Epistemic Authority through Apologetic Register: A Linguistic Analysis of Scientific Code-Switching in the Debate Does God Exist?

Abstract

The under-view study anticipates appraising the lexical and discursive patterns inferred by the speakers in a theological debate, "Does God Exist?" It is intended to uncover the nexus between theological discourse and modern scientific concepts to deduce how epistemic authority is constructed linguistically. Specifically, the study is meant to deconstruct how code switching as a rhetorical device constructs epistemic authority, reframe the hierarchy of “fact vs. faith”, and formulate the “hybrid apologetic register” that harmonises Islamic theology with scientific empiricism. To accomplish the objective, the study makes use of a qualitative research design and an interpretive descriptive approach. It is done through multifaceted linguistic analysis by operating sociolinguistic, lexical, semantics, cognitive linguistic and Critical Discourse Analysis. The findings of the study designate a "linguistic turn" in theological debate, sponsoring the “scientization” of theological debate. Code switching and lexical borrowing acts as a rhetorical tool for legitimising and positioning epistemic authority. The study concludes that the debate acts as an emergence of "a hybrid apologetic register" where orthodox Islamic theology is synchronised with a modern Western analytical lens. Furthermore, the debate sets a new dynamic by reversing the hierarchy of "fact vs. faith."