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Is faith blind? Steve, young people, and big questions in Ayr.
The evening before our major Confident Christianity conference in Riverside Church, Ayr – I was invited to speak at a Friday night youth event. At Solas one of our ambitions is to do an outreach event every time we do a training event for Christians, and Riverside wanted something for their young people. Combining those two aims, made for a very enjoyable Friday evening youth outreach.
The title I was given was “Is Belief in God Just Blind Faith?”, a topic I looked at from various scientific, philosophical, historical, and biblical perspectives. Around fifty teenagers were there, from several churches around the town, because the churches seem to have good relationships with one another in Ayr! Judging by the questions and conversations I had, most of the people who were there, were already Christians, or at least in churches. One or two responses were definitely from young people who were still in the process of checking-out the Christian faith for themselves.
We had a good and very wide-ranging Q&A session with the young people, which lasted about 25 minutes, following my 20-minute talk. It was interesting to see that they focussed in on the ‘science’ ‘part of my talk more than anything else. One young man then asked a very deep and profound question, which was a real challenge – but a joy to respond to. I tried to directly engage his question, but also to weave the gospel into my answer as it’s really the framework which it provides which is a ‘better story’ in these contexts. It was really encouraging to hear from several people on the Sunday how much that young man had appreciated having his question taken seriously and responded to in depth. This is a reminder, that we really must engage with people’s genuine heartfelt questions, and not dismiss them – and that it is vital that we address the mind as well as the heart. We are often told that young people want things ‘dumbed-down’, but it isn’t true. They have serious and important things to say, and big questions which are worthy of thoughtful responses which they invariably appreciate. It certainly mattered a lot to this one young man.
We’d love to come to your church and your town to do some evangelism and some evangelism-training too, like this event in Ayr. We work all over the country – and no church is too small! So please get in touch if you’d like to find out more about what we can offer.
PEP Talk with John Ghanim
Today’s PEP Talk comes from a former Muslim who encountered Jesus in a powerful way. He gives us important reminders of the cost that can come from following Jesus – losing family, job and country. Whilst his journey to faith is full of passion and joy, it is also a great reminder to appreciate our freedoms and blessings in the West. How can we then use these freedoms to reach Muslims and support those who convert, often at great personal cost?
With John Ghanim – PEP Talk
Our Guest
John Ghanim is a passionate Christian influencer, evangelist, and full-time missionary. After leaving Islam in 2014 and spending three years as an agnostic, his life was transformed at the end of 2017 when he encountered Jesus. Called to be an evangelist, John now dedicates his life to sharing Christ with all nations. With a background in business administration from his time in Yemen, he uses his experience and unwavering faith to inspire and equip believers worldwide. Follow him on social media here.
About PEP Talk
The Persuasive Evangelism Podcast aims to equip listeners to share their faith more effectively in a sceptical world. Each episode, Andy Bannister (Solas) and Kristi Mair (Oak Hill College) chat to a guest who has a great story, a useful resource, or some other expertise that helps equip you to talk persuasively, winsomely, and engagingly with your friends, colleagues and neighbours about Jesus.
Lab notes from the Faithful: Dr. Anke Ardern-Arentsen
Steve: Anke, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you based? And, when you’re not busy working in the sciences – which we’ll talk about in a moment – what keeps you busy?
Anke: Sure. I’m based in Cambridge where I work as a postdoctoral researcher, which means I spend most of my time at the University doing research. Originally, I’m from the Netherlands, so I’m still getting used to the different cultures in the UK compared to the Netherlands. Outside of work, I enjoy singing. I sing in a choir, the Cambridge University Gospel Choir, which is loads of fun! I also spend time at church and attend a Bible study group at church during the week. I enjoy playing board games online to kind of turn my brain off.
Steve: I’m always really fascinated by how people, especially in the sciences, get into the fields that they do, especially when it’s very specialized things. Reading your bio, it says that you are an observational astronomer in the field of galactic archaeology. I think that’s probably the best job title I’ve ever heard! I’d love my business card to say ‘galactic archaeologist’ – it’s brilliant.
What led you into pursuing astronomy in particular? And where did your studies begin?
Anke: I think one of the first things I remember related to astronomy is looking through a big telescope – well, actually a smallish one – for the first time and seeing the rings of Saturn and looking at Jupiter and seeing its beautiful cloud bands. That just really stuck with me. I remember talking about it at school – I think I was 10 – and telling everyone about it. In high school I was good at maths and physics, I really enjoyed solving the puzzles of the equations and finding the right answer, which is so satisfying. I think a lot of people have a very romantic view of astronomy, but it’s just physics with application to the universe. At first I didn’t think I wanted to make astronomy my job, because I thought I would stop loving it if I did. I really like languages as well, and I considered studying something language-related, but I went to some university open days and realized I really felt at home among scientists, and science was truly the thing I enjoyed doing, so that’s why I decided to study astronomy, and I’m very glad I did.
I studied my undergrad and masters in the Netherlands at the University of Groningen and then I went off to do a PhD in Germany in Potsdam. That’s when I really started working on the field of galactic archaeology. In University, I became fascinated by stars and the laws that govern stars to be the way they are. I remember learning about a very famous diagram in astronomy which shows the colour versus the brightness of stars, and there’s a very clear sequence where stars live, and they typically cannot be outside of it. And it’s purely fundamental physics that determines this, which I thought was so interesting. So, I went around asking for a project with the Hertzsprung Russell diagram and ended up working on stars and the history of stars and how that connects to the history of the Milky Way – which is what galactic archaeology is.
Steve: It’s such an interesting area of research. When I was growing up in South Africa I remember going on trips out into the bush and spending just hours and hours looking up at the starts on these beautifully clear nights. It’s really something that moves us to a sense of awe at the sheer size and beauty of the universe. Can you think of one highlight of your career so far?
Anke: During my PhD, I started building a new project from the ground up together with my supervisor, which is called the Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey, or ‘PIGS’ for short. It has taken many years to develop this project and see the harvest – getting the observations, doing the hard work, and then all the papers that that come out of that – has been incredibly rewarding. And I think it’s also the thing I’m known for within the field…PIGS! I’m not sure that’s the thing you want to be known for, ha-ha.
Steve: And what’s the main focus and goal of that project?
