CA111 How to Be a Christian When You Don’t Believe It’s True w/ Randal Rauser
Feb 12, 2023
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Dr. Randal Rauser discusses his book 'The Doubter's Creed' and delves into topics like doxastic voluntarism, prudential reasons to hope Christianity is true, the dispute between William James and W.K. Clifford, universalism, eternal conscious torment, religious disagreement, and whether non-Christians can be saved.
Christianity emphasizes detailed creeds that outline belief commitments.
The book addresses doubts and disbelief of Christians and potential Christians.
Pragmatic utility can be a valid reason for choosing beliefs when evidence is unclear.
Deep dives
The Uniqueness of Christian Creeds
Christianity is unique in its emphasis on detailed creeds that outline belief commitments.
The Ambiguity of Essential Christian Beliefs
The distinction between soteriological and ecclesiological interpretations of essential Christian beliefs.
The Doubters Creed: Aimed at Christian Doubters and Sympathetic Disbelievers
The book addresses the doubts and disbelief of those who identify as Christian but struggle with certain doctrines, as well as those who are open to Christianity but have not yet identified as Christian.
The Pragmatic Utility of Belief
Pragmatic utility can serve as a valid reason for choosing beliefs when evidence is counterbalanced or unclear.
The Importance of Love and Good Works
Living a life of love and pursuing good works is at the core of Christianity, and such a life should be valued over strict doctrinal adherence.
I’m joined by Dr. Randal Rauser to discuss his new book, The Doubter’s Creed: How to Be a Christian When You Don’t Believe It’s True. We discuss the uniquely creedal character of Christianity, the credibility of doxastic voluntarism (the view that we can choose our beliefs at will), prudential reasons to hope Christianity is true, the dispute between William James and W.K. Clifford over belief without sufficient evidence, universalism, eternal conscious torment, religious disagreement, and whether non-Christians can be saved.