Oxford Mathematician DESTROYS Atheism In Less Than 15 Minutes (BRILLIANT!)

Summary

In this compelling discourse, John Lennox, a scientist, mathematician, and Christian apologist, presents a robust defense of the Christian faith. He argues that the rationality and intelligibility of the universe are evidence of a divine creator, challenging atheism's stance. Lennox emphasizes the historical significance of Christianity in the development of science and ethics, asserting that human cognitive faculties and moral values are rooted in a belief in God. He further discusses the problem of evil and the hope offered by Christianity through the person of Jesus Christ, whose resurrection provides a foundation for faith and a promise of ultimate justice.

Takeaways

• 📚 John Lennox, a scientist, mathematician, and Christian apologist, defends the Christian faith logically and exposes atheism's unreasonable tenets.
• 👀 Richard Dawkins, a notable atheist, was present during Lennox's defense of Christianity, highlighting the significance of the debate.
• 🌟 Lennox believes in a supernatural God who created the universe and holds it in existence, aligning with the beliefs of Oxford University's founders.
• 🔬 The rise of science is attributed to the expectation of law in nature due to belief in a lawgiver, challenging the notion that science and faith are at odds.
• 🚗 The comparison of God to Henry Ford and the motorcar illustrates that God and scientific explanations are not mutually exclusive.
• 🤔 The question of why there is something rather than nothing is addressed, with the suggestion that God is the answer, contrary to the idea of the universe creating itself.
• 🌌 The fine-tuning of the universe's fundamental forces is presented as evidence that demands an explanation beyond atheism's scope.
• 🧠 The universe's intelligibility and the effectiveness of mathematics in describing it are highlighted as points that challenge atheism and support theism.
• 🧐 The reliability of human cognitive faculties is questioned if they evolved solely for survival, casting doubt on atheism's validity.
• 🛡️ Biblical theism asserts that the universe and human minds are products of the same divine intelligence, providing a coherent foundation for science.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ethical behavior and human dignity are rooted in the Judeo-Christian ethic, suggesting that morality cannot be explained without God.
• 📖 The historical resurrection of Jesus Christ is presented as central evidence for God's existence and the validity of Christianity.

Q & A

Who is John Lennox and what is his stance on the existence of God?

John Lennox is a scientist, mathematician, and Christian apologist. He believes in God and has strong reasons for his belief, which he has defended at institutions like Oxford University.

What is the significance of the motto 'Domino illumino' in the context of the script?

The motto 'Domino illumino', which can be translated as 'The Lord illuminates', signifies the belief held by the founders of the University that there is no contradiction between faith in God and the pursuit of rational inquiry.

What does John Lennox suggest about the relationship between Christianity and the rise of science?

John Lennox suggests that the rise of science in the 16th and 17th centuries was influenced by the belief in a lawgiver, God, who instilled order and law in nature, which in turn inspired people to study and understand these laws.

What is the argument Lennox presents against the idea that the universe created itself from nothing?

Lennox argues that the idea of the universe creating itself from nothing is an oxymoron. He points out that if 'x' created 'y', it assumes the existence of 'x' to explain 'y', and thus saying the universe created itself assumes its own existence to explain itself.

What does Lennox say about the rationality of the universe and its implications for belief in God?

Lennox argues that the universe being rationally intelligible is a phenomenon that demands an explanation. He suggests that the universe's intelligibility points to a rational Creator, which aligns with the belief in God.

What is the conflict Lennox identifies between atheism and the reliability of human cognitive faculties?

Lennox points out that if atheism is correct and humans are a product of unguided natural processes, then it casts doubt on the reliability of human cognitive faculties, including the reasoning used by atheists to reject the belief in God.

How does Lennox connect the concept of human equality and ethics to religious belief?

Lennox suggests that the concept of human equality and ethics, including human rights and democracy, have their roots in the Judeo-Christian ethic of justice and love, which are consistent with the belief in a God who values all humans equally.

What does Lennox say about the role of Jesus Christ in providing evidence for the existence and nature of God?

Lennox believes that Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, provides central evidence for the existence and nature of God. He points to Jesus' life, teachings, and especially his resurrection as historical evidence supporting the Christian faith.

How does Lennox address the problem of evil and suffering in the world?

Lennox acknowledges the difficulty of reconciling the existence of evil and suffering with the belief in a good God. However, he suggests that the crucifixion of Jesus shows that God does not remain distant from human suffering but becomes part of it, offering hope and a promise of ultimate justice.

What is Lennox's personal experience with faith and its impact on his life?

