Bradley Bowen

I was a devout Evangelical Christian from 1970 to 1982. The study of philosophy, especially philosophy of religion, led me to see that my Christian faith was founded on weak and faulty arguments. I followed where reason led me, and left Christianity in favor of skepticism, critical thinking, and a secular humanist worldview. Background in Philosophy - B.A. in philosophy from Sonoma State University. M.A. in philosophy from University of Windsor. Candidate for PhD in philosophy from University of California at Santa Barbara.

Jesus was NOT a Rabbi

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In the Gospels, Jesus is sometimes called “Rabbi”: 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight … Jesus was NOT a Rabbi

Careful Argument Analysis of William Craig’s Deceptive-Jesus Objection to the Swoon Theory

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THREE OBJECTIONS TO THE SWOON THEORY FROM WILLIAM CRAIG In his book The Son Rises (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1981; hereafter: TSR), the Christian apologist William Craig raises three objections against the Swoon Theory: Craig’s Objection #1: Jesus’ Physical InjuriesCraig’s Objection #2: The Deceptive Jesus ObjectionCraig’s Objection #3: The Sickly Jesus Objection Craig’s Objection #3 … Careful Argument Analysis of William Craig’s Deceptive-Jesus Objection to the Swoon Theory

NT and Jesus Scholars on the Alleged Trial before Pilate

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In his book The Son Rises, the Christian apologist William Craig raises three objections against the Swoon Theory: Craig’s Objection #1: Jesus’ Physical InjuriesCraig’s Objection #2: The Deceptive Jesus ObjectionCraig’s Objection #3: The Sickly Jesus Objection Craig makes dozens of historical claims in support of Objection #1, but fails to provide historical evidence in support … NT and Jesus Scholars on the Alleged Trial before Pilate

Jesus Scholars on the Alleged Jewish Trial of Jesus

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In his book The Son Rises, the Christian apologist William Craig raises three objections against the Swoon Theory: Craig’s Objection #1: Jesus’ Physical InjuriesCraig’s Objection #2: The Deceptive Jesus ObjectionCraig’s Objection #3: The Sickly Jesus Objection Craig makes dozens of historical claims in support of Objection #1, but fails to provide historical evidence in suppor … Jesus Scholars on the Alleged Jewish Trial of Jesus

Eyewitness Testimony is Unreliable

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WHERE WE ARE In a series of posts about the Hallucination Theory (the view that Jesus’ disciples had experiences of the risen Jesus because they had hallucinations of Jesus), one key point that I argued for is that eyewitness testimony is unreliable. This point is also of general relevance to the question: Did God raise … Eyewitness Testimony is Unreliable

Evaluation of Definitions of the Word “Miracle”- Part 5: A Good Definition

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WHERE WE ARE In my initial post on miracles, I analyzed eight different definitions of the word “miracle” into seven different elements: IMPACT – the emotional or psychological effect of a miracle GENUS – the most general category to which a miracle belongs SPECIES – the sub-category (of the most general category) to which a miracle belongs AGENT/CAUSE – … Evaluation of Definitions of the Word “Miracle”- Part 5: A Good Definition

Evaluation of Definitions of the Word “Miracle”- Part 4: The Element of Purpose

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WHERE WE ARE I have previously analyzed eight different definitions of the word “miracle” into seven different elements: In Part 1, I examined the elements of Impact, Genus, and Species. In Part 2, I examined the elements of Cause/Agent, Exception, and Baseline. In Part 3, I argued that we should eliminate the Exception and Baseline … Evaluation of Definitions of the Word “Miracle”- Part 4: The Element of Purpose

Evaluation of Definitions of the Word “Miracle”- Part 3: Aquinas & Hume on Miracles & Nature

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BASELINE AND EXCEPTION ELEMENTS I have analyzed eight different definitions of the word “miracle” into seven elements: Two elements found in most definitions are what I call the “Baseline” and “Exception” elements: BASELINE – the ordinary or normal circumstances from which a miracle departs EXCEPTION – the way in which a miracle departs from ordinary or normal … Evaluation of Definitions of the Word “Miracle”- Part 3: Aquinas & Hume on Miracles & Nature