Recommended Resources
This is a beautiful ministry led by some of my good friends, the Roark family, who have a heart for the people of Cambodia. They are not only caring for physical needs, but they are raising up those who will faithfully preach the gospel and make disciples for the glory of God! If you choose to support Our Family Ministry, 100% of the contribution will go directly to fund ministry on the ground in Cambodia.
I am excited to engage this great curriculum produced by one of my friends Elizabeth Urbanowicz! She is an educator as well as a highly respected graduate of Biola University’s Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics program! The call to train our youth to think critically and biblically is something every parent should be responding to, and great material like this is invaluable! Check out the link below!
I am particularly gratful for the Truth Project, as it was the study that really got me interested in Theology, Philosophy and Apologetics. I remember it was the summer of 2007 and our college and career group was going through it, and it just grabbed me and pulled me in. I think it is an amazing resource for small group studies, and a great introduction to apologetics and Christian worldview, right sized for discipleship classes.
These are like the LE version of the Truth Project, yet include excellent contributions from scholars in relevant fields. These studies are great for college group studies and high school small groups looking to gain an introduction to both Christian worldview and apologetics, as well as basic theology. The study is broken into three main modules that each have around ten 30 minute sessions that focus on a particular topic. The three main modules are:
01 Does God Exist?
02 Is the Bible Reliable?
03 Who is Jesus?
Click the button below to see both the Truth Project & True U Resources.
Book: A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature, 2006.
Author: Benjamin Wiker & Jonathan Witt
The authors are Benjamin Wiker and Jonathan Witt. Both of these men are senior fellows of Discovery Institute in Seattle, Washington. Wiker earned his Ph.D. in Theological Ethics from Vanderbilt and is lecturer in theology and science at the Franciscan University, where he has taught courses in philosophy, history, the history and philosophy of science as well as several other topics. Witt earned his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas and formerly taught at Lubbock Christian University, as well as co-authored the book Intelligent Design Uncensored: An Easy-to-Understand Guide to the Controversy, with William Dembski.
Book Summary:
The book offers a very interesting view of nature and its inherent genius recognized through an appreciation of the arts and sciences. The book covers topics ranging from literature to geometry, chemistry and biology, and the philosophy of science, namely as presented in materialism. The overall goal of the book is to show how nature reveals that there is an underlying meaning and therefore meaningfulness to the world ultimately originating in the supreme genius of God the creator who has endowed nature with undeniable meaning. The point is made that nature in fact has an intelligible sense of order that scientists not only recognize, but depend upon to analyze and interpret the data that they collect. If there is no meaning in the world, then so too there is no meaning in data, but in everyday life meaning is imminent and recognizable. The book argues that modern materialism fails to account for this appearance of meaning and order.
The book goes on to highlight how literature is analogous to information in DNA and how the relationship between form and function cannot by overlooked. Just as Shakespeare’s work cannot simply be reduced to letters and therefore be isolated from their function in conveying information, namely about characters in his works. The fact remains that the letters are the form that serve a function. Likewise, a person’s DNA is more than simply a means to reduce them to a chemical form, for to do so misses the point of function considering the many complex layers that provide the form (DNA or letters) the context in which and by which they demonstrate meaning.
The book also highlights the interesting fact that mathematics developed by humans is an example of an appreciation and desire to discover logical beauty. The book points out that while some mathematical ventures are theoretical, and some are quite practical, they all go beyond accidental occurrences in nature, but rather demonstrate logical beauty and provide a means of discovering truths and meaning in data, which without question has been essential in investigation using the scientific method.
Evaluation:
The book provides a powerful argument from nature that the world has meaning that can both be detected and understood. The point communicated and argued consistently throughout the book is that the world is meaningful, and evidence of this meaning is readily available. This argument is effective in responding to the claim that nature is chaotic, randomly ordered, and meaningless, therefore everything in nature by inclusion is also meaningless. The book’s wide survey of topics serves to drive home the point that the argument is not isolated to simply one category of human knowledge, but that form, function and meaning is interwoven throughout the most important categories of human knowledge. The appeal to topics such as literature, mathematics, chemistry, and biology, which collectively representatives of the arts and sciences is an effective method of communicating the point being made. In this way, the authors do a fine job of supporting their arguments with examples from both the arts and sciences fortifying their point with concepts that are easy to recognize and understand. As well, the authors do not squander their influence by maliciously attacking their opponents, but provide historical insight and a balanced representation of the issues while making their point.
Recommendation:
Those who would be interested in this book would likely be those with an interest in the relationship between science and religion. They would also be persons interested in theology, philosophy, history and general science. The target audience would be adults with a background in the natural sciences, theology or philosophy, who are generally informed on these topics. Without reservation, I would highly recommend this book. I see this book as both easy to read, and robust in its argumentation and explanation. It would be helpful for anyone looking to investigate the connection between the arts and sciences and our ability to understand the world as meaningful. The believer and skeptic alike can appreciate the balanced yet well-reasoned perspective that the authors present.
I would recommend this book to two types of people. The first would be those who are interested in learning about the relationship between science and religion from an apologetic perspective who also appreciate the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Those who are also interested in learning how to respond to popular claims that the natural world is without meaning, chaotic and randomly ordered. The second would be the person who may be of this persuasion yet open to hearing a balanced and informed argument against their current position. The skeptic who also appreciates the beauty and wonder of the natural world, but currently holds that it is the product of random unguided natural processes.
Discovery Institute promotes thoughtful analysis and effective action on local, regional, national and international issues. The Institute is home to an inter-disciplinary community of scholars and policy advocates dedicated to the reinvigoration of traditional Western principles and institutions and the worldview from which they issued. Discovery Institute has a special concern for the role that science and technology play in our culture and how they can advance free markets, illuminate public policy and support the theistic foundations of the West. The Institute was founded by Bruce Chapman and George Gilder in 1991.
The work of Discovery Institute is disseminated through books, papers and reports, conferences, lectures and seminars, through regular radio and television appearances by scholars and fellows, and through sponsorship of national and international colloquia, seminars and conferences.
Discovery is headquartered in Seattle, Washington with scholars and fellows located around the country, and even internationally.
Biola is the leading university in Christian apologetics, and is home to many of the leading apologists in our time. The certificate program offers a great introduction to apologetics providing the foundation for effectively communicating and defending the faith.
Greg Koukl is a leader in Christian apologetics and cultural engagement. His site STR is an excellent resource for individuals looking to learn how navigate tough conversations with skeptics.
Reasonable Faith is an excellent resource for Christians looking to find answers to difficult questions. William Lane Craig is one of the most prominent Christian apologists of our time, and is a leading philosopher and theologian.
https://www.reasonablefaith.org