Lennox shares that he not only believes in God but has come to know and trust Him through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This faith has given him a sense of forgiveness, acceptance, and peace, enabling him to face his own shortcomings and the problem of evil in the world.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Faith and Reason in Science and Christianity

In this paragraph, John Lennox, a scientist, mathematician, and Christian apologist, discusses his belief in God based on rational evidence. He reflects on his time at Oxford University, where he defended the Christian faith against atheism, particularly noting the presence of Richard Dawkins. Lennox argues that Christianity is not in conflict with scientific inquiry and that the founders of Oxford University saw no contradiction between faith and reason. He emphasizes the historical expectation of law in nature due to belief in a lawgiver, and he criticizes the notion of the universe creating itself from nothing, citing GK Chesterton. Lennox also highlights the importance of the universe's rational intelligibility and the role of God as the ultimate explanation for it.

05:02

🧠 The Reliability of Human Reason and the Origins of Ethics

This paragraph delves into the reliability of human cognitive faculties, especially reason, in the context of evolution and survival rather than truth. Lennox points out the paradox of atheists doubting the reliability of human cognitive faculties while still trusting in their own reason. He contrasts this with biblical theism, which views the universe and the human mind as products of the same divine intelligence. The paragraph also touches on the origins of ethics, suggesting that the concept of human equality and the ideals of freedom, solidarity, and democracy have their roots in the Judeo-Christian ethic of justice and love. Lennox cites Jurgen Habermas to support this view, arguing that these values are the direct legacy of these religious ethics.

10:02

🙏 The Transformative Power of Jesus Christ and the Problem of Evil

In this paragraph, Lennox discusses the transformative power of Jesus Christ as evidence for the existence and nature of God. He describes Christ's life and teachings as embodying the Golden Rule, healing the sick, and extending compassion to the marginalized. Lennox argues that Christ's resurrection is central evidence for God's existence and the truth of Christianity. He also addresses the problem of evil and suffering, suggesting that atheism offers no ultimate hope or justice, while Christianity provides a promise of both through the resurrection of Jesus. Lennox acknowledges the difficulty of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a good God but suggests that God's identification with human suffering through Christ offers a unique perspective on this issue.

15:03

🌟 The Ultimate Hope and the Judgement of Jesus

The final paragraph focuses on the ultimate hope provided by Christianity, contrasting it with atheism's view of death as the end. Lennox emphasizes that the resurrection of Jesus guarantees the promise of ultimate justice, which is absent in atheism. He discusses the irony that while atheists have no hope for justice, Christianity offers it through the judgment by Jesus, who is both the Son of God and the ultimate judge due to his resurrection. Lennox concludes by reiterating his belief in God's reality and trustworthiness, grounded not only in faith but also in the logical evidence found in creation and the person of Jesus Christ.

Keywords

💡Christian apologist

A Christian apologist is someone who defends the Christian faith through logical arguments and evidence. In the video, John Lennox is described as a Christian apologist, which means he uses his skills as a scientist and mathematician to provide rational support for his beliefs. This is exemplified when he defends the Christian faith at Oxford University and exposes what he sees as the unreasonable tenets of atheism.

💡Atheism

Atheism is the belief that there is no God or gods. The video discusses the unreasonableness of atheism from a Christian perspective, particularly when it comes to explaining the existence and order of the universe. Richard Dawkins, mentioned in the script, is a notable proponent of atheism, and his presence in the audience during Lennox's defense of Christianity highlights the contrast between the two worldviews.

💡Supernatural

Supernatural refers to phenomena that cannot be explained by natural laws or scientific understanding. In the context of the video, the speaker believes in a 'Supernatural God' who created the universe, implying a divine being that transcends the natural order. This belief is central to the argument that there is a purpose and design behind the cosmos.

💡Rational evidence

Rational evidence is evidence that is based on reason and logical thinking. The video emphasizes that the belief in God is not just a matter of faith, but also supported by rational evidence, similar to the beliefs held by the founders of Oxford University. This suggests that faith and reason are not contradictory but can coexist in understanding the divine.

💡Evolution

Evolution is the biological process by which species of organisms arise and develop through genetic variation and natural selection. In the video, the speaker challenges the idea that human cognitive faculties, including reason, evolved solely for survival rather than for the pursuit of truth. This is part of a broader critique of how atheism reconciles the reliability of human reasoning with its evolutionary origins.

💡Reliability of human cognitive faculties

The reliability of human cognitive faculties refers to the trustworthiness of human thinking and reasoning abilities. The video argues that if atheism is correct, and humans are products of unguided natural processes, then there is reason to doubt the validity of human reasoning, including the reasoning used to arrive at atheistic conclusions.

