Mr Austin currently has three topical books in print with further new works in the pipeline and is determined to challenge post-modernism in his ongoing battle for ‘reason and sound thinking’. The new website is unveiled only days before the date Darwin’s work was originally published - 24th November 1859.
But is there really any need for a debate? I asked Michael this and other questions in an interview as the launch took place.
“Yes, certainly,” he replied “almost without exception we are fascinated by our humanity – what we really are, and where we came from… Darwin’s key ideas are very much alive and the issues continue to raise burning questions – are we an accidental collection of partly evolved molecules, or have we come from the hands of a Personal Creator? That’s the nub of the debate.”
Michael currently holds a Masters Degree in Theology and is awaiting the result of a PhD, his stance is clearly a matter of personal conviction about biblical issues, which are much more unpopular in these days in a reversal of fortunes between the two opinions – creation and evolution. So I asked with interest how he felt about science and the way it is presented today.
“An awful lot depends on who’s doing the presenting,”
This may not be the answer many are expecting but then Michael Austin author and apologist is no stranger to science – he is also an inventor mentioned on a number of patents making a contribution to medical science. His work includes improvements & developments in “Stents” small surgical implants that prop open arteries. So I pressed him further asking what’s wrong with evolution – doesn’t it help us as a race to understand ourselves?
“Evolution cannot help us grapple with our guilt, failure and quest to find final meaning,” Michael was quite confident in his answer, “only biblical teaching on creation, the fall of man and redemption gives a worldview that really fits the profound problems we all face.” When I countered that evolution is considered a matter of science – more than just a theory, Michael answered that evolution itself “appears to have become a personal philosophy of life – virtually a religion.”
It’s not just Darwin that gets his attention - I asked the writer about one of his titles “Dawkins’ Dilemmas” referring to Professor Richard Dawkins renowned evolutionist – what dilemmas does he face exactly?
“Quite a number! He has no basis for his own rationality beyond a leap of ungrounded optimism; he assumes his mental chemistry is sufficiently informed to tell the world there is no personal Creator - rather too large a project for spinning molecules! He does not know whether his anger at injustice in the world is only in his own head, or something else – like genuine moral outrage at a truly fallen world. Yet with all of his uncertainty about reality, he thinks he’s qualified to inform us that there is no final Personal Reality! Alas, his thinking is full of dilemmas, because atheism lacks rational foundations.”
So I asked Michael about his work; the new website claims “the Christian Gospel has always been & remains the only solution to the problems in our society” – how exactly does he see his work fitting in with these problems?
“I try to understand the really big issues that concern people, what we’re here for and how could there be any meaning if it all began as an accident – which I don’t accept! The Christian Gospel really does answer the deep problems like the widespread hopelessness, fear and uncertainty.”
I remembered how I’d heard Professor Dawkins challenged with “what if you’re wrong?” and decided I’d try the question on the author.
“It’s a fair question!” He replied, “the big questions raised by evolution all ultimately turn on the truth of biblical Christianity and whether or not Jesus rose from the dead. If he didn’t we are lost and without hope. If he did, and I am personally persuaded by the many evidences for Jesus’ resurrection, then my faith is not based on a leap into the unknown, but on a trustworthy Person.”
Michael encouraged visitors to the new website which also has a contact form and I asked if he were happy for people to approach him?
“Yes, certainly,” he said, “if I can be of any help – I may not have all the answers but I can suggest possible lines of inquiry that may be helpful.”
Michael’s books can be viewed on the website http://www.michaelaustinbooks.com as well as some free resources with more coming soon.
Interview By
Peter Bruce – Founder Of Core-FX
http://core-
Interviewee
Michael JS Austin Author, Apologist and Master of Theology
