Seeking God in Science: An Atheist Defends Intelligent Design
Gosh, we certainly have some fun with this topic don’t we 
The following comes from Amazon.com, NOT from me.
Product Description
The doctrine of intelligent design has been maligned by atheists, but even though Monton is an atheist, he is of the opinion that the arguments for intelligent design are stronger than most realize. The goal of this book is to try to get people to take intelligent design seriously. Monton maintains that it is legitimate to view intelligent design as science, that there are somewhat plausible arguments for the existence of a cosmic designer, and that intelligent design should be taught in public school science classes.
In Chapter 1, after setting aside the culture wars that many people associate with the intelligent design movement, Monton discusses the issue of what exactly the doctrine of intelligent design amounts to.
In Chapter 2 Monton discusses the ruling of Judge Jones in the recent Dover, Pennsylvania intelligent design trial, and he takes issue with his arguments for the claim that intelligent design is not science.
In Chapter 3 Monton takes up four arguments for intelligent design that he thinks are somewhat plausible: an argument based on the fine-tuning of the fundamental constants of physics, an argument based on the beginning of the universe, an argument based on the improbability of life originating from non-life, and an argument that suggests that we’re living in a computer simulation.
In Chapter 4 Monton argues that it could benefit students’ science education to see the arguments for and against intelligent design, and to be introduced to the philosophy of science issues that are key components of those arguments.
Monton’s position is unique and of great interest to people involved in this debate (especially from those favoring intelligent design). Relatively few people in philosophy of science have suggested that there are decent arguments for why intelligent design is science (indeed, most of the well known philosophers have argued the contrary – e.g., Philip Kitcher, Abusing Science. MIT Press, 1983).
About the Author
Bradley Monton is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has published many important articles in journals such as Philosophy of Science and Philosophical Quarterly.
Check out Dr. Monton’s blog here.
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Wellington Bloggers Drinks – This Friday!
Just a reminder that Wellington bloggers drinks are this coming Friday and we’ll be there!
What: Wellington Bloggers Drinks
When: Friday 27 November from 7:00pm
Where: Backbencher Pub, 34 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington
Open to anyone who happens to be in Wellington. Pass it on!
Apologetics on Twitter
The new social networks like Twitter and Facebook offer unprecedented opportunities for communication and contact. For Christians who value both relationships and truth, our participation must always be safeguarded by an awareness of our hearts and our deeper responsibility to Christ. But that being said, one of the benefits of the new media and networking is that it allows for greater accessibility to apologists and apologetics. For those who are on Twitter, here is a list of some apologetic organizations and people that are worth following (I’ve almost made a list you can follow on Twitter here). Obviously, it isn’t exhaustive, but these are some of the good ones. Feel free to add others in the comments, if you wish.
People
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Douglas Geivett, Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Ethics at Talbot School of Theology – http://www.douggeivett.com/ |
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Douglas Groothuis, Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary – http://www.douggroothuis.com/ |
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James White, Reformed apologist and director of Alpha and Omega Ministries – http://www.aomin.org |
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John Mark N Reynolds, Director of the Torrey Honors Institute at Biola University- http://www.johnmarkreynolds.com/ |
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Ravi Zacharias, popular author and founder of RZIM – http://www.rzim.org |
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Winfried Corduan, former Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Taylor University – http://wincorduan.bravejournal.com/ |
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John Piper, author and Pastor for Preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minnesota – http://www.desiringgod.org/ |
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Scot McKnight, Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University - http://blog.beliefnet.com/jesuscreed/ |
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R. Albert Mohler, Jr., author and president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – http://www.albertmohler.com/ |
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Douglas Wilson, pastor at Christ Church in Idaho, faculty member at New Saint Andrews College, and apologist – http://www.dougwils.com/ |
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Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church – http://www.marshillchurch.org/ |
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Joshua Harris, popular author and Senior pastor at Covenant Life Church in Maryland – http://www.joshharris.com/ |
Organizations and other ministries
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Apologetics.Com – http://www.apologetics.com/ |
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Christian Research Institute – http://www.equip.org |
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Ligonier Ministries – http://ligonier.org/ |
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Reasons to Believe – http://www.reasons.org/ |
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Stand to Reason – http://www.str.org |
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Scriptorium Daily – http://www.scriptoriumdaily.com/ |
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Redeemer Presbyterian Church (pastored by Tim Keller) – http://www.redeemer.com/ |
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Evangelical Philosophical Society (follow via request) – http://www.epsociety.org/ |
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Desiring God Ministries – http://www.desiringgod.org/ |
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The Gospel Coalition – http://thegospelcoalition.org/ |
Thinking Matters and New Zealand Apologists
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Thinking Matters New Zealand |
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Matthew and Madeline Flannagan – http://www.mandm.org.nz/ |
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Glenn Peoples – http://www.beretta-online.com/wordpress/ |
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Rob (also of http://manawatu.christian-apologetics.org/) |
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Of Papers, Jobs, Weddings and TV Shows
We have had, and are in for, an interesting few weeks.
