of atheism (the view that no God or gods exist) topped the best-sellers list. The "New Atheism" Phenomenon, Part 2 (of 3)
2/19/2008 In the first installment of this series I wrote about the phenomenon known as the “new atheism.” In 2007, four books advocating atheism (the view that no God or gods exist) made the bestseller list. The "New Atheism" Phenomenon, Part 3 (of 3)
2/26/2008 The first two installments of this series addressed three reasons for the phenomenon known as the “new atheism.” In this final article, I offer two more factors that I believe also impact the new atheism phenomenon. The Measurability of the Universe––a Record of the Creator’s Design
10/1/2000 If the universe were not measurable, scientific study would be impossible. Astronomy, biology, chemistry, cosmology, geology, physics, and the other disciplines of science would be no less quixotic than alchemy or astrology. Science would not—could not—shed much light in the cosmic darkness. Thinking About a Meaningless World
2/5/2008 Years ago when I taught philosophy at a public college, a student of mine ended her term paper on the topic of “existentialism and the meaning of life” with the following forlorn assessment. “The world and life are meaningless. Surely God does not exist. Therefore, I don’t know how anyone could reasonably conclude that life is anything other than absurd.” AtheismNew Star Measurement Supports Big Bang?
Author: Hugh Ross, Fazale Rana, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre Atheism |
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