Anke: The purpose of the project is to find the oldest stars in the in the centre of the Milky Way. We typically can recognize them by their atmospheres being quite pristine in chemical elements, because when these stars formed in the early Universe, there were not many elements around yet. The Big Bang only produces hydrogen and helium, and the heavier elements get slowly built up over time after stars start forming and exploding and spreading their nuclear fusion products. The Sun for example is quite rich in elements. I am looking for the most element-poor stars. Mostly we look for these in other regions of the Milky Way, because the centre is quite difficult, but that’s where we expect the very oldest stars to be. We undertook the PIGS project to find these stars in the centre, and that has been quite successful.
Steve: I’ll ask you a little bit more about that in in a moment, but changing the subject for a moment, you mentioned that outside of the sciences work you’re quite involved with your church and even sing in a gospel choir! Tell me a little bit more about your Christian faith. How did you become a Christian, and what does that look like practically, is it a big part of your life?
Anke: So, I grew up in a Christian family, which I’m very grateful for, and have called myself a Christian as long as I can remember. There have been phases where I’ve started to think more deeply about various aspects of my faith. For example, when I started studying, and started interacting more closely with Christians from other backgrounds and people who did not believe in God. It was very helpful to be able to think through various questions with peers in the Christian student group I joined at my university.
I also started to think about science and faith a bit more at university, which continued during my PhD and is still ongoing! Growing up I felt a tension between mainstream science and the Christian faith. But then over the years, really studying astronomy and the history of the Universe for myself, I changed my perspective. Science tells us how God made it all, and it’s amazing – the way He set up the long and complex history of the universe from the beginning. Being a scientist, I very much think of God as the creator, as the Person who holds the universe in His hands. It’s also so amazing to have this really, really big picture of God, the Creator, and then seeing Jesus as God in human form. And that contrast, I think, enhances the beauty of the Christian story for me even more.
Steve: Thanks so much for sharing that. You alluded to the different ways that different Christian understand and interpret some things. Sometimes Christians can hold to certain interpretations that end up being wrong, but then again, so do scientist a lot of the time. So, I guess we all need to try being humble and keep learning and doing the best we can in interpreting the Bible and also interpreting the world around us with the tools of science. But sometimes that can lead to the idea that, well, science and faith must be at war. And that leads to my next question, specifically about your experience in the sciences. Many people have this idea that as a Christian you simply switch your brain off, and you should be in the sciences. Have you ever experienced that attitude in the workplace or in the world of research?
Anke: I have very rarely experienced any direct antagonism, and especially when people know I’m a Christian. If they don’t know you’re a Christian, they might make jokes about Christianity or faith, assuming that there’s no Christians in the room because we’re among scientists. I have experienced loneliness in thinking I’m the only Christian, and sometimes maybe a bit of the fear that people are going to be hostile against me if they find out I believe in God. But I very rarely actually experienced that. When I tell people, they generally are surprised but also intrigued in that I am a Christian and a scientist, and think I think they kind of respect that in some way.
Steve: I think the whole idea of there being a war between faith and science is really just promoted by a few very loud individuals in the popular media who’ve painted the picture. What about the idea that you have to switch your brain off? it’s almost like here’s the sciences – and, sure, you can have your faith – but it doesn’t touch on the sciences side of things at all?
Anke: In conversation, I would start by asking people why they think faith and science cannot go together. This will likely be based on their assumptions about the way the world works, their “worldview”. Then we can discuss those assumptions. And assumptions can be challenged, they can be changed, and they can be supported by evidence in various ways. I think science, in that sense, can be used as a tool to support or question different worldviews, but it’s not itself a worldview. Thinking about worldviews and science as a tool in that sense is quite helpful.
Steve: Yeah, that’s fantastic. And that, I think, is the difference between ‘science’ and ‘scientism’. You seem to be saying there that science can be a tool that can even, in a way, point to God – would you agree with that? Personally, I’m no great astronomer, but it’s something that I’m very interested in – especially as I engage with university students on the question of God’s existence. I’m sure you’re aware of the idea of the fine tuning of the universe to sustain life. With your background, what are your thoughts? Do you think there’s something useful there for Christians to use that data when they’re engaging with friends who are maybe a little sceptical?
Anke: Yes, I’m quite familiar with those arguments and the data. I think it can be summarized as the idea that the universe looks like it’s been set up very precisely. So, if you change some of the fundamental laws of nature, or the way that the ratio of matter to certain forces has been set up, that you wouldn’t get a Universe allowing life to exist.
For example, the speed of the expansion of the universe after the Big Bang. If it was slightly lower, the universe would have collapsed back in on itself due to gravity. So, there would not be a universe, and it’s kind of hard to get life in that case. Or if the universe expands too quickly, you’d have an empty universe. You would just get atoms so separated from each other they will never interact with each other, and you’d have the most boring universe possible. But what we actually have is that the expansion is very, very precise, and if it was even slightly different, we wouldn’t have this universe where you can get matter to clump together and form stars and galaxies and planets, etc.
Another example that’s close to my research area is the fact that we have the elements of the periodic table that we need for life to exist. If the balance of the fundamental forces was slightly different, you could end up with just hydrogen (protons), which is very boring! Or you can also have a scenario where you actually have no hydrogen at all. You only have the heavier elements, which is an issue in various ways but for example you wouldn’t have any water in that case. So again, that is the fundamental forces have been set up very precisely. But also, the fact that you have this long history in the universe of stars forming, they make all the elements. They explode. There are different types of explosions that make different elements. And we need all of these different things and billions of years of history of the universe to build it all up. I find that amazing.
So, we’re looking at all these things together. It was quite surprising to physicists who first discovered that everything was so precisely set up, and there’s no fundamental reason that the universe should be this way. So, it seems to be extremely unlikely if it happens at random, but it makes a lot of sense if there’s a designer to the universe who intended for there to be life inside the universe. Of course, in that case the designer would make a universe that can host and make life. So, I think the way this argument is helpful is to acknowledge it’s not proof, but it could be used as evidence. We never prove anything, except maybe in maths. But you can look at the evidence and see which scientific theory or which worldview it supports best. I think it all fits extremely well with the worldview in which there is a Creator God.
Steve: I like that approach – you’re looking for the inference to the best explanation, which is part of the scientific method.
