Apologetics to the Glory of God

Tag: debate

  • Discussion With Nocterro Concerning Three Topics: Rebuttal By C.L. Bolt

    Discussion With Nocterro Concerning Three Topics: Opening Statement By C.L. Bolt

    A Response to Bolt on Three Topics (Nocterro, Offsite at Urban Philosophy)

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    “[A]ny concept is identical with any other…which implies that perfect understanding is subjective and inexpressible.

    –  倪德卫

     

    Nocterro requested that we discuss the three topics of the reliability of Scripture, the self-deception of atheists, and the presupposition of God in Nocterro’s reasoning. My opening statement is summarized in three statements which are reproduced individually below and discussed in accordance with Nocterro’s responses to them.

    Reliability of Scripture

    God has providentially controlled the

  • Discussion With Nocterro Concerning Three Topics: Opening Statement By C.L. Bolt

    Introduction

    Internet user Nocterro has requested that we discuss the three topics of the reliability of Scripture, the self-deception of atheists, and the presupposition of God in Nocterro’s reasoning. Scripture is reliable and is the source of my claim that Nocterro believes both ‘God exists’ and ‘Nocterro does not believe that God exists’. Scripture is also the source of my claim that Nocterro presupposes God in order to reason at all. Here I will offer a brief defense of each of these three claims with the recognition that each subject is massive enough to deserve much more detailed discussion than …

  • Should we argue for “general theism”?

     

     

    In my experience the presuppositionalist program of setting out to defend specifically Christian theism generally produces scoffing rather than interaction. At the beginning of his debate with Gordon Stein, Greg Bahnsen states his position on this matter. He says, “I want to specify that I’m arguing particularly in favor of Christian theism, and for it as a unit or system of thought and not for anything like theism in general, and there are reasons for that.”

    There are at least two senses in which Bahnsen explains he will not be arguing for or defending theism in general. Bahnsen …

  • Where’s the Data?

    Although I don’t spend as much time in apologetic discussions as I used to, I do, on rare occasions, find the time to have a short conversation here and there. One recent encounter I had provided me with a text book example of the potential problem with making self-referencing universal statements; that is, statements which are unqualified in their extent, and are worded in such a way as to include themselves as referents.

    By way of example, consider the statement “any assertion is a statement which implies its own truth”. Since the statement “any assertion is a statement which implies …

  • Collision Gets A Bad Review

    While I have had Collision for some time now and have watched parts of it, I did not get to sit down and soak up the entirety of the movie until today. In my opinion, it was rather well done and fills a gap in the world of apologetics by seeking to engage the layperson in a way other apologetic presentations cannot. Of course, others may have extremely different opinions.

    Well known apologist Douglas Groothuis does not share my sentiments concerning the movie. He has written a less than positive review which may be found here – http://theconstructivecurmudgeon.blogspot.com/2009/11/colision-dvd-review.html Allow me …

  • Collision – A Brief Review

    I received my copy of Collision yesterday from Amazon, but didn’t get a chance to watch it until this evening.  I must say I was captivated throughout the entire 90 minutes.  Doug Wilson and Christopher Hitchens are the two “characters” (which is a truly accurate characterization) of this documentary/debate/discussion that left me wishing I was present in-person for the interchanges between them, instead of having to watch it replayed without a chance to interact with either of them.  Both are intelligent, witty, quick on their feet, and passionate about their opposing beliefs.

    Doug Wilson is a Presuppositionalist who, in …

  • Debate In Planning Stage With Mitch LeBlanc of Urban Philosophy

    Mitchell LeBlanc is a Philosophy and Religion student at the University of Toronto. Though entering University with intentions to become a priest, he found that philosophical training led him to atheism.

    Of the presuppositional apologetic method, Mitch writes:

    “The implication is that presuppositionalism is bad philosophy in a manner akin to Young Earth Creationism being pseudo-science. In many regards, it is accurate to say that presuppositionalism is to the philosophy of religion what creationism is to biology.”

    Mitch and I have been in contact with each other in order to plan a debate. We cannot guarantee when exactly it will …

  • No, Dr. Craig; I will not and I cannot.

    Today I was shown the first part of the William Lane Craig versus Christopher Hitchens debate. Before Craig begins to present his case, he mentions that he welcomes those who “check their view at the door”. This allegedly allows for an “objective” position from which to evaluate argument and evidence.

    Unfortunately for Craig, no such position exists. He is only entitled to disagree with this claim if he rejects what is set forth in the Christian worldview with respect to the issue. This is God’s world and we are made in the image of God. Christian teaching is that Christ …

  • An Extremely Enjoyable Apologetic Encounter

    The debate was over but the air was still thick with tension. After shaking hands and chatting for a moment, my opponent and I attempted to step down from the platform we had been on but were blocked by a handful of people. After expressions of “thank you” and “you are welcome” to a few faculty members and an elderly lady asking us what we would do if the September 11th attacks were to happen where we lived my opponent and I parted company.

    One of the first people to stop me on the floor to talk to me was …

  • Collision Questions

    Pastor John Piper recently asked Doug Wilson a series of questions about the movie Collision. You may read them and view the video and/or listen to the audio of the exchange Here

    I know people who have already received their copies of the movie. Whether he intends to or not, Wilson is bringing a great deal of attention to the presuppositionalist method. Consider purchasing the movie if you have not done so already, and have some friends over to watch it with you. I know I will!…