A companion guide to help readers navigate the theological, philosophical, and cultural vocabulary used throughout the book.
Introduction
In a world where conversations about faith often happen in soundbites, memes, and comment threads, clear language matters. This glossary is designed to help readers of Mere Christianity for the Digital Age (to be released that the end of 2025) understand the terms, arguments, and cultural references that shape the book’s approach. Whether you’re new to Christian apologetics or simply want to deepen your understanding, these definitions provide quick and thoughtful explanations of key ideas.
A
Algorithmic Temptations
The internet’s built-in bias toward sensationalism and outrage, driven by algorithms that reward engagement—often at the expense of truth or civility.
Apologetics
The reasoned defense of the Christian faith through logic, evidence, and historical support. Derived from the Greek apologia, meaning “to give a defense.”
Argument from Morality
An apologetic argument asserting that objective moral values exist and require a transcendent source—God—as their foundation.
Argument from Reason
A philosophical argument developed by C.S. Lewis and Alvin Plantinga, claiming that if naturalism is true, then human reasoning becomes unreliable, thereby undermining all rational belief, including naturalism itself.
Atheism
The belief that God does not exist. Distinguished in the book from agnosticism and “Internet Atheism,” which often relies more on ridicule than reasoned argument.
Agnosticism
The position of uncertainty about the existence of God. Agnostics do not claim to know whether God exists, unlike atheists who assert that God does not exist.
B
Bayesian Probability
A method of evaluating how new evidence updates the likelihood of a hypothesis. Used in the book to support the probability of the resurrection given historical data.
Biblical Worldview
A way of interpreting reality through the lens of Scripture, assuming the Bible provides a coherent and authoritative foundation for life, morality, and ultimate truth.
C
Cancel Culture
A cultural practice where individuals are shamed or socially exiled, particularly online, for opinions or actions deemed unacceptable by public consensus.
Chronological Snobbery
Coined by C.S. Lewis to describe the assumption that newer ideas are inherently better or more enlightened than older ones.
Cognitive Dissonance
The psychological discomfort experienced when a person holds two contradictory beliefs or when actions conflict with beliefs.
Confirmation Bias
The tendency to seek out or interpret information in a way that confirms one’s existing beliefs.
Cultural Relativism
The belief that truth or morality is determined by cultural context rather than universal standards. Often linked to moral relativism.
Confirmation Meme
A viral image or post designed not to provoke thought but to reinforce the worldview of those who already agree.
D
Deconstruction
The process of critically re-evaluating one’s faith, often resulting in departure from or reshaping of previously held beliefs.
Deism
The belief in a creator who set the universe in motion but no longer intervenes. Contrasted in the book with the biblical view of an active, personal God.
Digital Discipleship
The intentional practice of living out and sharing one’s faith in online environments with wisdom, grace, and truth.
E
Echo Chamber
An environment, especially online, where one only encounters opinions that mirror their own, reinforcing beliefs without critical examination.
Evangelical
A branch of Christianity emphasizing personal conversion, the authority of the Bible, and the importance of sharing the gospel.
F
Fan Fiction (in analogy)
Used metaphorically in the book to describe how critics recast Christianity as a borrowed or derivative mythology without addressing its historical claims.
Fine-Tuning Argument
An argument for God’s existence based on the precise constants in the universe that allow life to exist, suggesting intentional design.
Fallacies (Basic Logical Fallacies)
Common errors in reasoning that undermine arguments:
- Straw Man Fallacy: Misrepresenting an opponent’s argument to make it easier to attack.
- Ad Hominem: Attacking the person instead of addressing the argument.
- Appeal to Authority: Using an authority figure as evidence without evaluating the argument itself.
- Appeal to Emotion: Manipulating emotions instead of presenting logical reasons.
- False Dilemma: Presenting two options as the only possibilities when more exist.
- Circular Reasoning: When the conclusion is assumed in the premise (e.g., “The Bible is true because it says it is true”).