Last week I finished my studies for 2009 with my Legal Ethics exam and enrolled to complete the final two papers of my LLB (bachelor of law) in 2010. This week Matt handed in his final piece of assessment for his post graduate diploma in teaching and I re-entered the workforce! … Kinda.
My pre-car-accident (neck injury) employer phoned me out of the blue last week to offer me a job. They have a project that needs doing, they don’t have anyone spare who can do it and so they thought of me.
So cool!
They have set it up so there is no need for me to do the drive into work (which can be a good hour or more at the wrong time of the day) I can work from home. They have supplied me with a lap-top so I can work in my bean bag. Its all flexi-hours to get around the bad pain days/parts of the day. It basically works that as long as I finish the project by the specified date I can break the hours down into manageable chunks. I can meet clients at cafe’s on the company and the hourly pay extrapolated out to a salary is about $5k more than they were paying me previously.
So I have been thoroughly enjoying myself this week working! The whole thing will be over by Dec 10 but hey it beats sitting around being unproductive!
In other news I am apparently appearing on a TV panel tonight to discuss parental notification/consent on abortion with Dr Paul Hutchison – MP for Hunua, Bev Adair – Spoke person for Family First, the Principal of either Tangaroa College
or Kelston High and the Rev. Tavale Mataia. The show will apparently air on Triangle TV on Tuesday night at 7.30pm also on Wednesday nights at 8pm on Sky Digital channel 89 and on Freeview channel 21.
Then of course tomorrow Matt will give his paper “Abortion, Harm and Eschatology” to the STAANZ conference. On Sunday I am not only attending Filia Day’s wedding but I am doing the makeup for her 4 bridesmaids and then the weekend after that Matt and I are flying to wellington to attend the Wellington Bloggers Drinks and to speak at the All for Life Conference.
Auckland STAANZ Conference: Eschatology and Pneumatology UPDATED
The Systematic Theology Association in Aotearoa New Zealand (STAANZ ) are this week holding a conference in Auckland focusing on eschatology and pneumatology.
What: STAANZ Conference on Eschatology and Pneumatology
When: Thursday 19 November – Friday 20 November 9:00am-5:30 pm
Where: Ponsonby Baptist Church, 43 Jervois Rd, Auckland
Cost: $15
Pre-conference prayer will be held at 8:00am at All Saints in Ponsonby, 284 Ponsonby Rd, Auckland.
Dinner at a local restaurant will be organised for the Thursday night.
Speakers are as follows: [UPDATED]
Thursday
“Holy Spirit in the theology of Walter Kasper” – Hugh Bowron
“Backgrounding Walter Kasper’s Early Thought”- John Dunn
“Wandering between two worlds: 19th Century Reflections on Hope and Hell” – Carolyn Kelly
“Conscious Awareness of the Spirit in Symeon the New Theologian” – Jim McInnes
“Searching for Embers” – Susan Adams & John Salmon
Friday
“Abortion, Harm and Eschatology” – Matthew Flannagan
“Infant Salvation: Is God’s Mercy Enough?” – Myk Habets
“Participatory Glory : The Eschatological Direction of Karl Barth’s Theology of the Cross”— Rosalene Bradbury
“The Spirit and Longing” – Judith Brown
“Filioque, Personhood and Ecclesiology” – Scott Kirkland
The abstract for Matt’s topic “Abortion, Harm and Eschatology” is as follows:
In No Harm No Foul: Abortion and the Implications of Fetal Innocence Kenneth Einar Himma offers what I shall call ‘the eschatological argument for abortion rights.’ Himma argues that because a fetus lacks the mental capacity to be culpable for any sin, a plausible Christian eschatology entails that a person who kills a fetus does not actually harm the fetus. Instead feticide benefits the fetus by sending the person killed straight to the afterlife, thus avoiding the possibility of any risk of future sin and consequent damnation. Given abortion does not harm the fetus, and as one should only legally proscribe harmful actions, it follows that abortion should be considered a woman’s right. In this paper I will criticise the eschatological argument for abortion, arguing it has absurd implications that entail infanticide and killing the disabled. Further, that even if one grants the eschatological assumptions implicit in Himma’s critique, abortion does, in fact, harm the fetus.
Whilst Matt’s paper will find its way onto this blog, it is always nicer to hear it delivered in person so if you are free Friday morning he will be delivering it from 9:00-10:00 am.
