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| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The Case Against Theism Raphael Lataster, 2018-06-14 This monograph offers a critique of arguments for the existence of a specifically Christian God advanced by prominent scholar William Lane Craig. The discussion incorporates philosophical, mathematical, scientific, historical, and sociological approaches. The author does not seek to criticize religion in general, or Christianity specifically. Rather, he examines the modern and relatively sophisticated evidential case for Christian theism. Scholars have been arguing for theism or naturalism for centuries, and there seems little to add to the discussion, especially from the theistic side. However, to assume that either theism or naturalism obtains is a false dichotomy. There are alternatives to both that merit consideration. Employing a probabilistic approach, the author advances this discussion. His work uniquely utilizes not only naturalistic hypotheses to argue against theism. It also presents supernaturalistic hypotheses. This leaves no question that theism is almost certainly false, even if some form of divine reality exists. This project seeks not to argue that Christianity or any other faith or religion is undesirable, but only to critically examine evidentialist claims posited by Christianity’s learned apologists. In fact, a major secondary aim is to consider alternative god-conceptions, such as polytheism and pantheism. This work aims to highlight that Christian theism is often granted special privileges by theistic philosophers of religion, which seems doubly inappropriate when certain alternative god-conceptions may even prove to be more plausible. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Questioning the Historicity of Jesus Raphael Lataster, 2019-07-01 This volume moves beyond the mainstream scholarly scepticism over the Christ of Faith and considers if there is sufficient evidence to establish the existence of the more mundane Historical Jesus. Using the logical tools of the analytic philosopher, Lataster finds that the relevant sources are unreliable as historical documents, and that the key method of those purporting that the Historical Jesus existed is to appeal to sources that do not exist. Considering an ancient hypothesis suggesting that Jesus began as a celestial messiah that certain Second Temple Jews already believed in, and was later allegorised in the Gospels, Lataster discovers that it is more reasonable to at least be agnostic over Jesus’ historicity. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The Plain Truths of Religion Gareth Wilson, 2010-07 Religion is a duplicitous invention of primitive humans, diametrically opposed to our moral intuition, and driven by belief in gods whose existence is neither evident nor probable. These are just some of the damning conclusions reached by Gareth Wilson within his pulsating assessment of organised faith. Sweeping aside the punditry of religious apologists and their critique of previous atheist works, The Plain Truths of Religion is the most extensive and full-blooded summation of both the nature and purpose of humankind's greatest belief systems. As such, this piece is as raw as it is incisive, and certainly not a read for the faint-hearted. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The Bad Jesus: The Ethics of New Testament Ethics Hector Avalos, 2015-04-09 Did Jesus ever do anything wrong? Judging by the vast majority of books on New Testament ethics, the answer is a resounding No. Writers on New Testament ethics generally view Jesus as the paradigm of human standards and behaviour. But since the his-torical Jesus was a human being, must he not have had flaws, like everyone else? The notion of a flawless human Jesus is a paradoxical oddity in New Testament ethics. According to Avalos, it shows that New Testament ethics is still primarily an apologetic enterprise de-spite its claim to rest on critical and historical scholarship. The Bad Jesus is a powerful and challenging study, presenting de-tailed case studies of fundamental ethical principles enunciated or practised by Jesus but antithetical to what would be widely deemed 'acceptable' or 'good' today. Such topics include Jesus' supposedly innovative teachings on love, along with his views on hate, violence, imperialism, animal rights, environmental ethics, Judaism, women, disabled persons and biblical hermeneutics. After closely examining arguments offered by those unwilling to find any fault with the Jesus depicted in the Gospels, Avalos concludes that current treatments of New Testament ethics are permeated by a religiocentric, ethnocentric and imperialistic orientation. But if it is to be a credible historical and critical dis-cipline in modern academia, New Testament ethics needs to discover both a Good and a Bad Jesus. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: How to Defend the Christian Faith John W. Loftus, Peter Boghossian, 2015-11-01 The first book on Christian apologetics written by a leading atheist figure that teaches Christians the best and worst arguments for defending their faith against attack The Christian faith has been vigorously defended with a variety of philosophical, historical, and theological arguments, but many of the arguments that worked in an earlier age no longer resonate in today's educated West. Where has apologetics gone wrong? What is the best response to the growing challenge presented by scientific discovery and naturalistic thought? Unlike every work on Christian apologetics that has come before, How to Defend the Christian Faith is the first one written by an atheist for Christians. As a former Christian defender who is now a leading atheist thinker, John Loftus answers these questions and more. He shows readers why Christian apologists have failed to reach the intelligent nonbeliever and offers practical advice for Christians, whether they want to better defend their faith against atheist arguments, or actively convert more individuals to Christianity. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The End of Biblical Studies Hector Avalos, 2010-08-05 In this radical critique of his own academic specialty, biblical scholar Hector Avalos urges his colleagues to concentrate on educating the broader society to recognize the irrelevance and even violent effects of the Bible in modern life. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The End of Biblical Studies Hector Avalos, 2010-08-05 In this radical critique of his own academic specialty, biblical scholar Hector Avalos calls for an end to biblical studies. He outlines two main arguments for this surprising conclusion. First, academic biblical scholarship has clearly succeeded in showing that the ancient civilization that produced the Bible held beliefs about the origin, nature, and purpose of the world and humanity that are fundamentally opposed to the views of modern society. The Bible is thus largely irrelevant to the needs and concerns of contemporary human beings. Second, Avalos criticizes his colleagues for applying a variety of flawed and specious techniques aimed at maintaining the illusion that the Bible is still relevant in today''s world. In effect, he accuses his profession of being more concerned about its self-preservation than about giving an honest account of its own findings to the general public and faith communities. In a controversial conclusion, Avalos argues that our world is best served by leaving the Bible as a relic of an ancient civilization instead of the living document most religionist scholars believe it should be. He urges his colleagues to concentrate on educating the broader society to recognize the irrelevance and even violent effects of the Bible in modern life. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Why I Became an Atheist John W. Loftus, 2012-10-10 For about two decades John W. Loftus was a devout evangelical Christian, an ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and an ardent apologist for Christianity. With three degrees--in philosophy, theology, and philosophy of religion--he was adept at using rational argumentation to defend the faith. But over the years, doubts about the credibility of key Christian tenets began to creep into his thinking. By the late 1990s he experienced a full-blown crisis of faith. In this honest appraisal of his journey from believer to atheist, the author carefully explains the experiences and the reasoning process that led him to reject religious belief. The original edition of this book was published in 2006 and reissued in 2008. Since that time, Loftus has received a good deal of critical feedback from Christians and skeptics alike. In this revised and expanded edition, the author addresses criticisms of the original, adds new argumentation and references, and refines his presentation. For every issue he succinctly summarizes the various points of view and provides references for further reading. In conclusion, he describes the implications of life without belief in God, some liberating, some sobering. This frank critique of Christian belief from a former insider will interest freethinkers as well as anyone with doubts about the claims of religion. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Defending the Resurrection Ed James Patrick Holding, 2010-08 Did Jesus rise from the dead? The question is one on which the truth of the Christian faith turns (1 Cor. 15). If Jesus did not rise, you may as well close down your church! In this volume, prominent Internet apologist James Patrick Holding and a team of Christian authors provide a series of essays defending the Resurrection as a historical event, taking on criticisms from every angle - from that which is scholarly to that which is plain lunacy! With this book, you'll be prepared to meet many of today's greatest challenges to the core event of the Christian faith. Both the interested reader and especially the student of this subject should find many worthwhile discussions that are easily worth the price of the book. - from the Foreword by Dr. Gary Habermas |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Did Jesus Rise From the Dead William Lane Craig, 2014-06-01 Seems reasonable…perhaps Jesus was comatose. Or perhaps his body was stolen. Or maybe the women arrived at the wrong tomb…they were grieving, after all; it would have been an honest mistake. There are any number of explanations. Dr. William Lane Craig uses well-documented historical facts to explore the evidence that surrounds the days following Jesus’ crucifixion. Without assuming “the Bible says so,” Did Jesus Rise from the Dead” presents positive religious, cultural, and historical evidence for the reality of the resurrection while breaking down the six most common hypotheses used to explain the unusual events that unfolded from the moment Christ breathed his last. Thoroughly researched, yet deftly digestible, Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? belongs in the library of any apologist, skeptic, or seeker. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The New Encyclopedia of Unbelief Tom Flynn, 2007-04-30 Successor to the highly acclaimed Encyclopedia of Unbelief (1985), edited by the late Gordon Stein, the New Encyclopedia of Unbelief is a comprehensive reference work on the history, beliefs, and thinking of America''s fastest growing minority: those who live without religion. All-new articles by the field''s foremost scholars describe and explain every aspect of atheism, agnosticism, secular humanism, secularism, and religious skepticism. Topics include morality without religion, unbelief in the historicity of Jesus, critiques of intelligent design theory, unbelief and sexual values, and summaries of the state of unbelief around the world.In addition to covering developments since the publication of the original edition, the New Encyclopedia of Unbelief includes a larger number of biographical entries and much-expanded coverage of the linkages between unbelief and social reform movements of the 19th and 20th centuries, including the labor movement, woman suffrage, anarchism, sex radicalism, and second-wave feminism.More than 130 respected scholars and activists worldwide served on the editorial board and over 100 authoritative contributors have written in excess of 500 entries. The distinguished advisors and contributors--philosophers, scientists, scholars, and Nobel Prize laureates--include Joe Barnhart, David Berman, Sir Hermann Bondi, Vern L. Bullough, Daniel Dennett, Taner Edis, the late Paul Edwards, Antony Flew, Annie Laurie Gaylor, Peter Hare, Van Harvey, R. Joseph Hoffmann, Susan Jacoby, Paul Kurtz, Gerd Lüdemann, Michael Martin, Kai Nielsen, Robert M. Price, Peter Singer, Victor Stenger, Ibn Warraq, George A. Wells, David Tribe, Sherwin Wine, and many others. With a foreword by evolutionary biologist and best-selling author Richard Dawkins, this unparalleled reference work provides comprehensive knowledge about unbelief in its many varieties and manifestations. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The Bedrock of Christianity Justin Bass, 2020-04-08 Can we all agree on some things about Jesus, regardless of our belief--or unbelief? Perhaps surprisingly, there is a lot upon which all scholars can agree. When surveying historical scholarship, there are certain truths about Jesus that Christians, agnostics, and skeptics must affirm. In The Bedrock of Christianity, Justin Bass shows how--regardless of one's feelings about Christianity--there lies a bedrock of truths about Jesus's life and ministry that are held by virtually all scholars of religion. Through an examination of each of these key facts, readers will encounter the unalterable truths upon which everyone can agree. Useful for both Christians and non-Christians alike, this study demonstrates what we can really know about the historical truth of Jesus' death and resurrection. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The Christian Delusion John W. Loftus, 2010 In this anthology of recent criticisms aimed at the reasonableness of Christian belief, former evangelical minister and apologist Loftus has assembled fifteen outstanding articles by leading skeptics, expanding on themes introduced in Loftus' first book. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The End of Christianity John W. Loftus, 2011-07-12 In this successor to his critically acclaimed anthology, The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails, a former minister and now leading atheist spokesperson has assembled a stellar group of respected scholars to continue the critique of Christianity begun in the first volume. Contributors include Victor Stenger, Robert Price, Hector Avalos, Richard Carrier, Keith Parsons, David Eller, and Taner Edis. Loftus is also the author of the best-selling Why I Became an Atheist: A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity. Taken together, the Loftus trilogy poses formidable challenges to claims for the rationality of the Christian faith. Anyone with an interest in the philosophy of religion will find this compilation to be intellectually stimulating and deeply thought provoking. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: This Abled Body Hector Avalos, Sarah J. Melcher, Jeremy Schipper, 2007 The essays of This Abled Body engage biblical studies in conversation with the wider field of disability studies. They explore the use of the conceptual category disability in biblical and Near Eastern texts and examine how conceptions of disability become a means of narrating, interpreting, and organizing human life. Employing diverse approaches to biblical criticism, scholars explore methodological issues and specific texts related to physical and cognitive disabilities. Responses to the essays by established disability activists and academics working in the social sciences and humanities conclude the volume. --From publisher's description. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The History of Evil from the Mid-Twentieth Century to Today Jerome Gellman, 2018-06-14 This sixth volume of The History of Evil charts the era 1950–2018, with topics arising after the atrocities of World War II, while also exploring issues that have emerged over the last few decades. It exhibits the flourishing of analytic philosophy of religion since the War, as well as the diversity of approaches to the topic of God and evil in this era. Comprising twenty-one chapters from a team of international contributors, this volume is divided into three parts, God and Evil, Humanity and Evil and On the Objectivity of Human Judgments of Evil. The chapters in this volume cover relevant topics such as the evidential argument from evil, skeptical theism, free will, theodicy, continental philosophy, religious pluralism, the science of evil, feminist theorizations, terrorism, pacifism, realism and relativism. This outstanding treatment of the history of evil will appeal to those with particular interests in the ideas of evil and good |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Life Driven Purpose Dan Barker, 2015-04-01 Every thinking person wants to lead a life of meaning and purpose. For thousands of years, holy books have told us that such a life is available only through obedience and submission to some higher power. Today, the faithful keep popular devotionals and tracts within easy reach on bedside tables and mobile devices, all communicating this common message: Life is meaningless without God. In this volume, former pastor Dan Barker eloquently, powerfully, and rationally upends this long-held belief. Offering words of enrichment, emancipation, and inspiration, he reminds us how millions of atheists lead happy, loving, moral, and purpose-filled lives. Practicing what he preaches, he also demonstrates through his own personal journey that life is valuable for its own sake—that meaning and purpose come not from above, but from within. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Fighting Words Hector Avalos, Is religion inherently violent? If not, what provokes violence in the name of religion? Do we mischaracterize religion by focusing too much on its violent side?In this intriguing, original study of religious violence, Prof. Hector Avalos offers a new theory for the role of religion in violent conflicts. Starting with the premise that most violence is the result of real or perceived scare resources, Avalos persuasively argues that religion creates new scarcities on the basis of unverifiable or illusory criteria. Through a careful analysis of the fundamental texts of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism, Dr. Avalos explains how four scarce resources have figured repeatedly in creating religious violence: sacred space (e.g., the perception by three world religions that Jerusalem is sacred); the creation of holy scriptures (believed to be privileged revelations of God's will); group privilege (stemming from such beliefs as a chosen people or predestination, which also creates a group of outsiders); and salvation (by which concept some are accepted and others rejected). Thus, Avalos shows, religious violence is often the most unnecessary violence of all since the scarce resources over which religious conflicts ensue are not actually scare or need not be scarce.Comparing violence in religious and nonreligious contexts, Avalos makes the compelling argument that if we condemn violence caused by scarce resources as morally objectionable, then we must consider even more objectionable violence provoked by alleged scarcities that cannot be proven to exist. He also examines the Nazi Holocaust and the Stalinist Terror, which have been attributed to the pernicious effects of atheism or secular humanism. By contrast, Avalos pinpoints underlying religious factors as the cause of these horrific instances of genocidal violence.This serious philosophical examination of the roots of religious violence adds much to our understanding of a perennial source of widespread human suffering.Hector Avalos (Ames, IA) is associate professor of Religious Studies at Iowa State University, the author of five books on biblical studies and religion, the former editor of the Journal for the Critical Study of Religion, and executive director of the Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Se Puede Saber Si Dios Existe? Hector Avalos, 2011-03 This primer on biblical criticism and key problems in religion and philosophy is intended as an introduction to these complex subjects for Spanish-speaking laypersons with little or no prior scientific training in the area. Professor Avalos critically reviews the classic arguments for the existence of God, alleged miracles and faith-healing, the belief that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, problems of good and evil in the Bible, creation stories, biblical prophecy, the resurrection of Jesus, and many other topics. In the last part of the book, Avalos discusses the scientific worldview, especially as it impinges upon the question of the existence of God. A notes section allows readers to explore more deeply the areas touched on in the text; appendices provide information on the sources of many biblical stories and beliefs in Mesopotamian and other ancient Near Eastern cultures; and a final personal note briefly recounts the author''s experiences from his upbringing in fundamentalist Christianity to his current skeptical view.This informative volume is an excellent starting point for those who wish to explore with a minimum of resources basic questions in religion, philosophy, and biblical studies. