http://www.bethinking.org.uk/feed.xml Latest updates to www.bethinking.org.uk. Brought to you by UCCF: The Christian Unions. Bethinking.org brings together some of the best possible resources to help you to understand, defend and communicate the Christian faith. Copyright 2008 UCCF: The Christian Unions Christianity en-uk UCCF: The Christian Unions no Copyright 2008 UCCF: The Christian UnionsJesus,God,Gospel,UCCF, Christian,Union,Church,UCCF,Apologetics,Bible,uccf:thechristianunionsReligion & Spirituality/Christianitywebmaster@bethinking.orgUCCF: The Chrstian UnionsJesus,God,Gospel,UCCF, Christian,Union,Church,UCCF,Apologetics,Bible,uccf:thechristianunionsLatest updates to www.bethinking.org.uk. Brought to you by UCCF: The Christian Unions. Bethinking.org brings together some of the best possible resources to help you to understand, defend and communicate the Christian faith.Latest updates to www.bethinking.org.uk. Brought to you by UCCF: The Christian Unions. Bethinking.org brings together some of the best possible resources to help you to understand, defend and communicate the Christian faith.http://www.bethinking.org.uk/feed.xmlhttp://www.bethinking.org.uk/Images/feeds/Latest_Thumb.jpg Darwin's evangelist Author: Pete Hartwell Keywords: Science, evolution, origins, faith, belief, religion, reason, emotion, atheism TV series title: The Genius of Charles Darwin Writer: Richard Dawkins Director: Russell Barnes Presenter: Richard Da http://www.bethinking.org.uk/science-christianity/introductory/the-genius-of-charles-darwin.htm Darwin's evangelist Author: Pete Hartwell Keywords: Science, evolution, origins, faith, belief, religion, reason, emotion, atheism TV series title: The Genius of Charles Darwin Writer: Richard Dawkins Director: Russell Barnes Presenter: Richard Dawkins Broadcaster: Channel Four First broadcast: 4 August 2008 Buy The Genius Of Charles Darwin from Amazon.co.uk Buy The Richard Dawkins Collection from Amazon.co.uk Introduction Th... Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:30:00 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-517 Chronicles of Heaven Unshackled is a lightly edited version of Pete Lowman's doctoral thesis. Links to each part will be enabled as they are published. Part 0: Introduction: The Loss of God in the Novel. Part 1: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings http://www.bethinking.org.uk/who-are-you-god/advanced/chronicles-of-heaven-unshackled-part-0-introduction.htm Chronicles of Heaven Unshackled is a lightly edited version of Pete Lowman's doctoral thesis. Links to each part will be enabled as they are published. Part 0: Introduction: The Loss of God in the Novel. Part 1: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings Part 2: C.S. Lewis' Out of the Silent Planet Part 3: C.S. Lewis' Voyage to Venus Part 4: C.S. Lewis' That Hideous Strength Part 5: C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces Part 6: Jack Clemo's Wildi... Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-507 Looking beyond the fences Author: Tony Watkins Keywords: Equality, prejudice, racism, evil, good, innocence, morality, conscience, action, Holocaust Film title: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas Tagline(s): A timeless story of innocence lost and humani http://www.bethinking.org.uk/culture-worldview/introductory/the-boy-in-the-striped-pyjamas.htm Looking beyond the fences Author: Tony Watkins Keywords: Equality, prejudice, racism, evil, good, innocence, morality, conscience, action, Holocaust Film title: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas Tagline(s): A timeless story of innocence lost and humanity found / Lines may divide us but hope will unite us Director: Mark Herman Screenplay: Mark Herman, based on the novel by John Boyne Starring: Asa Butterfield, Jack Scanlon, David Thewlis, V... Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-505 A review of the Lennox - Dawkins debate and the radio interview with Dawkins that followed it The Context I was present at the recent debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox at The Natural History Museum in Oxford on 21st October 2008, sponsor http://www.bethinking.org.uk/science-christianity/introductory/the-john-lennox-richard-dawkins-debate.htm A review of the Lennox - Dawkins debate and the radio interview with Dawkins that followed it The Context I was present at the recent debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox at The Natural History Museum in Oxford on 21st October 2008, sponsored by the Fixed Point Foundation. I also managed to pin Dawkins down for a ten-minute interview at the reception afterwards and had a mini-discussion with him. The interview was broadcast on Prem... Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:23:43 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-506 Sam Harris : Let Him Who is Without Faith Cast the First Stone This essay responds to Sam Harris’ assertion that one can justify stoning someone to death for adultery by appealing to the New Testament. Section 1: Introduction Section 2: Cherry Pi http://www.bethinking.org.uk/bible-jesus/intermediate/stoning-and-the-cherry-pickers.htm Sam Harris : Let Him Who is Without Faith Cast the First Stone This essay responds to Sam Harris’ assertion that one can justify stoning someone to death for adultery by appealing to the New Testament. Section 1: Introduction Section 2: Cherry Pickers Section 3: The Gospel of Stoning? Section 4: Leading By Word and Example Section 5: Seeming Cessation of Symbolism Section 6: The Bottom Line Introduction When considering Sam Harris’ ... Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-502 In 1985, Carl Sagan, better know for his book and television series Cosmos, delivered the Gifford Lectures. The transcripts were only recently published as The Varieties of Scientific Experience. Peter S. Williams has written an extended review of the bo http://www.bethinking.org.uk/science-christianity/advanced/carl-sagan-the-skeptics-sceptic--part-4.htm In 1985, Carl Sagan, better know for his book and television series Cosmos, delivered the Gifford Lectures. The transcripts were only recently published as The Varieties of Scientific Experience. Peter S. Williams has written an extended review of the book. His review provides some excellent responses to arguments that Sagan uses and which keep cropping up today. This is Part 4 of the review, covering religious experience. Read Part 1, Part 2, ... Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:00:00 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-501 In 1985, Carl Sagan, better know for his book and television series Cosmos, delivered the Gifford Lectures. The transcripts were only recently published as The Varieties of Scientific Experience. Peter S. Williams has written an extended review of the bo http://www.bethinking.org.uk/science-christianity/advanced/carl-sagan-the-skeptics-sceptic--part-3.htm In 1985, Carl Sagan, better know for his book and television series Cosmos, delivered the Gifford Lectures. The transcripts were only recently published as The Varieties of Scientific Experience. Peter S. Williams has written an extended review of the book. His review provides some excellent responses to arguments that Sagan uses and which keep cropping up today. This is Part 3 of the review, covering arguments for theism apart from revelation.... Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:01:59 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-500 In 1985, Carl Sagan, better know for his book and television series Cosmos, delivered the Gifford Lectures. The transcripts were only recently published as The Varieties of Scientific Experience. Peter S. Williams has written an extended review of the bo http://www.bethinking.org.uk/science-christianity/advanced/carl-sagan-the-skeptics-sceptic--part-2.htm In 1985, Carl Sagan, better know for his book and television series Cosmos, delivered the Gifford Lectures. The transcripts were only recently published as The Varieties of Scientific Experience. Peter S. Williams has written an extended review of the book. His review provides some excellent responses to arguments that Sagan uses and which keep cropping up today. This is Part 2 of the review, covering the origin of life and the possibility of e... Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:00:00 +0000 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-499 In 1985, Carl Sagan, better know for his book and television series Cosmos, delivered the Gifford Lectures. The transcripts were only recently published as The Varieties of Scientific Experience. Peter S. Williams has written an extended review of the boo http://www.bethinking.org.uk/science-christianity/advanced/carl-sagan-the-skeptics-sceptic--part-1.htm In 1985, Carl Sagan, better know for his book and television series Cosmos, delivered the Gifford Lectures. The transcripts were only recently published as The Varieties of Scientific Experience. Peter S. Williams has written an extended review of the book. His review provides some excellent responses to arguments that Sagan uses and which keep cropping up today. This is Part 1 of the review, covering some introductory matters and the signi... Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:37:05 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-493 The Winner Takes it All Author: Tony Watkins Keywords: Love, happiness, identity, fulfilment, sex, relationships, romance, family Film title: Mamma Mia! Director: Phyllida Lloyd Screenplay: Catherine Johnson Starring: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried http://www.bethinking.org.uk/culture-worldview/introductory/mamma-mia.htm The Winner Takes it All Author: Tony Watkins Keywords: Love, happiness, identity, fulfilment, sex, relationships, romance, family Film title: Mamma Mia! Director: Phyllida Lloyd Screenplay: Catherine Johnson Starring: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Dominic Cooper Producer: Judy Craymer Score: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus Distributor: Universal Pictures ... Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:00:00 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-497 Debating the Faith Peter May's October 2008 News & Views item on the value of public debates urges Christians to engage with the issues raised in these events, think through their own response and use this material to make their own witness more effec http://www.bethinking.org.uk/what-is-apologetics/introductory/debating-the-faith.htm Debating the Faith Peter May's October 2008 News & Views item on the value of public debates urges Christians to engage with the issues raised in these events, think through their own response and use this material to make their own witness more effective. A selection of recent debates are listed below, with links for listening to the audio or purchasing the DVD. Let us know what you think of the different debates and we'll post the most... Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:55:29 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-498 Coming out of the dark Author: Tom Price Keywords: Science, supernatural, reason, faith, rationality Film title: The X Files: I Want to Believe Tagline(s): Believe Again / To find the truth, you must believe Director: Chris Carter Screenplay: Chris http://www.bethinking.org.uk/science-christianity/intermediate/-the-x-files-i-want-to-believe.htm Coming out of the dark Author: Tom Price Keywords: Science, supernatural, reason, faith, rationality Film title: The X Files: I Want to Believe Tagline(s): Believe Again / To find the truth, you must believe Director: Chris Carter Screenplay: Chris Carter, Frank Spotnitz Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Billy Connolly, Amanda Peet, Alvin 'Xzibit' Joiner Distributor: Twentieth Century-Fox Cinema Release Date: 25 July 2008 (USA... Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:00:00 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-496 God on Trial BBC2 Wednesday 3rd September 2008 Towards the end of God on Trial, broadcast on Wednesday 3rd September 2008 on BBC 2, a group of Auschwitz prisoners concluded that God was indeed guilty of breaking his covenant with the Jews. Their res http://www.bethinking.org.uk/suffering/introductory/god-on-trial.htm God on Trial BBC2 Wednesday 3rd September 2008 Towards the end of God on Trial, broadcast on Wednesday 3rd September 2008 on BBC 2, a group of Auschwitz prisoners concluded that God was indeed guilty of breaking his covenant with the Jews. Their response? They prayed. This scene highlighted what is arguably the more telling paradox at the heart of the God-and-suffering issue. For perhaps the harder question is not the philosophical or ... Sat, 04 Oct 2008 08:00:00 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-495 Sexaholic or Sage? Author: Roland Sokolowski Keywords: Fame, celebrity, comedy, happiness, hedonism, addiction Book title: My Booky Wook Author: Russell Brand Publisher (h/b): Hodder & Stoughton (UK); Collins (USA) Pub. date (h/b): 15 Nov 2007 (UK) http://www.bethinking.org.uk/culture-worldview/introductory/my-booky-wook.htm Sexaholic or Sage? Author: Roland Sokolowski Keywords: Fame, celebrity, comedy, happiness, hedonism, addiction Book title: My Booky Wook Author: Russell Brand Publisher (h/b): Hodder & Stoughton (UK); Collins (USA) Pub. date (h/b): 15 Nov 2007 (UK); 10 February 2009 (USA) Publisher (p/b): Hodder (UK) Pub. date (p/b): 10 July 2008 (UK) Buy My Booky Wook fromAmazon.co.uk or fromAmazon.com Russell Brand compares his arrival on th... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:33:17 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-494 Three scientists present their own distinctive perspective on the proper understanding of Genesis chapters 1-3. Each speaker describes their viewpoint for approximately 30 minutes. The three speakers are: Dr Hugh Ross, an astrophysicist and President of http://www.bethinking.org.uk/science-christianity/advanced/scientific-perspectives-on-genesis-1-3.htm Three scientists present their own distinctive perspective on the proper understanding of Genesis chapters 1-3. Each speaker describes their viewpoint for approximately 30 minutes. The three speakers are: Dr Hugh Ross, an astrophysicist and President