Search — Theology Explorer

problem of evil emotional vs. logical reasoning philosophical method

Emotional vs. logical reasoning: the importance of separating emotional response from logical analysis of arguments

Cameron's methodological point about evaluating arguments

problem of evil moral realism nihilism

Mike's response to the problem of evil: if evil disproves God, then the moral framework that makes evil "evil" also collapses, creating a self-defeating argument

Mike shares his own perspective on the problem of evil

John McCrae problem of evil John McCrae SIDS / sudden infant death

Personal account: two friends experienced SIDS (crib death/sudden infant death) and responded differently — one drew closer to God, one turned away

John shares a personal story illustrating different responses to suffering

Revelation eschatology Revelation theodicy

The Christian hope of eschatological restoration answers the problem of evil: God wiping away every tear, remaking of heaven and earth

Mike elaborates his response to the problem of evil using Christian eschatology

gospel grace human nature

Humans are worse than they think they are, but Christ loves them more than they know — the paradox of the gospel

John wraps up his reflection on suffering and human nature

atheism epistemology burden of proof

Definition of atheism debate: classical (affirming God does not exist) vs. modern redefinition as "lack of belief" to avoid burden of proof

Q&A question from Isaiah Armstrong about the definition of atheism

miracles divine intervention Scripture as sufficient revelation

Q&A: Why doesn't God interact visibly today as in Bible times? Mike's answer: miracles were always rare; God interacts spiritually now; the Bible establishes the foundation

Q&A question from "I'm Zen"

burden of proof intellectual honesty skepticism

Q&A: Most atheist arguments are refutations rather than positive cases for atheism — is that a problem?

Q&A question from Benjamin Rush about the asymmetry of atheist argumentation

Cameron Bertuzzi argument from contingency necessary being

Closing the gap problem in cosmological arguments: a necessary being with limited properties would require an explanation for those limits, but there can be no deeper explanation — therefore the necessary being must be unlimited/infinite in value (i.e., God)

Q&A question for Cameron about the gap problem in cosmological arguments

Cosmic Skeptic Steve Krei Non Sequitur Show

Favorite atheist YouTubers: Cosmic Skeptic, Steve Krei (Non Sequitur); least favorite: emotional, illogical ranters

Q&A about favorite/least-favorite atheist YouTube channels

monotheism empty tomb post-resurrection appearances

Q&A: If an atheist accepts that a creator God exists, why should that God be the Christian God? Answer: cosmological arguments narrow the field to monotheism; historical evidence for the resurrection identifies Christianity specifically

Q&A question from Emily Towler about identifying which God among creation stories

forgiveness sin free will

Q&A: Why would God create a world where things can exist that go against his nature? Answer: free will theodicy and soul-building theodicy

Q&A question from Skyler about the existence of sin in a world created by a holy God

apologetics methodology philosophical method questions vs. arguments

Questions are not arguments: unanswered questions do not constitute evidence against Christianity; they only reveal gaps in human knowledge

Cameron makes a methodological point after the theodicy discussion

omnipotence perfect being theology soul-building theodicy

Q&A on omnipotence: can a perfect God bring about states of affairs that are less than perfect? Cameron: yes — the question confuses God's perfection with the value of created states of affairs

Q&A question from "P or not P" about omnipotence and perfection

Genesis 1 Genesis 1 divine sovereignty human dominion

Q&A: Can God give humans dominion and then interfere with that dominion? Parents analogy: giving children authority does not prevent parental intervention when abused

Q&A question from "The Messenger Reveals" about divine interference with human dominion

resurrection of Jesus Non Sequitur Show Paulogia

Apologist/counter-apologist "Paulogia": Cameron had a debate with him on the resurrection on the Non Sequitur Show

Q&A from Nick J about Paulogia's series on the resurrection

Josephus empty tomb swoon theory

Refutation of Paulogia's claim that Romans denied honorable burial to crucifixion victims: Josephus explicitly says Romans made an exception for Jews

Mike provides a specific example of responding to a resurrection objection

John McCrae John McCrae What Do You Mean emotional vs. logical reasoning

John McCrae's ministry goal: counter emotionally compelling but logically weak objections; reach younger audiences with the full human (intellectual + emotional) case for Christianity

Each host shares their goals for their YouTube channel

Capturing Christianity Christian apologetics Cameron Bertuzzi

Cameron Bertuzzi's ministry goal: expose the intellectual depth of Christian belief; counter the cultural assumption that atheism has all the intellectual high ground