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Is God a Moral Monster? Paul Copan, 2011-01-01 A recent string of popular-level books written by the New Atheists have leveled the accusation that the God of the Old Testament is nothing but a bully, a murderer, and a cosmic child abuser. This viewpoint is even making inroads into the church. How are Christians to respond to such accusations? And how are we to reconcile the seemingly disconnected natures of God portrayed in the two testaments? In this timely and readable book, apologist Paul Copan takes on some of the most vexing accusations of our time, including: God is arrogant and jealous God punishes people too harshly God is guilty of ethnic cleansing God oppresses women God endorses slavery Christianity causes violence and more Copan not only answers God's critics, he also shows how to read both the Old and New Testaments faithfully, seeing an unchanging, righteous, and loving God in both. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Proving History Richard Carrier, 2012 In this in-depth discussion of New Testament scholarship and the challenges of history as a whole, historian Richard C. Carrier proposes Bayess Theorem as a solution to the problem of establishing reliable historical criteria. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Pandeism Knujon Mapson, 2017-01-27 Pandeism: An Anthology presents the work of sixteen authors, new and old, examining the implications of the revolutionary evolutionary theological theory of Pandeism - the proposition that the Creator of our Universe created by becoming our Universe, and that this proposition can be demonstrated through the exercise of logic and reason. These authors present a wide range of views originating from their varied experiences, from professional theologians and religious educators to lay philosophers with PhDs in the hard sciences. Collectively, these authors have assembled the most extensive examination of Pandeism put to print in over a hundred years. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The Blackwell Companion to Jesus Delbert Burkett, 2011-07-07 The Blackwell Companion to Jesus features a comprehensive collection of essays that explore the diverse ways in which Jesus has been imagined or portrayed from the beginnings of Christianity to the present day. Considers portrayals of Jesus in the New Testament and beyond, Jesus in non-Christian religions, philosophical and historic perspectives, modern manifestations, and representations in Christian art, novels, and film Comprehensive scope of coverage distinguishes this work from similar offerings Examines both Christian and non-Christian perspectives on Jesus, including those from ethnic and sexual groups, as well as from other faiths Offers rich and rewarding insights which will shape our understanding of this influential figure and his enduring legacy |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: A Manual for Creating Atheists Peter Boghossian, 2014-07-01 For thousands of years, the faithful have honed proselytizing strategies and talked people into believing the truth of one holy book or another. Indeed, the faithful often view converting others as an obligation of their faith—and are trained from an early age to spread their unique brand of religion. The result is a world broken in large part by unquestioned faith. As an urgently needed counter to this tried-and-true tradition of religious evangelism, A Manual for Creating Atheists offers the first-ever guide not for talking people into faith—but for talking them out of it. Peter Boghossian draws on the tools he has developed and used for more than 20 years as a philosopher and educator to teach how to engage the faithful in conversations that will help them value reason and rationality, cast doubt on their religious beliefs, mistrust their faith, abandon superstition and irrationality, and ultimately embrace reason. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The Case Against Miracles John W. Loftus, 2019-11-22 For as long as the idea of miracles has been in the public sphere, the conversation about them has been shaped exclusively by religious apologists and Christian leaders. The definitions for what a miracles are have been forged by the same men who fought hard to promote their own beliefs as fitting under that umbrella. It's time for a change. Enter John W. Loftus, an atheist author who has earned three master's degrees from Lincoln Christian Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Loftus, a former student of noted Christian apologist William Lane Craig, got some of the biggest names in the field to contribute to this book, which represents a critical analysis of the very idea of miracles. Incorporating his own thoughts along with those of noted academics, philosophers, and theologians, Loftus is able to properly define miracle and then show why there's no reason to believe such a thing even exists. Addressing every single issue that touches on miracles in a thorough and academic manner, this compilation represents the most extensive look at the phenomenon ever displayed through the lens of an ardent nonbeliever. If you've ever wondered exactly what a miracle is, or doubted whether they exist, then this book is for you. