Episode 22 - Kalam Cosmological Argument plus Adam and Eve

Episode 22 – Show Notes We take two topics connected the beginning of the world, at least as presented early in the book of Genesis. Firstly for “Reason and God” we turn to an argument not covered in the 50 Arguments for Faith book but nevertheless well-liked by apologists: the Kalam Cosmological Argument. It will be familiar to many of our listeners so we discuss it in general and make a few personal observations on it rather than cover all the many problems its detractors identify. For example:Frances discusses a possible conflict with a belief which is cherished by many theists: libertarian freewill,Andrew enjoys comparing this pure philosophy to Genesis chapter 1, and Ed hones in on definitions of the term Universe and how this, for him, undermines the whole enterprise. Here are some links we mention:Skydive Phil on Unbelievable on the beginning of the universe:https://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable/Episodes/Unbelievable-Has-the-Big-Bang-gone-bust-Phil-Harper-Jeff-ZweerinkThat infinite number of events issue, as discussed on the ‘Atheology’ Podcasthttps://www.stitcher.com/podcast/realatheology/real-atheology/e/55767664And the ‘Atheology’ Podcast more generally on Kalam:https://player.fm/series/real-atheology/ra019-the-kalam-cosmological-argumentOur second topic, under “Christian Diversity”, is on Adam and Eve as actual historical figure. We note a surprising lack of diversity on this in Christian thought. We give a survey of the more moderate end of evangelical thinking as well as the Catholic and Orthodox denominations in a search for Christians rejecting this unscientific idea of one couple being the ‘parents’ of all mankind. Ed had thought it was the preserve of very conservative Christians such as Young Earth Creationists. However, we struggle to give examples of rejection of a historical Adam and Eve outside normal liberal believers. Some notable examples of adherence to traditional views are NT Wright - from 2m50s intohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BP1PpDyDCwThat 1950 Catholic Encyclical, paragraph 37:http://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_12081950_humani-generis.html?fbclid=IwAR001cF-lYxNRGLThICzRTvXyuDSbHx07hBW7gy2R1DudK7dtFf0Bgy938oThe Pontifical Academy of Sciences 22 October 1996 document backing up the 1950 Encyclical:https://humanorigins.si.edu/sites/default/files/MESSAGE%20TO%20THE%20PONTIFICAL%20ACADEMY%20OF%20SCIENCES%20(Pope%20John%20Paul%20II).pdf?fbclid=IwAR2HC4chdX4WB2WqwuKNylV2-s5Bm4hhAJUjpud1g8wF1erif7ino9SU3AMAn Orthodox modern theologian discussing this Irenaeus (130-202 AD) while laying into Ken Hamhttp://www.joeledmundanderson.com/irenaeus-of-lyon-and-the-early-churchs-teaching-of-adam-and-eve-part-1/And Andrew gave us this from “Creation Magazine”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jRlRyrl80EWe should include our friend Denis Alexander and his more nuanced take in our list of links:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbgMgOKF9u8 Doubts Aloud Links: Please leave us a review on iTunes and we will respond to any question asked there with the review. Or give feedback and ask questions using : [email protected] Join the Facebook Group discussions:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1023280847835278/Meet us all in person at the monthly “Unbelievable Christian and Skeptic Discussion Group” in central London, see:https://www.meetup.com/Unbelievable-Christian-and-Skeptic-Discussion-Group-London