The Christian eschatological hope
Christian hope is not about wishing things will get better. It is not about hoping that emptiness will go away, meaning return, and life will be stripped of its uncertainties, aches, and anxieties. Nor does it have anything to do with techniques for improving fallen human life, be those therapeutic, spiritual, or even religious. Hope has to do with the knowledge of “the age to come.” This redemption is already penetrating “this age.” The sin, death, and meaninglessness of the one age are being transformed by the righteousness, life, and meaning of the other. What has emptied out life, what has scarred and blackened it, is being displaced by what is rejuvenating and transforming it. More than that, hope is hope because it knows it has become part of a realm, a kingdom, that endures. It knows that evil is doomed, that it will be banished.
David Wells, The Courage to Be Protestant, (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008).
Related posts:
Auckland STAANZ Conference: Eschatology and Pneumatology
The Systematic Theology Association in Aotearoa New Zealand (STAANZ ) are this week holding a conference in Auckland focusing on eschatology and pneumatology.
What: STAANZ Conference on Eschatology and Pneumatology
When: Thursday 19 November – Friday 20 November 9:00am-5:30 pm
Where: Ponsonby Baptist Church, 43 Jervois Rd, Auckland
Cost: $15
Pre-conference prayer will be held at 8:00am at All Saints in Ponsonby, 284 Ponsonby Rd, Auckland.
Dinner at a local restaurant will be organised for the Thursday night.
Speakers are as follows:
Thursday
“Holy Spirit in the theology of Walter Kasper” – Hugh Bowron
“Backgrounding Walter Kasper’s Early Thought”- John Dunn
“Wandering between two worlds: 19th Century Reflections on Hope and Hell” – Carolyn Kelly
“Completing Barth? Helmut Thielicke in the Spirit” – Martin Sutherland
“The Spirit and Longing” – Judith Brown
“Conscious Awareness of the Spirit in Symeon the New Theologian” – Jim McInnes
“Searching for Embers” – Susan Adams & John Salmon
Friday
“Abortion, Harm and Eschatology” – Matthew Flannagan
“Infant Salvation: Is God’s Mercy Enough?” – Myk Habets
“Participatory Glory : The Eschatological Direction of Karl Barth’s Theology of the Cross”— Rosalene Bradbury
“Time’s Redemption, a pneumatologically orientated Christology”– Bryden Black
“Filioque, Personhood and Ecclesiology” – Scott Kirkland
“Topic to be advised” – Jim White
“Topic to be advised” – Speaker to be advised
The abstract for Matt’s topic “Abortion, Harm and Eschatology” is as follows:
In No Harm No Foul: Abortion and the Implications of Fetal Innocence Kenneth Einar Himma offers what I shall call ‘the eschatological argument for abortion rights.’ Himma argues that because a fetus lacks the mental capacity to be culpable for any sin, a plausible Christian eschatology entails that a person who kills a fetus does not actually harm the fetus. Instead feticide benefits the fetus by sending the person killed straight to the afterlife, thus avoiding the possibility of any risk of future sin and consequent damnation. Given abortion does not harm the fetus, and as one should only legally proscribe harmful actions, it follows that abortion should be considered a woman’s right. In this paper I will criticise the eschatological argument for abortion, arguing it has absurd implications that entail infanticide and killing the disabled. Further, that even if one grants the eschatological assumptions implicit in Himma’s critique, abortion does, in fact, harm the fetus.
Whilst Matt’s paper will find its way onto this blog, it is always nicer to hear it delivered in person so if you are free Friday morning he will be delivering it from 9:00-10:00 am.
Olliphint on apologetics and the doctrine of Scripture
Dr. Scott Oliphint, the Professor of Apologetics at Westminister Theological Seminary, discusses apologetics and talks about how we should seek to apply the doctrine of Scripture to philosophy and our defense of Christianity. Videos are courtesy of WTS.
Related posts:
You heard me right the first time, I am not an inerrantist
A while back I wrote a blog post pointing out that I don’t hold to an inerrantist view of the Bible.
Bnonn over at Thinking Matters doesn’t think much of the position I expressed. Apparently my comments are “theologically inept” and “culturally prejudiced.” I think Bnonn is simply wrong about this, but do head over to [...]
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Scientology and Genesis
Nope, its not what you're thinking, they are unrelated
2 Articles i have come across in the blogosphere, first one on Genesis, by Eric Clines:
http://www.bibleinterp.com/articles/eden357918.shtml
Secondly, as someone who has had some dealings with the Church of Scientology, I found this article interesting, from:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/18/church-of-scientology-acc_n_362747.html
It reads:
Cant say as I experienced any of this, but I can say I experienced other forms of abuse.