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The Good Atheist Dan Barker, 2011-01-25 How does an atheist respond to the question, What is the purpose of life? Barker helps you understand and appreciate why freely choosing to help and cooperate with others is the true path to finding purpose. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The Outsider Test for Faith John W. Loftus, 2013 John W. Loftus is the author of Why I Became an Atheist and the editor of The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails and The End of Christianity. He also cowrote the book God or Godless (with Dr. Randal Rauser). In addition, he maintains a blog at http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com. Book jacket. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: A Thematic Access-Oriented Bibliography of Jesus’s Resurrection Michael J. Alter, 2019-12-31 The keystone of Christianity is Jesus's physical, bodily resurrection. Present-day scholars can be significantly challenged as they forage through voluminous documents on the resurrection of Jesus. The literature measures well over seven thousand sources in English-language books alone. This makes finding specific sources that are most relevant for specific scholarly purposes an arduous task. Even when a specific book is relevant, finding the parts of the book that are most relevant to the resurrection rather than other topics often requires additional effort. A Thematic Access-Oriented Bibliography of Jesus's Resurrection addresses these challenges in several ways. First, the bibliography organizes more than seven thousand English sources into twelve main categories and then thirty-four subcategories, which are designed to help you find the most relevant literature quickly and efficiently. Embedded are pro and con arguments which support efficient access through brief annotations and then annotate the diversity and complexity of the field of religion by including sources that represent a diverse range of views: theistic (e.g., Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc.), agnostic, and nontheistic. The objective of this bibliography is to provide convenient access to relevant sources from a variety of perspectives, allowing you to browse or find the one source accurately and with ease. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Sacred Word, Broken Word Kenton L. Sparks, 2012-04-04 The Bible is a religious masterpiece. Its authors cast a profound vision for the healing of humanity through the power of divine love, grace and forgiveness. But the Bible also contains dark texts that challenge our ethical imagination. How can one book teach us to love our enemies and also teach us to slaughter Canaanites? Why does a book that preaches the equality of all people -- male and female, slave and free, Greek and Jew -- also include laws that permit God's people to trade in slaves and to persecute those of a different faiths or ethnicities? In Sacred Word, Broken Word Kenton Sparks argues that the dark side of Scripture is not an illusion. Rather, these dark texts remind us that all human beings, including the biblical authors, stand in need of God's redemptive solution in Jesus Christ. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: God in the Age of Science? Herman Philipse, 2012-02-23 Herman Philipse puts forward a powerful new critique of belief in God. He examines the strategies that have been used for the philosophical defence of religious belief, and by careful reasoning casts doubt on the legitimacy of relying on faith instead of evidence, and on probabilistic arguments for the existence of God. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Fighting Words Hector Avalos, 2005 [In this book, the author] applies [an] array of learning and of judicious reasoning to his subject and does not fall short in dealing with its many, many complexities. [His] scathing critique of religious-based violence puts disturbing questions to the traditions that wish to preach peace as a central teaching. -Dust jacket. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Unapologetic John W. Loftus, 2016-11-01 Just as intelligent design is not a legitimate branch of biology in public educational institutions, nor should the philosophy of religion be a legitimate branch of philosophy. So argues acclaimed author John W. Loftus in this forceful takedown of the very discipline in which he was trained. In his call for ending the philosophy of religion, he argues that, as it is presently being practiced, the main reason the discipline exists is to serve the faith claims of Christianity. Most of philosophy of religion has become little more than an effort to defend and rationalize preexisting Christian beliefs. If subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and geology are all taught without reference to faith-based supernatural forces as explanations, faith-based teachings should not be acceptable in this discipline either. While the book offers a fascinating study of the fallacies and flaws on which one whole field of study rests, it speaks to something much larger in the ongoing culture wars. By highlighting the stark differences between faith-based reasoning and evidence-based reasoning, Loftus presents vital arguments and lessons about the importance of critical thinking not only in all aspects of study but also in life. His conclusions and recommendations thus resonate far beyond the ivory towers and ivy-covered walls of academic institutions. