In January 2012 Revd Dr Alasdair Coles (academic neurologist from Cambridge), and Martyn Frame (psychological therapist and atheist) debated the question of whether our knowledge of brain activity can explain away religious experiences or even disprove God!




 




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Classic Replay: Has Neuroscience killed God? Dr Alasdair Coles vs Martyn Frame

Unbelievable? offers a weekly podcast, blog, and video series hosted by Ruth Jackson and a team of thinkers and Christian apologists.

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In the discussion on the plausibility of an all-evil God versus an all-good God, Dr. Max Baker-Hytch delivered a compelling argument that encapsulated the essence of the debate. He highlighted the inherent scepticism that arises when considering the 'evil God' hypothesis, pointing out that if such a malevolent deity were to exist, it would provide ample reason to doubt the reliability of our cognitive faculties. According to Dr. Baker-Hytch, the very nature of an evil God would entail a desire to deceive humanity, leading to pervasive doubts and uncertainties. In contrast, the 'good God hypothesis' stands in stark contrast, lacking the motive for such pervasive deception. 

Dr. Asha Lancaster-Thomas, whose scholarly contributions have ignited significant discourse on this topic, brought her insights to bear on the discussion. Holding a PhD from the University of Birmingham and teaching philosophy at Atlanta Classical Academy, Dr. Thomas is no stranger to the complexities of metaphysics and epistemology. Her paper on the 'evil God challenge' has been a focal point for philosophical inquiry, prompting responses such as Dr. Baker-Hytch's co-authored rebuttal, "Meeting the Evil God Challenge." 

Dr Max Baker-Hytch, lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Oxford received his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Oxford and subsequently held research positions at the University of Oxford and the University of Notre Dame. Max has published more than a dozen scholarly articles and book chapters on various topics within the fields of philosophy of religion and epistemology

This intellectual but friendly exchange between Dr. Baker-Hytch and Dr. Lancaster-Thomas, is hosted by fellow philosopher Vince Vitale.  

#evilgodchallenge #philosophy #morality #philosophyofreligion #goodgod #evil

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Asha Lancaster Thomas
Read Asha's chapter in Jack Symes' Philosophers on God: Talking About Existence (https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/philosophers-on-god-9781350227286/)https://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phc3.12543https://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/phc3.12502Twitter: @asha_lancaster
For Max Baker Hytch:
Twitter: @MaxBakerHytchMax Baker Hytch and Ben Page's paper https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/papq.12304 
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Is there as much reason to believe in an evil God as a good God? Max Baker-Hytch vs Asha Lancaster-Thomas hosted by Vince Vitale

For too long, the ‘science and religion’ debate has fixated on creation, evolution, cosmology, miracles and quantum theory, and not enough on the essence of what it means to be human. But this is a mistake argues one of our guests today, Christian academic Nick Spencer, Senior Fellow at Theos, in his new book ‘Playing God: science, religion and the future of humanity.’ Back on the show is Emily Qureshi-Hurst expert on the philosophy of time. Emily is a Lecturer in Philosophy at Oriel College, University of Oxford and together Nick and Emily sort out the role of science and belief when it comes to questions of personhood and the future of humanity. Ably led by host Andy Kind, Unbelievable? digs back into that perennial question, ‘can science and religion come together - furiously or fruitfully - over the status and nature of what it means to be human’?

#ai #eugenics #whatisahuman #scienceandreligion 

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FOR NICK:
Read Nick Spencer and Hannah Waite's book Playing God: Science, Religion and the Future of  Humanity
Theos: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/
⬇️ Follow Nick on Social Media
X: @theosnick

FOR EMIlY: 
Read Emily Qureshi-Hurst's book God, Salvation and the Problem of Spacetime
Online: https://www.emilyqureshihurst.com/ 
At Oxford: https://www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk/people/emily-qureshi-hurst 
⬇️ Follow Emily on Social Media
X: @equreshihurst


For more on on this and related topics check out: 


Why do humans play God? Nick Spencer vs Emily Qureshi Hurst presented by Andy Kind

In a world riddled with conflict, where headlines scream of violence and unrest, the age-old question resurfaces: Is war ever justified, or should Christians wholeheartedly embrace pacifism? Join esteemed scholars Nigel Biggar and Stanley Hauerwas as they delve into the moral complexities of war and peace from a Christian perspective in this classic replay episode.

Nigel Biggar, renowned theologian and ethicist, brings his nuanced understanding of just war theory, exploring the conditions under which Christians might find themselves compelled to engage in warfare. 

Stanley Hauerwas, also a leading voice in Christian ethics, advocates for a radical alternative: pacifism. Hauerwas challenges listeners to reconsider conventional notions of power and violence, urging a transformative approach rooted in love and nonviolence.

This episode originally aired on: 8 November 2014

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Classic Replay: War and Peace: is war ever justified or should Christians embrace pacifism? Nigel Biggar and Stanley Hauerwas

It's no secret that modern American Christians are deeply divided over politics. This division raises important questions about the influence of Scripture on political beliefs. To make sense of this, we invited renowned scholar NT Tom Wright, theologian, professor and star of the "Ask NT Wright Anything Podcast" along with New York Times bestselling author Dr. Preston M. Sprinkle host of the Theology in the Raw podcast. Tom Wright stresses the need for Christians to prioritise the kingdom of God and embody its values within the church. Preston talks about how Israel’s exile to Babylon, Jesus’ mission on earth, and the teachings of Paul all shaped the church’s relationship with politics and can inform our own relationship with politics today.  Tom Wright's co-author Mike Bird came on Unbelievable (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zieWeTqe2qc). This is part of our continuing series on navigating politics.

#politics #godandpolitics #ntwrightonline #debate

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FOR TOM:
Read Tom Wright and Michael Bird's book Jesus and the Powers 
Ask NT Wright Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ask-nt-wright-anything/id1441656192
And more resources online: https://www.ntwrightonline.org/
⬇️ Follow Tom on Social Media
IG: @ntwrightonline


FOR PRESTON: 
Read Preston Sprinkle's book Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire
⬇️ Follow Preston on Social Media
X: @PrestonSprinkle
IG: preston.sprinkle


For more on on this and related topics check out: 


Jesus and Modern Politics with Tom 'NT' Wright, Preston Sprinkle and Billy Hallowell

Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Is there any good evidence to support the resurrection? Are alternative explanations more compelling? Can we trust the biblical narratives? Ruth Jackson hosted a live debate at a school with the help of Aylesbury Youth for Christ. She was joined by Rev Dr Joseph Boot, founder and president of the Ezra Institute for Contemporary Christianity, and Harry Amos, who moved from Christianity to "agnostic atheism" while studying philosophy, politics and economics and blogs about his experience at The Book of Amos. 

For Ezra Institute: https://www.ezrainstitute.com/
For Book of Amos: https://thebookofamos.wordpress.com/

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Classic Replay: Has Neuroscience killed God? Dr Alasdair Coles vs Martyn Frame

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