Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 162:648 (Oct 2005)
Article: Periodical Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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Bsac 162:648 (October 2005) p. 483

Periodical Reviews

By The Faculty and Library Staff of Dallas Theological Seminary

Robert D. Ibach, Editor

“My Pilgrimage from Atheism to Theism: A Discussion between Antony Flew and Gary Habermas,” Antony Flew and Gary Habermas, Philosophia Christi 6 (2004): 197-211.

In December 2004 the Associated Press reported that Antony Flew, perhaps the world’s foremost philosophical atheist, had changed his mind about the existence of God. In this fascinating conversation with Gary Habermas, a Christian philosopher at Liberty University, Flew explains why he became a theist and offers some preliminary thoughts about what sort of theist he has become.

At least a year before his decision made international news Flew concluded that scientific arguments for the existence of God were ultimately persuasive. In particular he states, “I think the argument to Intelligent Design is enormously stronger than it was when I first met it” (p. 200). As a result Flew has accepted an Aristotelian theism, believing in a God of power and intelligence. He somewhat hesitatingly agrees with Habermas that this First Cause must be both all-powerful and omniscient, but Flew is still working out the details of this new belief.

Though open to the idea of revelation, Flew does not accept the God of “any revelatory system” (p. 199). He speaks very negatively about Islam, rejecting both its claimed revelation and its encouragement of political conquest. He is more positive toward Christianity, noting that “Jesus is an enormously attractive charismatic figure,” but says the problem of evil still prevents him from becoming a Christian (p. 211).

As editor Craig Hazen notes, the tone of this interview is not triumphalist. He writes, “We fully understand that this interview is but a snapshot of one man’s thinking during a given period of time” (p. 193). Still, Christian apologists are understandably thrilled by Flew’s acceptance of theism, and this conversation offers significant insight into his thinking. In addition to the issues highlighted here Flew and Habermas also discuss the possibility of the afterlife, mind-body issues, and evidence for the resurrection. This captivating dialogue is well worth reading.

Robert A. Pyne

“Christ Crucified and the Inversion of Roman Ideology in 1 Corinthians,” Mark T. Finney, Biblical Theology Bulletin 35 (2005): 20-33.

In this article Finney presents a case for an anti-imperial polemic in 1 Corinthians. This is not new. However, in addition to describing the imperial

Bsac 162:648 (October 2005) p. 484

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