of 'Reasons to Believe', an organisation that seeks to communicate the scientific evidence that points to the Creator. Dr Stephen Lloyd, a materials scientist, who describes himself as a 'young fo... Three scientists present their own distinctive perspective on the proper understanding of Genesis chapters 1-3. Each speaker describes their viewpoint for approximately 30 minutes. The three speakers are: Dr Hugh Ross, an astrophysicist and President of 'Reasons to Believe', an organisation that seeks to communicate the scientific evidence that points to the Creator. Dr Stephen Lloyd, a materials scientist, who describes himself as a 'young fo... Hugh Ross, John Lennox, Stephen Lloyd Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:01:14 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-492 In this talk, Mardi Keyes considers the problem of evil under four main headings: 1. The problem of evil for Christian believers. 2. The problem of evil for non-believers. 3. The Biblical resolution of the problem of evil. 4. What to do when doubts st http://www.bethinking.org.uk/suffering/intermediate/the-problem-of-evil.htm In this talk, Mardi Keyes considers the problem of evil under four main headings: 1. The problem of evil for Christian believers. 2. The problem of evil for non-believers. 3. The Biblical resolution of the problem of evil. 4. What to do when doubts still crop up. In this talk, Mardi Keyes considers the problem of evil under four main headings: 1. The problem of evil for Christian believers. 2. The problem of evil for non-believers. 3. The Biblical resolution of the problem of evil. 4. What to do when doubts still crop up. Mardi Keyes Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:00:00 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-335 In this article, Peter S. Williams defends one of the key statements of Intelligent Design theory, namely that specified complexity reliably points to intelligent design. He cites atheistic scientists, as well as Christian scientists and philosophers, to http://www.bethinking.org.uk/science-christianity/advanced/the-design-inference---a-critical-review.htm In this article, Peter S. Williams defends one of the key statements of Intelligent Design theory, namely that specified complexity reliably points to intelligent design. He cites atheistic scientists, as well as Christian scientists and philosophers, to show that they all explicitly or implicitly assume that specified complexity is a reliable criterion for detecting intelligent design. Open or download the pdf file of The Design Inference fro... Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:30:00 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-491 Mike Licona responds to the latest attempt by the hyperskeptical community to advance the thesis that Jesus never existed. http://www.bethinking.org.uk/bible-jesus/advanced/the-god-who-wasnt-there-part-2.htm Mike Licona responds to the latest attempt by the hyperskeptical community to advance the thesis that Jesus never existed. Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:00:00 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-490 Mike Licona responds to the latest attempt by the hyperskeptical community to advance the thesis that Jesus never existed. http://www.bethinking.org.uk/bible-jesus/advanced/the-god-who-wasnt-there-part-1.htm Mike Licona responds to the latest attempt by the hyperskeptical community to advance the thesis that Jesus never existed. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:22:03 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-489 This is the final of four talks by Dallas Willard dealing with the topic of Spiritual Formation - the transformation of our lives and characters as Christians. Dallas deals realistically with the problems and struggles that Christians find in this area http://www.bethinking.org.uk/spirituality/intermediate/4-spiritual-formation-establish-lead-disciples.htm This is the final of four talks by Dallas Willard dealing with the topic of Spiritual Formation - the transformation of our lives and characters as Christians. Dallas deals realistically with the problems and struggles that Christians find in this area. The first talk is entitled 1. Spiritual Formation: The Need for Spiritual Formation. The second talk is entitled 2. Spiritual Formation: Case Studies in Anger, Contempt and Cultivated Lusting... This is the final of four talks by Dallas Willard dealing with the topic of Spiritual Formation - the transformation of our lives and characters as Christians. Dallas deals realistically with the problems and struggles that Christians find in this area. The first talk is entitled 1. Spiritual Formation: The Need for Spiritual Formation. The second talk is entitled 2. Spiritual