Richard Dawkins debates John Lennox on 'The God Delusion'

One of the most famous debates in recent times on the relationship between Science & Christianity was between Professor Richard Dawkins (of Oxford) and Profesor John Lennox (also of Oxford). Held at the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 2008. The topic was specifically the title of Dawkins' book, The God Delusion.

The video can be found here. The whole debate goes for an hour and 40 minutes (153 MB!). Let us know what you think.

Links on the Relationship Between Science & Christianity

In our discussions at CBM I offered to put up some links to helpful sites/ articles that look at the issues in more detail. Here are the first few:

“Why not Every Scientist Worships at Darwin’s Feet”
- An Article by Professor John Lennox (Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University) from the Sydney Morning Herald of August 17th, 2008.

Has Science Disproved the Existence of God?
- A good summary from Cornerstone church, Nottingham, UK.
Includes this claim: “Indeed it might surprise you to know that of the 500 or so people who attend Cornerstone there are currently over thirty doctors of science of one sort or another. These range from a professor of microbiology, doctors in biology, medical doctors, metallurgists, pharmacists, engineers and physicists, all of whom are committed Christians who see no conflict between their faith and their field of study.”

I Believe in Nature: An Exploration of Naturalism and the Biblical Worldview.
- A detailed and well researched article by Australian author Kirsten Birkett who wrote Unnatural Enemies: An Introduction to Science and Christianity. A PDF file of the article can be downloaded from the same site.

The Complementary Nature of Science and Christianity
– an online booklet by Dick Tripp that examines the foundations of science and the relationship between the ‘book of nature’ and ‘the book of God’s word’.

Hasn't Science Disproved Christianity??

When people are asked to consider Christianity one of the replies that is commonly heard is "Hasn't Science Disproved Christianity?"

Many people assume that the advances in science from the time of the 17th century - not least the theories of Darwin - have effectively repudiated the claims of the Bible. They assume that 'Scientific Worldview' has done away with the 'Christian Worldview'. At the very least they assume that Science and Christianity are incompatible.

But is this the case?

In week 5 there will be two addresses by Richard Blight on the relationship between science and Christianity. In particular he will consider whether science disproves the claims of the Bible about God. Richard is a graduate in both Science and Theology, and will draw on his own experience of reconciling Science and Christianity.

At UWS Bankstown Campus in Week 5

Tuesday 24th August 1-2 pm Rm 23.G.40
Thursday 26th August 1-2 pm Rm 1.1.80

There will be a talk followed by time for questions and discussion.

All are welcome

Response to Global Atheism

Dr Greg Clark of the Centre for Public Christianity has begun a series on 'A response to Global Atheism' with an article on 'The Accident of Unbelief'. In particular it addresses the issue of the rarity of genuine Atheists.

Check it out here: http://publicchristianity.org/response_to_GA1.html

Professor John Lennox on the problem of Suffering and Evil

This video of Professor John Lennox (Oxford) talking about the arguments for God's goodness - both intellectual and emotional - comes from the Centre for Public Christianity, an organisation based in Sydney. They have lots of other resources discussing the foundations of Christian belief:

A good God? from CPX on Vimeo.

Check out more about Professor Lennox and more of what he says here: http://www.publicchristianity.com/lennoxvids.html

Is God Really Good?

In week 5 of Semester 1, 2010, CBM at UWS Bankstown will be running a series of talks on the topic: "IS GOD REALLY GOOD?" We would love you to comment or respond to the idea. If it is appropriate then we will ask our speaker to respond to your questions or comments. We will also try to answer questions on this blog.

Christians have always maintained that God, the God of the Bible and of Jesus, is good. But what does this mean? Is it simply a philosophical argument ie. That "whatever God does is by definition good", or is there more to it than that. What does it mean to say that God is 'good" in his essence? And what about the bad or evil things that take place in the world - what do they say about God's essential goodness?

What do you think - is God really good? Why or Why not?

Welcome to "God Talk at UWS"

I would like to welcome you to the blog that has been set up to facilitate the discussion about God and religion generally at UWS (The University of Western Sydney in NSW, Australia).

This discussion will be run by Campus Bible Ministries, a student group that runs on all the campuses of UWS. (The website can be found at mycbm.org.au.) However the discussion is open to anyone who wants to ask a question or make a comment. As long as you are reasonably polite in the way you write we will allow your post to stand and do our best to provide a reply.

We hope that this blog helps you in your quest to find out more about God.

Richard