It could be a little like Daniel entering the lions’ den when Dr. Adam English, assistant professor of theology and philosophy at Campbell University, squares off against nationally acclaimed author, journalist, literary critic and virulent atheist Christopher Hitchens. Hitchens, the author of the book, “God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything,” is known for his strident personality and acerbic remarks. English and Hitchens are set to debate on religion on Tuesday, May 15, at 7 p.m., at Quail Ridge Book Store in Raleigh.”I know I can’t win this argument,” said English. “I can’t produce a strand of God’s DNA to prove his existence, but I can give a good witness to the faith, and I think that is a noble thing.”In addition to his atheistic beliefs, Hitchens is known for his iconoclasm, anti-theism, anti-fascism and anti-monarchism. He has been a columnist for “Vanity Fair, “The Nation,” “Slate” and “Free Inquiry, and is an occasional contributor to other publications such as the “Wall Street Journal.” He is also a regular on public and network television and has authored many books, including “Thomas Paine’s’ ‘Rights of Man:’ A Biography,” “Thomas Jefferson: Author of America,” and “A long Short War: The Postponed Liberation of Iraq.”English said he would like to ask Hitchens how he defines religion.”In his book, he calls religion the root of all evil,” said English. “Surely bad things have been done in the name of religion, but that is a simplistic view. If we look a little closer, wars of religion have also been wars of ethnicity, politics and power.”Hitchens is attacking Christian faith at a particularly vulnerable time, English added. “We really are in a moment of identity crisis. Christianity doesn’t occupy the strong place in the world it once did. Everyone used to go to church, now there is biblical illiteracy and a loss of Christian culture. We’re a soft target,” he said. “But Hitchens’ book doesn’t really add anything new to the debate.”English also takes issue with the title of Hitchens’ book, “God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything.””To me those are two different statements,” he said. “Stating that religion poison’s everything is not the same as saying God is not great. We are humans and therefore fallible. God isn’t to blame for what we’ve done in His name.”English holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Theology and English from Hardin-Simmons University, a Master of Arts in Theology with emphasis in Christian Ethics from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Systemic Theology from Baylor University. Prior to coming to Campbell in 2003, he was an adjunct instructor of New Testament Survey at Baylor University. He is the co-author of the book, “Pocket History of Theology.”Photo Copy: Dr. Adam English, assistant professor of religion at Campbell University
Campbell’s English debates nationally known author