1 Peter 3:15

Naturalist:

Definitions:

A person that believes in a natural explanation of the universe’s origin.

Theist: A person that believes in a supernatural explanation of the origen of the universe, and that the cause is a personal God (or gods).

Deist: A theist that believes that God is not involved in the universe. He created it and left!

Monotheist: A theist that believes there is only one God, and that he is indeed involved in the universe.

Polytheist:

Definitions:

A person who believes there are multiple gods.

Pantheist: A person that believes that everything that exists in the universe is God, and that God is not personal.

Atheist: A person who believes there is no God. (The universe is the result of time and chance.)

Agnostic: A person that believes the existence of God is irrelevant because no one could know God if He indeed exists.

Nihilist:

Definitions:

Literally, a “Nothing”-ist. He believes that there is no reasonable explanation for the existence of the universe.

Coherent Realityor No Reality

Coherent Reality No Reality

Existentialism

Nihilism

Naturalism Supernaturalism

Pantheism Polytheism Monotheism

Islam Judaism Christianity

2 Non-Realism Views

Presuppositions:

(1) Nothing can logically explain my experiences.

(2) My experiences are all that I know exist.

(3) Therefore, if there is any meaning in life, it will befound in my experiences.

(1) If it feels good, do it!(2) It’s OK if your view contradicts mine; we can both be right.(3) In Math, there should be no answers, just impressions.

Since there is no such thing as coherent

reality, the meaning of life can be found only

in my experiences.

(4) Contradictions don’t phase me.

Existentialist: Nihilist:

Identifying Concepts and Characteristics:

Since there is no such thing as coherent

reality, nothing really matters.

Identifying Concepts and Characteristics:(1) Preoccupation with death and destruction(2) Hopeless / Suicidal(3) Negative outlook on life(4) “There is no afterlife”(5) Often results in suicide

Ecclesiastes 1 (CEV)

Supernaturalism vs. Naturalism

Origins

Psychology

Politics

Media

Goal:To explain Creationby natural means.

Goal:To explain the Soul/ psyche by naturalmeans.

Goal:To base ethics on evolu-tionary doctrines to create a superior race.

Effect:-Decline of accountability.-Man is no longer responsible for his own actions.

Effect:-Soul reduced to bio-chemical actions & reactions.-Man is animal.-Destroys notion of sin.

Effect:-Mass murder of millions isacceptable as it speeds up the evolutionary process.

Supernaturalism vs. Naturalism

Origins

Psychology

Politics

Media

Goal:To explain Creationby natural means.

Goal:To explain the Soul/ psyche by naturalmeans.

Goal:To base ethics on evolu-tionary doctrines to create a superior race.

Goal:To be free of anypersonal responsibility.

Effect:-Decline of accountability.-Man is no longer responsible for his own actions.

Effect:-Soul reduced to bio-chemical actions & reactions.-Man is animal.-Destroys notion of sin.

Effect:-Mass murder of millions isacceptable as it speeds up the evolutionary process.

Effect:-Moral Decline.-Increase of pains associatedwith moral decline.

Arguments Against NaturalismArgumento #1:

The Laws of Science demand the supernatural.

Naturalism

Left with science andobservation

Matter/Energy canot becreated nor destroyed.

The universe we observe has matterand motion (a form of energy).

THEREFORE

The origin of the universe must be supernatural.

Argumentos against NaturalismArgument #2:

The laws of Logic demand the supernatural.

Naturalism

Every effect has a cause.

You cannot have aninfinite regression of causes.

The original cause must be a non-caused effect.

THEREFORE

An effect without a cause is not natural. It is supernatural.

Coherent Realityor No Reality

Coherent Reality No Reality

Existentialism

Nihilism

Naturalism Supernaturalism

Pantheism Polytheism Monotheism

Islam Judaism Christianity

Hinduism

The Low Heavens

The High Heavens

The Earth

11 gods

11 gods

11 gods

Problems with ANY form of Polytheism

1. The Problem of Source

2. The Problem of Design

3. The Problem of Sovereignty

Tell-Tale Signsof Man-made Deceitful Cults

1. The Problem of Origin

2. The Problem of Ethics

3. The Problem of Authority

4. The Problem of Consistency

The Distintion between Pantheism and Monotheism

Pantheism Monotheism

All is God; God is all. God created all; He is above all.

God is an impersonal force. God is a personal Creator.

The universe is a“Collective Soul.”

The Universe is a creation.

Everything is defined by it’sconnection to everything in theUniverse.

Everything is defined by it’sdistinction from everything else.

The goal: Lose one’s sense ofpersonal consciousness, and realize their oneness with the Cosmos.

The goal: Recognize one’s relationship to the Creator, and submit to His Authority.

3 Problemas Con el Panteísmo3 Problemas Con el Panteísmo

Problema #1: El Problema del diseño

Problema #2: El Problema de la pertenencia

Problema #3: El Problema de la contradicción

Una fuerza impersonal no podía crear un universocon diseño y orden.

Nadie podría relacionarse con “la fuerza,”porque no tendría ninguna personalidad.

Si se permiten las contradicciones,nada tendrá ningún significado.

1

Self-Indulgence Self-Abasement

Men, by nature, tend toward self-indulgence.

1

Egoísmo Ascetismo

Self-indulgence does not satisfy. Hinduism seeks meaning in self-abasement (Asceticism).

2

1

Self-abasement doesn’t satisfy either. Buddhism seeks meaning in the suppression of desires.

23

Self-Indulgence Self-Abasement

Asceticism of Buddha

La Persona

La Fuerza Impersonal

O . . .

La Persona

El Creador Personal

Arguments against Pantheism

• Problem of DESIGNProblem of DESIGN

• Problem of RELEVENCEProblem of RELEVENCE

• Problem of CONTRADICTIONProblem of CONTRADICTION

The Impersonal cannot create with design & The Impersonal cannot create with design & order.order.

If true, persons could not relate to impersonal If true, persons could not relate to impersonal creator.creator.

Assumes contradictions are natural.Assumes contradictions are natural.

Truth by nature can have no contradictions.Truth by nature can have no contradictions.

Coherent Realityor No Reality

Coherent Reality No Reality

Existentialism

Nihilism

Naturalism Supernaturalism

Pantheism Polytheism Monotheism

Islam Judaism Christianity

Growth of Islamic Population

The 5 Duties (Pillars) of Islam

1. The Repetition of the Creed

2. The 5 Daily Prayers

3. The Observance of Ramadan

4. The Giving of Alms

5. The Pilgrimage to Mecca

2 Problems

1. There is only one virtuous duty.

2. Jihad contradicts the Creed.

The 5 The 5 DoctrinesDoctrines of Islam of Islam

1. The Doctrine of Allah1. The Doctrine of Allah22. . The Doctine of AngelsThe Doctine of Angels33. . The Doctrine of the BooksThe Doctrine of the Books

44. . The Doctrine of the ProphetsThe Doctrine of the Prophets

55. . The Doctrine of the ResurrectionThe Doctrine of the Resurrection

And the Last DayAnd the Last Day

Reasons NOT to believe

1. Problem of Origins

2. Problem of Ethics

3. Problem of Authority

4. Problem of Inconsistency

Christianity

Bible is Authoritative

Bible is not Authoritative

The Bible Plus The Bible Alone

Literal Interpretation

Non-literal Interpretation

Receive the Gospel Reject the Gospel

Catholics

Mormons

CharismaticMovement

Christian Psychology