In this episode, Brian Auten and Chad Gross interview Jim Beitler, Associate Professor of English at Wheaton College, and author of Seasoned Speech: Rhetoric in the Life of the Church as well as Charitable Writing: Cultivating Virtue Through Our Words (with co-author Richard Hughes Gibson). They discuss rhetoric and communication in relation to Christian Apologetics.0:27 - Introduction to rhetoric and Jim Beitler4:36 - Jim’s background and books5:37 - What is rhetoric?6:32 - How Jim got interested in rhetoric7:18 - How has rhetoric been taught, and how has that changed?10:20 - Can rhetoric be taught?11:48 - Why should anyone care about rhetoric in the church?14:20 - Are you an effective communicator or not?15:44 - Doesn’t the Bible argue against using rhetoric?19:11 - How the book is laid out and the ground it covers22:52 - C.S. Lewis as a rhetorician25:25 - How we need rhetoric now more than ever27:19 - Dietrich Bonhoeffer on preaching and rhetoric30:37 - Rhetoric in sermons and preaching33:37 - How to apply the tools of rhetoric with discernment38:20 - Modern thinkers and communicators we can learn from41:49 - Being culture makers42:40 - Some pitfalls to avoid 45:13 - A teaser for Charitable Writing• James Beitler at Wheaton• Seasoned Speech: Rhetoric in the Life of the Church• Charitable Writing: Cultivating Virtue Through Our WordsIf you have a question for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com

029 - Rhetoric with Jim Beitler

Apologetics 315 discusses the topics of Apologetics, Evangelism and the Christian worldview, and interviews a variety of Christian apologists.

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SummaryNate Sala shares his journey from leaving the church to becoming a Christian, his ministry Wise Disciple, and his insights on debate and persuasion. He discusses the importance of objectivity in debate analysis and the criteria for judging debates. The conversation covers various aspects of debate preparation, styles, and strategies, as well as the role of emotion and rhetoric in debates. It also delves into the significance of cross-examination and the art of debate, along with the impact of personal biases and emotional connections in the context of debates. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the host's channel and its content.TakeawaysNate Sala's personal journey from leaving the church to becoming a Christian highlights the role of apologetics in evangelism.Wise Disciple ministry focuses on helping Christians effectively incorporate theology and apologetics into their conversations.Nate Sala's insights on debate and persuasion emphasize the importance of objectivity and the criteria for judging debates. Debate preparation involves considering the opponent, the topic, and the audience.Emotional connection and rhetoric play a significant role in debates, alongside logical arguments.Cross-examination is a crucial aspect of debates, allowing debaters to showcase their critical thinking abilities.Personal biases and emotional connections can influence the analysis and perception of debates.The guest's channel offers content on debate analysis, sermon breakdowns, and Bible study sessions.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast02:12 The Journey to Faith and Ministry09:06 Insights on Debate and Persuasion26:14 Emotion and Rhetoric in Debates33:41 The Significance of Cross-Examination45:26 Exploring the Host's Channel and Content================================We appreciate your feedback.If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.You can follow Brian @TheBrianAutenAnd of course, you can follow @Apologetics315If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com

142 - Debate Teacher Reacts - Nate Sala

SummaryIn this episode, Brian and Chad interview Travis Dickinson about the argument from reason. They discuss the different options for explaining the existence of logical principles, focusing on naturalism and Platonism. Travis argues that if God does not exist, logical principles either do not exist or exist as brute abstract objects. He explains that naturalism, which denies the existence of anything outside the natural world, cannot account for the existence of logical principles. Platonism, on the other hand, posits the existence of abstract objects in a separate realm, but this explanation is ad hoc and lacks independent reasons. Travis concludes that the most plausible explanation for logical principles is the existence of God. In this part of the conversation, Brian and Travis discuss the argument from reason and its connection to the existence of God. They explore the idea that our ability to reason and use logic points to the existence of a higher mind, which they identify as God. They also discuss how the argument from reason can be used in practical apologetics to engage with skeptics and point them towards Christ.TakeawaysThe argument from reason posits that if God does not exist, logical principles either do not exist or exist as brute abstract objects.Naturalism, which denies the existence of anything outside the natural world, cannot account for the existence of logical principles.Platonism, which posits the existence of abstract objects in a separate realm, is an ad hoc explanation without independent reasons.The most plausible explanation for logical principles is the existence of God. Our ability to reason and use logic suggests the existence of a higher mind, which can be identified as God.The argument from reason can be used in practical apologetics to engage with skeptics and challenge their worldview.The moral argument may be more effective in hitting people in the gut, but the argument from reason provides a strong intellectual foundation for belief in God.Studying logic and critical thinking can be seen as a way of studying God and living in a way that reflects the mind of Christ.The argument from reason points to the idea that God is the greatest conceivable being, worthy of worship and the normative standard for reasoning.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:17 Guest Introduction03:33 The Incompatibility of Naturalism and Logical Principles05:01 Reason as the Observable Phenomenon06:29 The Plausibility of God as the Ground of Logical Principles16:21 The Ad Hoc Nature of Platonism24:23 The Limitations of Platonism26:14 The Need for a Ground of Logical Principles27:13 The Argument from Reason and the Existence of God30:07 The Platonic View vs. the Theistic View35:17 Jesus as the Originating Logical Principle39:38 Jesus as the Ground of Being and Logic51:03 The End of Every Philosophical Question is God================================We appreciate your feedback.If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.You can follow Brian @TheBrianAutenAnd of course, you can follow @Apologetics315If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com

