Mortification of Spin

Bulwarks of Unbelief

Dec 20, 2023

Joseph Minich discusses his book 'Bulwarks of Unbelief' and argues that the rise in atheism is due to a felt absence of God. Topics covered include Charles Taylor's exploration of belief in God, the impact of technology on identity, and the concept of a 'God instinct' and human agency.

30:40

Creator website

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The rise in atheism is better explained by a felt absence of God in the modern individual, rather than rational arguments for atheism.

Modernity's disconnections from the natural world, labor, and diminished agency contribute to a sense of cosmic absence, making unbelief more plausible.

Deep dives

The Impact of Technology and Labor on Belief

The book explores the influence of technology, labor, and the changing social order on belief in the modern world. It examines how the proliferation of modern technology has silenced the agency and voice of the natural world, resulting in a disconnect between humans and their environment. Additionally, the shift from subsistence farming to wage labor has created a loss of connection and meaning in one's work, leading to a disorientation in understanding oneself in relation to the world. These changes in the human experience contribute to a sense of cosmic absence and make unbelief more plausible.

Introduction

2min

Conversations about Fellowships and Titles

2min

Atheism and Divine Absence in a Secular Age

13min

The Impact of Technology on Identity and Anthropological Chaos

3min

The God Instinct: Factors Reinforcing Human Agency and Personhood

12min

Joseph Minich joins Todd and Carl to discuss his new book, Bulwarks of Unbelief. Millions of people in the West identify as atheists. Christians often respond to this reality with proof of God’s existence, as though rational arguments for atheism were the root cause of unbelief. Joseph argues that a felt absence of God, as experienced by the modern individual, offers a better explanation for the rise in atheism. In response, Christians should reattune themselves to God’s story, reintegrate the whole person, and re-inhabit the world so that faith can thrive in this age of unbelief.

Our friends at Lexham Press generously provided a few giveaway copies of Joseph’s book for our listeners. Congratulations to Jack E. from Elk Grove, CA, Robert M. from Manville, NJ, and Keenan W. from El Cajon, CA!

Show Notes:

A Secular Age by Charles Taylor, particularly the chapter titled “Bulwarks of Belief.”

Thomas Aquinas’ Five Proofs for the Existence of God:

(1) argument from motion

(2) argument from efficient cause

(3) argument from necessary being

(4) argument from gradations of goodness

(5) argument from design

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Enduring Divine Absence: The Challenge of Modern Atheism by Joseph Minich