Lennox - Dawkins (again)

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

Dawkins makes a concession

John Lennox and Richard Dawkins met in debate again at Oxford's Natural History Museum on 21st October 2008. Justin Brierley, from Premier Christian Radio, attended the debate and has written a brief account of it and of his interview with Richard Dawkins afterwards. His radio programme provides further details about the debate, the following press conference and also contains his subsequent interview with John Lennox.

A surprising statement by Richard Dawkins was the following:

A serious case could be made for a deistic god.

This seems to be a major concession by Dawkins, who appears to be admitting that serious arguments and evidence can be made for a god who created the world (but then left it alone to take care of itself). If it is a 'serious case', then Dawkins must be admitting that it is a case where the evidence and the arguments need to be seriously thought through and cannot (and should not, as a good scientist) be instantly dismissed.

Melanie Phillips, writing in the Spectator, asks the question: Is Richard Dawkins Still Evolving? and goes on to say that Dawkins acknowledged that he is open to the belief that life on earth arose from extraterestrial intervention.

How serious are Dawkins' concessions? Where will it lead him? At the very least, we must applaud his intellectual honesty in such an admission. It would seem that a successor to The God Delusion could be on the way. Perhaps after the children's books he is planning to write, a follow-up to The God Delusion might be on the way, outlining that 'serious case ... for a deistic god'?

Posted by Chris Knight at 16:20

6 Comments

Steven Carr (Wed 12 Nov)

You would never hear any Christian claiming that a serious case could be made for atheism. But Dawkins is a militant fundamentalist atheist, so naturally cannot be as open-minded as Lennox.

Apolareus (Wed 12 Nov)

But the interesting thing is when someone changes their mind - what new evidence is being considered and what new arguments are suddenly assuming a greater importance? All praise to RD for saying this - but it would be good to know why! Please explain, Richard...

A Christian (Sun 23 Nov)

Dear Steven, A serious case could be made for atheism. A better one can be made for Trinitarian theism. Lots of love.

James Garth (Sun 14 Dec)

Hi Steven (again! :) I'd disagree with your contention. I am a Christian, and I also believe that a serious case can be made for atheism. However, I think that a better case can be made for theism. To me, it is a richer, more elegant, more satisfying integrated worldview with great explanatory power, which resonates more strongly with the totality of existence and human experience; not just a select slice of it. Therefore, it makes sense to live one's life as though it were true, whilst at the same time being open to evidence to the contrary, and being willing to modify one's beliefs at any stage as appropriate. cheers, James

Poindexter (Mon 9 Mar)

Is it really a question of whether one belief has a better argument than the other!? People who choose to believe in God do so, not because there is conclusive, tangible evidence of God. "Faith is the evidence of things unseen", is it not? Is it not enough for those of us who believe in the divine creative love of Almighty God to subsist on that, rather than convert Him to being no more than someone we argue for. God does not need someone to argue on His behalf. Christ ended all the arguments by His actions... His going to the Cross for all mankind. God does not desire argument. He desires free will and free choosing of Him. Atheism may indeed have a case. Who cares! God gave us the right to choose either Him or ourselves. He gave us as a people the right to choose whether to follow Him or to follow our own desires. I believe God loves atheists as much as He loves Christians. Its His divine nature to love unconditionally. Whether you believe He does, or not. God loves Richard Dawkins. God loves everybody. That means that we who do believe in God, who have given our lives to Christ, who now reflect the divine nature of God (which is who we as Christians should be), have no reason to feel offense at the words of Mr Dawkins or any other who brings anything against what we believe. Because its not us they have a problem with. Its Him - God. Granted, the actions of some Christians does indeed raise more than an eyebrow as to the existence, love, and care of our divine Creator. But ultimately, we as believers have no right to judge. It is not our job! That is for Christ and God, not us! Our calling is to be loving of all humanity, regardless of their beliefs, what they bring against us, who they call us. They called Christ many things. What less can you expect, you who also follow in His footsteps. You who are a disciple of Christ! Thats what I think anyway.

ben--bible believer (Mon 14 Sep)

Of course a serious case can be made for atheism and evolution, a serious case can be made for abortion and gay rights too, especially if you believe atheistic evolution. But it kinda comes down to faith. Atheism sure didn't feed all of George Mueller's orphans, and the fact that my parents speak in tongues didn't result from evolution. It is/was all by faith. My faith isn't perfect, but I believe, Lord help my unbelief.

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