“Either human intelligence ultimately owes its origin to mindless matter; or there is a Creator. It is strange that some people claim that it is their intelligence that leads them to prefer the first to the second.” John Lennox.
John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University (emeritus), is an internationally renowned speaker on the interface of science, philosophy, and religion. In this interview, he talked about the objections to Christianity from the New Atheists and pointed out the fallacies in their arguments.
1. The Limitations of Science: Lennox uses a thought experiment involving a cake to illustrate the limitations of science. He imagines a scenario where scientists are asked to analyze a cake. While they can provide a detailed scientific description of the cake’s composition, they cannot answer the question of why the cake was made in the first place. Lennox argues that science can address the “how” questions but falls short when it comes to explaining purpose or intent. He suggests that there might be a divine entity, akin to a creator, who has revealed the purpose of the universe, as proposed by Christianity.
2. Ethics Without God: Lennox addresses the question of whether morality can exist without belief in God. He distinguishes between two aspects: the capacity for individuals, regardless of their belief in God, to act morally and the basis for ethics. He argues that atheists can be morally upright because they possess a conscience. However, the fundamental question is whether there is a rational and objective basis for ethics without God. Lennox suggests that atheism struggles to provide such a foundation.
3. Atheism and Morality: Lennox delves into the famous question, “If God does not exist, everything is permissible.” He clarifies that this statement doesn’t mean atheists cannot be good people but rather raises the issue of whether moral absolutes exist in the absence of God. He argues that moral absolutes, like the inherent wrongness of torturing babies, seem to exist and suggests this as evidence for theism. He also mentions the challenge of deriving objective moral values from atheistic worldviews.
4. Religion and Fundamentalism: Lennox acknowledges the historical harm caused by fundamentalist religious movements but cautions against generalizing all religions. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between different religious beliefs and not conflating peaceful religious practices with violent fundamentalism. He also points out that the essence of Christianity is not violence but rather the rejection of violence, as exemplified by Jesus.
5. The Complexity of God: Lennox responds to the argument that God is too complex of an explanation for the universe’s existence. He contends that the complexity of an explanation doesn’t invalidate its truth. He uses examples from science, such as the increasing complexity of scientific theories, to illustrate that complexity can be an inherent part of accurate explanations. He argues that complexity does not negate the existence of God.
6. God of the Gaps: Lennox clarifies his position on the “God of the gaps” argument. He asserts that his faith in God is not based on using God to fill gaps in scientific knowledge. Instead, he believes in God based on what he does understand, such as the order and intelligibility of the universe. He distinguishes between “bad gaps” where scientific knowledge is lacking and gaps that genuinely challenge scientific understanding.
7. The Role of the Mind in Faith: Lennox underscores the importance of engaging the intellect in matters of faith and religion. He argues that intellectual engagement with one’s faith is vital for articulating and defending religious beliefs effectively. He encourages Christians to deepen their understanding of their faith and engage in meaningful discussions to bridge the gap between faith and reason. Lennox addresses the misconception that faith and reason are opposed. He clarifies that faith, in the sense of trust or belief, is not inherently irrational. Instead, he promotes evidence-based faith, meaning that faith should be supported by reasons and evidence. Lennox points out that atheists can also be viewed as having “faith” in the reliability of human reason and the rational intelligibility of the universe. In essence, trusting that the human mind can comprehend the natural world. This trust, however, may lack a solid foundation in an atheistic worldview where human intelligence is considered a product of unguided processes.
8. Science and Worldview: Lennox acknowledges that individuals with different worldviews can interpret the same scientific evidence differently. He highlights that a person’s worldview can influence how they interpret scientific findings. He uses Richard Dawkins as an example of an atheist whose atheistic worldview shapes his interpretation of scientific evidence.
9. Suffering and Evil: Lennox addresses the problem of suffering and evil in the context of belief in God. He acknowledges that from an intellectual standpoint, atheism may appear to provide a solution to the problem of suffering by suggesting that there is no divine plan or purpose behind it. However, he argues that atheism can leave individuals in a state of hopelessness because there is no transcendent source of hope to turn to in times of suffering. Lennox believes that hope is crucial for helping people endure suffering, and atheism, by denying the existence of God, removes that source of hope. In contrast, Christianity provides hope by emphasizing that God has not remained distant from human suffering but has experienced it through Jesus Christ, promising ultimate justice and compensation beyond this life.
10. Engaging in Apologetics: Lennox emphasizes the importance of Christians engaging in apologetics, which is the practice of defending and explaining their faith. He suggests that merely reading books about Christianity is not enough; believers should actively engage in conversations with others to understand their questions and doubts. Lennox also highlights the importance of being genuinely interested in what others think, asking questions, and seeking to understand their perspectives. He advises Christians to be honest when they don’t know the answers to questions and to be willing to find answers, fostering a sincere and respectful dialogue.
11. Evidence for God in Nature: Lennox argues that evidence for God’s existence can be found in the natural world. He references the idea that many early scientists believed that the order and intelligibility they observed in nature pointed to a divine Creator. He also mentions the concept of fine-tuning, which is the idea that the fundamental constants of the universe are precisely set to allow for the existence of life. The fine-tuning argument suggests that the universe’s parameters seem purposefully designed, which could be indicative of a creator.
12 T Miracles and Science: Lennox explores the compatibility of science and miracles. They contend that scientific observations may make miracles seem improbable, but the understanding of corresponding regularities is crucial. They emphasize that recognizing a miracle often requires an understanding of the norm or regularity it departs from. The speaker suggests that the historical evidence, particularly in the context of Jesus’ resurrection, should be examined critically when evaluating miracles.