In this podcast, Dr. Craig discusses teaching the core message of Christianity, fine-tuning in the multiverse, the role of spiritual formation in apologetics, the reasonableness of God's condescension, and the fine-tuning argument for God's existence.
Reading 'On Guard' by Dr. Craig equips individuals to engage with 95% of people in spiritual conversations.
Scientific evidence supports premises in philosophical arguments, establishing the credibility of arguments like Kalam cosmological and fine-tuning.
Deep dives
Recommended starting point for beginners: On Guard
Dr. Craig recommends his book 'On Guard' as a primer for beginners in apologetics. It provides arguments for the existence of God, responses to atheistic objections, evidence for the claims of Jesus and his resurrection, and a defense of Christ as the only way of salvation. Mastering the content of this book will equip individuals to engage with 95% of people they encounter in spiritual conversations.
Revisiting arguments against Graham Oppy
Dr. Craig mentions Australian philosopher Graham Oppy, known for his atheism. He suggests reading scholarly works to respond to Oppy's arguments, highlighting the weaknesses in Oppy's unrealistic standard for success in argumentation. Additionally, Oppy's answer to the Kalam cosmological argument is criticized by Dr. Craig, as it contradicts what is known about the contingency of the laws of nature and the models of the universe.
Feasibility of creating creatures without the freedom to choose evil
Dr. Craig discusses the idea of whether God could have created creatures who always choose the good and never do evil. While he admits that a logically possible sinless world could exist, he suggests that it may not be feasible due to the free choices of the creatures. He speculates that in heaven, the freedom to sin may be removed, as the overwhelming presence of God's glory and beauty would make the choice to do evil unthinkable.
Using scientific evidence as support for God's existence
Dr. Craig clarifies that while science cannot prove God's existence, it can establish premises in philosophical arguments that have theological significance. For instance, the scientific evidence supporting the second premise of the Kalam cosmological argument, which states that the universe began to exist, is not a religious claim, but a widely accepted scientific conclusion. Similarly, the fine-tuning argument is backed by the best available scientific evidence, and is considered a reputable argument even by non-Christian philosophers.