Episode Details

Is the world a meaningless churning of random intersecting events or a beautiful place of genius that reveals the reality of God as the ultimate Genius? 

Dr. Jonathan Witt joins The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss this central question of his book, A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature

When we encounter, discover, or help to create things in our world that express the unmistakable qualities of depth, harmony, clarity, and elegance, how do we explain them? What are they pointing us to? 

From great literature to music, to mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics, the majestic fingerprints of an all-powerful, good and majestic creator are all around us—if we have the eyes, ears, and heart to receive them. 

It just may be that breathtaking beauty and order will lead us to the greatest discovery of all.

Topics

• (01:57): Guest introduction: Dr. Jonathan Witt
• (04:52): Dr. Witt's journey of faith and intellectual exploration
• (08:05): Critique of Evolutionary Theory
• (10:13): The intersection of science, art, and faith
• (15:44): The influence of Christianity on modern science
• (21:10): The philosophy of Scientism vs. True Science
• (24:57): Exploring the book: A Meaningful World
• (33:27): The Periodic Table and the search for order
• (37:52): The genius in nature and art
• (45:30): Mathematics: The language of genius
• (52:06): Theological reflections on suffering and genius
• (57:31): Conclusion and further resources

Resources

• Ask Us Anything: info@denisonforum.org
• Read the prologue to A Meaningful World.
• A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature, Dr. Jonathan Witt
• The Discovery Institute Center for Science & Culture
• Your Designed Body, Steve Laufmann and Howard Glicksman
• The Wonder of Water, Michael Denton
• How has Denison Forum impacted your faith?
• Subscribe to The Daily Article by Dr. Jim Denison
• Stand. Engage. Transform. summer campaign.

About Dr. Jonathan Witt

Jonathan Witt, PhD, is Executive Editor of Discovery Institute Press and a senior fellow and senior project manager with Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture. His latest book is Heretic: One Scientist’s Journey from Darwin to Design (DI Press, 2018) written with Finnish bioengineer Matti Leisola. Witt also authored Intelligent Design Uncensored (IVP, 2010) with William Dembski, and