There are two ways of understanding the definition of fine-tuner: a positive and negative definition. By fine-tuner in the positive sense I mean a mind, or agent, capable of articulating information (non-noise information or a specified and complex information). Not only would this mind be merely capable in articulating this information but also intended to articulate the precise information we find in nature. The negative definition is the negation of necessity, regularity, mindless chance, or any other combination of the sort. Note that a fine-tuner is distinct from a mere intelligence since intelligence can mimic regularity or chance, and thereby rendering its actions indistinguishable from regularity or chance.[1] Thus, it’s important to recognize the combination of the two definitions, which serve different explanatory roles but are identical in reference.
Defining ‘Fine-Tuner’
A List of Alleged Contradictions in the Gospels
I’ve provided a list of alleged contradictions in the New Testament from a file I’ve found floating around the internet. This is so you know what someone is talking about when this comes up in discussion. Some of them had explanations that were blatantly obvious and weren’t problematic at all but I’ve saved some interesting one’s for your consideration. Even so, some of these are a bit easy to harmonize. However, don’t be so quick to lay down a Christian trump card. Carefully consider what’s going on and work through it. I do affirm biblical inerrancy and I would recommend several books to address the issues of such alleged contradictions:
Mike Licona’s The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach
Ed Komoszewski, M. James Sawyer, and Dan Wallace’s Reinventing Jesus
What is Presuppositionalism?
Scripture urges us to behold heaven and earth, birds and flowers and lilies, in order that we may see and recognize God in them. ”Life up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these.” Is. 40.26. Scripture does not reason in the abstract. It does not make God the conclusion of a syllogism, leaving it to us whether we think the argument holds or not. But it speaks with authority. Both theologically and religiously it proceeds from God as the starting point.
We receive the impression that belief in the existence of God is based entirely upon these proofs. But indeed that would be “a wretched faith, which, before it invokes God, must first prove his existence.” The contrary, however, is the truth… Of the existence of self, of the world around us, of logical and moral laws, etc., we are so deeply convinced because of the indelible impressions which all these things make upon our consciousness that we need no arguments or demonstration. Spontaneously,altogether involuntarily: without an constraint or coercion, we accept that existence.
Mormonism 101
I was listening to James White’s ‘Dividing Line’ podcast today and he was on a roll discussing politics and Mormonism. I’d consider White to be one of the leading apologists in the Mormon area. He brought attention to this Mormonism 101 post. What I find the most interesting aspect about Mormonism is that it’s the most polytheistic religion in the world. Islam is closer to Christianity. If you’re interested, check out the material.
Mormonism 101: Badly Needed in our Culture Today
Mormonism 101: The First Vision Continued
Mormonism 101: More on the LDS Scripture’s View of God
This is just a small section, please read the rest over at AOMIN.org.
Formulating a Modest Fine-Tuning Argument
The fine-tuning argument argues that when the physics and the laws of nature are expressed mathematically their values are ever so balanced in a way that permits the existence of life. This claim is made on the basis that existence of vital substances such as carbon, and the properties of objects such as stable long-lived stars, depend rather sensitively on the values of certain physical parameters, and on the cosmological initial conditions.[1] I’m merely arguing that the universe/multiverse is fine-tuned for the essential building blocks and environments that life requires for cosmic and biological evolution to even occur. The argument has several different forms in contemporary literature. The deductive and inductive forms will tend be quite problematic. Abductive reasoning, or inference to the best explanation, along with the role of probability,is the best methodology and form for the fine-tuning argument.
The Unbelievable? Conference is Giving a Skeptical World Reasons to Believe
Justin Brierley and Primer Christian Radio is hosting an apologetics conference this year in partnership with Hugh Ross and Ken Samples with Reasons to Believe. The theme of the conference is ‘Giving a Skeptical World Reasons to Believe.’ For all my UK brothers and skeptic friends, I hope that you’re able to make it to the conference. For those of us across the pond it’s very likely that we won’t be able to make it. There are DVD’s that are made afterwards, which are available for purchase. This is excellent material to help equip you to understand and respond to questions about the faith. A few of the speakers include Hugh Ross, Ken Samples, Michael Green, John Lennox, Krish Kandiah, Bonnie Yule-Kuehne, and more. What’s very important is that you absorb this material yourself. I remember hearing Dan Wallace say that the road to hell is lined with the bones of apostate apologists. This knowledge will be edifying for the saints. Use it. Know it. Share it. Please pray for the speakers and for minds to be opened, that fruit will blossom, and that people may be saved as a result of this knowledge.
Unbelievable? The Conference 2102 Giving a Skeptical World Reasons to Believe
Saturday 26 May beginning at 9.30 AM
Transformation House, St. John’s Hill, Clapham SW11 2AA
Unbelievable? The Conference: Giving a Skeptical World Reasons to Believe
Most of my blog followers are from North America but I do have several followers in the UK. I want to promote this conference coming up hosted by Premier Christian Radio’s Unbelievable? hosted by Justin Brierly and partnering with Hugh Ross and Reasons to Believe.
We live in a sceptical world. Atheism has taken on an evangelistic tone in the UK. Secularists claim to have a monopoly on reason. So how should the Church respond?
Premier Christian Radio presents an apologetics day conference aimed at equipping everyday Christians with reasons for the truth of their faith. The conference will also focus on how to share these truths in a fruitful and engaging way.
This year’s Conference partner is Reasons To Believe – a Christian apologetics teaching and research organisation with the mission to spread the Christian Gospel by demonstrating that sound reason and scientific research consistently uphold, rather than erode, confidence in the truth of the Bible.
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