What's New Archive ● 2014 ● October
What's New on the Secular Web?
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October 23, 2014
Added On Christian Theology: An Introduction (2014) by Michael Reynolds to the Christianity page and Alister McGrath section of the Christian Apologetics and Apologists page in the Modern Documents section of the Secular Web Library.
Theology professor Alister McGrath's Christian Theology: An Introduction is a clear and comprehensive theology textbook that is balanced, at least, when presenting conflicting Christian opinions. This review by Michael Reynolds from the perspective of a nonbeliever is not intended to be comprehensive, but focuses on McGrath's treatment of issues found to be incomplete or misleading, or otherwise his omissions of discussion (or even mention) of large and important topics within Christianity. Some of these topics include the pernicious effects of Christian theology on social progress (such as equal rights for men and women), the conflict between science and religion, Christianity's history of suppression of thought by imprisonment, torture, and murder, religious wars, and rationalization of the conquest of non-Christian cultures. In short, McGrath neglects a large swath of issues close to the heart of Christianity in a way that suggests that Christian theology is taught in order to promote a set of fictions.
October 12, 2014
New in the Kiosk: Filling the Void (2014) by Brian Horn
"Religions fill a deeply felt need. Throughout history, practically all societies, whether isolated tribes or complex civilizations, have had some sort of belief system in the form of a religion. If something as ubiquitous and seemingly necessary as religion is actually a false concept, significant consideration ought to be given to what might replace it."
October 4, 2014
New in the Bookstore: God or Godless?: One Atheist. One Christian. Twenty Controversial Questions (2013) by John W. Loftus and Randal Rauser.
In this unique book, atheist (and former Christian minister and apologist with degrees in philosophy, theology, and the philosophy of religion) John Loftus, and theist Randal Rauser (Associate Professor of Historical Theology at Taylor Seminary) engage in twenty short debates that consider Christianity, the existence of God, and unbelief from a variety of angles. Each concise debate centers on a single proposition to be resolved, with either Loftus or Rauser arguing in the affirmative and the opponent the negative.