Anke: Yes. And if people are interested in fine-tuning, I would recommend a book titled ‘A Fortunate Universe’ by Lewis and Barnes, which really goes into the physics of fine tuning. It’s written by a non-believer and a believer, both physicists. For many chapters they discuss all the different examples of fine tuning and exactly how fine-tuned all these different things are. Then in the final chapter they have a discussion with each other about the interpretation. So, I would recommend that if people are willing to sit in the detailed examples of fine tuning as well as the interpretation of it.
Steve: So, here’s a related question: what do you think for you personally is one of the strongest arguments for the existence of God?
Anke: I think for people like me, people interested in the sciences, it’s quite helpful to use arguments from science. We all value science very much, and it’s useful to establish this shared basis and then point out that there are some surprising things in science that are a bit puzzling if you have a worldview that is not theism. For example, the fact that the universe is fine-tuned, that it’s orderly, that there are laws of nature that describe the universe in a very simple way, and that it results in a cosmos that is stable and predictable. It definitely didn’t need to be this way. To me, that reflects the reliability of the Creator. It tells us something about the character of the Creator, as well as the fact that there is a Creator.
Adding something for me personally too, I think for Christianity specifically, the thing that I keep coming back to is the trustworthiness of the Gospels. As just one example, there are some very surprising things in the Gospels that wouldn’t make sense if they were made up stories, supporting that they were written by eyewitnesses. There is so much good material related to this, which I’m glad I can rely on.
Steve: You’re right when it comes to engaging with those in the sciences. Starting from the science side of things and building your way up from there – that’s very helpful.
What would you say to young Christians who are maybe looking to enter the sciences, but they have some questions. They’ve maybe heard this idea that you have to either choose faith or science – but you can’t have both. How would you encourage them?
Anke: If you’re interested in the sciences, I would say go for it! I find it such a privilege to be able to study God’s creation during your studies, and now, even as a job I get paid to study God’s creation, which sometimes blows my mind. I think there’s nothing to be afraid of. God made the world, so it must be consistent with His character and what He revealed about himself in other ways. So, we should study it in in all of its beautiful detail. That’s what we’re called to do, especially if we have talents in in the sciences. Maybe that’s the way that God is hoping to use you in the future. One thing I would recommend is to look out for other Christians in science – look for other students and look for mentors and support each other.
Steve: Other side of the coin then: what would you say to someone who has been in the sciences, and maybe they’ve started seeing all of this data and felt a niggling and wondering if maybe it’s all pointing to something beyond the material physical realm. Maybe there is this God out there.
Anke: I guess the same thing. Go for it! What do you have to lose by looking into it, and what might there be to gain? What we do as scientists is to look at all the different evidence and weigh it up, to see what theory is best supported. So, you could just explore the evidence and the stories. You could investigate the assumptions that you have that might be preventing you from believing in God and ask if they really have to be true – or maybe there is another way of thinking about the world that might be more consistent!
Steve: Anke, thanks so much for taking the time to chat to me – it’s been really fascinating and encouraging.
Anke: My pleasure! Thanks for having me.
Student Mission in Aberdeen
I’m back home from Aberdeen after doing two events with Aberdeen University Christian Union (AUCU). The first was a lunch bar, on the topic of ‘Cancel Culture’ and ‘Is there any hope for forgiveness?’ It’s an important question which is highly relevant in today’s culture – including in higher education. This came about because the UCCG staff worker Sam Moore, had heard me speak at the CU at RGU.
About thirty students came along to the lunch which was good, including a good number of people who aren’t Christians but were interested in exploring this topic with us.
I looked at cancel-culture and asked if there was a better way? Examined what promotes actual change and asked the students to consider how we might all become better agents of reconciliation. I used the example of Nelson Mandela from my native South Africa to illustrate some of these points.
The Q&A that followed was interesting. It took a while for the conversation to get ging, so I offered a free copy of Have You Ever Wondered? to whoever asked the first question! It worked, someone asked the excellent question, ‘How can we forgive without excusing sin?’ It was phrased in terms of do we need to forgive and forget. But I don’t think we need to do that, if we forget sin, we don’t need to forgive it! Forgiveness acknowledges the wrong, and doesn’t say we allow it to continue either. It begins with an acceptance that we are all in need of forgiveness, and that there are consequences for our actions. On the part of the one doing the forgiving, it begins with a decision and a disposition, and the feelings come into line with that later – and may take some time. Forgiveness assumes an offence, and certainly doesn’t’ deny it! The phrase in South Africa was Truth and Reconciliation. Truth names the sin, reconciliation brings the parties together and you can’t have one without the other. Reconciliation without Truth is cheap grace and denial, and Truth without Reconciliation leads to a bloodbath, cycles of revenge. A talk I found very helpful on forgiveness is from Everett Worthington, and can be seen below:
I also spoke at an Aberdeen University Christian Union Accousitc night which was also at the Mission Church on the edge of the campus. It’s a great venue which the church are happy to see being used for student mission. About sixty students came along, many of whom had no Christian faith at all.
The topic I was given was “Is God the greatest activist?” So I began with the deliberately provocative statement “If God doesn’t exist we have no basis for activism” and that got us off to a lively start. I then unpacked that statement! The feedback at the end was that that opening salvo had made people think more than anything else that evening.
While people gathered for refreshments, the first acoustic band played. Then I did two ten-minute talks, followed by five-minute discussion times. My talks had used PowerPoint, and then I put up discussion questions on the screen too. During the Q&A time we were accompanied by an amazing string-quartet! And then we were entertained by a third band, who are hard to classify, but played kind-of contemporary acoustic hippie-music!
I was amazed at the quality of the music on offer. All the musicians were members of the Christian Union and were seriously good performers in three different genres. It was great to be part of it!
I Want to Know More About Christianity – Where Do I Begin?
We are seeing intriguing evidence, both anecdotal and surveyed, of increasing interest in spirituality and faith in the UK. Things like Bible sales and church attendance are surging, especially among young people searching for answers to life’s big questions. If you’re one of the curious, where can you begin to find out more about Christianity and the message of Jesus? Andy Bannister provides seven recommendations for you to try.
- Try praying. Give prayer (speaking to God) a chance. Visit the Try Praying website for a free guide to help you out.
- Take a careful look at the biographies of Jesus found in the Bible. We suggest starting with the Gospel of Mark. Explore this great introduction from UCCF.
- Lean into your questions. Jesus loved answering (and asking!) questions, so don’t be afraid of yours. Have a look at more of our Short Answers videos to see if we’ve addressed yours.
