Freethought & Rationalism Archive

ApostateAbe · 02-07-2011, 09:23 PM

I just now caught an article in the Christian Post.

Apologists Make Defending Faith a Coffee House Affair

It is about Josh McDowell's new book, an apologetic-themed fiction story about a college student who becomes an agnostic. The article summarizes:

The books include references to challenges posed by the popular YouTube video Zeitgeist, outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins, and New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman, among others.

So, which of those three challenges is not like the others?

In the first novel, Nick, the main character, is challenged by a college professor about whether the Bible can be trusted. He briefly becomes an agnostic, lives a lifestyle that he previously thought was wrong, and sets out to write a research paper on how Christianity stole from pagan mythology.

Yeah. I know where this is going.

Eventually, however, Nick resolves his intellectual skepticism with the help of a scholarly teaching assistant.

In the past, when Christian apologists said things that are improbable, it pissed me off. Now, when they are saying things that are perfectly probable, it pisses me off even more.

Toto · 02-08-2011, 12:53 AM

This is apologetic fantasy. Josh McDowell is recycling his Evidence that Demands a Verdict. In his fantasy world, he wins all the arguments and atheists convert to Christianity.

You can read parts of the novellas here. You can read about a young woman who turned her life over to Jesus and is now beautiful and accomplished and runs marathons.

Quote:

In The Coffee House Chronicles, Nick, Andrea, and Lauren dared to ask the unthinkable questions:

•Is the Bible True...Really?
•Who is Jesus...Really?
•Did the Resurrection Happen...Really?

Unthinkable? ...Really?

James Brown · 02-09-2011, 09:34 AM

Sounds like someone is jealous of the financial success of The Shack (or via: amazon.co.uk).

neo5apien · 02-12-2011, 11:07 AM

Evidence that Demands a Verdict delayed my apostasy for quite a while. McDowell can be very convincing for Christians.

Perspicuo · 02-12-2011, 11:16 AM

I guess in our lifetime we will also have a muslim McDowell. Brace yourselves.

I guess that will have a good side and a downside. Down: more apologetics, this time for an ascending sect. Upside: Comparing McDowell with McMohammad will show how anything can be defended... que el papel aguanta todo lo que le pongan.

Toto · 02-12-2011, 12:34 PM

There is something in the latest New Yorker expose on Scientology that I think explains the methods of Christian apologetics.

Quote:

Privately, he told me, he remained troubled by the church’s theology, which struck him as “intergalactic spirituality.” He was grateful, however, to have an auditor who was “really smart, sweet, thoughtful. I could always go to talk to him.” The confessionals were helpful. “It just felt better to get things off my chest.” Even after his incredulous reaction to O.T. III, he continued to “move up” the Bridge. He saw so many intelligent people on the path, and expected that his concerns would be addressed in future levels. He told himself, “Maybe there is something, and I’m just missing it.” . . .

No one can be an expert on everything, so we have to rely on others' expertise in most areas. Campus Crusade for Christ seems to be trying to push intelligent sounding people like William Lane Craig so that students will think that, if they just invested the time into studying Christian theology, they too would come to see the truth of Christianity.

Quote:

. . . When Haggis felt doubts about the religion, he recalled 16-mm. films he had seen of Hubbard’s lectures from the fifties and sixties. “He had this amazing buoyancy,” Haggis says. “He had a deadpan humor and this sense of himself that seemed to say, ‘Yes, I am fully aware that I might be mad, but I also might be on to something.’ ”

...

Haggis expected that, as an O.T. VII, he would feel a sense of accomplishment, but he remained confused and unsatisfied. He thought that Hubbard was “brilliant in so many ways,” and that the failing must be his. ....

Toto · 02-12-2011, 12:45 PM

For the record, if anyone reading this still thinks that Josh McDowell has a coherent argument, you can read The Jury is In: The Ruling on McDowell's "Evidence"

Minimalist · 02-12-2011, 05:06 PM

Does anyone else find that floating navigation bar in the library as annoying as I do?

At least give us a pop-up sex ad or something worth looking at.

Vivisector · 02-15-2011, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neo5apien

Evidence that Demands a Verdict delayed my apostasy for quite a while. McDowell can be very convincing for Christians.

I think he's just playing to the crowd, Neo. I suspect his style of argumentation works best for those who already want to believe, and following McDowell's hand waving can perhaps provide Christians with some sense of having critically examined their faith.

Cheers,

V.

winstonjen · 03-14-2011, 11:59 PM

Wasn't this plagiarised by Brock Lawley (YouTube's theatheistantidote) as Everydayness?

02-07-2011, 09:23 PM	#1
ApostateAbe Contributor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MT Posts: 10,656	Josh McDowell's "The Coffeehouse Chronicles" I just now caught an article in the Christian Post. Apologists Make Defending Faith a Coffee House Affair It is about Josh McDowell's new book, an apologetic-themed fiction story about a college student who becomes an agnostic. The article summarizes: The books include references to challenges posed by the popular YouTube video Zeitgeist, outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins, and New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman, among others. So, which of those three challenges is not like the others? In the first novel, Nick, the main character, is challenged by a college professor about whether the Bible can be trusted. He briefly becomes an agnostic, lives a lifestyle that he previously thought was wrong, and sets out to write a research paper on how Christianity stole from pagan mythology. Yeah. I know where this is going. Eventually, however, Nick resolves his intellectual skepticism with the help of a scholarly teaching assistant. In the past, when Christian apologists said things that are improbable, it pissed me off. Now, when they are saying things that are perfectly probable, it pisses me off even more.

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02-09-2011, 09:34 AM	#3
James Brown Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Texas, U.S. Posts: 5,844	Sounds like someone is jealous of the financial success of The Shack (or via: amazon.co.uk).

02-12-2011, 11:07 AM	#4
neo5apien Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,592	Evidence that Demands a Verdict delayed my apostasy for quite a while. McDowell can be very convincing for Christians.

02-12-2011, 11:16 AM	#5
Perspicuo Moderator - History of Non Abrahamic Religions, General Religious Discussions Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Latin America Posts: 6,620	I guess in our lifetime we will also have a muslim McDowell. Brace yourselves. I guess that will have a good side and a downside. Down: more apologetics, this time for an ascending sect. Upside: Comparing McDowell with McMohammad will show how anything can be defended... que el papel aguanta todo lo que le pongan.

02-12-2011, 12:45 PM	#7
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	For the record, if anyone reading this still thinks that Josh McDowell has a coherent argument, you can read The Jury is In: The Ruling on McDowell's "Evidence"

02-12-2011, 05:06 PM	#8
Minimalist Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,808	Does anyone else find that floating navigation bar in the library as annoying as I do? At least give us a pop-up sex ad or something worth looking at.

03-14-2011, 11:59 PM	#10
winstonjen Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,425	Wasn't this plagiarised by Brock Lawley (YouTube's theatheistantidote) as Everydayness?

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