In this second installment of my interaction with questions and comments, I continue the debate over whether God would be just as fine-tuned as the universe that theists claim God is necessary to explain. I still think this objection to the fine-tuning argument fails, but at least I understand the other side of the argument now! For the YouTube version of this episode, click here.

Dr. Luke Barnes joins me to discuss whether empirical evidence indicates that the universe began to exist, and how theism and naturalism fare as explanations for the fine-tuning of the universe for intelligent life. To purchase Barnes' book-length discussion of the fine-tuning argument, click here. To read Barnes' article on the fine-tuning argument, click here.

In the inaugural episode for the newest segment of the podcast, Questions & Comments, I add some thoughts on a recent back-and-forth I had with a commentor about whether God would have to be just as fine-tuned as the universe that He is called upon to explain - and if so, does that mean that theism is a bad explanation of the fine-tuning of the universe for intelligent life?

Joe Schmid joins me to discuss the best arguments for God's existence, and the best arguments against. We explored several nuances of the cosmological argument (for God) and the argument from gratuitous animal suffering (against God). To access Joe's YouTube channel, Majesty of Reason, click here. To see a list of Joe's publications, click here.

On September 24th, I (virtually) attended and spoke at my first professional philosophy conference, "Christian Philosophy Facing Naturalism," held at Ignatianum University in Cracow, Poland. My talk was titled, "Theistic Multiverses and the Fine-Tuning Argument." My aim was to examine philosopher Michael Rota's contention that even if a multiverse exists, we should still infer that a cosmic designer was responsible for the fine-tuning of the universe. I ultimately reject Rota's case for this provocative conclusion.

Dr. Graham Oppy, professor of philosophy at Monash University and author of the wide-ranging exploring of arguments for God's existence Arguing about Gods published by Cambridge University Press, joins me to discuss the relationship between science and religion, morality and God's existence, the future of philosophy of religion, and what the point of philosophy is in the first place. For more information about Oppy and a list of his publications, click here.

Dr. Max Baker-Hytch, tutor in philosophy at Oxford, joins me to discuss his recent published research on near-death experiences (NDEs) and their evidential significance, whether they provide reason to believe in an afterlife, and the strengths and weaknesses of natural explanations for these remarkable phenomena. To access Max's publication on NDEs, click ⁠here⁠. A compendium of Max's publications, click ⁠here⁠.

Hans Halvorson, professor of philosophy at Princeton, joins me to discuss the relationship between God and science, science and philosophy, and the role that philosophy has to play in our world today.