Adelaide Chapter

The God of the gaps by Brian Schroeder

May 14, 2020

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Date/Time
Date(s) - 14/05/2020
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Location
Online

Categories


“For you are not to learn everything from me,
but to take pains yourselves also and enquire further,
lest ye become more dull-witted.”
(Homilies of John Chrysostom – 347-407 AD)

Our next public meeting will be:

“The God of the Gaps” by Brain Schroeder

According to Wikipedia, the “God of the gaps” is a theological perspective in which gaps in scientific knowledge are cited as evidence or proof of God’s existence.

This would have been a particularly attractive position at a time when people knew almost nothing, and could thus ascribe everything to God, but now that we know more and more, is God is getting squeezed out? Failures in gap arguments in the past have been embarrassing and counter-productive.

Are we in the process of eliminating God, or do gaps we still point to God, or is this an entirely erroneous concept in the first place? Are the gaps decreasing or increasing? Should we totally abandon all scientific gap arguments? Does this automatically disqualify all scientific arguments for God’s existence?

When atheists are confronted with a gap, they quip, “We currently don’t know, but one day we will find out”. That can be used to explain anything and so explains nothing. Are they just as guilty of arguing from lack of evidence?

Brian Schroeder will present the issues, and argue for the standard Christian response to this question.

Brian Schroeder is a Reasonable Faith committee member. He has BSc and BA degrees from Adelaide University (Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics), and an MA in Theology.

When: 7 pm, Thursday 14th May 2020 (Adelaide time)

Join from a PC, Mac, iOS or Android: https://unisa.zoom.us/j/96822985039?pwd=K2hkWWZCa2lPc0Z6VmtsUDd2K1Jadz09

Password: 854680

Program for this year

The meetings for the remainder of this year are currently planned as follows:

 

Date Topic Person
28-May-20  Papias of Hierapolis Kevin Rogers
11-Jun-20  Cyber Sex Tom Daly
25-Jun-20  Wild Sex – the Implications” Geoff Russell
09-Jul-20  The Spanish Inquisition Steve White
23-Jul-20  Recommended topic by RTB Hugh Ross
06-Aug-20  How do you (can I) know Christianity is true? Brian Schroeder
20-Aug-20  TBD Matt Gray
03-Sep-20  Form Criticism Kevin Rogers
17-Sep-20  The hate of God. Geoff Russell
08-Oct-20  Transhumanism Tom Daly
22-Oct-20  Are Allah and the Christian God the same God? Brian Schroeder
12-Nov-20  The Bible and slavery Steve White
26-Nov-20  Are some NT books forged? Kevin Rogers
10-Dec-20  TBD Matt Gray

Our You Tube Site

Our You Tube site contains recordings of our presentations and discussions. The most recent video is “Fine Tuning and the Multiverse” by Stephen White.

Anyone can comment on our site and we get plenty. Our site is a popular target for opponents of Christianity, but we still get quite a few encouraging and supportive comments. The latest is “Good content. I hope this channel makes it big One day!” That is not our specific aim, but we will see what comes.

About Reasonable Faith Adelaide

Reasonable Faith Adelaide is a local chapter of Reasonable Faith, which is a world-wide Christian apologetics organisation, led by William Lane Craig. The meaning of “apologetics” comes from the Greek word “Apo-logia” which is used in 1 Peter 3:15. “Apo” is a preposition that means “from” and “logia” is a noun that means “word” or “intelligent reasoning”. It is the Greek word from which we get “logic”. Apologia is often translated as “answer” or “defence” but can also be translated as “from intelligent reasoning”, “from logic” or “from evidence”. It was used to describe a reasoned defence in a law court.

We present or debate on subjects that relate to the truthfulness of the Christian faith and also consider common objections. We aim to engage with people of all persuasions. We try to be educational rather than combative. We also aim to be honest and open.

Before COVID-19, our format was to have a presentation, then a short supper and follow that with an open discussion where all can participate.  We now use ZOOM. We still have a presentation and an open discussion, but you will have to provide your own supper. The meetings are designed to appeal to all people, regardless of their beliefs. All are welcome to attend.

Sometimes we have polished guest speakers, but most of the time lay people do the presentations. This is intentional and we believe that most of our people have done very well. We equip lay people with knowledge and communication skills. We encourage them to do the research, get practice at giving talks to the public and to receive constructive feedback. We also invite speakers who do not represent the Christian perspective to encourage dialogue beyond church walls.

Reasonable Faith meetings are held every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month between 7 & 9 pm.

Regards,

Kevin Rogers,

Director, Reasonable Faith Adelaide

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