Formation: Case Studies in Anger, Contempt and Cultivated Lusting... Dallas Willard Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:59:41 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-486 David Robertson is a minister in the Free Church of Scotland, based at St Peter's Church, Dundee. He is editor of The Monthly Record. His responses to Richard Dawkins' book The God Delusion have now been published in a slightly revised form in The Dawkins http://www.bethinking.org.uk/science-christianity/introductory/the-dawkins-letters-11-final-letter-to-the-reader-why-believe.htm David Robertson is a minister in the Free Church of Scotland, based at St Peter's Church, Dundee. He is editor of The Monthly Record. His responses to Richard Dawkins' book The God Delusion have now been published in a slightly revised form in The Dawkins Letters. 26 February 2007 If you have been reading the rest of The Dawkins Letters, you will be relieved to know that this is the final one. It is addressed not primarily to Dawkins but to you... Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:00:35 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-470 Whether you're a first year at medical school, or graduated ages ago, it's always good to consider why you are working in medicine. For many of our colleagues and for some of us it was for the money, or because they thought it would be interesting to lear http://www.bethinking.org.uk/your-course/introductory/ten-reasons-why-christian-medics-need-cmf.htm Whether you're a first year at medical school, or graduated ages ago, it's always good to consider why you are working in medicine. For many of our colleagues and for some of us it was for the money, or because they thought it would be interesting to learn about the human body and meet lots of different people. Perhaps you remember saying at your medical school interview that you wanted to 'help people', and you may even have meant it! Many of us... Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:00:23 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-487 If you’re reading this, you are probably applying to medical school, have just opened some A-levels results or are already at medical school. Whichever one it is you want to study medicine and become a doctor. And what an honour that is! Despite the curr http://www.bethinking.org.uk/your-course/introductory/studying---medicine.htm If you’re reading this, you are probably applying to medical school, have just opened some A-levels results or are already at medical school. Whichever one it is you want to study medicine and become a doctor. And what an honour that is! Despite the current ‘doctor bashing’ in the press I can honestly say I love my job. As a medic, in the next 4–6 years, you will see babies being born, visit hospices, stand in theatres assisting surgery, discuss... Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:59:59 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-220 David Robertson is a minister in the Free Church of Scotland, based at St Peter's Church, Dundee. He is editor of The Monthly Record. His responses to Richard Dawkins' book The God Delusion have now been published in a slightly revised form in The Dawkins http://www.bethinking.org.uk/science-christianity/introductory/the-dawkins-letters-10-childhood-abuse-and-gap-theology.htm David Robertson is a minister in the Free Church of Scotland, based at St Peter's Church, Dundee. He is editor of The Monthly Record. His responses to Richard Dawkins' book The God Delusion have now been published in a slightly revised form in The Dawkins Letters. 9 February 2007 Dear Dr Dawkins, You ask “Isn’t it a form of child abuse to label children as possessors of beliefs that they are too young to have thought about?” This question is t... Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:59:59 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-469 Mark Pickering and Peter Saunders continue Christian Medical Fellowship's 'Deadly Questions' series.[1] Virtually every area of apologetics stands or falls on the Bible. We claim Jesus is the only way because he made that clear in the Bible. We also know http://www.bethinking.org.uk/bible-jesus/introductory/isnt-the-bible-full-of-errors.htm Mark Pickering and Peter Saunders continue Christian Medical Fellowship's 'Deadly Questions' series.[1] Virtually every area of apologetics stands or falls on the Bible. We claim Jesus is the only way because he made that clear in the Bible. We also know that God will be fair to those who've never heard the gospel because of his character revealed in the Bible. Without a reliable record of God's workings in history our faith is meaningless. No m... Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:59:38 +0100 56E-DA4-A64-4BF-174