- Red Herring: Diverting attention from the real issue by introducing an unrelated topic.
- Slippery Slope: Arguing that one small step will inevitably lead to extreme consequences without showing the links.
- Equivocation: Using the same term in different senses in an argument, creating confusion or misdirection.
G
Grace
The unearned favor of God, offered through Christ. Contrasted in the book with the unforgiving nature of internet outrage and cancel culture.
H
Historical Reliability
The degree to which historical accounts, especially the Gospels, can be trusted as accurate and based on eyewitness testimony.
I
Internet Atheism
A modern form of atheism spread largely through memes, social media, and ridicule rather than scholarly critique or dialogue.
Intelligent Design
The view that certain features of the universe and life are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than random processes.
Intellectual Honesty
The practice of being truthful and fair in one’s thinking, even when it challenges personal assumptions or cultural narratives.
K
Kalam Cosmological Argument
A theistic argument: 1) Whatever begins to exist has a cause; 2) The universe began to exist; 3) Therefore, the universe has a cause.
L
Logical Consistency
A quality of an argument or belief system that does not contain internal contradictions.
Law of Non-Contradiction
A fundamental principle of logic stating that something cannot be both true and not true in the same sense at the same time.
M
Materialism
The belief that only physical matter exists and that everything, including thought and morality, can be reduced to physical processes.
Metanarrative
A grand, overarching story that gives meaning to life and history. Christianity is presented as the true metanarrative that fulfills all others.
Moral Law
The idea that all people recognize a basic standard of right and wrong, which points to a moral lawgiver.
Moral Relativism
The belief that moral truths are not objective but vary according to individuals or cultures. Critiqued in the book as incoherent and self-defeating.
N
Naturalism
The view that everything arises from natural properties and causes, excluding the supernatural. Challenged in the book as undermining reason and morality.
New Atheism
A confrontational form of atheism popularized in the early 2000s, marked by figures like Richard Dawkins and characterized by ridicule of religion.
O
Objective Truth
Truth that exists independently of anyone’s beliefs or feelings. A central theme in the book, especially in contrast to cultural relativism.
P
Postmodernism
A worldview skeptical of absolute truth and grand narratives. Its influence is critiqued as corrosive to reason, theology, and moral clarity.
Plantinga, Alvin
Christian philosopher known for his work on the argument from reason and the rationality of theistic belief.
Public Square
Refers to the realm of public discourse and debate. In the digital age, it includes online forums, social media, and comment sections.
Q
QR Code
A scannable image embedded in the book linking to extended blog resources on www.tomstheology.blog, enhancing the interactive experience.
R
Reductive Thinking
Oversimplifying complex ideas into one-dimensional slogans, common in meme-based arguments.
Resurrection
The historical Christian claim that Jesus physically rose from the dead, central to Christian doctrine and defended in the book.
S
Skepticism (Modern)
A posture of doubt often expressed through mockery or avoidance rather than reasoned argument. Addressed throughout the book.
Straw Man Fallacy
A logical fallacy where an opponent’s position is misrepresented to make it easier to refute.
T
Theism
The belief in a personal, intervening God who created and sustains the universe. Contrasted with deism, atheism, and vague spiritualism.
Testimonial Knowledge
Knowledge gained through the reliable testimony of others, particularly relevant to the resurrection accounts.
Trilemma (Lewis’s)
C.S. Lewis’s argument that Jesus must be Lord, liar, or lunatic—but not merely a moral teacher.
U
Universe (as Substitute for God)
A cultural trend in which people use “the Universe” as a vague substitute for God, attributing agency and blessing without accountability.
Conclusion
This glossary is not exhaustive, but it is intended to equip readers with the conceptual tools needed to better understand and engage the ideas presented in Mere Christianity for the Digital Age. For deeper explorations of many of these terms, visit related blog posts at www.tomstheology.blog.
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