- Talk to a Christian friend. If you don’t think you have one, ask your colleagues or classmates – one of them might be an undercover Christian!
- Read and research. There are lots of great books out there to introduce you to the Christian message. We might be biased, but Have You Ever Wondered? is a pretty good one!
- Take a course. Churches up and down the country often host short, informal sessions to help people learn more about Christianity. Two of the most popular are the Alpha Course and Christianity Explored.
- Give church a go. If you are struggling to find one near you, contact us and we will do our best to help!
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Revisiting the ‘Fine-Tuning’ Argument
In the past few decades a broad consensus has emerged among physicists that a number of aspects of the physical cosmos appear to be ‘fine-tuned’ for life, which is to say, various aspects of its basic structure and of the fundamental laws that govern it are balanced on a knife-edge. If any of them had differed by only a very tiny amount, the universe would not have been capable of supporting life at all. Some of these ‘fine-tuned’ features of the universe are such that had they differed only very slightly, the universe would not even have contained galaxies and stars, let alone complex conscious creatures like ourselves.
There are many specific examples of fine-tuning.[1] Let’s look at just a couple. It’s been estimated by physicists that if the strength of gravity were different by just one part in 1060, there could be no stars and galaxies. A tiny bit stronger and all the matter would have collapsed back in on itself; a tiny bit weaker and the matter would have spread out too quickly for anything like galaxies or stars to be able to form. Another example is what’s known as the cosmological constant. The cosmological constant governs how fast space itself expands or contracts. A tiny bit too strong and the universe would have collapsed back on itself; a tiny bit too weak and the universe would have expanded too quickly for galaxies to be able to form. It’s estimated that the chance of the cosmological constant having a value that would permit life is roughly 1 in 1053.
To be sure, whilst physicists are broadly agreed that the universe exhibits fine-tuning, they don’t agree on the interpretation of this fact. Is it evidence that an intelligent mind stands behind the cosmos? Or does it even call our for explanation at all? These sorts of questions, I would suggest, fall not within the domain of physics but of philosophy.
Here’s one reason that someone might suggest that fine-tuning doesn’t call out for any explanation at all: “If the universe hadn’t been fine-tuned for life then we wouldn’t be here to notice that fact; there’s no other kind of universe we could have observed other than a fine-tuned universe; and so we shouldn’t be surprised to find ourselves in a fine-tuned universe.” The philosopher John Leslie has responded to this objection by way of an analogy.[2] Suppose that you’re about to be executed by a firing squad made up of fifty of the world’s finest marksmen. Each one of them has a live round in his rifle, and each of them has a fantastic aim. They raise their rifles, take aim, and fire, but to your amazement, you’re still alive — every single one of them has missed.
Obviously, you’d think, “this cries out for explanation; there must have been a setup; they must have all missed on purpose.” But suppose someone said to you, “Actually, you shouldn’t be amazed, after all, if the marksmen hadn’t all missed then you wouldn’t be here to wonder about it.” This is a flawed line of reasoning. It’s true that the only scenario you could witness is one in which the marksmen all miss. But the fact that they all missed is very improbable given the hypothesis that they all intended to kill you, and so you should look for another hypothesis to account for what happened. Similarly, it’s true that the only kind of universe we could observe is one which is fine-tuned, but the existence of a fine-tuned universe is very, very improbable given the hypothesis of sheer chance, and so we should look for another hypothesis.
What other hypotheses are on the table? One is that the fine-tuning of the universe is not the result of chance, but rather, the deliberate choice of a rational mind who stands behind the universe. Let’s call this the design hypothesis. But recently another hypothesis has received considerable attention. This is the multiverse hypothesis. The multiverse hypothesis postulates that our universe isn’t the only one, but that instead there exists a whole vast ensemble of universes, differing from one another with respect to their fundamental laws of physics and initial conditions. Given enough universes, the thought goes, at least one of them will have physical laws and initial conditions which make possible the emergence of life.
So the question is: does the multiverse hypothesis account for fine-tuning at least as well as the design hypothesis? The philosopher Robin Collins has written extensively on this question, suggesting that the multiverse hypothesis faces the following dilemma.[3] Either the multiverse is unrestricted — containing every logically possible universe — or it is restricted — containing only some of the logically possible universes. If the multiverse is restricted, then there remains an unanswered question about why the multiverse contains this set of universes rather than any other set, and so the fine-tuning problem is simply pushed up a level. On the other hand, if we appeal to an unrestricted multiverse to explain fine-tuning, this poses serious problems for the very idea of scientific explanation. In a nutshell, the problem is that if the unrestricted multiverse hypothesis is true, then every event that is logically possible is 100% probable — that is, if something is logically possible, then it actually happens somewhere in the multiverse. Suppose you roll a die 100 times and it lands on six every time. Normally, we would regard such an event as calling for an explanation in terms of the die being rigged. But if the unrestricted multiverse hypothesis is true, everything that is logically possible actually occurs, and that includes a fair die landing on six 100 times in a row. It seems like whenever something very surprising happens, the explanation will always just be “oh well, everything that is logically possible actually happens in an unrestricted multiverse, so don’t worry about it.” And that spells the end of scientific investigation. In short, the multiverse hypothesis has serious flaws that render it doubtful whether it really does rival the design hypothesis.
Finally, it’s important to note the limitations of the fine-tuning argument. Just taken on its own, the fine-tuning argument doesn’t show that the God of the Bible exists. But it does, arguably, give a fair amount of support to the hypothesis of an extremely powerful and extremely wise designer, and as such, the fine-tuning argument can form part of a wider cumulative case for Christian theism.
Dr Max Baker-Hytch received his doctorate in Philosophy from Oxford University in 2014. He is Tutor in Philosophy at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University.
Further reading:
Neil Manson (ed.), God and Design: The Teleological Argument and Modern Science (London: Routledge, 2003)
John Hawthorne and Yoaav Isaacs, “Fine-Tuning Fine-Tuning,” in Knowledge, Belief, and God: New Insights in Religious Epistemology (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018)
Robin Collins, “The Teleological Argument: An Exploration of the Fine-Tuning of the Universe,” in The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology, ed. William Lane Craig and J. P. Moreland (Oxford: Blackwell, 2012)
[1] For an overview, see Martin Rees, Just Six Numbers: The Deep Forces that Shape the Universe (New York: Basic Books, 2000)
[2] John Leslie, “Anthropic Principle, World Ensemble, Design,” American Philosophical Quarterly, 19 (1982), pp. 141-51.