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Why Evolution is True Jerry A. Coyne, 2009 Weaves together the many threads of modern work in genetics, palaeontology, geology, molecular biology, anatomy and development that demonstrate the processes first proposed by Darwin and to present them in a crisp, lucid, account accessible to a wide audience. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene Bart D Ehrman, 2008-04-24 From the Publisher: Bart Ehrman, author of the bestsellers Misquoting Jesus and Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code, here takes readers on another engaging tour of the early Christian church, illuminating the lives of three of Jesus' most intriguing followers: Simon Peter, Paul of Tarsus, and Mary Magdalene. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Where Christianity Errs Richard Schoenig, 2024-04-04 Where Christianity Errs comprises a group of essays that aim to carefully, clearly, fairly, and without rancor argue that Christianity has significantly erred in some of its important beliefs and activities. Among the topics assessed are original sin, prayer, faith, hell, the meaning of life, Christian apologetics, Christian ethics, Christianity and politics, and Christianity and atheism. This book contains novel arguments and insights that will be of interest to non-specialists as well as those who have some background in religion and the philosophy of religion. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Healer Zorodzai Dube, 2020-12-31 This book explores the established field of healing narratives in the New Testament by focusing on the remembered tradition regarding Jesus’ healings and comparing them with those of other healers, such as Asclepius. A sub-theme to the book is to investigate the reception of Jesus as healer in various African communities. The book exposes the various healing methods employed by Jesus such as exorcism, touch and the use of spittle. Like any other healing performances that reflect the healthcare system of a given culture, Jesus’ healings were holistic: healing the bodily pain, restoring households and combatting stigmatisation and marginalisation. The book demonstrates Jesus’ healing activities as “shalom” performances that seek to re-establish peace in all its social dimensions. With regard to the reception of Jesus as healer in the African context, the book elaborates the sacrificial lamb motif and the need for restoring a relationship with God. All the contributions in the book present a unique and original perspective in understanding Jesus as healer from an African healthcare system. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: What Would Jesus Really Do? Andrew Fiala, 2007-03-20 For many years many Christians have exhibited bumper stickers and wrist bands challenging themselves to live up to WWJD—What Would Jesus Do? Now Andrew Fiala, a professor who has encountered many such students in his classes, objectively assesses just what it actually is that Jesus does (and doesn't) say about the essential moral issues that face us today. Andrew Fiala appreciates Jesus as a moral teacher with an ethical vision centered in love, generosity, forgiveness, tolerance, and peace. But he argues that it is often difficult to determine exactly what Jesus would say or do about tough contemporary issues, such as abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, war, homosexuality, and politics. Hence, Fiala believes we need to engage in philosophical reflection and critical thinking to arrive at answers to today's ethical questions that Jesus never anticipated, such as those involving technology, scientific discoveries, ethical advances. The book shows how philosophers and psychologists—from Kant and Mill to Nietzsche and Freud—struggled to make sense of the ethics of Jesus. The book concludes by arguing that we cannot pretend that Jesus and the Bible provide all the answers to our ethical dilemmas, although Jesus does provide perennial moral wisdom. Thus, Fiala shows that Jesus' moral teachings must be filled out with contemporary ethical reflection to determine what Jesus, as a moral ideal, would really do today. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: The Washington Monthly , 2005 |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Ten Things Christians Wish Jesus Hadn't Taught David Madison, 2021-10-26 This is a book about ten of the most significant uncomfortable teachings of Jesus. These are teachings that Christians don't like to think or talk about. They are clear imperatives from Jesus that are, for the most part, ignored by the majority of believers. |
