COLLISION: Christopher Hitchens vs. Douglas Wilson

An interisting new release comes out today. It is based on a debate between the Athiest Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson who is a senior fellow at New St. Andrew's College. The exchanges are also recorded in the book: Is Christianity Good for the World?

Synopsis:

The documentary COLLISION pits leading atheist, political journalist a nd a uthor Christophe r Hitchens (God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything) against fellow author and evangelical theologian Pastor Douglas Wilson on a debate tour arguing the topic “Is Religion Good For The World?”. Lives and worldviews collide as Hitchens and Wilson wittily and passionately argue the timeless question, proving to be perfectly matched intellectual, philosophical, and cinematic rivals. COLLISION is directed by prolific independent filmmaker Darren Doane (Van Morrison: To Be Born Again, The Battle For L.A., Godmoney).

Chrristopher Hitchens makes some complementary comments in today's National Post (cited below from Slate):

Ever since I invited any champion of faith to debate with me in the spring of 2007, I have been very impressed by the willingness of the other side to take me, and my allies, up on the offer.

I have discovered that the so-called Christian right is much less monolithic, and very much more polite and hospitable, than I would once have thought, or than most liberals believe.

Hitchens makes a tremendous complement to Wilson, reflecting on Wilson's belief system and apologetic style. It is a statement that relects a great complement on how we should stand for what we say we believe:

Wilson isn't one of those evasive Christians who mumble apologetically about how some of the Bible stories are really just "metaphors." He is willing to maintain very staunchly that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and that his sacrifice redeems our state of sin, which in turn is the outcome of our rebellion against God. He doesn't waffle when asked why God allows so much evil and suffering—of course he "allows" it since it is the inescapable state of rebellious sinners. I much prefer this sincerity to the vague and Python-esque witterings of the interfaith and ecumenical groups who barely respect their own traditions and who look upon faith as just another word for community organizing.