Gleanings Quick Links

Barr on Nagel on Dawkins: Physicist Stephen M. Barr comments on a review of Dawkins' new book: “Surfeited as I am with Dawkins’ highly polished put-downs and elegant sneering at his intellectual foes, I am happy to be able to experience his latest book (The God Delusion) at second hand through the philosopher Thomas Nagel’s incisive review in the New Republic. . . . Dawkins regards belief in God as a ‘delusion.’ In my judgment, physicalist reductionism such as his is not a delusion but an illusion caused by a trick of perspective.” (Stephen M. Barr in On the Square, the First Things blog)

Tue 24 Oct 2006 from TTF Staff • Link & Comments

Brooks’ Law: Inspired by David Brooks in the New York Times, on Andrew Sullivan: “I have a rule, which has never failed me, that when a writer uses quotations from Jerry Falwell, James Dobson, and the Left Behind series to capture the religious and political currents in modern America, then I know I can put that piece of writing down because the author either doesn't know what he is talking about or is arguing in bad faith.” (Kathy Shaidle, Relapsedcatholic.com)

Mon 23 Oct 2006 from TTF Staff • Link & Comments

Danger ahead - there are good reasons why God created atheists: “In the perennial battle between our lowest and highest instincts, which is the human condition whether we are atheist or believer, people usually robe their most brutal acts in the mantle of high ideals. In this respect the history of religion, like the history of substitutes for religion, is all too human.” (Jonathan Sacks, The Times)

Mon 23 Oct 2006 from TTF Staff • Link & Comments

Atheist gifts pontifical school in will: Speaking of atheists. “In one of her final interviews, Fallaci told The Wall Street Journal: ‘I am an atheist, and if an atheist and a pope think the same things, there must be something true.'” (Here's the WSJ link to an obit with the link to the interview) (Frances D’Emilio, Associated Press)

Mon 23 Oct 2006 from TTF Staff • Link & Comments

Battle of the New Atheism: “I do call it prayer. Here is the atheist prayer: that our reason will subjugate our superstition, that our intelligence will check our illusions, that we will be able to hold at bay the evil temptation of faith.” Fascinating. Ultimately unsatisfying on any number of levels, but fascinating. We'll have something more to say about this eventually. (Gary Wolfe, Wired)

Mon 23 Oct 2006 from TTF Staff • Link & Comments

A Divine Conspirator: A nice piece on Dallas Willard. “'I thought the fashionable views were a disaster,' says Willard. 'I wouldn't have stayed in philosophy if it weren't for realism.'” (Christine A. Scheller, Christianity Today, September 2006)

Thu 19 Oct 2006 from TTF Staff • Link & Comments

Five Best Novels on Money: “My favorite novels about the pursuit of money.” Also notable is Mark Helprin's Memoir from Antproof Case. (Ward Just, OpinionJournal.com)

Thu 19 Oct 2006 from TTF Staff • Link & Comments

Recommendation: Judas and the Gospel of Jesus by NT Wright: “This book shows Wright at his best in answering a specific contemporary challenge to the traditional creedal view of Jesus. Wright gives a superb overview of gnosticism, gnostic Christianity and the gnostic scriptures. He covers how gnostic writings like the Gospel of Judas both challenge and confirm the church’s ancient and orthodox faith in Jesus.” (Michael Spencer, internetmonk.com)

Thu 19 Oct 2006 from TTF Staff • Link & Comments

Debunking the Debunkers: “There should be more to scepticism than angry rants about stupid religious people or New Age mysticism.” (Ben Pile, Spiked)

Thu 19 Oct 2006 from TTF Staff • Link & Comments

Only Fools Bark at Dogma: “Have you seen the bumper sticker that seeks to emphasize the importance of knowing Jesus by declaring that ‘Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship’? This is misleading, because Christianity is both religion and relationship. In fact, it’s a religion founded on a relationship. Without dogma, however, I would not be free to articulate such thoughts, because I wouldn’t have the requisite vocabulary.” A readable defense of logic and dogma. Not just for Catholics. Take a few minutes with this one. (Patrick O'Hannigan, Catholic Exchange)

Wed 18 Oct 2006 from TTF Staff • Link & Comments