Month: November 2011

Geisler and Scholarship

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If found it highly risible that Norman Geisler would criticize fellow apologist Licona for “bad scholarship.” A few years ago Geisler published a critique of the volume The Empty Tomb edited by Jeff Lowder and Bob Price. His critique of my contribution (criticizing Peter Kreeft and Ronald Tacelli on the hallucination argument) was so spectacularly … Geisler and Scholarship

Christian NT Scholar and Apologist Michael Licona Loses Job After Questioning Matthew 27

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As reported by Christianity Today (see here), New Testament scholar Michael Licona has apparently lost both his job as research professor of New Testament at Southern Evangelical Seminary and been ousted as apologetics coordinator for the North America Mission Board (NAMB). Why? In his 700-page book defending the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection, Licona proposed that the … Christian NT Scholar and Apologist Michael Licona Loses Job After Questioning Matthew 27

Baggini on selective mystery

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Just in case Julian Baggini fails to promote his latest Heathen’s Progress article, here’s the link: ‘You just don’t understand my religion’ is not good enough. And here is the best part: Too often I find that faith is mysterious only selectively. Believers constantly attribute all sorts of qualities to their gods and have a list … Baggini on selective mystery

Help Wanted – Part 3

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A key premise in Swinburne’s (deductive) argument in defense of his inductive version of the Cosmological argument (TCA) goes like this:(TCA9) The probability that there will be a complex physical universe given that God does not exist is low. (EOG, p.151) Based on Swinburne’s explanation of his reasoning in support of this premise (in email … Help Wanted – Part 3

Peter Atkins’ Opening and Closing Statements for the Craig-Atkins Debate (2011)

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(Posted with the permission of Peter Atkins.) Opening Statement My immediate task is to set out my stall, not to respond to Dr Craig’s arguments at this stage: that will come later. It is, in fact, my task to bring you forward from the eleventh century, where you have been immersed with considerable erudition for … Peter Atkins’ Opening and Closing Statements for the Craig-Atkins Debate (2011)

Bede Rundle’s Obituary; Why There is Something Rather Than Nothing

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Philosopher Bede Rundle has died. If you hadn’t heard of him and you are reading this blog, then you will almost certainly want to read his book, Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing (Oxford University Press, 2004). Here’s a summary of Rundle’s argument, taken from his obituary: Since this universe is contingent, that is … Bede Rundle’s Obituary; Why There is Something Rather Than Nothing

Who’s Being Indoctrinated?

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Perhaps you’ve heard of Mason Crumpacker, the 9-year-old girl from Dallas who had a tete-a-tete with Christopher Hitchens last month at the Texas Freethought Convention (details here).  Dallas Morning News reporter Tod Robberson later interviewed her (long version here) and Dallasites were in for a surprise. Yes, there are children who say things like this– … Who’s Being Indoctrinated?

Please Welcome Louise Antony to the Secular Outpost!

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I’m pleased to announce another new contributor to The Secular Outpost: Dr. Louise Antony, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Massachussetts. Her work in the philosophy of religion includes editing the excellent book, Philosophers Without Gods (Oxford University Press, 2007) — (see here for her chapter); writing a commentary for the book transcript of the … Please Welcome Louise Antony to the Secular Outpost!