141 - Argument from Reason with Travis Dickinson

In this episode, Brian Auten & Chad Gross engage with philosopher Paul Gould to discuss the profound connection between beauty, love, theism. They delve into why beauty is more likely on theism than naturalism and explore various philosophical perspectives on love and the recognition of beauty.Topics Covered:1. Introduction to the Topic of Beauty:   - Beauty in Theism vs. Naturalism:     - Gould explains why beauty is more likely on theism than naturalism.     - Discussion on the analogy between human artistic creativity and the universe's beauty.     - The improbability of a universe saturated with beauty under naturalism's unguided, blind forces.2. Philosophical Arguments and Analogies:   - Human Artistic Creativity:     - Creating beautiful art requires skill and intention, paralleling the idea of a divine artist behind the universe.   - Entropy and Beauty:     - Examination of why beauty persists despite the laws of entropy and randomness under naturalism.3. Exploring the Nature of Love:   - Defining Love:     - Gould outlines five features of love:       1. Multi-directed       2. Complex       3. Deep and Enduring       4. Active and Passive       5. Valuable     - Discussion on how contemporary philosophical views often fail to capture these features fully.     - Aquinas's wisdom on love as a comprehensive framework.4. Beauty as a Properly Basic Belief:   - Plantinga's Concept of Properly Basic Beliefs:     - Inquiry into whether the recognition of beauty can be considered a properly basic belief, not needing argumentation to be justified.   - Experiences of Beauty:     - Distinctions between judgments of beauty, experiences of beauty, beautiful things, and beauty itself.     - The Christian story's integration of beauty, truth, and goodness, particularly through the narrative of the cross.5. Listener Questions and Practical Insights:   - Interacting with Listener Inquiries:     - Addressing questions about the recognition and judgment of beauty.     - Discussion on the practical implications of philosophical views on love and beauty.Key Quotes:- Paul Gould on Beauty and Naturalism:  "If naturalism is true, and the universe is just the result of unguided, blind forces, you would not expect beauty to saturate the world. By analogy, just as beauty is very hard for human artists, it's surprising for it to saturate the world without a divine artist."- **Brian Auten on the Christian Story:**  "The cross being the God of the universe, sacrificing himself for sinners to save them, even when they hate him, is the most beautiful story there is. It brings tears to your eyes because it's beautiful."- Paul Gould on Love:  "Love is multi-directed, complex, deep and enduring, active and passive, and valuable. We need an account of love that captures all these features."================================We appreciate your feedback.If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.You can follow Brian @TheBrianAutenAnd of course, you can follow @Apologetics315If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com

140 - Beauty & Love with Paul Gould

Introduction- Chad and Brian discuss their favorite and most memorable debates between Christian apologists/philosophers and atheists/skepticsChad's Debate Picks1. James Crossley vs. William Lane Craig - Was Jesus Raised from the Dead? (2012)   - Highlights Craig's case for the resurrection based on postmortem appearances    - Contrasting styles of young Crossley vs distinguished Craig2. Jeffrey Lowder vs. Frank Turek - What Better Explains Reality: Naturalism or Theism? (2016)     - Appreciates Lowder's formal case for naturalism reminiscent of Craig   - Admires the cordiality and clash of Lowder's logic vs Turek's rhetoric  3. Christopher Hitchens vs. William Lane Craig   - The "prizefight" lead-up and spectacle surrounding this legendary debate   - Contrasts Craig's arguments vs Hitchens' emotional appeals4. Braxton Hunter vs. Matt Dillahunty (2019)   - Hunter exposes issues in Dillahunty's epistemology    - Effectively argues for Kalam cosmological argument and argument from free will5. Craig vs Francisco Ayala - Is Intelligent Design Viable? (2013)   - Craig debates an award-winning evolutionary scientist   - Craig has to think on his feet against unfamiliar arguments from Ayala6. Chris Date vs. Dale Tuggy - Is Jesus Human and Not Divine?     - High-level, rich, respectful debate between able defenders of their positions   - Highlights Date's ancient bird imagery argument for Christ's deity7. Paul Draper vs. William Lane Craig   - Craig debates a formidable philosophical adversary   - Interesting to see Craig on his heels against some unfamiliar argumentsBrian's Debate Picks  1. William Lane Craig vs. Peter Atkins   - The famous "put that in your pipe" moment where Craig lists what science can't explain2. Norm Geisler vs. Paul Kurtz on John Ankerberg Show     - Admires Geisler's rapid-fire responses to a breadth of objectionsBonus: Worst Debate - Jeff Durbin & James White vs Dr. Clark & Dan Ellis (2020)  - Dr. Clark engaged in bizarre antics like throwing books, demanding miracles  - One of the most cringeworthy debates they've seenFind links here: https://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2024/02/some-of-my-favorite-debates.html================================We appreciate your feedback.If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.You can follow Brian @TheBrianAutenAnd of course, you can follow @Apologetics315If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com

139 - Our Favorite Debates

In this episode, Brian and Chad discuss the importance of listening to debates. This is a kind of PART 1, and part 2 will discuss specific debates.Brian's seven reasons for listening to debates were: 1) Hearing the best defenders of each view, 2) Hearing actual arguments without interruptions, 3) Finding the cutting edge of the current debate, 4) Getting used to hearing opposing views without anxiety, 5) Seeing that Christianity can hold its own intellectually, 6) Observing how a cumulative case is made and critics' counters, and 7) Realizing the debate is just an entry point to a much deeper topic. Throughout explaining his seven reasons, Brian and Chad discussed the value of debates utilizing good logic (logos), credibility (ethos), and emotional appeals (pathos). They noted how the best debates are well-moderated with clear time limits. Listening to debates can boost confidence in the Christian faith by seeing it withstand scrutiny. However, the debate is just the start in grasping the full depth of a topic which opens up avenues for further study.================================We appreciate your feedback.If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.You can follow Brian @TheBrianAutenAnd of course, you can follow @Apologetics315If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com

029 - Rhetoric with Jim Beitler

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