[3] Robin Collins, “The Teleological Argument: An Exploration of the Fine-Tuning of the Universe,” in The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology, ed. William Lane Craig and J. P. Moreland, (Oxford: Blackwell, 2012)
This article comes from our popular series entitled “A Beginner’s Guide to Apologetics” in which a range of authors present different compelling arguments fpor the existence of God and for the Christian faith. Explore more from this series here.
Spotlight On the Hiddenness of God
When Heaven Seems Silent: Unanswered Prayer
“The trouble with God is that he is like a person who never acknowledges one’s letters and so, in time, one comes to the conclusion either that he does not exist or that you have got the address wrong.” (C.S. Lewis)
C.S. Lewis once shared that unanswered prayers in his childhood – particularly for his sick and dying mother – were a key reason he abandoned faith for thirty years. Andy examines the deeply personal question of why some of our heartfelt prayers go unanswered.
Page Menu
- Why Isn’t God More Obvious?
- Where is God in our Suffering?
- Why does God seem so far away?
- The Doubt Gap
- Is Faith just an emotion?
Why Isn’t God More Obvious?
The atheist philosopher Bertrand Russell was once asked how he would explain himself to God if, after dying, he discovered that God did indeed exist. He replied emphatically: “Not enough evidence God, not enough evidence!” Sentiments like that resonate with many. If God wants us to trust him and will ultimately hold us accountable on that basis, shouldn’t He make Himself more obvious? Solas associate speaker Gareth Black explores this question.
Questioning Christianity: Where Is God In Our Suffering?
“On a family holiday, we had a car accident in which my mum collided head-on with a truck at high speed… After the surgery the doctor said to my Dad, ‘…It’s unlikely she’ll come out of it on the other side and if she does she’ll be very different. This is significant brain damage.’ It never quite sat with me, how if God is really good and he could have stopped it, why he let that happen to mum.”
Questioning Christianity’s Dan Paterson speaks to Solas about making sense of suffering, the ‘hiddenness of God’, and what following Christ really means.
Why Does God Seem So Far Away?
“I’m reaching out to God and I’m trying to pray, I’m trying to find him, but it just seems like he’s not there. So the questions are: ‘Is he there? Does he care about me? Does he see me?’ It feels as if he isn’t there.” In a message recorded at Christmas, Steve explores whether our feelings tell us what is true, and why we know God is not distant from us.
The Doubt Gap
David Nixon helps us consider what beliefs we should hold, given our many doubts about life.
Is Faith Just an Emotion?
Steve explores whether or not believing in God is simply just a question of how we feel.
Will You Help Produce More Resources to Help Christians Defend Their Faith?
Will you stand with Solas as we seek to help empower Christians to be able share the good news of Jesus persuasively? We speak at evangelistic events, as well as helping to train Christians to share their faith more effectively.
Ayr – A Memorable Day
Recently we were at Riverside Church in Ayr for a full day Confident Christianity Conference. For me (Steve) this was a rather noteworthy occasion as it was a day of firsts! It was the first full day Confident Christianity Conference that I’ve been involved with since joining the Solas team, it was also the first time that I was the sole Solas representative at one of these, and it was the first time that I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside Gareth Black and Ben Thomas, who are absolutely brilliant.
We had a really full day where I kicked things off speaking about how we can have better conversations with our non-Christian friends, and later In the day I spoke on the question of God and science – a question that still comes up so often, especially among teens and young adults. Gareth gave two talks, one addressing the question of suffering, and another on cancel culture and forgiveness. Ben was answering the question of whether Christianity is good new for our LQBT+ neighbours – and shared some of his personal journey.
It was a great day and those who came were very engaged, which was evident come the Q&A time at the end – I think I got of somewhat lightly compared to Gareth and Ben. We’re always so grateful for the opportunities we get to speak at different churches, and for our partnerships where we can call on very gifted speakers.
We’ve also been hearing some very encouraging stories of how the ‘Have You Ever Wondered?’ book is being used and distributed there.
I look forward to being back in Ayr again sometime soon.
With Andy Frost
At Solas, we love learning about (and working with!) others who share our passion for equipping Christians for evangelism. Today Steve and Gavin discover how Share Jesus International is working with churches to help unlock their outreach potential, through resources like their Prompt Cards and Sharing Jesus course.
With Andy Frost – PEP Talk
Our Guest
Andy Frost has been the Director of Share Jesus International since 2008 leading scores of projects ranging from London’s Pentecost Festival to national tours. He presently heads up the London Mission Collective; works with Care for the Family on the Kitchen Table Project and Gather on church unity and mission. Over the years he has worked with a variety of organisations including More than Gold, Big Book Media and C3 Global. He is a Methodist Local Preacher: has an MA in Applied Theology and has authored a number of books and presented the Jesus Series. He is married to Jo and has two daughters.
About PEP Talk
The Persuasive Evangelism Podcast aims to equip listeners to share their faith more effectively in a sceptical world. Each episode, Andy Bannister (Solas) and Kristi Mair (Oak Hill College) chat to a guest who has a great story, a useful resource, or some other expertise that helps equip you to talk persuasively, winsomely, and engagingly with your friends, colleagues and neighbours about Jesus.
Frontlines EXTRA David-Isaac Arinze, Glasgow City Council Project Officer
GJM: Welcome David, thanks for joining us on Frontlines. Tell me first of all, which industry are you working in and what’s the nature of your job?
David-Isaac: Hi Gavin, good to meet you! So presently I work with Glasgow City Council, as a project officer within neighbourhood regeneration and sustainability – so I deal a lot with housing. In my current role as a project manager, I am building data ‘dashboards’ which manage the delivery of ‘affordable warmth’ though external wall insulation right across the city. That means a huge amount of home-improvements and ‘retrofits’.
GJM: That’s important work! How long have you been in post?
David-Isaac: I have been here for seven months now, I was up in Aberdeen prior to that.
GJM: So you have moved from the dryest city in Scotland to the wettest!
David-Isaac: Yes!!!
GJM: So when you think about your job, what’s the best part of your job? What brings you joy in your work?
