Norman Geisler facts for kids

Norman Leo Geisler (born July 21, 1932 – died July 1, 2019) was an American Christian thinker. He was a theologian, which means he studied and organized Christian beliefs. He was also a philosopher, someone who thinks deeply about big questions like truth and existence.

He helped start two Christian schools where people could study to become religious leaders. Norman Geisler wrote or helped write over 90 books and many articles. He was known for defending the idea that the Bible is completely true and without errors.

Education and Early Life

Norman Geisler was born in Warren, Michigan, on July 21, 1932. He started going to a Christian church when he was nine. When he was 18, he became a strong believer.

He wanted to share his faith with others. He realized he needed good answers to people's questions and doubts. So, he went to college and earned several degrees. He got a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and a Master of Arts in theology from Wheaton College. He also earned a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in philosophy from Loyola University.

His Life and Work

Norman Geisler taught at several colleges and seminaries for many years. He was a professor of philosophy and theology.

In 1981, he was a witness in an important court case about teaching creation and evolution in schools. He spoke about the creationist viewpoint.

He also helped create important statements about the Bible. One famous one is the "Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy." This statement explains why many Christians believe the Bible is fully true.

In 2008, Norman Geisler helped start Veritas International University in California. This school offers advanced degrees in subjects like theology and apologetics. Apologetics is about defending Christian beliefs using reason and evidence. He worked there as a professor until he retired in May 2019.

Personal Life

Norman Geisler was married to Barbara Jean Cate for 64 years. They had six children: Ruth, David, Daniel, Rhoda, Paul, and Rachel.

He passed away on July 1, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina, just before his 87th birthday.

Defending Christian Beliefs

Norman Geisler was famous for being a "Christian apologist." This means he used logic and evidence to explain and defend Christian beliefs. He often took part in public debates. He defended ideas like the existence of God, miracles in the Bible, and the resurrection of Jesus.

He developed a step-by-step way to explain why Christianity is true. Here's a simpler version of his main ideas:

• We can know what is true about reality.
• Opposite things cannot both be true at the same time.
• It is true that God exists.
• If God exists, then miracles are possible.
• The New Testament part of the Bible is historically reliable.
• Jesus claimed to be God.
• Jesus showed he was God through miracles, especially his resurrection from the dead.
• Because Jesus is God, everything he said is true.
• Jesus said the Bible is God's Word.
• Therefore, the Bible is God's Word, and anything that goes against it is false.

These ideas were used in his popular book, I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist.

His Views on Theology and Ethics

Norman Geisler was a conservative evangelical scholar. He wrote a large book explaining Christian theology, which is the study of God and religious beliefs.

He strongly believed in the full truthfulness of the Bible. He thought that the Bible is completely accurate and without error.

He also wrote books about ethics. Ethics is the study of what is right and wrong. He believed that in situations where two good rules seem to conflict, you should always follow the "higher" or more important moral duty. For example, telling the truth is good, but saving a life might be a higher duty. This idea is called "graded absolutism."

He also shared his thoughts on many ethical topics, like capital punishment, war, and marriage. He believed that defensive wars are sometimes right, but revolutions are not.