Why I believe in God: John Lennox interviewed by Amy Orr-Ewing
Oct 20, 2023
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John Lennox, renowned mathematician and Christian apologist, discusses his life journey, AI and the future of humanity, electrifying debates with atheists, and profound questions that captivate believers and skeptics alike. Amy Orr-Ewing, theologian and apologist, joins the conversation to explore evidence-based faith, the impact of atheism, ethical concerns about AI, the importance of Christ's return, and belief in God as creator and miracles.
Christians should seek evidence to support their trust in Jesus Christ and understand the evidence for Christianity.
The importance of apologetics in defending the Christian faith with evidence and reasoned arguments.
Religious belief played a foundational role in the development of scientific inquiry and the expectation of law in nature.
Deep dives
The Importance of Evidence-Based Faith in Christianity
Evidence-based faith is crucial in Christianity. Trusting someone or something without evidence is considered foolish, which is why Christians should seek evidence to support their trust in Jesus Christ. The speaker emphasizes the need to understand the evidence for Christianity and highlights the importance of personal experience in deepening one's faith.
The Interaction Between Christianity and the Academic World
The interviewee, Professor John Lennox, shares his personal experience as a Christian academic, particularly in the field of mathematics. He discusses the challenges of being a Christian in academia and shares an encounter with a Nobel Prize winner who encouraged him to give up his faith. Despite the pressure, Professor Lennox stood firm in his beliefs and emphasizes the importance of apologetics, defending the Christian faith with evidence and reasoned arguments.
Exploring Artificial Intelligence and Its Ethical Implications
The interviewee delves into the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on society. He distinguishes between narrow AI, which is currently in use and raises ethical concerns, and artificial general intelligence (AGI), a more speculative form of AI. The interviewee highlights the ethical challenges of AI, such as loss of privacy, the potential misuse of surveillance technology, and the development of superintelligence. He also draws connections between AI, transhumanism, and the underlying desire to become like gods, as discussed in Christianity.
The Driving Force Behind the Rise of Science
The podcast explores the idea that religious belief was a driving force behind the rise of science. The speaker argues that human beings became scientific because they expected law in nature, which stemmed from their belief in a law giver. This challenges the notion that religion hinders science and suggests that it actually played a foundational role in the development of scientific inquiry.
Finding Meaning and Identity in a Post-Religious Age
The podcast discusses the importance of meaning and identity in a world that lacks objective moral standards. The speaker acknowledges the challenges of living in a society without normative indicators and clear moral dimensions, which has led to issues such as gender fluidity. They argue that Christianity provides a more rational and meaningful worldview, emphasizing the significance of the resurrection and the hope it offers in the face of suffering and evil.
In a Premier Unbelievable special, celebrating his 80th birthday, the indomitable Christian apologist, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, and renowned ethicist, Dr. John Lennox, engages in a candid and unreserved interview with fellow apologist and Oxford-educated theologian, Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing. A long-standing friend of Unbelievable, John delves into his life journey, from a childhood in Ireland, to studying Mathematics at University of Cambridge, speaking and defending his Christian faith from Russian to East Germany, and his electrifying debates with formidable atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Peter Atkins, Christopher Hitchens and Peter Singer. This illuminating discussion also delves into the AI and the future of humanity, the problem of evil and other profound questions that continue to captivate the minds of believers and sceptics alike.
https://www.gtc.ox.ac.uk/about/fellows/john-lennox/
https://againstthetide.movie/
https://www.amyorr-ewing.com/
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