At the beginning of “Apologetics Month” we looked at science and scientism. Today with apologist Peter S. Williams we consider the related ideas of “Logical Positivism” and “Verificationism” which were popular in Lewis’ day and which are still alive and well today.
S5E43: “C.S. Lewis vs The New Atheists” – After Hours with Peter S. Williams (Download)
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Show Notes
Introduction
Quote-of-the-week
The very essence of our life as conscious beings… consists of something which cannot be communicated expect by hints, similes, metaphors, and the use of those emotions…
C.S. Lewis, The Language of Religion
Biographical Information
Peter S. Williams is a Christian philosopher and apologist based in Southampton, England. He is Assistant Professor in Communication and Worldviews at NLA University College, in Kristiansand, Norway. Peter is also a trustee of the Christian Evidence Society, he’s a Montgomery Trust Lecturer and both a Mentor and Travelling Speaker for the European Leadership Forum. He has authored several books, including Apologetics in 3D, Outgrowing God? ,A Faithful Guide to Philosophy, Getting at Jesus Understanding Jesus and A Sceptic’s Guide to Atheism. He is here today to talk to us about anti-verificationism, no doubt drawing on some of the content of another of his books, C.S. Lewis vs the New Atheists…
Biographical Information for Peter S. Williams
Chit-Chat
- Peter and David lived very close to each other while David was at University.
Beverage and Toast
- David was drinking black tea
- Joe was drinking a glass of skimmed milk.
Discussion
1. “Background”
- Would you please tell our listeners a little bit about yourself, your faith journey, and where you discovered Lewis along the way?
2. “The Book”
- You discuss anti-verificationism in your book, C.S. Lewis vs The New Atheists. Why did you write a book about C.S. Lewis and the New Atheists, and what topics do you address there?
3. “Anti-verificationism”
- What is anti-verificationism, where did it come from, what does Lewis say in his essay, and how can it be used by a Christian apologist?!
4. “Practical Application”
- What are the sorts of things someone might say if he held to verificationism, and what might you say an apologist and what questions might you ask when in dialogue?
5. “Other books”
- As we begin to draw to a close, I wanted to give you a few minutes to talk about some of the other books you’ve written on apologetics which might be of interest to our listeners.
