Christianity: An Angel with a Dirty Face?
This is a greatly belated review of Paul Johnson’s A History of Christianity (New York: Athenum, 1977), 556 pp. I have had this book in my possession for nearly forty years, but have only read it through recently. As a representative of what we might call “scholarly popular history,” it is virtually unsurpassed, belonging in … Christianity: An Angel with a Dirty Face?
The Real Problem with Miracles
Here is a simple representation using Bayes’ Theorem of how a miracle claim would be assessed, where m is the claim that a miracle has occurred, e is the evidence for the claim, and k is background knowledge: p(e/m & k) × p(m/k) p(m/e & k) = ——————————– p(e/k) So, the credibility of a miracle … The Real Problem with Miracles
Hell and Retribution
The comments on my last post contained a lively exchange about hell. Here is a quote from my piece “Heaven and Hell” in Debating Christian Theism, edited by Moreland, Meister, and Sweis (Oxford: 2013), pp. 539-540. Here I am responding to The Catholic Encyclopedia’s defense of the traditional doctrine of an eternal punitive hell. The Catholic Encyclopedia: … Hell and Retribution
Fan Mail from a True Christian
This morning I found the following message in my inbox: Hi, I have just been looking at some of the videos of you v William Land Craig and I have to say for sheer stupidity you take some beating! Satan loves people like [you] though he hates you on a personal basis. Rose White To … Fan Mail from a True Christian
What Explains God’s Moral Grounding Power? Part II
In an earlier article, I wrote about a question for divine command metaethics, a question that I called the Moral Grounding Question. Moral Grounding Question (MGQ): In virtue of what do God’s commands ground moral obligations? (or, in virtue of what does God have MG-power?) In that previous post, I explained the moral grounding question … What Explains God’s Moral Grounding Power? Part II
Eternal Accountability
Vic Reppert recently posted this on his Dangerous Idea site under the title “Eternal Accountability”: “I don’t think atheists appreciate the force of the doctrine of eternal accountability in restraining evil. Unless there is eternal accountability, either of the Hindu karma-birth-rebirth kind, or accountability before a monotheistic God, if we get away with it on … Eternal Accountability
Question for Theists: Why Is It Important to Begin Governmental Meetings with Prayer?
As I was thinking about this question, I thought to myself, “Anyone who wants to pray can always go down the street to a church, synagogue, or mosque. They can also pray silently. If I were a theist, that is what I would do. What’s the problem? Why do they feel it important to use … Question for Theists: Why Is It Important to Begin Governmental Meetings with Prayer?
The Evolution of God
From The Onion. Very Funny. http://www.theonion.com/articles/biologists-confirm-god-evolved-from-chimpanzee-dei,35755/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=LinkPreview%3ANA%3AInFocus
Upcoming Resurrection Debate in the Houston Area
Here is a preview of an upcoming debate on the resurrection to be held at a Houston-area church. I have never heard of either of these debaters. From today’s Houston Chronicle. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Believer-skeptic-to-match-wits-in-debate-about-6180583.php A couple of observations: (1) Any skeptical debater is going to have to give a convincing account that explains why the Disciples, who … Upcoming Resurrection Debate in the Houston Area
The Seven Deadly Sins of Christianity
Lust, sloth, gluttony, anger, pride, envy, and greed: These are the sins which Christian teachers and preachers have long cited as “deadly,” that is, the ones most urgently to be avoided since they are vicious in themselves and lie at the root of so many other sins. Of course, precisely defining and delimiting these transgressions … The Seven Deadly Sins of Christianity