Craig/Atkins Debate & Moral Necessity of God

In case it hasn't occurred to anyone we have begun to transcend the arguments for God's existence based on strict observation of pure scientific discoveries and have now entered the realm of philosophy and logic.  Tomorrow night we will attempt to complete our analysis of the Craig/Atkins debate. It will entail a high-level overview of a number of questions. While some of the questions below are purely scientific in nature, many of them appeal to the realm of philosophy and logic; of which pure science can not account.  

1. If a “God” does not play into the account for anything, then why does the atheist assert atheism rather than agnosticism? 
2. For what is the scientific method unable to account? (I.e. what can it not explain?)
3. On the atheist view, what are the possible explanations for testimonies about miracles; whether pertaining to Christ or modern medical exceptions?
4. Are the resurrection accounts impossible to refute? If so, why can one be a confident believer?
5. Why, if theism is correct, doesn’t logic command the adherence of the academic community? Why is there so much skepticism?
6. What is the principle of “simplicity” in logical argumentation?
7. Why is “God” required in order to believe in objective moral values?
8. If miracles were important to demonstrate the deity of Christ, why does he not still perform them?
9. On the basis of atheism, what is the foundation to expect uniformity of physical laws which are required to perform science?
10. If objective moral values exist, why can Christians not agree on them?
11. On atheism, how can we be objective on any issue?
12. Why do Christians believe Christianity to be the only true faith?
13. Isn’t it a leap of reason to install a “God” as the cause for the universe? Couldn’t there be any number of possible causes? 
14. On atheism, there are no objective moral values. If so, then is there such a thing as ultimate justice?

Beginning next week (or the week after that) we will study the argument for God's existence based on ethics and objective moral values.  This will be a fascinating part of our study together.  I have updated the "Homework" document on our blog with the research questions for that study.  Feel free to prepare them before we begin.


God bless you all!
Ricky

What is the evidence for/against the existence of God? (A debate)

Hey, everyone. Starting tomorrow night we will begin the next phase of our study by analyzing our first debate. It is between William Lane Craig (Christian Phylosopher, Theologian and Apologist) and Dr. Peter Atkins (Scientific Athiest). The debate is titled, "What is the evidence for/against the existence of God?" So you're aware, we've spent the last 6 months educating ourselves on the logical, phylosophical and scientific subject matter you will hear presented. As a result, I'm confident you will not struggle too much with the content. Instead, I expect you will be INCREDIBLY encouraged in the foundation of your Christian faith. I strongly encourage you to bring your junior high to college age students. I guarantee most, if not all, of them have never witnessed something like this before. See you all tomorrow night at 7pm.

Bibliography Link From RZIM (Ravi Zacharias Ministries)

I received this link today on an email update from RZIM. I wanted to pass it along for those who would like to find dependable resources for our study.

http://www.rzim.org/resources/read/bibliographies.aspx

God bless you all!

Ricky