Debating the Faith
One of the benefits of public debates is that it encourages Christians to engage with the issues raised in these events, think through their own response and use this material to make their own witness more effective.
A selection of recent debates are listed below, with links for listening to the audio or purchasing the DVD.
Public debates between Christians and non-Christians
Richard Dawkins and John Lennox
Has Science Buried God?
Tuesday 21st October 2008
Oxford Museum of Natural History, UK
Dawkins and Lennox discuss atheism, the Christian faith, and the claims of their respective books: The God Delusion and God's Undertaker: Has Science Buried God? Order the DVD.
Alistair McBay and David Robertson
Is Faith in God a Delusion?
23rd September 2008
Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
This event was organised jointly by the University of Edinburgh Philosophy Society and the Christian Union. Watch the video.
Michael Shermer and John Lennox
Does God Exist?
23rd August 2008
This debate took place during Australian Science Week.
Listen to the audio.
Vic Stenger et al and John Lennox et al
We'd be better off without religion
9th August 2008
Sydney, Australia
Three advocates on each side discuss this topic. For details of the speakers, click here.
Watch the video.
Christopher Hitchens and John Lennox
Should the New Europe Prefer the New Atheism?
9th August 2008
Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh UK
Billed as a clash of two intellectual heavyweights, this debate considered whether the new Europe would be better off jettisoning its religious past and welcoming the new atheism.
Get the DVD.
Kenneth Humphreys and Gary Habermas
The Resurrection: Historical Fact or Religious Invention?
10th March 2008
Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Scotland
This event was organised jointly by the University of Edinburgh Philosophy Society and the Christian Union.
Watch the video.
Peter Atkins and Alister McGrath
Should we rid the mind of God?
13th March 2007
Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Scotland
This event was organised jointly by the University of Edinburgh Philosophy Society and the Christian Union.
Watch the video.
Richard Dawkins and John Lennox
"The God Delusion" Debate
3rd October 2007
The Alys Stephens Center, Birmingham, Alabama
Richard Dawkins and John Lennox met for the first time in this debate, sponsored by the Fixed Point Foundation. The debate, moderated by United States Federal Judge William H. Pryor, examined six theses from Dawkins' book The God Delusion. Although billed as a debate, this was more of a directed discussion, with less time for debate and real interaction than both participants appeared to want.
Purchase the DVD or CD.
Watch the debate.
Richard Dawkins and Alister McGrath
"The God Delusion" Debate
26th March 2007
The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival, Oxford
Chaired by Joan Bakewell, this was the first public discussion between Dawkins and McGrath.
Download or listen to the debate.
William Lane Craig's 'Reasonable Faith Tour' Debates
William Lane Craig engaged in four debates during UCCF's Reasonable Faith Tour in February and March 2007.
Is God a Delusion?
Debate with Professor Lewis Wolpert
Professor Craig debated Professor Wolpert at Central Hall, Westminster, with John Humphrys in the chair. Professor Wolpert is Professor of Biology as Applied to Medicine at University College, London and is well know for his atheistic beliefs.
Does the Christian God Exist?
Debate with Dr Andrew Pyle
Professor Craig debated Dr Pyle at Bristol University. Dr Pyle is Reader in Early Modern Philosophy at Bristol University, and has written a reader’s guide to David Hume’s Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion.
Was Jesus Bodily Raised from the Dead?
Debate with Dr James Crossley
Professor Craig debated Dr Crossley at Sheffield University. Dr Crossley is on the academic staff of Sheffield University’s Biblical Studies Department. Both participants have written scholarly works on the topic of the debate.
Is God a Delusion?
Debate with Professor Mike Begon
Professor Craig debated Professor Begon at Liverpool University. Professor Begon is Professor of Ecology in the School of Biological Sciences at Liverpool University.
DVDs of all four of these debates are available. Get the order form.
