Is there evidence for God with no natural explanation? | John Lennox

Summary

The speaker argues for the existence of God based on human rationality and the ability to conduct science, which they believe cannot be explained by natural processes alone. They reference Thomas Nagel's skepticism of a purely Darwinian view of the universe and C.S. Lewis's thoughts on the importance of thinking about thinking itself. The speaker also emphasizes the historical evidence for Jesus Christ's resurrection and the transformative power of Christianity in their own life and others, asserting that these claims are testable and correspond with reality.

Takeaways

• 🔬 The speaker believes that human rationality is a strong reason for the existence of God, as it cannot be explained purely through natural causes.
• 📚 Thomas Nagel's book 'Mind and Cosmos' is mentioned as a significant work challenging the Darwinian view of the universe and the reductionist approach to human rationality.
• 🤔 The speaker emphasizes the importance of thinking about the process of thinking itself, which is often overlooked.
• 🧠 Extreme reductionism, which attempts to explain human rationality solely through atoms and molecules, is criticized for stripping away the meaning and significance of rationality.
• 🤝 The speaker suggests that many atheists and Christians alike are questioning the extreme reductionist view of human existence.
• 🌌 Human rationality is presented as evidence of a designed universe, with mathematical intelligibility and beauty as indicators of this design.
• 📖 The historical fact of Jesus Christ's resurrection is cited as a principal evidence for God in the speaker's life.
• 📝 The speaker has written a book providing evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, using the skeptical approach of David Hume's criterion for evidence and witnesses.
• 🔍 The claims made in the New Testament are testable and have been experienced as transformative in the speaker's life and the lives of others.
• 🙏 The power of forgiveness, transformation of life, and answers to prayer are mentioned as empirical evidence supporting the claims of the New Testament.

Q & A

Why does the speaker believe that human rationality is a strong reason for believing in God?

The speaker believes that human rationality is a strong reason for believing in God because it cannot be explained purely through natural causes such as atoms and molecules. They argue that a reductionist approach to human rationality, which tries to explain it solely in terms of physical processes, destroys the meaning and significance of rationality itself.

What does the speaker think about the work of Thomas Nagel?

The speaker respects Thomas Nagel's work, particularly his book 'Mind and Cosmos', which argues against the Neo-Darwinian view of the universe. Nagel's work supports the idea that a purely materialistic explanation of human existence is insufficient and that there must be more to the universe than what can be explained by natural selection.

Who is C.S. Lewis and what point does the speaker attribute to him?

C.S. Lewis was a British writer and lay theologian known for his works on Christian apologetics. The speaker attributes to Lewis the point that while humans can do brilliant science by thinking, they often fail to think critically about the nature of thinking itself, which is a key aspect of rationality.

What does the speaker mean by 'thinking about thinking'?

By 'thinking about thinking', the speaker refers to the process of introspection and philosophical examination of the nature of human thought and rationality. It's about understanding how and why humans are capable of rational thought, which goes beyond just the mechanical processes of the brain.

What is the speaker's view on the design of the universe?

The speaker views the design of the universe, including its laws and mathematical intelligibility, as evidence of a higher power or God. They believe that the complexity and order of the universe cannot be fully explained by natural processes alone.

Why does the speaker believe in the historical fact of Jesus Christ's resurrection?

The speaker believes in the historical fact of Jesus Christ's resurrection because they find the evidence for it compelling. They have written a book on the subject, examining the evidence through the skeptical lens of David Hume's criteria for evidence and witnesses.

What is the significance of the historical evidence for the speaker's belief in God?

For the speaker, the historical evidence for Jesus Christ's resurrection is significant because it provides a testable and accessible claim that can be examined and evaluated. They believe that this evidence, when considered carefully, satisfies the normal criteria for truth and supports the existence of God.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'it works'?

When the speaker says 'it works', they are referring to the practical effectiveness of the claims made in the New Testament. They have witnessed and experienced the transformative power of forgiveness, the ability to live a meaningful life, and the reality of answered prayers, which they believe cannot be explained away by naturalistic explanations.

How does the speaker view the correlation between the claims of the New Testament and empirical science?

The speaker views the correlation between the claims of the New Testament and empirical science as evidence that these claims are not only coherent and consistent but also correspond with reality. They believe that repeated testing and observation of the effects of these claims provide empirical support for their truth.

What is the speaker's stance on the idea that religious experiences can be fully explained by naturalistic causes?

The speaker rejects the idea that religious experiences, such as the transformative power of forgiveness and the experience of answered prayers, can be fully explained by naturalistic causes. They believe that these experiences are evidence of a higher power and cannot be reduced to mere physical or psychological phenomena.

What role does the speaker's personal experience play in their belief in God?

The speaker's personal experiences, including those of their wife and family, play a significant role in their belief in God. They have witnessed firsthand the transformative effects of religious beliefs and practices, which they believe provide empirical evidence that supports the existence of God.