Ep. #51 – 53: How Reason Can Lead to God with Dr. Rasmussen (Series)

Summary

This is a 3-part series based on Dr. Josh Rasmussen’s new book How Reason Can Lead to God. In part 1, we talk about how to discuss worldview issues with others. In part 2, Dr. Rasmussen gives highlights of his argument for why reality must have an ultimate and independent foundation. In part 3, Dr. Rasmussen delves into the next stage of the argument, explaining various attributes of the foundation of reality.

Guest Bio

Dr. Josh Rasmussen, an associate professor of philosophy at Azusa Pacific University. His area of expertise is analytic metaphysics, with a focus on the foundations of existence and the philosophy of mind. He is the author of Defending the Correspondence Theory of Truth (Cambridge University Press, 2014) and Necessary Existence (with Pruss; Oxford University Press, 2015). He values collaboration across disciplines and perspectives. Also, he’s the author of the forthcoming monograph: How Reason Can Lead to God, which is the topic of this 3-part conversation.

Series Outline

In part 1, Dr. Rasmussen tells his own story of how his worldview fell apart. Also provides many practical tips for having productive worldview conversations. Finally, I ask Dr. Rasmussen how he reconciles his approach with various verses from Scripture.

In part 2, Dr. Rasmussen explains the “puzzle of existence” and how reason can show reality must have an ultimate, independent foundation. Additionally, he dispels an objection from the scientific example of “virtual particles” and shows his argument works even if the world is eternal.

In part 3, we discuss the nature of the ultimate foundation of reality. This has come to be known as stage 2 of arguments for God. He defends the idea that the foundation of reality is independent, purely actual, possesses eternal power, and is the foundation of minds. Lastly, I ask Dr. Rasmussen for a 60-second summary of what people should expect from this book.

Resources Mentioned

How Reason Can Lead to God by Dr. Joshua Rasmussen

The Bridge of Reason: Ten Steps to See God by Dr. Joshua Rasmussen

Related Episodes

Ep. #26 – Ten Steps to See God with Dr. Rasmussen