Bill, let's look at a review of the Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology, which you and

J.P. Moreen edited and published back in 2012 and I

like to revisit a few topics related to this very influential publication and

examine the distinct Lutheran views of this particular reviewer.

In fact, Bill, this reviewer seems to be saying that Luther wouldn't have given a lot of value to this volume.

So just to rehearse, why did you and J.P.

edit this big book?

Well, I think that natural theology, Kevin, helps to create a cultural milieu in which the

gospel can be heard as an intellectually viable option for thinking men and women.

It's extremely important that we maintain a culture in this country

in which belief in God doesn't require a sacrifice of the

intellect on the part of the believer and so natural theology by being robust in its defense of

of theism as a worldview helps to create a cultural context that is conducive to believe in the gospel. And also I think that

God can use the arguments of natural theology to persuade people that God in fact does exist so that then they

might in turn seek to find him and come to know him by placing their trust and confidence in him.

Let's take a look then at the first clip from Ken Koflin.

He's a media director and director of international programs and staff council for Trinity Lutheran Church and school in Japa, Maryland.

He's also a lawyer. He speaks on apologetics. In this excerpt he gives the definition of

natural theology that comes from the Blackwell Companion's introduction. Here it is.

In chapter one of the Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology, Charles Talia Ferro defines

natural theology as the practice of philosophically reflecting on the existence and nature of God

independent of real or apparent divine revelation or scripture.

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