{"id":3681,"date":"2012-09-17T12:11:16","date_gmt":"2012-09-17T16:11:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/church\/?p=3681"},"modified":"2014-07-21T10:11:37","modified_gmt":"2014-07-21T14:11:37","slug":"2-things-christians-should-learn-from-richard-dawkins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/church\/2-things-christians-should-learn-from-richard-dawkins\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Things Christians should Learn from Richard Dawkins"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recently Richard Dawkins, a self proclaimed \u201cevangelical atheist\u201d\u00a0 was recently interviewed by CNN<\/a>.\u00a0While I would totally disagree with Richard Dawkins world-view I think it is appropriate to learn from how Richard Dawkins argues (as a negative example).\u00a0 So here are two ways Christians can learn from Richard Dawkins.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Use Concrete Reasoning When Making a Claim.<\/h2>\n

In this interview Dawkins claims that, \u201cevolution\u2026is as certain as the fact that the Earth<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Want to see the entire interview? Click on the picture.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

and the other planets orbit the sun\u201d but gives no evidence for his statement.\u00a0 Granted this interview is likely edited and shortened but it is telling that Dawkins’ claims are not defended with any evidence (scientific, philosophical, nor theological).\u00a0 As a believer it is important to not resort to logical fallacies.\u00a0 In D. A. Carson\u2019s book Exegetical Fallacies<\/span>\u00a0he warns Christians to carefully and humbly consider their words and avoid \u201cabuse of \u2018obviously\u2019 and similar expressions (like; \u2018is a certain fact\u2019).\u201d\u00a0 Don\u2019t throw these emotional phrases onto your argument if you haven\u2019t clearly communicated your position and decisively refuted other arguments.<\/p>\n

2. Treat Others Who Disagree with you With Grace and Kindness.<\/h2>\n

Dawkins also proclaims, \u201cwho cares about creationists, they don\u2019t know anything.\u201d\u00a0 This sounds slightly like an 8 year old arguing with his friends.\u00a0 Believers hold up the first half of I Peter 3:15 as a call to defend their faith (apologetics) \u201cbut in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.\u201d But too often believers disregard the second half, which states, \u201cyet do it with gentleness and respect.\u201d\u00a0 Tearing down those who disagree with us accomplishes only one goal: making yourself feel better.\u00a0 It does not glorify Christ.<\/p>\n

Understand That There is a God.<\/h2>\n

Near the end of the video Dawkins is posed a hypothetical question.\u00a0 \u201cWhat question would you ask God if you could?\u201d \u00a0Dawkins says he would ask these questions, \u201cWhich God are you?\u201d and \u201cWhy did you take such pains to conceal yourself?\u201d\u00a0 Dawkins questions are misguided because the God of the Bible has revealed Himself.\u00a0 Interestingly enough a passage that talks about God revealing Himself through creation also warns against those who would deny God\u2019s existence.\u00a0 That passage is Romans 1:18-20, \u201cFor the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. \u00a0For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Recently Richard Dawkins, a self proclaimed \u201cevangelical atheist\u201d\u00a0 was recently interviewed by CNN.\u00a0While I would totally disagree with Richard Dawkins world-view I think it is appropriate to learn from how Richard Dawkins argues (as a negative example).\u00a0 So here are two ways Christians can learn from Richard Dawkins.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":3690,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nTwo Things Christians should Learn from Richard Dawkins - Faith Church Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/church\/2-things-christians-should-learn-from-richard-dawkins\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Two Things Christians should Learn from Richard Dawkins - 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