David-Isaac: Really the best part of my job is creating solutions in the projects I work on. I especially like the fact that I can do things to improve the work environment and improve how my colleagues even do their own jobs! That’s what gets me really excited about the job.
GJM: Thanks – and what about the challenges you face in your job on a day-by-day basis, what are those? Secondly, how does your faith in Christ help you to face the challenges of daily work?
David-Isaac: Well, the project I came here to work on in Glasgow was a big challenge, because I was told ‘this is something we have been trying to sort out for ten years and we’ll see if you can help us work on it!’ They had been trying to build this data-dashboard to be able to predict and track areas within the city where improvements were needed. I was given that task to do, even though I had never worked on anything like that before! So, it was challenging and really very stressful for me when I started. I was given something to do which other people had tried and failed to accomplish, and this was my first work in this area. One of the critical things I realised at that time was that this challenge was an opportunity to show that there is superior wisdom which comes from knowing God. Even if other people had tried before and been unable to achieve what they had set out to do, I could do it and it would be successful. So, I think that in developing the solution, I would say that not just my faith in God but my experience of working with The Holy Spirit did a lot for me.
I count it back now as part of my Christian testimony because the data dashboard has been built, and was built within about six months when they had been trying to build it for ten years and were not able to accomplish it! I was able to do it within six months because there was a partnership I had with The Holy Spirit, in which He was literally teaching me what to do. I was prayed through the development of that dashboard until completion. And when people saw it at the first presentation, they said to me, “this is far beyond what we were expecting”. That reminded me of the scripture which says that “God is able to do exceedingly more than we ask or imagine” (Eph3:20). And it was beyond expectation because something beyond me had been involved in it! The Holy Spirit helped me with my work, so developing that solution with excellence, has been a critical part of me sharing my faith at work. It’s become easier because people at work ask me ‘how did you do this, how have you manged that?’ and it creates a level-playing field for me to be able to share my faith.
GJM: That’s fascinating, and I love your emphasis that God is interested in your daily work. Some Christians think that God only cares about what you do on a Sunday, but I love your emphasis that God also cares about what we do Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and all week; living the whole of life for Him.
So do the people at work know that you are a Christian? And how do they react to that when they find out?
David-Isaac: Yes, I am very bold with that! Sometimes I wear lapel [badges] that say “King Jesus. I think because of the work culture of trying to accommodate everyone, people are generally willing to accept the fact that I have a belief. In a local council setting, everyone expects diversity and people are comfortable with that especially in conversations. Sometimes I start conversations which will tilt towards sharing the gospel. People seem to be comfortable with that because I am not just throwing something at them, but develop a conversation which leads to it. For instance we were discussing religious buildings, so I showed them some pictures of religious buildings from my home country of Nigeria and showed them that the largest buildings in Nigeria belong to the church. So, I used that to explain to them how the church grew to that level, and what God had done in the Nigerian revival. They were so interested and started to ask me about the decline of the church in Scotland and why so many church buildings were being repurposed for other uses. So, I explained to them that the decline they see is because people have left the faith and stopped trusting in God, but then I told them that the foundation of life is God, Jesus Christ. If a civilization has been built on Christianity, then if we go back on that understanding then that civilization starts to crumble. And if you look at our society then you can see the proof, and you can prove this statistically, because you can measure the decline of the church and the decline of society. The subsequent conversations are what I love to engage in at work!
GJM: And when you speak like that at work, what have reactions been like? Are people interested, angry, apathetic, do they say, “you do you, I’ll do me”, or do they raise objections? And how do you respond to the reactions you get at work when you are so open about your faith and about the way you believe the world works?
David-Isaac: Well, I’ve had some feedback that I have not expected [laughs]! Some people really buy into the idea, some people say they agree. One colleague says she believes there is a God but she does not worship Him but agrees that Christianity is culturally good for society. Some other people dispute my argument and say that there is development in some other nations which are not Christian. But I try and take them back to the idea that it is not just about development in terms of infrastructure, but it’s about the quality of life of the people. So yes, there is sometimes a backlash, but it is just about being open, not to take offence, but to understand that everyone is at different phases of their lives and so accepting their criticism graciously.
GJM: So are there any other Christians in your workplace or are you on your own? Is there a community of Christians or are you out there ‘flying solo’?
David-Isaac: So, right now I am trying to find other Christians because I am wanting to build a Christian workplace group within the council. That’s one of my goals this year. I haven’t found anyone yet although I believe that they are there. Maybe they are not vocal, maybe they are timid, but hopefully they will be able to open up and share more about their faith.
GJM: You are clearly very motivated to be a Christian presence there in the Council. What motivates you to want to be open about your faith, to talk about Jesus, not to ‘hide your light under a bowl’? What drives you to be so open about these things in your day-to-day work?
David-Isaac: I have understood that when I go to work I am more deployed than employed! I understand that I am in that place for a reason for the season that I’m there, to shine as light; I am not just there to get a job done and get paid at the end of the month. Like Jesus said, “My meat is to do the work for which the father sent me, and to finish it”(Jn 4:34), so that is the bread that I eat daily. I am here for a purpose, I am here for someone to experience Jesus, and for a life to be transformed, and that just keeps me going every day and makes me even more courageous about my faith.
GJM: “I have been deployed, not just employed” I love that, that’s a great quote!
Finally, if you were to get a question from a young person who said, “I am going to start work in a local authority” and they are about to enter the field of work that you are in. What advice would you give a young Christian about to step into your work environment for the first time?
David-Isaac: The first thing I would say is, when you are going in there, you should understand who you are. Whatever role you take up does not define your identity. As a matter of fact, your identity should define your role. So first, understand who you are in Christ and learn to stand on that. Secondly, I have always loved the story of Daniel, because he remained relevant across three different kingdoms in Babylon! And under those different regimes there was one single testimony about him, that “an excellent Spirit was found in him, of knowledge and understanding” and he solved problems! So be open to problems so that you can be a solution to them. Be that person who steps up and says, “I want to solve this problem”. Because once you start to solve problems, you begin to get people on your side. And once you have people on your side, it becomes easier to preach the gospel to them. That would be my advice.
GJM: And I love the way in which you have brought your experience and stories from the Bible together so seamlessly. That’s fantastic! Thank you David.
Click here to read many more stories of Christians who share their faith at work!
