In my prior post I mentioned that God is generally a gradualist, aside from a few big-ticket items such as performing instantaneous miracles. What do I mean by “gradualist”? Just this: God works on major human problems and institutions a little at a time. He doesn’t simply snap his fingers or wave his wand to make everything okay. God could …

Recently at the University of Michigan, a grad student in a Stump the Chump* session asked me why the Bible condones practices we no longer consider ethical, such as slavery and polygamy. My answer to this and similar questions about aberrant practices in the Bible (divorce, rape, looting, concubinage, etc.) usually boils down to this: God is not in the …

This is part three of the “Must We Prove God?” posts, inside the larger series of Notepad Apologetics. After taking a slight detour in my last post to the relation of God and science, I wish to return to the original question: Must we prove God to justify belief in God? The short answer is no. Christian philosophers have taken two main …

This fourth in a series of “notepad” posts is my attempt to navigate quickly to the heart of an issue in apologetics. Question: Must we prove God to justify our belief in him? Two common responses from Christians: “Yes, of course. Even though I can’t provide such proof I’m sure other Christians smarter than me have done so. I’ll trust …

In my prior post I told of meeting up with Larry the science professor for lunch one day, and how he pressed the point on me of the superiority of science over religion in discovering truth and acquiring knowledge. As an atheist, Larry’s point was clear: God as an explanation is not only inferior to science, God is not needed …

This series of posts is designed to move you quickly to the crux of the matter in apologetics issues. Prior post: Is Christianity a Historic Oppressor? The problem of suffering and evil alongside a good, all-powerful God who could presumably eliminate suffering and evil — but apparently doesn’t — is an ancient and complex issue. Of many responses that could …

    I’m looking forward to reading York Moore’s new book! It’s written for non-church people who have a notion for the good and the beautiful but need to experience the fullness of these qualities through Jesus. York is a national evangelist for InterVarsity and a friend of mine. His own improbable life story is featured in my recently released Faith …

In my prior post I offered suggestions on the question of religious pluralism. The present post is a short “notepad” response to the charge that Christianity is guilty of oppressing women and people of color for centuries. My response:    1. Acknowledge wrong: When Western Christians have imposed themselves on native peoples, held slaves, or held women back from full …

  This series of posts will give you immediate direction for apologetic conversations. Remember that “apologetics” is the discipline of defending a position, in this case Christianity. First issue: Religious Pluralism Objection to Christianity: Christianity has no monopoly on the truth. Other religions are just as valid. My response:      1. Affirm what I can. What’s true in Islam? Mormonism? …

On vacation earlier this year in Phoenix, I bumped into Charles Ramirez at his church. He gave me a warm hug and introduced me to his lovely family. I felt as though I already knew Charles pretty well, even though I’d spent only two hours of my life with him. That’s because a year ago I interviewed him in Phoenix …