Prominent New Atheist Wakes Up to His Main Error | Frank Turek | SPIRITUALITY | Rubin Report

Podcast Summary

• A book born from a comment and shared faith: Authors Turk and Geisler wrote 'I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist' based on Geisler's comment, driven by their faith and a desire to spread evidence for Christianity.

  That the authors Frank Turk and Norman Geisler wrote the book "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist" based on a comment made by Geisler during a talk about the fine-tuning argument for the existence of God. Both authors were brought together by their shared faith and the desire to spread the evidence for Christianity. Turk's journey to faith began in the Navy when he read books by Josh McDowell, while Geisler was a prominent figure in Christian apologetics. The book was initially published in 2004 and its title was a point of contention with the publisher. The atheist movement, which gained prominence in the early 2000s with the Four Horsemen, has seen a decline in recent years, with some prominent figures distancing themselves from the movement.

• The evolving relationship between atheism, religion, and politics: Atheists are recognizing the pragmatic benefits of religion, especially Christianity, as a potential bulwark against radical ideologies, while 'wokeism' is prioritizing equity over religious teachings, prompting Christians to engage in politics to protect their faith and beliefs.

  The relationship between atheism, religion, and politics has evolved significantly in recent years. The New Atheist Movement, which emerged in response to 9/11 and was characterized by a rejection of all religions, is giving way to a more nuanced understanding of the role of religion in society. Some atheists, like Richard Dawkins, are recognizing the pragmatic benefits of religion and even Christianity as a potential bulwark against radical ideologies. However, the landscape has shifted, and the new challenge comes from "wokeism," which some argue has become a cult rather than a religion. This trend is not limited to pastors but is affecting various religious communities, leading many to prioritize equity over religious teachings. Christians, in particular, should engage in politics to protect their ability to practice their faith and live according to their beliefs, as the rules and laws made by governments impact how people are treated.

• Arguments for God's existence based on causation and design: The universe's beginning, causation, and intricate design suggest a creator with God-like attributes. While not definitive proof, these arguments provide compelling reasons to consider God's existence.

  The existence of God can be rationalized through the concept of causation and the observation of design in the universe. According to the speaker, if we accept that the universe had a beginning, then there must be a creator with the attributes of being spaceless, timeless, immaterial, powerful, personal, and intelligent. This creator could be identified as God, but only if one can also establish the resurrection of Jesus as a fact. Another argument for God's existence is the teleological argument, which posits that the intricacy and complexity of the universe point to an intelligent designer. These arguments, while not definitive proof, provide compelling reasons to consider the possibility of God's existence.

• Evidence for a Designer from the Universe and Biological Complexity: The fine-tuning of the universe and intricate biological structures suggest a designer, as the odds of these conditions occurring by chance are extremely low.

  The fine-tuned nature of the universe and the complexity of biological organisms, including the human body, provide strong evidence for the existence of a designer, as discussed in the discussion on the design argument. The odds of various constants and conditions being just right for life to exist are incredibly low, making it more reasonable to assume that they were intentionally set rather than happening by chance. Additionally, the existence of intricate and complex information-carrying structures within cells, such as DNA, further supports the idea of a designer. The moral argument also suggests that without a transcendent standard of righteousness, there would be no objective moral truths, leading to societal chaos and confusion. Overall, these arguments provide compelling reasons to believe in the existence of a God.

• Accepting Jesus as a substitute for moral transgressions: Christianity is about receiving forgiveness and righteousness through faith in Jesus, not creating a new moral code.

  According to the speaker, Christianity is not about creating a new moral code for people to follow, but rather about accepting Jesus as a substitute for our moral transgressions and receiving forgiveness and righteousness in return. The speaker believes that God exists and that the Christian God is the true God, as evidenced by the existence of God and the resurrection of Jesus. In society, the speaker advocates for religious freedom and the establishment of a government based on moral absolutes derived from God's nature, which is consistent with the moral law found in Christianity but not limited to it. The speaker also notes that in today's culture, there is a lack of self-evident truths and that suppressing the truth can lead to a depraved mind.