Questions of Justice in Dundee
It was good to head over to Dundee to spend the evening with Dundee University Christian Union. They had organised a ‘potluck’ style dinner at Dundee West Parish Church on the edge of the campus, and invited me to speak about the subject of justice. The CU drew a good crowd together, for an enjoyable evening.
When I spoke, the approach I took was to argue that the only way we can make sense of justice or gain a solid grounding for pursuing it, is if there is a God to whom we owe moral duties and that good and evil are real. I pointed out that we have a longing in us to pursue justice which requires some explanation. Where does that come from, if we are all just the product of blind random chance. It’s presence makes far more sense in a Christian view of the world, which better explains us.
I was sure the extent to which the crowd were fully tracking with me the whole way when I was speaking, but the Q&A was really good. There were several questions which were thoughtful and clearly from a non-Christian perspective – so it was great o engage with those folks. Most of the questions didn’t focus on objections to my talk, but on application and the pursuit of justice. That was an interesting direction that the conversation went which I perhaps had not anticipated, so I think I’ll adjust the talk when I am working on this topic next.
Some of the best moments for me in the evening were two of the conversations I had at the end of the night. One chap picked my brains for almost three-quarters of an hour! He’s only been a Christian for a few months and had many, many questions. So it was really good to work though some of those with him. Then a young Muslim lad came over, he had lots of questions about justice. It became clear as we chatted that his whole framework was based upon works and performance, and that all my answers were grounded in the ideas of forgiveness and grace. It was a very illuminating fifteen minutes for us both and really highlighted the wonderful news of the gospel of Christ.
Many thanks to the great students at DUCU who invited me!
Where Is God When I Feel Despair?
Western culture is experiencing what some have called an epidemic of loneliness and despair. Maybe you or people you care about have or are wrestling with these issues. So where is God when I feel despair? When life seems to just suck. Does faith in Jesus offer us any hope when life seems bleak?
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Spotlight on the Resurrection of Jesus
“You may have a brother or sister. What would it take for you to believe that they were God in the flesh, could forgive sins, and all the many things that Jesus claimed?”
The Easter story is familiar to us all, but have you ever wondered why people came to believe that such an extraordinary event occurred? Steve Osmond gives us three reasons why we can be confident that the resurrection of Jesus happened.
Page Menu
- Why did Jesus have to die for me?
- Where is Jesus now and what is He doing?
- What is good about Good Friday?
- Recommended reading
- More evidence for the resurrection
- What difference does the resurrection make?
Why Did Jesus Have to Die for Me?
“If you’re walking with a friend on a bridge over a river and your friend suddenly says, ‘I love you, let me show how much’ and they dive over the side of the bridge, into the river, and drown. I think your reaction would be ‘What! Why? Why did you do that stupid thing. How did killing yourself possibly show you that you loved me?’
But think of another type of sacrifice. In 1916, Billy McFadzean, a 20-year-old soldier was fighting in the First World War. A box of hand grenades slipped into a crowded trench, dislodging safety pins in two of the grenades. McFadzean threw himself on top of the grenades, which exploded, killing him, but his action saved the life of dozens of his comrades.
What makes the difference between throwing yourself pointlessly off a bridge, or what Billy McFadzean did?“
Where is Jesus now? And what is He doing?
“At Easter we repeat the joyous affirmation of faith: ‘Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.’ But then comes the question: ‘Okay, He is Risen. Where is he then?’ And it’s not just the question of an inquisitive child, it should be a question for every adult and for every Christian.”
David Robertson examines what happened after Jesus’ resurrection.
What is good about Good Friday?
“Over the years, I have been asked the question of whether God is truly good, knowing that He sent His Son to the earth to be tortured and killed. The thought of death as divine justice or a father approving the killing of his son in such a manner has challenged both the converted and the critic. Some notable figures have mocked the idea of Good Friday as “good”, due to Christ’s crucifixion.”
Angela MacKenzie takes us to the crux of the Christian message.
Recommended Reading
- The Case for the Resurrection by Gary Habermas and Mike Licona
- The Case for Easter by Lee Strobel
- Who Moved the Stone? by Frank Morison
- Hope in Times of Fear by Tim Keller
- Living the Resurrection by Eugene Peterson
- Easter Enigma by John Wenham
- The Resurrection of the Son of God by N.T. Wright
More evidence for the resurrection
Philosopher William Lane Craig explains in detail a case for God’s existence.
What difference does the resurrection make?
John Lennox explores what the resurrection means for human suffering, justice, and hope.
Will you help produce more resources to help Christians defend their faith?
Will you stand with Solas as we seek to help empower Christians to be able share the good news of Jesus persuasively? We speak at evangelistic events, as well as helping to train Christians to share their faith more effectively.
What is Good About Good Friday? A Response to the Question of God’s Goodness in Light of Christ’s Sacrifice on the Cross
Over the years, I have been asked the question of whether God is truly good, knowing that He sent His Son to the earth to be tortured and killed. The thought of death as divine justice or a father approving the killing of his son in such a manner has challenged both the converted and the critic. Some notable figures have mocked the idea of Good Friday as “good”, due to Christ’s crucifixion. Friedrich Nietzsche famously declared, “God is dead,” suggesting that the notion of a benevolent deity allowing such suffering is contradictory. He viewed the crucifixion as a symbol of weakness rather than a triumph, mocking the idea that such an event could be deemed “good.” Similarly, H.G. Wells, the writer and historian, commented on the absurdity of Christ’s death in his book ‘The Outline of History’, stating, “The whole story of Jesus is a remarkable story of a man who was crucified because he was a good man and a good teacher. But the idea that his death somehow redeems mankind is a morbid superstition.” This scepticism reflects a broader discomfort with the redemptive value attributed to Good Friday.
Additionally, the observation that the day of Christ’s suffering and death is called “Good Friday” raises questions: What is so good about the Son of Man dying?
I would like to begin by addressing a critical question: Did Jesus have to die? Since He was a perfect man, wouldn’t His life of purity and dedication to the Father’s will be enough? While His perfect obedience set Him apart as unlike anyone who lived before or after Him—like Adam, Abraham, and David, all of whom sinned and fell short of the glory of God—it is essential to understand that merely living a perfect life was not the ultimate goal of Christ’s coming.
To grasp the necessity of Christ’s sacrificial death, we must examine the purpose and meaning behind it. In the Gospel of John, John the Baptist proclaims, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, NIV). This declaration emphasizes that Jesus’ mission was intentional and redemptive. Jesus Himself affirmed this purpose when He told His disciples, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected… and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Luke 9:22, NIV).