💡Biblical theism

Biblical theism is the belief in the existence of a personal, intelligent God as described in the Bible. The video asserts that biblical theism provides a coherent explanation for the universe's intelligibility and the human capacity for science, as both are seen as originating from the same divine mind.

💡Ethics

Ethics refers to the principles of right and wrong that guide behavior. The video discusses the relationship between ethics and religious belief, suggesting that while ethical behavior does not require religious belief, the existence of morality may be better explained by the belief in a God who created humans in His image.

💡Human dignity

Human dignity is the inherent worth and value of every person, regardless of their actions or abilities. The video implies that the concept of human dignity is rooted in the belief that humans are made in the image of God, which is a foundational principle of both ethics and human rights.

💡Resurrection

Resurrection refers to the belief in the rising of the dead, particularly the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the video, the historical resurrection of Jesus is presented as central evidence for the claim that he was both fully human and divine, and it is a key argument for the truth of Christianity.

💡Problem of evil

The problem of evil is a philosophical and theological issue concerning the existence of evil and suffering in the world alongside an all-powerful, all-knowing, and benevolent God. The video acknowledges this problem as a significant challenge for believers, suggesting that the Christian understanding of God becoming part of human suffering through Jesus' crucifixion provides a unique perspective on this issue.

Highlights

John Lennox, a scientist, mathematician, and Christian apologist, defended the Christian faith at Oxford University and exposed the unreasonableness of atheism.

Lennox argued that belief in God is not just a blind faith but is supported by rational evidence and logical arguments.

Richard Dawkins, a prominent atheist, was present in the audience, adding significance to Lennox's defense of theism.

The founders of Oxford University believed in God and saw no contradiction between faith and rational inquiry.

The rise of science was influenced by the belief in a lawgiver, which is the belief in God as the source of natural laws.

Lennox stated that being a scientist and a Christian is not contradictory, as Christianity arguably gave rise to the field of science.

Newton's discovery of gravity did not lead him to reject the need for God; instead, he authored 'Principia Mathematica', a seminal work in science.

Atheists often ask to choose between God and science, which Lennox finds absurd, as God and scientific explanations are not mutually exclusive.

Alan Sandage, a cosmologist, believed that God is the answer to why there is something rather than nothing.

The idea that the universe created itself from nothing is considered an oxymoron by Lennox.

G.K. Chesterton's quote was used to illustrate the absurdity of expecting nothing to turn into everything.

Lennox emphasized the fine-tuning of the universe and the need for an explanation beyond mere physical laws.

Arno Penzias, a Nobel Prize winner, suggested that the universe was created with a delicate balance that allows for life, hinting at a supernatural plan.

The universe's rational intelligibility is a point that demands an explanation, according to Lennox.

Einstein's view that the comprehensibility of the universe is itself incomprehensible was highlighted.

Lennox discussed the unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics and its relation to the physical universe.

Atheists face a paradox in trusting human cognitive faculties, which are products of evolution, to discern truth.

Biblical theism asserts that the universe and the human mind are products of the same divine intelligence.

Ethical behavior and the concept of human equality have roots in Judeo-Christian ethics, as noted by Jurgen Habermas.

The value of a human being is based on being made in God's image, which underpins egalitarianism and human rights.

Lennox shared personal experiences and the transformative impact of Christ's teachings on his life and understanding of God.

The problem of evil and pain is acknowledged, and Lennox discussed how Christianity offers hope and a response to this issue.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is presented as central evidence for the claim that God became human and offers a solution to humanity's problems.

Lennox concluded by emphasizing the personal nature of knowing God through a relationship with Christ.

