Why I am a Christian

Here’s a little list of the topics that I have touched on related to Christian apologetics, with topics yet to appear later in italics.

Positive apologetics

Arguments for theism:

• The argument from abstract objects
• The contingency argument
• Kalam cosmological argument
• Fine-tuning of cosmological constants
• Galactic, stellar and planetary fine-tuning
• Origin of the building blocks in the simplest replicating cell(Dean Kenyon, Charles Thaxton)
• Origin of biological information in the simplest replicating cell (Stephen C. Meyer)
• Sudden origins of all major body plans in the 3-5 million year Cambrian explosion(Stephen C. Meyer, Jonathan Wells)
• The moral argument (William Lane Craig)
• The argument from near-death experiences
• The argument from irreducibly complex molecular machines (Michael Behe)
• The argument from evil (yes, that’s what I said)
• The arguments from mathematical effectiveness, simplicity and beauty (Eugene Wigner)
• The argument from the incompatibility between naturalism and rationality (Alvin Plantinga)
• The argument from the incompatibility between naturalism and consciousness (Angus Menuge)
• The argument from the natural limits to biological change (Ray Bohlin)
• Etc.

And then there are arguments for Christianity in particular:

• The argument from fulfilled prophecy
• The argument from accuracy in describing the human condition
• The logical consistency and testability of Christianity
• The superior moral character of authentic Christians in history
• Etc.

Historical arguments for Christianity

• historical criteria for extracting minimal facts and the earliest evidence for the resurrection in 1 Cor 15
• the minimal facts argument (Habermas/Craig/Licona)
• the best explanation of the changes in the concept of resurrection (Wright)
• the earliest sources for the empty tomb
• the best evidences for the empty tomb, from the earliest sources

Negative apologetics

Scientific objections:

• what about the progress of science and God-of-the-gaps?
• doesn’t the Bible require the creation of the earth in six 24-hour days?
• didn’t aliens seed the earth with the first life?
• what about quantum fluctuation and chaotic inflationary models?

Philosophical objections

• the problems of evil and suffering
• the problem of religious pluralism and religious truth claims
• the problem of postmodern skepticism (i.e. – the problem of wanting to be lazy and popular)
• the problem of rational morality and purpose on atheism
• the problem of moral relativism
• the fate of the unevangelized (what about those who never heard of Jesus)
• the hiddenness of God (why isn’t there more evidence for God’s existence?)
• are all religions basically the same?
• isn’t the doctrine of the Trinity self-contradictory?
• can God make a rock so big he can’t lift it?
• did God create evil?
• who made God?
• can people twist the Bible to mean anything?
• who has the burden of proof?
• what about the blind men and the elephant?
• isn’t faith is opposed to reason and evidence? (a debate between a Christian and a postmodern relativist)
• what makes Christianity different from other religions?

Emotional objections

• memo to Christopher Hitchens: a sneer is not an argument

Freethought objections

• Does Christianity or atheism justify mass murder?
• Wasn’t Hitler a Christian? Is Christianity like Nazism?
• Does the Bible condone slavery?

Moral issues

• a case for the pro-life position in plain English
• adult stem cell research is superior to embryonic stem cell research

Mentoring

• the importance of being able to argue both sides of a question
• why does talking about religion make people uncomfortable?
• how to talk to your co-workers about your faith

Apologetics advocacy

• does the Bible teach that faith is opposed to logic and evidence?
• the six enemies of apologetic engagement
• why men flee the feminized church
• why won’t Christians defend their faith in public?

And here are some lectures that got me interested in apologetics.

(Stephen C. Meyer)