Welcome to the new home of Mere Orthodxy. We are still under a bit of construction, and probably will be for some time. We have nearly five hundred posts that will have to be categorized. However, we are excited to finally have them imported from our previous site and to be over here at MereOrthodoxy.com. [...]
Archive for January, 2006
January 30, 2006
2
Blog for Books Review: Natural Law
By Matthew Lee Anderson in Apologetics, Reviews (Books)In August of 2005, Joe Carter of Evangelicaloutpost penned these words: What we need is a third way. We need a clear Christian vision that understands that markets are a moral sphere (contra the libertarians). We need to promote the idea that free individuals rather than government force is necessary to carry out this task [...]
January 30, 2006
5
Blog for Books Review–I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist
By Matthew Lee Anderson in Apologetics, Reviews (Books)It seems that books on apologetics have two benefits: if done well, they can equip Christians to address popular level critiques of Christianity. Additionally, they can reaffirm and strengthen a Christian’s confidence in the rationality of the Christian faith. Norman Geisler and Frank Turek’s I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist accomplishes both [...]
January 29, 2006
1
“Joe Versus the Volcano”: Review
By Andrew McKnight Selby in Reviews (Films)Before there was Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan made Joe Versus the Volcano, a film with lasting value that could help save your soul if you don’t watch out. The plot goes thusly: Tom Hanks plays Joe, a hypochondriac with a dead-end job he hates. He is isolated [...]
January 9, 2006
14
Part IV – What is “information”?
By Keith E. Buhler in Intelligent Design, Philosophy, ScienceMany thanks to Radar, a newcomer, for his thoughtful comments and his referencing real research in the areas we are discussing and attempting to shed light on. Radar, I assume you have encountered a few answers to the question “What exactly is ‘information’?” I would invite you to read my quickly-collected thoughts below, and add [...]
January 9, 2006
9
(More ID vs. E) A Distinction between “Mechanism” and “Originating Cause”
By Keith E. Buhler in Intelligent Design, Philosophy, ScienceMany people are trying to understand the answer to this question: “Where did all the complexity come from?” IDers say, “It came from an intelligent designer,” Evolvers say, “It came from previous simplicity, gradually increasing in complexity.” In the previous post, Warren made this challenge: “An intelligent designer” doesn’t explain anything, scientifically, unless we can [...]
January 5, 2006
15
a refreshingly clear definition
By Keith E. Buhler in Intelligent Design, Philosophy, Science“The theory of intelligent design (ID) holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than an undirected process such as natural selection. ID is thus a scientific disagreement with the core claim of evolutionary theory that the apparent design of living systems is an [...]
January 5, 2006
1
Part IV – What is “information”?
By Keith E. Buhler in Intelligent Design, Philosophy, ScienceMany thanks to Radar, a newcomer, for his thoughtful comments and his referencing real research in the areas we are discussing and attempting to shed light on. Radar, I assume you have encountered a few answers to the question “What exactly is ‘information’?” I would invite you to read my quickly-collected thoughts below, and add [...]
January 3, 2006
19
Part III – What does “intelligent” mean?
By Keith E. Buhler in Intelligent Design, Philosophy, ScienceA hearty thanks to Warren for his thoughtful responses. There is a second misunderstanding that I have observed twice or thrice, here or there. It is a simple and understandable one, having to do with the term “intelligent.” Warren conveniently supplied me with an instance of the misunderstanding here: “…Yet it cannot define “intelligent,” and [...]
January 2, 2006
11
Part II – What, then, IS intelligent design?
By Keith E. Buhler in Intelligent Design, Philosophy, ScienceIt is an interpretation of the evidence found in the observable universe. *In interpreting evidence, there are three types of causes used by scientists. 1. Law, 2. chance, and 3. intention (or design). 1. Law explains things like the rate of speed an apple will fall to the earth if dropped from 40 feet. Chance [...]
January 2, 2006
9
Part I – What is NOT Intelligent Design?
By Keith E. Buhler in Intelligent Design, Philosophy, ScienceTwice I have heard certain critiques levelled against intelligent design theory and its proponents that do not seem to me to comment on the actual theory. I would like to present this critique now and point out that is not actually critique of intelligent design, but a critique of some misunderstood modification thereof. As a [...]