They'll be debating at Westminster Thursday at 6:30 and the debate is open to the public, better get there early, there are only 400 seats available:
Christopher Hitchens, renowned atheist and author of God Is Not Great, and Doug Wilson, author of The Case For Classical Christian Education, will be debating at Westminster Theological Seminary** in Glenside, PA in a debate titled, "Apologetics in Action: Aesthetics and the Existence of God - Atheism vs. Christianity" to promote their new book, Is Christianity Good for the World?I'm thinking of going but don't want to go over there if I can't get a seat (parking's going to be difficult as well) and I don't feel like sitting in the auditorium for hours before the debate (though this is a seminary, I could leave stuff on my seat and that would hold it until the debate).
When they post the debate video, I'll link to it.
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Tim Keller already has another book out - 10/30/08 (how would I know this?) - and, by his own admission, he isn't that prolific!
I find Christopher Hitchens' atheist fundamentalism as offputting as some "Biblical" fundamentalism, but I credit him with being honest about his emotional experience as a Christian (in his early life). What's sad is he seems to need to be as angry now as he needed to be joyful then.
"Tim Keller already has another book out - 10/30/08 (how would I know this?) - and, by his own admission, he isn't that prolific! "
I've been meaning to put up a link to it and will try to today. I finally finished listening to Reasons for God.
So, you think I shouldn't go, huh?
So, you think I shouldn't go, huh?
Let me take back my initial reaction ... if you have the inclination and the means, go for it. And enjoy.
So the debate was somewhat interesting though quite cerebral...I know Doug Wilson personally from my youth and was mentored by his father...he comes from easily one of the more loving christian homes in my home town...
His worldview was obviously formed for this home...his view of God as well...
I could not help but notice that Hitchens referred to his mother...and i suspect his home either had an absent father or a distant one in his formative years...or a good father who was an atheist but i doubt the latter...
I do find his argument lucid and logical...obviously we humans have values and understand beauty...and no debate will convince a man of his worldview...
Only a piercing of the heart of some kind...
I work among refugees and have a friend who ministers among child male prostitutes in Thailand...
Their debate lacks a realism like Doug's perturbations on slavery in a Boise bookstore many year's ago but when my black as night Haitians walked in the whole room was struck dumb...
I have always felt that the strange dialogue in northern Idaho on southern slavery myopic...of the 2 Peter 1 kind...there are books written in the South by southern men who grapple in reality with the impact of the war between the states...
It really will not be taken seriously by those who grapple with race issue like i do...in Boise...
So i did enjoy the talk...both men were fun to listen to but I ask you bring in a person who has been deeply delivered by our Lord from the horrors of our world...who will cry to whom else can we find redemption...
I am certain what fuels the against of Hitchens are very real things that occurred to him as a young person and I am certain of such things in Doug...as well...
So bring in Dan Allender and discuss how a person deeply traumatized by sexual abuse can find the abundant life this side of heaven...how do these world views grapple with real suffering...period...
hope for those of so harmed is found in the Psalms and in the person of Jesus Christ...alone...my refugees and myself bear this out...
The difference between my afghan friends and an atheist in the face of tradgedy speaks strongly to the power of faith...
Furthermore Jefferson himself could not deny the words of Christ...one can forsake as vain mythology the miracles though the historicity of the resurrection is nearly undeniable but let us throw it out...
the words of Christ himself if followed will transform ones life and bring awe to his divinity...God in human form...
I love Buddhism and respect the great Buddha...of all the religions of the world he rings the most true as one who sought truth...
Life is suffering...and suffering is within...escaping suffering is possible all true...the 4th noble truth the 8 fold path not a bad atrempt at finding truth...
Christ is truth and Suffered for all the suffering of our world...he stands alone as the only founder of a religion to be stripped and tortured so that a male prostitute in Thailand can find deliverance in this suffering savior...Christ...
i would like their debate to be done in the context of a slum somewhere in the states and address how these worldviews grapple with real suffering...
Thanks all...
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