In this powerful and intellectually provocative episode, Dr. Douglas Groothuis reads his essay from the Summer 2025 issue of Salvo Magazine, titled “Escape from the Acid Bath: Can Darwinism Support Morality?” Drawing from his broader work in Christian Apologetics (2nd ed.), Dr. Groothuis critically examines the claim that Darwinian evolution can serve as a sufficient foundation for objective morality, contrasting that with the moral implications of a theistic worldview grounded in divine character and design.

This essay-style episode surveys the views of prominent atheists such as Daniel Dennett, Karl Marx, Richard Dawkins, and Sam Harris, and demonstrates the internal philosophical weaknesses of moral theories rooted in evolutionary naturalism. Instead, Dr. Groothuis makes a compelling case for Judeo-Christian theism as the only viable foundation for universal moral truths.

🔑 Main Takeaways


Daniel Dennett’s “universal acid” metaphor reveals how Darwinism corrodes all foundations of purpose and morality in the universe.


Evolutionary theories of morality — while attempting to explain altruism, cooperation, and conscience — fail to justify why these traits are morally binding or intrinsically good.


C.S. Lewis’s insights in The Abolition of Man clarify why objective moral values cannot arise from mere instincts or natural processes.


Even atheists who believe in objective morality (atheistic moral realists) must borrow metaphysical tools from theism to make their arguments coherent.


The essay concludes that Darwinism, as a materialist worldview, lacks the resources to support moral law — but the Christian tradition offers a firm foundation for it.

📖 Key Bible Verses Referenced


Romans 2:14–15 – Read at BibleStudyTools.com


1 Corinthians 15:3–4, 17, 20 – Read at BibleStudyTools.com


Colossians 2:8 – Read at BibleStudyTools.com


2 Corinthians 10:3–5 – Read at BibleStudyTools.com


Ephesians 6:10–19 – Read at BibleStudyTools.com

👤 Guest

None for this episode.
This is a solo reading and analysis by Dr. Douglas Groothuis, professor of philosophy at Cornerstone University and Cornerstone Theological Seminary.

🔗 Relevant Resources Mentioned


📰 Salvo Magazine – Issue 73 (Summer 2025)


📘 Christian Apologetics (2nd Edition) by Douglas Groothuis


📘 Darwin’s Dangerous Idea by Daniel Dennett


📘 The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis


📘 The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris


💻 DouglasGroothuis.com


🏫 Cornerstone University and Cornerstone Theological Seminary

📣 Calls to Action


✅ Reflect deeply: Can your worldview account for objective moral truth?


📢 Share this episode with those wrestling with questions about morality, evolution, and faith.


