What Would Jesus Say to Richard Dawkins Genesis 1:1

Background Born in Nairobi, Kenya in Born in Nairobi, Kenya in Moved back to England in Moved back to England in Raised as an Anglican. Raised as an Anglican. Eventually became an atheist. Eventually became an atheist.

Background Studies zoology. Studies zoology. First degree in First degree in Completed MA and PhD degrees at Oxford in Completed MA and PhD degrees at Oxford in 1966.

Background Taught in United States from Taught in United States from Returned to be a lecturer at Oxford. Returned to be a lecturer at Oxford appointed first one to hold the Charles Simonyi Professor of Public Understanding of Science at Oxford appointed first one to hold the Charles Simonyi Professor of Public Understanding of Science at Oxford.

The God Delusion Has become antagonistic to any form of religion. Has become antagonistic to any form of religion. He says he wrote the book to persuade people to become atheists and for atheists to find the nerve to come out of the closet. He says he wrote the book to persuade people to become atheists and for atheists to find the nerve to come out of the closet.

1.You Are Not Honest about Science He seeks to pit science against religion. He seeks to pit science against religion. He says people who believe in the supernatural are deluded. He says people who believe in the supernatural are deluded. He believes Darwinism has given us a comprehensive explanation for the origin and development of everything. He believes Darwinism has given us a comprehensive explanation for the origin and development of everything.

1. You Are Not Honest about Science While the world may appear designed, it is not. While the world may appear designed, it is not. Natural selection explains the growth, diversity, and complexity of life. Natural selection explains the growth, diversity, and complexity of life. There is no mystery in the universe or any need for God to explain anything. There is no mystery in the universe or any need for God to explain anything.

1. You Are Not Honest about Science How do we analyze a book or argument? How do we analyze a book or argument? What is the argument? What is the argument? What is the method? What is the method? Is the method sound? Is the method sound? Did the writer defend his argument well? Did the writer defend his argument well? What are the strengths/weaknesses? What are the strengths/weaknesses? How would you rate the book/argument? How would you rate the book/argument?

1. You Are Not Honest about Science a. He denies to others what he finally admits. Most scientists know and admit the limits of science - even atheistic scientists. Most scientists know and admit the limits of science - even atheistic scientists. Stephen J. Gould. Stephen J. Gould.

1. You Are Not Honest about Science a. He denies others… He questions Goulds integrity. He questions Goulds integrity. I simply do not believe that Gould could possibly have meant what he wrote in Rocks of Ages I simply do not believe that Gould could possibly have meant what he wrote in Rocks of Ages

1. You Are Not Honest about Science a. He denies to others what he finally admits. Perhaps there are some genuinely profound and meaningful questions that are forever beyond the reach of science. Perhaps there are some genuinely profound and meaningful questions that are forever beyond the reach of science.

1. You Are Not Honest about Science b. He does not follow his own suggested method. His book is short on science. His book is short on science. Alvin Plantinga. Alvin Plantinga. Dawkins makes many unsubstantiated statements. Dawkins makes many unsubstantiated statements.

1. You Are Not Honest about Science c. He doesnt acknowledge that his science rests on faith. Dawkins tells us the only way to have true knowledge is through a rational approach that uses the scientific method. Dawkins tells us the only way to have true knowledge is through a rational approach that uses the scientific method. You cant use the scientific method to verify his contention. You cant use the scientific method to verify his contention.

1. You Are Not Honest about Science c. He doesnt acknowledge… Throughout the book he relates how much we have been fooled over time in what we perceive. Throughout the book he relates how much we have been fooled over time in what we perceive. How can we be sure he is not fooled? How can we be sure he is not fooled?

1. You Are Not Honest about Science Foundationally, he operates by faith.

2. You Are Not Informed about Religion He interacts with philosophy, religion, psychology and other areas in this work. He interacts with philosophy, religion, psychology and other areas in this work. His two big targets in religion are Islam and Christianity. His two big targets in religion are Islam and Christianity.

2. You Are Not Informed about Religion He presents God in the OT as evil. He presents God in the OT as evil. He questions Jesus existence. He questions Jesus existence. He argues the gospels came late and are unreliable. He argues the gospels came late and are unreliable. He argues Jesus would not have wanted Paul to take the message to Gentiles. He argues Jesus would not have wanted Paul to take the message to Gentiles. Calls the cross a repellant doctrine. Calls the cross a repellant doctrine.

2. You Are Not Informed about Religion Plantinga on his foray into philosophy. Plantinga on his foray into philosophy. at best sophomoric, but that would be unfair to sophomores. at best sophomoric, but that would be unfair to sophomores. When it comes to religion that would be too kind. When it comes to religion that would be too kind.

2. You Are Not Informed about Religion Much of his critique is based on 19 th and 20 th century works that are dismissed today. Much of his critique is based on 19 th and 20 th century works that are dismissed today. Any one who is informed is embarrassed for him in the ignorance he displays. Any one who is informed is embarrassed for him in the ignorance he displays.

2. You Are Not Informed about Religion Two Things Two Things He fails to acknowledge much good that is done in and through religion. He fails to acknowledge much good that is done in and through religion. He fails to understand that God is Spirit and that classical theology argues for His simplicity. He fails to understand that God is Spirit and that classical theology argues for His simplicity.

3. You Are Not Honest about Atheism He is antagonistic regarding religion. He is antagonistic regarding religion. He is optimistic regarding atheism. He is optimistic regarding atheism. He argues that if his view held the day the world would be a better and safer place. He argues that if his view held the day the world would be a better and safer place.

3. You Are Not Honest about Atheism The biggest atrocities of the 20 th century were committed by atheists. The biggest atrocities of the 20 th century were committed by atheists. For evil to be objectively real, God must exist. For evil to be objectively real, God must exist.

Closing Thoughts 1. The movement in the world, even in academia is toward God. Atheism is a philosophy in retreat. Atheism is a philosophy in retreat. Anthony Flew. Anthony Flew.

Closing Thoughts 2. The persistence of belief even in highly educated societies is a big problem for atheists. 3. Christians are found across the scientific spectrum. We are not bound by one view. We can be open to the evidence.