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Randal Rauser

Home of progressively evangelical, generously orthodox, rigorously analytic, revolutionary Christian thinking (that's what I'm aiming for anyway)

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belief

“There is insufficient evidence to warrant belief.” Eh?

July 2, 2019 by Randal

This morning, I noticed an exchange between Angry Grasshopper and Ron H. on my blog regarding the nature of evidence for theism. I have excerpted the relevant bits below, but you can read the fuller exchange starting here. After that, I’ll offer my own comments. Angry Grasshopper: “I don’t reject ‘mere’ theism because it doesn’t […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: belief, epistemology, evidence, justification, rationality, warrant

On the claim that believing God exists of necessity is “defining God into existence”

October 30, 2017 by Randal

For the second time in as many days an atheist has tweeted me with the charge that asserting God exists of necessity is “defining God into existence.” Here is the most recent example, the amiable Shane McKee: So the theist merely defines God into existence? This is sloppy. — Shane McKee (@shanemuk) October 30, 2017 […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: belief, belief in God, modality

Is it technically morally wrong to proselytize for something other than the true religion?

August 25, 2017 by Randal

I encountered the question this morning in a tweet from Counter Apologist: Question for Theists: Is it technically morally wrong to proselytize for something other than the true religion? — Counter Apologist (@CounterApologis) August 25, 2017 Point One In response, the first point I made is that proselytization is simply the act of attempting to […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: belief, epistemology, rationality

Atheist tweets on faith: A response to Justin Schieber

September 9, 2015 by Randal

The other day I came across this tweet from Justin Schieber in my twitter feed: First off, let me say that this is a good tweet: pithy and provocative, so much so that it’s apparently worth two blog posts. That’s right, two! So let’s get started. And let’s make that start on a positive note […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: belief, doubt, epistemology, Justin Schieber, reason

Belief and Doubt in the 21st Century

April 16, 2015 by Randal

On March 8, 2015 I sat down with Justin Schieber for an evening of discussion on “Belief and Doubt in the 21st Century.” The event was hosted by Dr. Ralph Korner and Taylor Seminary. I’ve included the video below and an audio version just below that for those who prefer an mp3. As an added […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: atheism, belief, Christianity, dialogue, doubt, faith, Justin Schieber

Belief and Doubt in the Twenty-First Century is Coming! (March 8th)

February 23, 2015 by Randal

Here’s the poster for my upcoming dialogue with Justin Schieber on March 8th. Thanks to Justin for putting this fine poster together.  

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: apologetics, atheism, belief, doubt, Justin Schieber, theism

A faith once lost is hard to find again

June 12, 2014 by Randal

One of my readers, blank slate, offered a skeptical response to my essay “Why a perfect God might have hardened Pharaoh’s heart“. In reply, Mr. slate wrote: “The corresponding passage in Romans (which, after all, gives the “inspired” interpretation of God hardening Pharaoh’s heart) speaks of vessels of wrath destined for destruction — it can’t be plausibly argued that […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: atheism, belief, Christianity, doubt, faith, skepticism

“I just have faith?” How atheists go wrong in understanding the concept of faith

June 1, 2014 by Randal

This week Justin Brierley read some of the many responses to last week’s debate between Tim McGrew and Peter Boghossian. One of those responses caught my attention and I’m going to address it here. The response was from an atheist who reported that in his experience when he asks Christians for evidence for their beliefs, […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: belief, Christian, epistemology, evidence, faith, Peter Boghossian, rationality

Is belief in God rational? My Reasonable Doubts debate with Chris Hallquist

January 19, 2014 by Randal

Just over a year ago I did my first debate with Reasonable Doubts. The debate was on the nativity with Jonathan Pearce and is available for viewing here: That debate was such a smashing success 🙂 that I was invited back for another debate. The topic was the rationality of theism and my debating opponent […]

Filed Under: Home Posts, The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: atheism, belief, Chris Hallquist, epistemology, knowledge, rationality, reason, Reasonable Doubts, theism

Snapshots from Baltimore (Part 2): The perpetually missing thirteenth floor

November 22, 2013 by Randal

Twenty-first century North Americans would like to think of ourselves as enlightened, rational people. And yet, I cannot remember staying in a hotel with a thirteenth floor that was willing to admit the fact. So here’s the elevator button panel at the Hilton Baltimore where I’m currently staying. Sure enough, as usual there’s no thirteenth […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: belief, justiication, rationality, reason, superstition

The abuse of reason (or, why rationality requires a context)

June 23, 2013 by Randal

My recent critique of Reasonable Doubts prompted Counter Apologist to pose the following question: “On your view, would nothing be classified as “stupid” or “irrational”, or is it only religious belief?” Wait a minute. How did we get to this question from my position? I objected to the categorical characterization of major Christian beliefs as “clearly […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: belief, justification, rationality, reason

Mock beliefs, not people?

June 10, 2013 by Randal

In my essay “Laughing at Fundamentalists?” I critiqued John Loftus and Keith Parsons for advocating ridicule or mockery of those they call “fundamentalists”. In response a few commenters advocated mocking beliefs rather than the people that hold them. And how’s that supposed to work? Skeptic Sam (trying unsuccessfully to stifle a snicker): “Do you seriously […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: belief, dialogue, mockery, open society, ridicule

Wildly improbable? Some background reading

May 21, 2013 by Randal

For those interested in some background reading for my article “How to confound Christians with bad arguments: #4 Believe what is probable, not merely possible” I recommend my two-part critique of John Loftus’ essay “Christianity is wildly improbable,” titled “The End of Christianity? (Part 4)” and “John W. Loftus and a Swede named Mario“. Those […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: atheology, belief, John W. Loftus, justification, probability, rationality

Should Christians hedge their bets?

May 20, 2013 by Randal

The other day I was speaking about doubt to a group of Christians. During the discussion that followed one lady said that while she was a Christian, she thought that even if Christianity is false and reincarnation is true, that her current belief system would put her in good stead with the law(s) of reincarnation. […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: belief, Christianity, doubt, Pascal's wager

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