Adam and I had a very fun discussion on James McGrath’s ReligionProf Podcast. We had the privilege of meeting James at our exchange at Butler University, where he is a Religion Professor. Many of you know also know James as he’s a fellow Patheos Progressive blogger. It’s been a real privilege to have been able to meet James, not to mention collaborate with fellow Patheos bloggers in person (James @ Religion Prof, Adam @ Daylight Atheism), along with continuing the... Read more
Earlier this year I wrote about MLK Jr on a Christian humanism which inspired me to do this follow up post on the past, present, and future of humanism. MLK Jr’s call, in “Letters from a Birmingham Jail”, was to the Church, but specifically church leadership, in turning a blind eye to racial segregation and failing to take non-violent action. It was his view that this was the ultimate failure of actualizing the call of the Teacher; that a Christianity without a... Read more
The Meta tour continues! Adam and I are back it with another double header in my hometown. We’re up first at Butler University on Thursday at 7pm. Our discussion, “A Christian Humanist, a Secular Humanist, and a Theologian: On God, the Big Questions, and Ending Human Trafficking”, will be moderated by Dr. Charles Allen, theologian, Episcopal priest, and chaplain of Grace Unlimited, the Episcopal/Lutheran Campus Ministry at Butler. On Friday, we’re at Crosspoint Church in Fishers at 7pm. Our discussion,... Read more
Another one from Rollins on the idea of belief as subjective “participation”. The question of “Does God exist?” is frequently debated in philosophical form, abstract and impersonal, on how it is more/less logical to posit God as the source of existence. For Christianity, though, this ultimately misses the mark. “However, from a Christological perspective, the question itself, which everyone seems to take for granted, now comes to signify something else entirely. Instead of the words, Do you believe in God? meaning... Read more
A powerful sentiment from Frederick Douglass on “exposing slavery”, even the more salient coming from an autobiographical vantage point. I feel at liberty to speak on this subject. I have on my back the marks of the lash; I have four sisters and one brother now under the galling chain. I feel it my duty to cry aloud and spare not. I am not averse to having the good opinion of my fellow-creatures. I am not averse to being kindly regarded... Read more
Andrew Newberg, Eugene D’Aquili, and Vince Rause’s book Why God Won’t Go Away is outstanding. Their research on the neuroscience of spirituality is fascinating. As the title of the book suggests, the neurological manifest of spiritual and mystical experiences are undeniable. Whether or not there is an actual ontological source, we all subjectively/epistemologically have these transcendent experiences at the level of the brain. Imaging studies of the brain during these experiences (prayer, mediation, etc.) – the actual physiological manifest is aptly... Read more
The to timeless question “Why is There Something Rather Than Nothing?”, one of the hallmarks of classical theism in the various expressions of the cosmological argument is the concept of metaphysical necessity, to Aristotle’s logic that there must be a First Cause (an UnMoved Mover or Uncaused Cause), or else nothing would exist. Expressed in a variety of different ways by Aristotle, Aquinas, and Leibniz, with the problem of change, principle of causality, and principle of sufficient reason applied to existence itself, the focus is... Read more
Amazing evening last week on Thursday as Adam and I were hosted by the Ethical Society of New York. Our discussion was moderated by one of my favorite philosophers, Massimo Pigliucci, Professor of Philosophy at City College and author of Answers for Aristotle: How Science and Philosophy Can Lead Us to a More Meaningful Life. The hosts from Ethical NYC, Anne Klaeysen and team, were incredibly gracious and Massimo was an unrelenting fair moderator with impressive philosophical and scientific depth to... Read more
I had a great time with Adam in Edmonton. While we were there, we had a chance to spend some time with author and theologian Randal Rauser, who hosted us on his Tentative Apologist Podcast. What I love about this interview, and Randal in general, is his commitment to the big questions and his respect for contrasting viewpoints. To have someone like Randal (who’s professor of historical theology at Taylor Seminary) moderate our discussion adds tremendous depth to my and Adam’s exchange. Besides... Read more
The Meta book tour begins this week in Canada, followed by New York in May, and Indianapolis in June. For those in the Edmonton area that are interested in my and Adam’s dialogue on the big questions and combined effort to end human trafficking, come check us out. We’ll kick things off on Thursday, April 5th at 7pm at the University of Alberta. The program is billed as “A Christian Humanist, a Secular Humanist, and a Theologian” and is moderated... Read more
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