If you attend a Christian church, has there ever been a discussion on whether the Christian gospel really makes sense? First off, what is "the gospel?" Normally, the "gospel" refers to "the good news" that belief in Jesus Christ can save you from God's judgment; from deserving Hell to gaining Heaven. How does one get to Heaven? That's what the good news ("gospel") is supposed to be.
In typical Christian theology, humans have sinned, and are under the condemnation of God. How can this problem get fixed? According to the gospel, humans can't fix it, and God fixed it by sacrificing his Son on the cross for our sin. He took our punishment for us.
This leads us to some questions. Who was Jesus, that he can take away sin? He is said to be God himself. But also consider that there's only one God in traditional Christian theology. But why would a God kill himself to appease his own wrath? And this God was supposed to be omnipotent (all-knowing), so he knew all this before he even made a single piece of creation. Did he really know he was going to make humans that would stir-up his wrath so much that the only way he could fix it was to become human and die on a cross to atone for our sins (even though gods are supposed to be immortal, so they can't die).
So when you think about it, does this "gospel" make an sense? Even the Bible seems to teach that people with modern science and philosophy receive the gospel as pure nonsense:
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (NIV)
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
We will discuss it at Portland State University at this free event on Tue. 3-10-15. Details are here:
http://tinyurl.com/lgxyafn . It is co-sponsored by the Freethinker's student group at PSU.
Bernie Dehler will be representing an atheist position. He is the author of the booklet "Modern Science and Philosophy Destroy Christian Theology" found here:
http://tinyurl.com/lmlqy56 . Representing a Christian viewpoint is Dennis Marcellino, author of many books including "THE PROOF that God exists and the Bible is true" found here:
http://tinyurl.com/pzu6g4j .
Other Portland-area community, secular, and philosophical groups can also be found at meetup.com, such as these:
Mormons say they know that God exists and the Book of Mormon is true because they can feel God's presence, as requested by prayer. But they are deluded.
This was a debate between two atheist feminists (Bernie Dehler & Karen Garst, Ph.D.) entitled “Feminism, Atheism, and Religion.” Details for the event can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/og8w4jz . 
Christian apologist Sye Ten Bruggencate was in Beaverton on May 7th for an apologetics conference at Grace Bible Church, sponsored by JeremiahCry Ministries. While in town, he spoke with Bernie Dehler, a former evangelical Christian that is now an atheist activist. Their conversation covered three topics, and each one is now available on the internet for free online viewing:
Garen Garst, Ph.D., is editing a book of essays from various women about their experiences in their journey into atheism. Karen is also an atheist, and at a recent meeting she discussed the topic "Were you ever a true Christian?" That segment is now scheduled to be played on local Comcast cable TV:
Garen Garst, Ph.D., is editing a book of essays from various women about their journey into atheism. Karen talked to a group of atheists & agnostics about her book project, and the video of it will be shown on Comcast local community TV for those in Washington County:
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