🌐 Explore more content and connect with Dr. Groothuis at DouglasGroothuis.com


🎓 Learn more about Christ-centered higher education at Cornerstone University

In this powerful and intellectually provocative episode, Dr. Douglas Groothuis reads his essay from the&nbsp;Summer 2025 issue of Salvo Magazine, titled &ldquo;Escape from the Acid Bath: Can Darwinism Support Morality?&rdquo; Drawing from his broader work in Christian Apologetics (2nd ed.), Dr. Groothuis critically examines the claim that Darwinian evolution can serve as a sufficient foundation for objective morality, contrasting that with the moral implications of a theistic worldview grounded in divine character and design.
This essay-style episode surveys the views of prominent atheists such as Daniel Dennett, Karl Marx, Richard Dawkins, and Sam Harris, and demonstrates the internal philosophical weaknesses of moral theories rooted in evolutionary naturalism. Instead, Dr. Groothuis makes a compelling case for Judeo-Christian theism as the only viable foundation for universal moral truths.
<hr data-start="1223" data-end="1226">
🔑 Main Takeaways
<ul data-start="1250" data-end="2056">
<li data-start="1250" data-end="1386">
Daniel Dennett&rsquo;s &ldquo;universal acid&rdquo; metaphor reveals how Darwinism corrodes all foundations of purpose and morality in the universe.
</li>
<li data-start="1387" data-end="1572">
Evolutionary theories of morality &mdash; while attempting to explain altruism, cooperation, and conscience &mdash; fail to justify why these traits are morally binding or intrinsically good.
</li>
<li data-start="1573" data-end="1720">
C.S. Lewis&rsquo;s insights in The Abolition of Man clarify why objective moral values cannot arise from mere instincts or natural processes.
</li>
<li data-start="1721" data-end="1882">
Even atheists who believe in objective morality (atheistic moral realists) must borrow metaphysical tools from theism to make their arguments coherent.
</li>
<li data-start="1883" data-end="2056">
The essay concludes that Darwinism, as a materialist worldview, lacks the resources to support moral law &mdash; but the Christian tradition offers a firm foundation for it.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2058" data-end="2061">
📖 Key Bible Verses Referenced
<ul data-start="2098" data-end="2674">
<li data-start="2098" data-end="2218">
Romans 2:14&ndash;15 &ndash; <a data-start="2121" data-end="2216">Read at BibleStudyTools.com</a>
</li>
<li data-start="2219" data-end="2342">
1 Corinthians 15:3&ndash;4, 17, 20 &ndash; <a data-start="2256" data-end="2340">Read at BibleStudyTools.com</a>
</li>
<li data-start="2343" data-end="2450">
Colossians 2:8 &ndash; <a data-start="2366" data-end="2448">Read at BibleStudyTools.com</a>
</li>
<li data-start="2451" data-end="2566">
2 Corinthians 10:3&ndash;5 &ndash; <a data-start="2480" data-end="2564">Read at BibleStudyTools.com</a>
</li>
<li data-start="2567" data-end="2674">
Ephesians 6:10&ndash;19 &ndash; <a data-start="2593" data-end="2672">Read at BibleStudyTools.com</a>
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2676" data-end="2679">
👤 Guest
None for this episode. This is a solo reading and analysis by Dr. Douglas Groothuis, professor of philosophy at Cornerstone University and Cornerstone Theological Seminary.
<hr data-start="2877" data-end="2880">
🔗 Relevant Resources Mentioned
<ul data-start="2918" data-end="3388">
<li data-start="2918" data-end="2988">
📰 <a data-start="2923" data-end="2986">Salvo Magazine &ndash; Issue 73 (Summer 2025)</a>
</li>
<li data-start="2989" data-end="3054">
📘 Christian Apologetics (2nd Edition) by Douglas Groothuis
</li>
<li data-start="3055" data-end="3105">
📘 Darwin&rsquo;s Dangerous Idea by Daniel Dennett
</li>
<li data-start="3106" data-end="3149">
📘 The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis
</li>
<li data-start="3150" data-end="3192">
📘 The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris
</li>
<li data-start="3193" data-end="3256">
💻 <a data-start="3198" data-end="3254">DouglasGroothuis.com</a>
</li>
<li data-start="3257" data-end="3388">
🏫 <a data-start="3262" data-end="3315">Cornerstone University</a> and <a data-start="3320" data-end="3388">Cornerstone Theological Seminary</a>
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="3390" data-end="3393">
📣 Calls to Action
<ul data-start="3418" data-end="3834">
<li data-start="3418" data-end="3495">
✅ Reflect deeply: Can your worldview account for objective moral truth?
</li>
<li data-start="3496" data-end="3597">
📢 Share this episode with those wrestling with questions about morality, evolution, and faith.
</li>
<li data-start="3598" data-end="3718">
🌐 Explore more content and connect with Dr. Groothuis at <a data-start="3662" data-end="3718">DouglasGroothuis.com</a>
</li>
<li data-start="3719" data-end="3834">
🎓 Learn more about Christ-centered higher education at <a data-start="3781" data-end="3834">Cornerstone University</a>
</li>
</ul>

Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis is a podcast dedicated to finding the truth through reason, and evidence about what matters most. Our subjects include how to defend the Christian faith (through apologetics), biblical ethics, and social issues.

Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis

Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis is a podcast dedicated to finding the truth through reason, and evidence about what matters most. Our subjects include how to defend the Christian faith (through apologetics), biblical ethics, and social issues.

Advertisement