The Question Atheism Struggles to Answer (It’s Not What You Think)

The Question Atheism Struggles to Answer (It’s Not What You Think)

From Truth Unites by Gavin Ortlund

April 22, 2026 · 13 min

About this episode

Gavin Ortlund examines the challenges atheism faces in providing a foundation for moral obligation and human rights.

Gavin Ortlund examines a key question raised in a debate between Douthat and Pinker, arguing that atheism struggles to provide a sufficient foundation for moral obligation and human rights without borrowing from theistic assumptions. Truth Unites (https://truthunites.org) exists to promote gospel assurance through theological depth. Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is President of Truth Unites, Visiting Professor of Historical Theology at Phoenix Seminary, and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville. SUPPORT: Tax Deductible Support: https://truthunites.org/donate/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/truthunites FOLLOW: Website: https://truthunites.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truth.unites/ X: https://x.com/gavinortlund Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthUnitesPage/

People in this episode

Host: Gavin Ortlund

Topics covered

  • atheism
  • moral obligation
  • human rights
  • theism
  • philosophy
  • debate

Keywords

  • atheism
  • moral obligation
  • human rights
  • theism
  • Douthat
  • Pinker
  • debate

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Truth Unites, Phoenix Seminary, Immanuel Nashville, Fuller Theological Seminary

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