Episode 222: The Roots of Atheism and Deconstruction with Tim and Bethel McGrew [Part 1]

Atheism and unbelief have their origin in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God by listening to the Serpent and partaking of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Since then, man has continually attempted to hide himself from God, suppressing the knowledge of God in unrighteousness. That unrighteousness and unbelief has taken many different forms throughout history. This week and next we feature our interview with philosopher Timothy McGrew and his daughter Bethel. We discuss some of the historical and cultural trends of unbelief in Western civilization and how they continue to influence unbelief today.

Bethel McGrew is a high school teacher, math Ph.D., and widely published freelance writer. Her work has appeared in First Things, National Review, The Spectator, and many other national and international outlets. Her Substack, Further Up, is one of the top paid newsletters in "Faith & Spirituality" on the platform. She has also contributed to two essay anthologies on Jordan Peterson. When not writing social criticism, she enjoys writing about literature, film, music, and history. Her edited collection of the World War I letters of Canon A.E. Laurie is forthcoming from the U.K.’s Helion Press. (https://wng.org/authors/bethel-mcgrew).

Dr. Timothy McGrew is Professor of Philosophy at Western Michigan University, where he has taught for the past 25 years. His research interests include formal epistemology, the history and philosophy of science, and the history and philosophy of religion. When he is not doing philosophy, he enjoys playing chess online, coaching at his local chess club, running trails, and making high quality paper airplanes. He lives in SW Michigan with his wife, Lydia McGrew, and their daughters (TimothyMcGrew.com).

Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles:

• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Naturalism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Postmodernism by Aaron Shamp: watchman.org/Postmodernism

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