Atheist Debates - Liar, Lunatic or Lord?

C.S. Lewis popularized the trilemma of "liar, lunatic or lord" and Josh McDowell, and others, ran with that in order to firm up a foundation that may seek to exclude other options.

Links:

[gremlinn]

I'm taking "L" option #5, myself: lycanthrope.

[janisir]

"Who am I to question god?"
I'm someone who exists, unlike god.

[combatives]

Really great explanation, I agree that the "well has been poisoned" by Josh McDowell and C.S. Lewis...they knew there was another option available they just did all they could to avoid it due to their own bias towards their own religious beliefs. I am so posting this on my FB wall. Great job Matt!

[gdobiewest]

Matt is such a pleasure to listen to, and makes so much sense. Thanks Matt

[JohnCashin]

If the Old Testament is anything to go by, lunatic just about sums up this God, so it's hardly a surprise that his son would have a few mental issues too Lol

[allgoodoutdoorsllc]

I appreciate your politeness, your the kindest and most respectful atheist conversation I've ever watched. Thanks for the food for thought.

[MistyGothis]

I actually fell for the Liar, Lunatic or Lord dilemma myself, thought I didn't realize it at the time. I met a guru, who seemed to have genuine insight and some good ideas. So when without quite saying it explicitly, he made it clear he viewed himself as a living Buddha, I trusted him. But, it turns out someone can have genuine insight, some good ideas, charisma, and be a narcissistic nut ball. Human beings are complicated.

[YOSUP]

Josh McDowell is completely butchering the argument. C.S. Lewis' original trilemma was a response to a hypothetical non-believer who's committed to believing Jesus was a great moral teacher. But the trilemma doesn't work at all against skeptical atheists who openly criticize the teachings attributed to the Jesus character, or doubt whether there was such a historical figure.

[Robert.Deeeee]

But WL Craig says that the empty tomb is a fact. lol

[Tareltonlives]

Not to mention that being wrong about something, or lying about something, doesn't make someone evil or worthless, or ALWAYS lying or ALWAYS crazy.

[billkeon]

Awesome breakdown. All these in the series are great. Should do a shorter version of you and Tracy discussing martyrs, I think episode 623 or thereabouts. I rewatch that one a couple times a year.

[joearnold]

I just finished watching Steve Shives' 'An Atheist Reads' series covering that book, Evidence that demands a Verdict.

What a godawful book, but an awesome series. I recommend Shives' channel generally and his chapter by chapter coverage of apologetics books in particular.

[kirtleyburggraf]

One of your best, Matt. You're getting so good, mate.

[demomanchaos]

43Alley did an excellent video covering the same topic called " The Evolution of Jesus in the Bible" which covers how the stories of Jesus grew more and more mythological as time passed.

[jdnlaw]

I’ve really enjoyed the nicer, kinder, more patient Matt these past several years now. Great presentation.

[EdGloss]

Maybe it's because I wasn't raised as a Christian but when I first heard the liar, lunatic, lord concept I honestly thought it was a joke. I think the question is so absurd as to not even require a response. It's also an irrelevant question because it can't accurately be answered based on the available evidence.

When I began my graduate studies in history, the very first book assigned was E.H. Carr's What Is History? which explains, as the title suggests, how we know what is history. The entire purpose of the first course was to train us on how to evaluate sources and historical evidence and based on the methods historians use I'm utterly baffled at how a single one can conclude that Jesus existed. The evidence just isn't there and if it was anyone else, this wouldn't even be a question.

[robotaholic]

THis deserves 5 stars. Such a great video. Thanks, Matt.

[joavim]

There is a fourth L that CS Lewis conveniently forgot to mention: Legend. Jesus Christ might even have been a real person, but his life, miracles, etc. were either exaggerated or downright fabricated by a wide range of people over time.

[Privatex]

great video Matt! so concise and well worded- I really enjoyed it and was glued to my phone the whole time-

[pauldhoff]

Nothing like stacking the deck with just the answers you want.                  Paul