Is Belief in God Good, Bad or Irrelevant?: A Professor and a Punk Rocker Discuss Science, Religion, Naturalism Christianity

by Preston Jones (Editor)

Overview

Greg Graffin is frontman, singer and songwriter for the punk band Bad Religion. He also happens to have a Ph.D. in zoology and wrote his dissertation on evolution, atheism and naturalism. Preston Jones is a history professor at a Christian college and a fan of Bad Religion's music. One day, on a whim, Preston sent Greg an appreciative e-mail. That was the start of an extraordinary correspondence. For several months, Preston and Greg sent e-mails back and forth on big topics like God, religion, knowledge, evil, evolution, biology, destiny and the nature of reality. Preston believes in God; Greg sees insufficient evidence for God's existence. Over the course of their friendly debate, they tackle such cosmic questions as: Is religion rational or irrational? Does morality require belief in God? Do people only believe in God because they are genetically predisposed toward religion? How do you make sense of suffering in the world? Is this universe all there is? And what does it all matter? In this engaging book, Preston and Greg's actual e-mail correspondence is reproduced, along with bonus materials that provide additional background and context. Each makes his case for why he thinks his worldview is more compelling and explanatory. While they find some places to agree, neither one convinces the other. They can't both be right. So which worldview is more plausible? You decide.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830833771
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	05/18/2006
Pages:	165
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Preston Jones is assistant professor of history at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He has published over two hundred articles in general and academic publications, and he is a contributing editor for Books Culture and Critique.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
The Dialogue
Getting Acquainted
Inquisitions
Hating God
Odd Christians and Naturalism
The Tough World
Books
Theism Versus Naturalism
The End of the Tour
The Inevitability of People and Foundations for Morality
The Fall
Free Will
Freedom and Environment
Mystery
Fan Mail
Christianity and Violence
Proximate Versus Ultimate Meaning
Study Guide
Notes
About the Authors

What People are Saying About This

Doug Van Pelt

"A good spirited conversation can be very educational. It gives people the freedom to draw their own conclusions, which is usually more powerful than forcing one down the reader's throat. Preston Jones has 'authored' a great read simply by keeping the conversation true to what was 'said' via his e-mails with Bad Religion frontman Greg Graffin. This collection of back-and-forth debate concerning the worldviews of a naturalist and a Christian is fascinating and as compelling as a suspense novel, as educational as a college course and as relational as a blog. Anyone young enough to love rock and roll and smart enough to know that the Christian faith needn't back down from any philosophy will appreciate the frankness found inside this book."
— Doug Van Pelt, editor of HM Magazine, and author of Rock Stars on God

David Naugle

"In books that seek to commend the Christian faith, often the conversation is one-sided, lacking 'apologetic tension.' Not so with this new work edited by Preston Jones. In a dynamic conversation (actually an e-mail exchange) between Jones, the Christian history professor, and punk rocker Greg Graffin over matters of consequence, we see elements of Christian theism and scientific naturalism going head to head. I was drawn deeply into their intellectual volleys, their spiritual perspectives and their friendship. I also learned about books and issues that were new to me. This work is a model of civility on the part of both parties, and an enlightening one at that!"
— David Naugle, professor of philosophy, Dallas Baptist University, and author of Worldview: The History of a Concept

Denis D. Haack

"I've overheard numerous conversations but none as captivating as this. Greg Graffin and Preston Jones disagree agreeably while discussing the things that matter most. I learned from both, grew in appreciation for the creative music of Bad Religion and reflected on how better to flesh out my faith in a pluralistic world. I hope all my friends accept their invitation to listen in. This is a book that needs to be not just read, but discussed."
— Denis D. Haack, Director, Ransom Fellowship, Editor, Critique, and visiting instructor in practical theology, Covenant Seminary

Editorial Reviews

Jones proffers a case for Christianity that is free of biblical proof-texting, which non-believers might find refreshing.

Bradford McCall for Religious Studies Review

"In books that seek to commend the Christian faith, often the conversation is one-sided, lacking 'apologetic tension.' Not so with this new work edited by Preston Jones. In a dynamic conversation (actually an e-mail exchange) between Jones, the Christian history professor, and punk rocker Greg Graffin over matters of consequence, we see elements of Christian theism and scientific naturalism going head to head. I was drawn deeply into their intellectual volleys, their spiritual perspectives and their friendship. I also learned about books and issues that were new to me. This work is a model of civility on the part of both parties, and an enlightening one at that!"

David Naugle

"A good spirited conversation can be very educational. It gives people the freedom to draw their own conclusions, which is usually more powerful than forcing one down the reader's throat. Preston Jones has 'authored' a great read simply by keeping the conversation true to what was 'said' via his e-mails with Bad Religion frontman Greg Graffin. This collection of back-and-forth debate concerning the worldviews of a naturalist and a Christian is fascinating and as compelling as a suspense novel, as educational as a college course and as relational as a blog. Anyone young enough to love rock and roll and smart enough to know that the Christian faith needn't back down from any philosophy will appreciate the frankness found inside this book."

Doug Van Pelt

Here is an e-mail exchange like few others. I would recommend it for anyone interested in how a Christian and an anti-Christian can intelligently and peacefully interact.

Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

"I've overheard numerous conversations but none as captivating as this. Greg Graffin and Preston Jones disagree agreeably while discussing the things that matter most. I learned from both, grew in appreciation for the creative music of Bad Religion and reflected on how better to flesh out my faith in a pluralistic world. I hope all my friends accept their invitation to listen in. This is a book that needs to be not just read, but discussed."

Denis D. Haack

Jones proffers a case for Christianity that is free of biblical proof-texting, which non-believers might find refreshing.

--Bradford McCall for Religious Studies Review, April 2007

Here is an e-mail exchange like few others. I would recommend it for anyone interested in how a Christian and an anti-Christian can intelligently and peacefully interact.

--Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, June 2007

From the Publisher