Transcripts

and so I don't simply believe there is a

God I've come to know him and trust him

and I have strong reasons for doing so

John Lennox is a scientist mathematician

and Christian apologist in 2012 he was

at Oxford University where he logically

defended the Christian faith and exposed

the many unreasonable tenants of atheism

this was one of the most brilliant

displays of logic and Arguments for God

in Christianity what people are missing

is that Richard Dawkins one of the most

notable atheists and opponents of

Christianity was sitting in the audience

I believe in

God I believe in the Supernatural God

who created the heavens and the

earth I believe in a God who holds the

heavens and the Earth in

existence I believe that on the basis of

rational

evidence similar to the beliefs held by

the founders of this house who gave this

University The Motto Domino

illumino may they saw no contradiction

between faith in God and the utmost

excellent irrational

inquiry and if I dare mention my alma

mat of Cambridge in this holy

place I would remind you that on the

door of the Cavendish laboratory in

Cambridge are written the words great

are the works of the Lord studied by all

who Delight in them and as we look at at

the rise of Science in the 16th and 17th

centuries Alfred North Whitehead and

many others commented that men became

scientific because they expected law in

nature and they expected law in nature

because they believed in the lawgiver so

ladies and gentlemen I'm not ashamed of

being both a scientist and a Christian

because arguably Christianity gave me my

subject what I am amazed at is that

serious thinkers today continue to ask

us to choose between God and science

that's like asking people to choose

between Henry Ford in engineering as an

explanation of the motorc

car when Newton discovered his law of

gravity he didn't say I've got a law I

don't need God no he wrote the principia

Mathematica arguably the greatest work

in the whole history of

science because he saw that God is not

the same kind of explanation as a

scientific EXP ration God doesn't

compete agency does not compete with

mechanism and

law why is there something rather than

nothing Alan Sandage the brilliant

cosmologist who became a Christian in

his 50s said God is the answer to that

question but people are now so desperate

to show that the universe created itself

from nothing which seems to me to be an

immediate oxymoron if I say x created y

I'm assuming the existence of x to

explain the existence of Y if I say x

created X I'm assuming the existence of

x to explain the existence of X which

simply shows that nonsense remains

nonsense even if high-powered scientists

utter it it reminds me a little bit of

GK Chester who said it is absurd to

complain that it is Unthinkable for an

unthinkable God to make everything out

of nothing and then to pretend that it

is more thinkable that nothing should

turn itself into

everything the heavens declare that

glory of God says the ancient

Psalm and we've unraveled a bit of that

seeing the fine choing of the

fundamental forces of nature it's

something that's so striking to

scientists that it demands

explanation and it seems to me that Arno

penus hit it right he is the Nobel Prize

winner who discovered the microwave

background on which a lot of the

evidence for the Big Bang is based he

said astronomy leads us to a unique

event a universe which was created out

of nothing one with the very delicate

balance needed to provide exactly the

right conditions required to permit life

and one which has an underlying one

might say Supernatural plan but I want

to come to what I think is one of the

fundamental Arguments for

theism I take it this house believes in

reason that's why we're all here and as

a scient

I believe that the universe is

rationally

intelligible that is something that has

struck some of the Geniuses of science

as demanding an

explanation Einstein said the only

incomprehensible thing about the

universe is that it's comprehensible and

vigner talked about the unreasonable

effectiveness of mathematics how is it

that a mathematician thinking in her

head in here can come up with equations

that seem to fit the universe out there

well how is it indeed because the irony

of the atheist position here is evident

my atheist friends and I have many of

them tell me that the driving force of

evolution which eventually produced our

human cognitive faculties reason

included was not primarily concerned

with truth at all but with survival and

we all know ladies and gentlemen what

has often happened and still happens to

truth when individuals or commercial

Enterprises or nations feel themselves

threatened and struggle for

Revival a leading philosopher Alvin

planting of notame says if atheists are

right that we are the product of

mindless unguided natural processes then

they have given us strong reason to

doubt the reliability of human cognitive

faculties and therefore inevitably to

doubt the validity of any belief that

they produce including their atheism

their biology and their belief in

naturalism would therefore appear to be

at war with each other in a conflict

that is nothing at all to do with God

God yet my atheist friends still insist

that it is rational for them to believe

that the evolution of human reason was

not directed for the purpose of

discovering truth and yet it is

irrational for me to believe that human

reason was designed and created by God

to enable us to understand and believe

the truth curious

logic by contrast with that biblical

theism asserts that Ultimate Reality is

personal and intelligent and the reason

science works and this was the

motivating force that drove the great

pioneers of science is that the Universe

out there and the human mind in here

that does the science are ultimately the

product of the same intelligent Divine

mind human beings are made we are told

in God's image and that means that

science can be done that makes

infinitely more sense to me as a

scientist than atheism

does now let me come briefly to ethics

ethical Behavior like rational behavior

of course does not itself require

religious belief this is consistent with

the fact that humans are created in

God's image as rational moral persons

but just as I suggest that rationality

cannot be explained without the

existence of God so I dare to suggest

that the existence of morality cannot be

explained either as modern science

