Professor John Lennox, the celebrated mathematician, author and Oxford University professor, has claimed his Christian faith is based purely on evidence and exp

The Northern Ireland-born Christian thinker and speaker was debating as part of an recorded conversation released today with high profile atheist and Florida State professor of philosophy of science, Michael Ruse (pictured below, left).

Lennox said: "Faith is part and parcel of my life as an intellectual and a scientist.

"I believe in the theory of gravitational attraction, why? Because I have evidence for it.

"I believe my wife loves me, why? Because I have evidence for it.

"And, my Christian faith consists, not in faith as a leap into the unknown, it is evidence-based commitment - otherwise, I wouldn't be remotely interested in Christianity."

The debate, which has been released as part of The Big Conversation series, was recorded in front of a live audience at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London and hosted by Premier Christian Radio presenter, Justin Brierley (pictured below, centre).

It pitched Lennox, who has authored books such as 'God's Undertaker: Has science buried God?' and 'Gunning for God: Why the New Atheists are missing the target' against Ruse, who although an atheist himself has nevertheless been critical of the New Atheist movement represented by figures such as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, believing that a better conversation between faith and science is possible.

In response to Lennox's claims, Michael Ruse replied: "If I am taught, as I was by my physics master at school, that Galileo's laws work and then we do some experiments to test it by swinging pendulums back and forth, I can take it that is an evidence-based belief that I am going away with.

"I don't want to take evidence out of the story, but I am worried about evidence being used to justify belief or faith in God."

The 'Atheism: What Everyone Needs to Know' author continued: "It seems to me obvious that any Christian is going to look at the world and interpret the world in an evidence based way, but it is not proving my beliefs - my beliefs are something I have through faith.

"Saul was not met on the road to Damascus asking to take him through a logical argument."

In response, Lennox said "I am sitting here as a Christian because I have tested the claims that Christ has made.

"I am constantly up against the question of 'how can you believe in [Christianity] when it is not testable?'

"And I say, 'who said it isn't testable?'

"I am sitting here as a Christian because I tested the claims that Christ has made.

"Christ promises that those who trust him and receive him will receive peace with God and forgiveness and a new life and a new power.

"I have seen that happen to me and to others endless times.

"I think it is eminently testable."

The Big Conversation is a unique video series from Premier Christian Radio's popular faith debate show Unbelievable?

Hosted by Justin Brierley, The Big Conversation explores science, faith, philosophy and what it means to be human.

Other episodes feature high-profile thinkers across the Christian and atheist community such as Steven Pinker, Jordan B Peterson, Susan Blackmore, Daniel Dennett, Keith Ward, Peter Singer and John Lennox.

For videos, commentary and the programme schedule visit: www.thebigconversation.show

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