Thanks for sharing guys. I enjoyed every minute of it and could relate.

Watching bitcoin maximilism emerge out of the block size wars and numerous scams has helped me understand Christian fundamentalism and the often stifling cultures that emerge in churches. They are a protection mechanism.

Im keen to know if either of you have read Alvin Plantinga on the evolutionary argument against naturalism?

He basically argues that if evolution is true, than naturalism can't be rationally believed.

If our beliefs are the product of evolution, then they are selected for survival. As long as the action that results from a stimulus enhances survival, the belief that is formed as a byproduct is irrelevant. The probably of our cognative facilities producing true belief is low or unknowable.

Evolution and naturalism therefore have the property that if true, can't be rationally believed.

On the flip side, Christian theism has the property that if true, can be rationally believed.

Just as many of our beliefs are properly basic. The existence of the external world and other minds, memory, and perhaps perception of emotions,etc. Not coming to us by way or reason. God could see to it that our cognitive facilities can know him in a properly basic way.

For example Romans 1

"since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made"

Or through the work of the holy spirit

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" - John 10:27

As someone educated in the public school system of a not very religious nation, going on to study engineering, the scientific naturalism world view struck me like a flaming arrow. It undercut my intellectual ability to comit to faith.

Reading 'Warranted christian belief' and 'Where the conflict really lies' has helped me regain an intellectual basis to my faith. Its a difficult and technical read, but i think the arguments are sound and very under appreciated in todays society.

Thanks again for a very enjoyable podcast