sprang from judeo-christian sources so

did the concept of humanid equality

listen to atheist Jurgen habous arguably

one of Germany's leading intellectuals

he said that universalistic

egalitarianism from which sprang the

ideals of freedom and a collective life

and solidarity the individual morality

of conscience human rights and democracy

is the direct Legacy of the judaic ethic

of justice and the Christian ethic of

love

this Legacy substantially

unchanged has been the object of

continual critical appropriation and

reinterpretation to this day there's no

alternative to it everything else is

just idle postmodern talk and it seems

to me he's hitting the core of something

important because the value of a human

being on which such egalitarian is a is

based not on what the human being can do

but what she's made of what or how she's

made in God's

image I never forget speaking when on

one of my many visits to Russia at to a

colleague in the Academy of Sciences and

he said you know John we thought we

could abolish God and retain a value for

human beings we found we couldn't and we

murdered millions of them and Alexander

saniton has said if I'm ask why is it

that 60 million of my fellow countrymen

were sacrificed he said the answer is we

have forgotten

God science of course marvelous that it

is is limited even a Nobel Prize winner

by analyzing a cake cannot tell why it

was made but aunt Matilda who made it

can tell you she can reveal it to you

but if she doesn't reveal it to you

you'll never know and that brings me to

be my next evidence it's the same with

the universe we can analyze it

magnificently But ultimately if it has a

maker and I believe it has only he can

tell us what it's all about and he's

done so in the powerful Narrative of the

Bible in particular in its analysis of

the problem with Humanity not simply in

terms of Behavioral breakdown between

people but a vertical breakdown of trust

between us and the

Creator the unique solution to that

problem is not simply in terms of human

ethical development although that's very

important but in terms of something far

deeper altogether the restoration of the

fractured relationship with God through

the Salvation he has brought through

Jesus Christ a radical relationship that

empowers us to live ethically from God

and here we reach what for me is a chief

evidence not only for the Existence but

the nature of God it is Jesus Christ he

it was who not only taught the Golden

Rule but embodied it fed the hungry

healed the sick and suffering and

welcomed society's Outcast brought honor

and respect to the marginalized and

ashamed and he's brought forgiveness and

peace to

multi-millions uh around the world he's

able to do this of course because though

he was a man he uniquely never was only

a man but God become

human the central evidence for this

startling

claim is of course his historical

Resurrection from the dead that launched

Christianity in the world this is of

course ladies and gentlemen a crunch

issue if Jesus rose from the dead death

is not the end and Atheism is false if

Jesus did rise did did not rise from the

dead Christianity is false and I

remember at Cambridge as a student

listening to the brilliant sir Norman

Anderson a legal expert go going through

forensically the evidence from his legal

perspective as a a brilliant lawyer and

he said at the end of it the empty tomb

then of Jesus forms a veritable rock on

which all rationalistic theories of the

Resurrection Dash themselves in vain

just finally now as I read the Bible I

do not only find intellectual

satisfaction but I find a great deal of

that I sense the voice of God speaking

to me you see that's intensely personal

but ladies and gentlemen we've been

asked tonight about belief in God and I

want to strongly emphasize that God is

not a theory he's a person and if the

origination of meqa person is a personal

God then the most exciting thing really

is is there a possibility of getting to

know

God and so I don't simply believe there

is a God I've come to know him and trust

him and I have Str wrong reasons for

doing so because of Christ dying and

Rising again for me and that has

generated in me a sense of utterly unmar

forgiveness acceptance and peace that

has enabled me to face the ugly side of

my own nature and with God's help to do

something about it but it's enabled me

to face something else the hardest

problem I face as a Christian is the

problem of evil and pain

my niece getting a tumor at 22 that

kills her what do I say to my sister and

this is the hardest problem we face but

it seems to me that atheism here has no

answer because by definition atheism

believes that human death is the end so

there is no ultimate

hope but you see ladies and gentlemen we

could stay here till midnight and Beyond

arguing as has been done in this

University for centuries what a good god

should might would could if not possibly

might just could he not have done and

we'll get nowhere so it seems to me

there's another question we can ask and

it's this granted that life is presents

us with a double picture we see some

beautiful things we see some ragged ages

we see hurt and pain and we see Joy how

can we come to terms with that and it

seems to me here is no simplistic answer

but a window into an answer and it's

this if it is actually true that Jesus

is as I believe him to be the Son of God

then we can ask the question what is God

doing on a

cross and the answer comes back at the

very least God do not remain distant

from our human suffering but has become

part of it and the other side of that is

this because Jesus rose from the the

dead he is going to be the ultimate

judge now here's an irony because

atheism has no ultimate hope of Justice

by definition the vast majority of

people in the history of the world have

died without Justice and will die

without Justice and if death is the end

then of course they have no hope of

ultimate justice but the promise in the

New Testament guaranteed by the

resurrection of Jesus is that he is to

be the judge in the coming day so ladies

and

gentlemen those are some of the reasons

why I believe that God is real and

worthy to be trusted thank

[Applause]

you what I love about Christianity is

that it is not just rooted in faith

which is trusting in the promises of God

but also in the logic that God revealed

to us in his creation and in the person

of Jesus Christ

[Music]