In this engaging discussion, John Lennox, an Oxford mathematician and author, delves into the intriguing possibility of miracles, especially during the Christmas season. He explores the relationship between science and faith, arguing that they can coexist and enrich each other. Lennox challenges the notion that scientific reasoning can disprove miracles and emphasizes the significance of historical events like the Incarnation and Resurrection. He also advocates for the importance of personal experience alongside scientific evidence in understanding the supernatural.
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Sparse Church Service
John Lennox jokes about a sparsely attended church service.
The bishop asks if people knew he was coming, and the vicar replies, "word seems to have gone around."
question_answer ANECDOTE
Harvard and Cambridge Connection
Lennox expresses delight at being at Harvard due to its historical connection with his alma mater, Emanuel College, Cambridge.
John Harvard, Harvard's founder, also attended Emanuel College.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Irish Genetics and Faith
Raised in a Christian, non-sectarian home in Northern Ireland, Lennox was encouraged to think freely.
At Cambridge, he was asked if he believed in God, then the person apologized, assuming all Irish people believe in God and fight about it.
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In 'The God Delusion', Richard Dawkins argues that the belief in a supernatural creator, God, is almost certainly false and qualifies as a delusion. He examines God in various forms, from the Old Testament to the Celestial Watchmaker, and critiques the major arguments for religion. Dawkins discusses how religion fuels war, fosters bigotry, and abuses children, and he advocates for atheism as a morally and intellectually fulfilling worldview. The book also explores the relationship between religion and morality, suggesting that morality can exist independently of religion, and argues against the teaching of religion in schools as a form of indoctrination[2][3][4].
The Atheist's Guide to Reality
The Atheist's Guide to Reality
Enjoying Life without Illusions
Alex Rosenberg
In this book, Alex Rosenberg presents a radical and uncompromising form of philosophical naturalism, arguing that the methods of science are the only reliable ways to secure knowledge of anything. He advocates for a 'scientistic' view, where physics is seen as the ultimate truth about reality. Rosenberg also discusses moral nihilism, drawing on J.L. Mackie's arguments, and posits that moral disputes cannot be resolved by finding correct answers because such answers do not exist. Instead, moral beliefs are subjective and based on personal preferences.
During the Christmas season, we love experiencing wonder and magic. Santa Claus, presents, Christmas music, and twinkling lights make us feel the “Christmas spirit.”
But Christians believe the ultimate Christmas wonder was a baby. A miracle. God became human. Something so unlikely and incredible that it altered the world forever.
In today’s episode, you’ll hear Oxford mathematician John Lennox explore the possibility of miracles. He explains what miracles are, if science can disprove them, and why miracles like the Incarnation and Resurrection change everything if they really happened.
This forum was held at Harvard Medical School in 2012. Thank you to the forums team for making this event possible.
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