| hector avalos vs william lane craig: Varieties of Jesus Mythicism: Did He Even Exist? John W. Loftus, Robert M. Price, 2021-11-18 To most people on the planet, the existence of Jesus is a given: Of course he did! They take it for granted that he existed simply because it reaffirms their faith. But to the rest of us who don't believe in a supernatural Jesus, the question of the historicity of Jesus is not simple. There are thousands of different ideas about to what extent the Jesus tales were based on a real man, or men, or woman... Did Jesus even exist, and if not, what best explains the rise of such a character in the New Testament? That is where John W. Loftus and Robert M. Price come in. Each with decades of experience in the fields of theology and Christian history, Loftus and Price have compiled essays from some of the top authorities on Jesus mythicism to establish the world's first academic catalogue of mythicist beliefs. Experts who provided chapters include David Fitzgerald, Joseph Atwill, Michael Lockwood, and more! The question is no longer simply, Did Jesus even exist? In this compilation, you'll find yourself questioning everything about the Christ story and how it truly began. |
Hector – Mythopedia
Jul 13, 2023 · Hector Taking Leave of Andromache: The Fright of Astyanax by Benjamin West (1766). Metropolitan Museum of Art Public Domain. Though Hector and Ajax fought long and …
Iliad: Book 22 (Full Text) - Mythopedia
The Death of Hector. The Trojans being safe within the walls, Hector only stays to oppose Achilles. Priam is struck at his approach, and tries to persuade his son to re-enter the town. …
Achilles – Mythopedia
Jul 31, 2023 · Hector stripped the armor from Patroclus, but after a fierce battle, the Greeks managed to carry his body back to their camp. When Achilles saw his fallen friend, he was …
Iliad: Book 6 (Full Text) - Mythopedia
The Episodes of Glaucus and Diomed, and of Hector and Andromache. The gods having left the field, the Grecians prevail. Helenus, the chief augur of Troy, commands Hector to return to the …
Astyanax – Mythopedia
May 24, 2023 · A: Astyanax’s father was Hector, the eldest son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy, and thus the heir to the throne. He was a great warrior who led the Trojan forces …
Andromache – Mythopedia
Feb 9, 2023 · Andromache, daughter of King Eetion of Cilician Thebes, was the wife of Hector and mother of Astyanax. A devoted wife and mother, she lost her husband and son in the …
Patroclus – Mythopedia
Jul 5, 2023 · But he made the mistake of fighting Hector, the strongest of the Trojan warriors. Hector killed Patroclus and stripped Achilles’ armor from the body. Roman statue of Menelaus …
Iliad – Mythopedia
Mar 1, 2023 · With Hector dead, Achilles holds a lavish funeral for Patroclus, complete with contests worthy of heroes (Book 23). In the final book of the Iliad (Book 24), the Trojan king …
Iliad: Book 13 (Full Text) - Mythopedia
Argument The Fourth Battle Continued, in which Neptune Assists the Greeks: The Acts of Idomeneus. Neptune, concerned for the loss of the Grecians, upon seeing the fortification …
Iliad: Book 16 (Full Text) - Mythopedia
Stern Hector waved his sword, and standing near, Where furious Ajax plied his ashen spear, Full on the lance a stroke so justly sped, That the broad falchion lopp’d its brazen head; His …
Hector – Mythopedia
Jul 13, 2023 · Hector Taking Leave of Andromache: The Fright of Astyanax by Benjamin West (1766). Metropolitan Museum of Art Public Domain. Though Hector and Ajax fought long and …
Iliad: Book 22 (Full Text) - Mythopedia
The Death of Hector. The Trojans being safe within the walls, Hector only stays to oppose Achilles. Priam is struck at his approach, and tries to persuade his son to re-enter the town. …
Achilles – Mythopedia
Jul 31, 2023 · Hector stripped the armor from Patroclus, but after a fierce battle, the Greeks managed to carry his body back to their camp. When Achilles saw his fallen friend, he was …
Iliad: Book 6 (Full Text) - Mythopedia
The Episodes of Glaucus and Diomed, and of Hector and Andromache. The gods having left the field, the Grecians prevail. Helenus, the chief augur of Troy, commands Hector to return to the …
Astyanax – Mythopedia
May 24, 2023 · A: Astyanax’s father was Hector, the eldest son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy, and thus the heir to the throne. He was a great warrior who led the Trojan forces …
Andromache – Mythopedia
Feb 9, 2023 · Andromache, daughter of King Eetion of Cilician Thebes, was the wife of Hector and mother of Astyanax. A devoted wife and mother, she lost her husband and son in the …
Patroclus – Mythopedia
Jul 5, 2023 · But he made the mistake of fighting Hector, the strongest of the Trojan warriors. Hector killed Patroclus and stripped Achilles’ armor from the body. Roman statue of Menelaus …
Iliad – Mythopedia
Mar 1, 2023 · With Hector dead, Achilles holds a lavish funeral for Patroclus, complete with contests worthy of heroes (Book 23). In the final book of the Iliad (Book 24), the Trojan king …
Iliad: Book 13 (Full Text) - Mythopedia
Argument The Fourth Battle Continued, in which Neptune Assists the Greeks: The Acts of Idomeneus. Neptune, concerned for the loss of the Grecians, upon seeing the fortification …
Iliad: Book 16 (Full Text) - Mythopedia
Stern Hector waved his sword, and standing near, Where furious Ajax plied his ashen spear, Full on the lance a stroke so justly sped, That the broad falchion lopp’d its brazen head; His …