His willingness to face suffering was not a sign of divine cruelty but a demonstration of profound love—a love that seeks to restore humanity. Theologian John Stott explains, “The concept of substitutionary atonement is that Christ took our place, bearing the penalty for our sin, so that we might be reconciled to God” (Stott, The Cross of Christ, 1986). In other words, Jesus’ death was not merely an unfortunate event, but a necessary act of divine justice and mercy, fulfilling God’s plan for redemption.
When Peter rebuked Jesus for predicting His suffering, Jesus responded sharply, “Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mark 8:33, NIV). This response underscores the necessity of Jesus’ sacrificial role in God’s plan. It was essential for salvation and demonstrated God’s commitment to justice and mercy.
Many people reflect on the pain and suffering Christ endured up to His last breath on the night of His betrayal, leading them to wonder why we call this day “Good Friday.” The term “good” in this context refers to the ultimate good that emerges from Christ’s sacrifice—the reconciliation of humanity with God. As John Stott notes, “The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love for us, taking our place so that we might receive forgiveness and new life” (Stott, The Cross of Christ).
In fancy theological terms Jesus death on the cross for us is called as the concept of substitutionary atonement. Often criticized by our progressive friends as unnecessary or absurdly cruel, atonement serves to illustrate that Jesus took upon Himself the consequences of sin, offering humanity a path to reconciliation with God. Critics of this view, such as progressive theologian Rob Bell, argue that focusing solely on substitution detracts from the relational aspect of God’s love, emphasizing instead that Jesus’ life and death reveal God’s desire for transformative justice and reconciliation in the world. He states, “Jesus didn’t die to change God’s mind about humans; He died to change human minds about God”.
In response to this, traditional theologians acknowledge that while the relational aspect is indeed vital, the sacrificial nature of Christ’s death is foundational to understanding the depth of God’s love and justice. As John Stott points out, “The cross is where divine love and divine justice meet,” emphasizing that God’s love is not merely sentimental, but requires a response to sin and evil in the world.
In understanding Good Friday, we recognize it as a pivotal moment where divine love meets human brokenness. The crucifixion reveals not only the gravity of sin but also the depth of God’s commitment to restore and redeem. Thus, rather than viewing God’s actions as harsh, we can see them as the ultimate expression of goodness—one that invites us into a transformative relationship with Him. Through Christ’s death and subsequent resurrection, we find hope and the promise of eternal life, making Good Friday a day that ultimately celebrates the triumph of love over suffering.
Yet, the mystery of Christ’s crucifixion reveals a deeper truth that transcends human understanding. As the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:8, “None of the rulers of this age understood it; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” This passage underscores the irony that, in their attempt to eliminate Jesus, the forces of evil unwittingly fulfilled God’s divine plan for redemption. What appeared to be a morbid exercise of divine power became the very means by which humanity is restored to relationship with God. In this light, Good Friday transforms into a profound celebration of love, sacrifice, and the ultimate victory over sin and death. The resurrection of Christ from the dead is Good news.
The Christian worldview offers a distinct perspective on salvation that sets it apart from other spiritual exercises found in world religions. Central to Christianity is the belief that salvation is not achieved through human efforts or the attainment of moral perfection, but through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This concept is rooted in the understanding that all humanity falls short of perfect righteousness, as stated in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (NIV).
In contrast to religions which emphasise personal merit or adherence to ethical principles as pathways to spiritual fulfilment, Christianity teaches that it is through grace alone that we are saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (NIV). This grace is made manifest through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, which fulfils the requirements of justice and offers reconciliation with God.
The significance of Christ’s atonement is profound. Theologian Gordon Fee explains, “The death of Christ is what makes possible the forgiveness of sins and the establishment of a new covenant, distinguishing Christianity from all other religions where human effort is paramount”. Moreover, the resurrection of Christ underscores the transformative power of this salvation. Unlike the cycles of reincarnation or the pursuit of Nirvana, Christianity promises eternal life through a personal relationship with God. As theologian N.T. Wright notes, “The resurrection is the beginning of God’s new world”.
Good Friday is considered “good” for several profound reasons, despite the sombre events it commemorates—the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Here are a few key points that highlight its significance:
Atonement for Sin: Good Friday represents the day when Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself for humanity’s sins. This act of atonement fulfils the requirement for justice and opens the door for reconciliation between God and humanity. As stated in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (NIV).
Demonstration of Divine Love: The crucifixion is a powerful demonstration of God’s love. It shows that God was willing to endure immense suffering to restore humanity to Himself. This selfless act embodies the essence of sacrificial love, emphasizing that true love often involves sacrifice.
Victory Over Death: Good Friday sets the stage for the resurrection, which Christians celebrate on Easter Sunday. Without the crucifixion, the resurrection would not hold the same significance. As theologian N.T. Wright notes, “The resurrection is the beginning of God’s new world,” highlighting that Good Friday is a precursor to the ultimate victory over sin and death.
Invitation to Transformation: Good Friday invites believers to reflect on their own lives and the nature of sin. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and the opportunity for spiritual renewal. The cross symbolizes not only suffering but also the hope of new life and transformation.
Community and Remembrance: Good Friday fosters a sense of community among believers as they gather to remember and reflect on Christ’s sacrifice. It encourages solidarity in faith and deepens the collective understanding of the significance of Jesus’ suffering.
So, my response to both the critic and converted is that Good Friday is “good” because it encapsulates the core of the Christian faith—the atonement for sin, the demonstration of divine love, the promise of resurrection, and the invitation to transformation and community. It is a day that ultimately leads to hope and redemption. And that is GOOD!
References:
Augustine. Confessions Translated by R.S. Pine-Coffin. New York: Penguin Classics, 1961.
Bell, Rob. Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. New York: HarperOne, 2011.
Nietzsche, Friedrich. The Gay Science. Translated by Walter Kaufmann. New York: Vintage Books, 1974.
Wells, H.G. The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind. London: Macmillan, 1920.
Stott, John. The Cross of Christ. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1986.
Fee, Gordon D. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.
Wright, N.T. The Resurrection of the Son of God. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003.
To see more inspiring resources from author, speaker, musician, worship leader and TV presenter Angela Mackenzie, go to her website, angela.org.
