Videos

Naturwissenschaft und Christentum - Ralf Bergmann im Interview | Grenzen des Wissens

Interview anlässlich der Gastvorlesung zum Thema ”Gott und die Erklärung der Welt“ (30 min) am 1.7.2019 an der Universität Konstanz durch Prof. Ganteför (Fachbereich Physik).

On the relation of Worldviews, Christian Faith and Science - Ralf Bergmann

Apologetic discussions often suffer from a lack of clarity concerning the definition of terms such as worldview, science, and Christian faith as well as their interrelation. This talk discusses the concepts underlying these terms focusing on the relation between Christian faith and atheism and the role of natural science. The results of this discussion will allow to reject frequent misleading accusations against the reasonability of Christian faith. (Duration 35 min, given 23.4.2020 at the European Leadership Forum 2020 - online)

Causal Closure, Laws of Nature and Divine Action – Ralf Bergmann (IAP Conference 2017)

The possibility of divine action is sometimes denied on the basis of the principle of causal closure. This view rests, however, on a misconception of the laws of nature and of physical processes. The talk discusses causal interactions first in the context of a deterministic clockwork-universe. It then introduces the role of laws of nature and of equations of motion. It is easily demonstrated, that laws do not suffice to describe physical processes but that further conditions need to be defined in order to derive equations of motion. Deterministic chaos and quantum mechanics in combination with the vast net of processes in the real world finally make an end to the concept of a clockwork-universe. Further, energy conservation is often seen as a major obstacle to divine action. However, a careful analysis shows that this argument is flawed. The talk finally discusses how divine action may proceed and under which conditions divine action may be identified. (Duration 60 min, given 14. 9. 2017 at the Templeton-Conference "Causality, Free Will, Divine Action" in Vienna.)

Obstacles and Opportunities for Christian Faith in a Post-Christian Europe - Ralf Bergmann

In a post-Christian Europe we face a twofold challenge of intellectual and emotional deception: The first creates a false alternative between a pseudo-scientific world view and the Christian faith while the second creates a false alternative between a so called progressive mind set opposed to an apparently suppressive, fearful and out dated Christianity. Even many Christians are emotionally and mentally immobilized by adopting secular world views while they try at the same time to argue the case for Christianity within the mental paths determined by these views. The challenge is therefore to understand the principals of the underlying dominant world view and overcome a misleading mindset as well as the corresponding emotional obstacles to confidently express a Christian world view. (Duration 45 min, given 19.5.2019 at the European Leadership Forum 2019 in Wisla, Poland.)

Predigt von Ralf Bergmann in der Matthäusgemeinde Bremen

Die Predigt am 09.08.2020 zum Thema "Am Anfang schuf Gott die Himmel und die Erde" aus Genesis 1, 1 (35 min) eröffnet ein Panorama vom Anfang der Welt bis zu Ihrem Ende. Es geht zunächst um das Verständnis des Anfangs aus biblischer und naturwissenschaftlicher Sicht und die Eigenschaften Gottes, die man daraus erkennen kann. Dabei wird auch das Verhältnis von christlichem Glauben, Wissenschaft und Vernunft besprochen. Es folgt eine Betrachtung der Schöpfungstage, des Sündenfalls, und des Erscheinens von Jesus als Zentrum der Geschichte und schließlich wird der Bogen zu einer neuen Welt gespannt, die Gott am Ende dieser Schöpfung hervorbringt.