Cameron shares his goals for Capturing Christianity

John McCrae gospel logical fallacies John McCrae

Closing message to skeptics from John: separate psychological/emotional persuasiveness from logical validity; the gospel has explanatory power for the whole world

Closing messages to atheist/skeptic viewers

John Schellenberg Richard Dawkins Cameron Bertuzzi Paul Draper

Closing message to skeptics from Cameron: dialogue doesn't have to be combative; take philosophy seriously; read atheist philosophers of religion (Paul Draper, Graham Oppy, John Schellenberg), not just popular atheists like Dawkins or Hitchens

Cameron's closing message to skeptic viewers

William Lane Craig Josh Rasmussen Richard Swinburne

Recommended Christian philosophers: Richard Swinburne (The Existence of God; Is There a God?; The Resurrection of God Incarnate), Alvin Plantinga, William Lane Craig

Mike asks Cameron for top Christian philosopher recommendations

logical fallacies Rationality Rules atheist YouTube

Rationality Rules YouTube channel criticized: incorrectly labels valid arguments as circular reasoning

Mike and Cameron discuss atheist YouTube channels

atonement gospel apologetics

Closing message from Mike to skeptics: the evidence for Christianity is robust and surprising; Jesus really died for sins; God is personal and loves people; life is not purposeless

Mike's closing address to skeptic viewers

Mike Winger idea 2019-03-27

Mike argues the book is designed to brainwash atheists and secular readers, not engage Christians

Mike explains who the book's real audience is

A Manual for Creating Atheists Faith Brainwashing

Mike Winger idea 2019-03-27

Cameron Bertuzzi (Capturing Christianity): inability to answer a question doesn't mean Christianity is false; testimony is a legitimate epistemic basis

Video clip from Cameron Bertuzzi with pastoral/apologetic advice for Christians facing SE

Apologetics Capturing Christianity Cameron Bertuzzi

early Christian persecution first-century Christianity

Establishing premise: general persecution was the normal reality for first-century Christians from the very beginning

Mike lays foundational context before presenting specific apostolic martyrdom evidence

crucifixion of Jesus Pontius Pilate early Christian persecution

Tacitus (Annals, 109 AD) as non-Christian confirmation of early Christian persecution, crucifixion of Christ under Pontius Pilate, and the movement's origin in Judea

Mike quotes Tacitus as an external, non-Christian source confirming early persecution

James the brother of Jesus argument from silence Paul the Apostle Justin Martyr

Absence of any recantation tradition for Peter, James, or Paul — an argument from silence that is evidentially significant given second-century apologetic engagement

The negative evidence: no source anywhere suggests any of these eyewitnesses recanted

resurrection Matt Dillahunty Capturing Christianity

Context note: this video is part of Mike's preparation for a live debate with Matt Dillahunty on the resurrection, hosted on Capturing Christianity (April 11)

Meta-context explaining the purpose of the resurrection series

faith evidence for Christianity belief without evidence

Non-Christians define faith as "belief without evidence" because they assume Christians have no evidence

Analyzing the poll divide

belief without evidence Richard Dawkins atheist rhetoric on faith

Mike attributes the pejorative definition of faith among atheists to a deliberate campaign, specifically naming Richard Dawkins

Analyzing origin of atheist definition of faith

former Christian atheists faith as denial of evidence

Charles Moss (former Christian) defines faith as active denial of observation to preserve belief

Examining former Christians' definitions of faith

Matt Dillahunty resurrection of Jesus inference to the best explanation

Upcoming debate with Matt Dillahunty on whether belief in the resurrection is reasonable; science is not the only method of knowing

Announcing the Dillahunty debate and defending historical methodology

early church persecution destroying the temple accusation dialogue between Christians and atheists

Historical parallel: early church marginalized by accusation that Jesus wanted to destroy the temple — same dynamic as "faith is irrational" accusation today

Historical analogy for communication breakdown

evangelism faith evidence for Christianity

The definitional divide on faith is a communication barrier to evangelism — Christians must clarify they have evidence

Practical application of the poll findings

personal testimony experiential evidence for faith conversion experience

Mike's personal conversion testimony: depression before faith, joy and relationship with God after — and subsequent evidential verification

Q&A: Benjamin Acompo (skeptic) asks what evidence a 12-year-old Mike had at conversion beyond feelings