Really good debate. It was great to see these arguments presented and met with unconvincing responses yet again.
Just a quick question because I always have little reservations and confusions about anthropics because it’s difficult: if you are Adam and Eve and you know that you are the first two people, does this not mean that there was a 0% chance that you’d be the first people? Is it a problem to allow the hypothetical Adam and Eve to have a 0% chance of being the first people, or is it fine because there’s no competing better explanation? What about the more specific evidence “I exist now”?
Well I guess for God it would be different because for Adam and Eve they’re working out the probability of their being the first people relative to all possible people, but there is only one (or three) possible person who can be God because of his necessary existence.
Anyone studying the question of the existence of God ought to read CS Lewis, specifically "A Mind Awake" which was compliled by editor Clyde Kilby, which organizes quotes from Lewis by topic. Lewis is beloved by Christians for good reason.
This isn't as important as watching video testimony, just a good foundation.
Reading this article late because I just discovered your blog recently.
As a theist (born a Jew, now a Christian) I can tell you that the best argument for God's existence is testimonies, and this doesn't, obviously, fit in well to the debate format.
One can make apologetic arguments, and offer effective counters, for years.
Testimonies, of course, are subjective. We want facts. But when you have watched a sufficient number of hours of them, seen the precision with which people diagnose their pre-God lives, and, most importantly, taken note of the ways God showed up in ways that could only be described as a miracle, you begin to believe. Obviously as you watch you are observing their demeanor to pick up cues about the veracity of their account.
I'm not a big fan of the late Pat Robertson as a representative of Christianity, but the website of his organization, Christian Broadcasting Network, features a treasure trove of well-made video testimonies.
Another organization, DeLafe Ministries, has tins of testimonies online. These run pretty long and are mostly just the person talking, so require patience even though the testimonies are good.
If I knew anyone who was interested in seeking out questions about the existence of God, video testimonies are the first place I'd direct them to.
excellent work, and great to meet you in person finally!
Thank you! I enjoyed meeting you too!
Really good debate. It was great to see these arguments presented and met with unconvincing responses yet again.
Just a quick question because I always have little reservations and confusions about anthropics because it’s difficult: if you are Adam and Eve and you know that you are the first two people, does this not mean that there was a 0% chance that you’d be the first people? Is it a problem to allow the hypothetical Adam and Eve to have a 0% chance of being the first people, or is it fine because there’s no competing better explanation? What about the more specific evidence “I exist now”?
Forget about adam and eve, what about God?
Well I guess for God it would be different because for Adam and Eve they’re working out the probability of their being the first people relative to all possible people, but there is only one (or three) possible person who can be God because of his necessary existence.
Huge W Adelstein.
But I have to ask again (because it came up), what leads you to believe the laws of logic precede God?
Would love a detailed treatment of evidence for various miracles/supernatural events, and what theory you think best fits them.
Yes especially Craig Reeds book
Craig Reed or Craig Keener? How many Craigs are writing books about miracles these days?
https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-Credibility-New-Testament-Accounts/dp/0801039525
Yeah sorry, slip of the tongue! This person https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55784706-miracles-today
Returned to add one more comment.
Anyone studying the question of the existence of God ought to read CS Lewis, specifically "A Mind Awake" which was compliled by editor Clyde Kilby, which organizes quotes from Lewis by topic. Lewis is beloved by Christians for good reason.
This isn't as important as watching video testimony, just a good foundation.
Reading this article late because I just discovered your blog recently.
As a theist (born a Jew, now a Christian) I can tell you that the best argument for God's existence is testimonies, and this doesn't, obviously, fit in well to the debate format.
One can make apologetic arguments, and offer effective counters, for years.
Testimonies, of course, are subjective. We want facts. But when you have watched a sufficient number of hours of them, seen the precision with which people diagnose their pre-God lives, and, most importantly, taken note of the ways God showed up in ways that could only be described as a miracle, you begin to believe. Obviously as you watch you are observing their demeanor to pick up cues about the veracity of their account.
I'm not a big fan of the late Pat Robertson as a representative of Christianity, but the website of his organization, Christian Broadcasting Network, features a treasure trove of well-made video testimonies.
Another organization, DeLafe Ministries, has tins of testimonies online. These run pretty long and are mostly just the person talking, so require patience even though the testimonies are good.
If I knew anyone who was interested in seeking out questions about the existence of God, video testimonies are the first place I'd direct them to.