Welcome to Season 8 of the Enter the Bible podcast! In our premiere episode, hosts Kathryn Schifferdecker and Katie Langston welcome back Professor Alan Padgett from Luther Seminary to tackle a challenging question from a listener: “Is believing in God or Jesus like having an imaginary friend?”
Professor Padgett offers a thoughtful exploration of the philosophical foundations of belief in God, addressing skeptical perspectives while providing insights into the rationality of faith. Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode provides valuable perspectives on these perennial questions.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why “imaginary” doesn’t necessarily mean “not real” or “unimportant”
- How monotheism developed as a sophisticated philosophical concept
- Why early scientists (like Galileo) saw no conflict between faith and science
- The limitations of science in answering questions about meaning and purpose
- The difference between knowing a creator God and knowing a loving God
Original Question Submitted:
“How would you answer someone who asks, ‘Isn’t believing in God/Jesus like having an invisible or imaginary friend?'” Do YOU have a question you would like answered? Submit your question now!
Bible References:
Dive Deeper:
- Richard Swinburne, philosopher at Oxford
- Dawkins’ God: From The Selfish Gene to the God Delusion (Alister E. McGrath, 2nd Ed. 2015)
- Martin Luther’s Interpretation of Jonah