• The inherent human need for belief and understanding gender identity: The speaker challenges the notion of fixed genders in transgenderism and questions the self-defeating nature of materialism in atheism. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the human need for belief and understanding the complexities of gender identity.

  The concept of transgenderism presupposes the existence of fixed genders, as individuals cannot identify as a different gender without understanding what it means to be their current gender. This idea contradicts the notion that gender is completely fluid. Additionally, the speaker argues that the idea of transcendence and something beyond the physical world is innate to humans, and materialism, the main atheistic view, is self-defeating as it reduces us to mere molecular machines. The speaker also suggests that people will always believe in something, whether it be religion or not, and the lack of imagination and magic in atheistic views may not resonate with many people. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the inherent human need for belief and understanding the complexities of gender identity.

• Atheism lacks objective justification for morality: Atheism can't objectively explain why actions are good, using God as a moral compass, and may struggle to provide a solid moral foundation over long periods.

  According to the speaker, while atheists like Christopher Hitchens, Carl Sagan, and Albert Einstein could live good lives and know right from wrong, they cannot objectively justify why those actions are good if there is no God. The speaker uses the analogy of speed limit signs and traffic authorities to illustrate this point. The speaker also mentions that Hitchens, during a debate on the existence of God, often strayed from the topic and instead focused on criticizing religious figures like Mother Teresa. The speaker suggests that atheism may not be able to "scale" and provide a solid foundation for moral living over long periods of time, and that the purpose of life, in his view, is to know and serve God, which will naturally lead to a moral life.

• The centrality of grace and forgiveness in Christianity: Understand the importance of forgiveness in Christianity, appreciate history for perspective, and live a moral life out of gratitude for God's grace.

  According to the speaker, the concept of grace and forgiveness is a central tenet of Christianity. He emphasizes that humans are inherently unjust and in need of forgiveness, which is provided by Jesus, who came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. The speaker also stresses the importance of understanding history to gain perspective and connect philosophical underpinnings. During a recent trip to Israel, he was struck by the excavation and preservation of historical sites, which he believes underscores the Jewish homeland's long history. He mentioned that some archaeologists, like Eli Shoukron, are believers, while others may not be publicly open about their faith. Overall, the speaker's message revolves around the idea of seeking forgiveness, recognizing history, and living a moral life out of gratitude for God's grace.

• The connection between Judaism and Christianity: The Bible's prophecies show the interconnectedness of Judaism and Christianity, and the historical significance of Israel's return to its homeland. It's important to consider evidence for the truth of these religions, rather than letting emotions dictate our beliefs.

  The Jewish and Christian religions are interconnected, with Christianity being seen as the continuation of the Jewish story. This connection is evident in prophecies like Isaiah 53, which describes a suffering servant centuries before Jesus' birth. The speakers also noted the historical significance of Israel's return to its homeland in 1948, which is foretold in Isaiah 11. Despite this, there are ongoing conflicts in the Middle East regarding the Jewish homeland. The speakers emphasized that if hostility towards Christianity or Judaism stems from a reluctance to accept these religions as true, then it is rooted in emotions rather than reason. They encouraged people to consider the evidence for the truth of these religions and to be open to the possibility that they might be true, even if it goes against their personal desires.

• Understanding human nature for societal balance: Acknowledging human inherent selfishness leads to balanced policies and functional society

  True contentment in life comes from living in accordance with truth and seeking a relationship with God. However, many people, driven by their inherent selfishness, resist this and instead pursue short-term happiness at the expense of long-term fulfillment. This perspective is reflected in the founding principles of America, which acknowledge the need for checks and balances due to the fallen human heart. Unfortunately, some on the left deny this inherent selfishness and believe people are inherently good, leading to flawed policies and systems. Ultimately, recognizing and acknowledging the truth about human nature is crucial for creating a balanced and functional society.