Faith & Reason Seminars Seminar 1: Support for a Theistic World View Steve Whitehouse, Ph.D. March...

Faith & Reason Seminars Faith & Reason Seminars Seminar 1: Support for a Seminar 1: Support for a Theistic World ViewTheistic World View

Steve Whitehouse, Ph.D.

March 11, 2012

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Course OverviewCourse Overview Apologetics is the branch of theology that deals with the defense and

proof of Christianity Knowledge of apologetics can improve our relationship with God,

since it helps us to love the Lord with all our mind, as commanded by Christ in Mark 12.30: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul

and with all your mind and with all your strength. Being able to defend our faith also helps us witness to others, as

Peter encouraged us to do in 1 Peter 3.15 and 16: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared

to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

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Course OverviewCourse Overview Objectives

Acquaint participants with evidence showing that Christianity is a rational belief system

Give them tools for more detailed self study in the future Topics to be discussed in the course are given below.

Logical Evidence Regarding the Existence of God Scientific Evidence Regarding Creation Historical Evidence Regarding Veracity of the Bible Rights of Christians to Share the Good News in the Public Arena

Desired result: to help participants understand that not only is Christianity a reasonable faith, but that faith in Jesus Christ is the most rational response to the evidence available to us.

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Lesson 1 – Logical Evidence Lesson 1 – Logical Evidence Regarding the Existence of GodRegarding the Existence of God

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Heb 11.6

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Ps. 14.1

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Does God Exist?Does God Exist?

Why do we ask the question? People used to accept God’s existence without question. In modern times people believe that science provides

access to ultimate truth. Science cannot prove or disprove existence of God This is a limitation of science, not God! Science provides physical explanation for occurrences that

were thought to be supernatural events (eclipses, comets, plague).

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Why Does It Matter?Why Does It Matter? Most important question we can ever grapple with. Culture tells us that our primary concern is for ourselves.

Examples from newspapers and magazines. Advertisements

Looking out for number 1 Obey your thirst

Popular movie theme: Believe in yourself, and everything will work out fine!

If God exists, we are not number 1. If He exists, we should obey Him rather than our own thirst. If He exists, we should believe in Him rather than ourselves.

If He does not exist, we are on our own, and we are wasting our time in seminars like this!

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Four Logical “Arguments”Four Logical “Arguments”

1. Ontological Argument The very fact that humans have an idea of God supports

the idea that He actually does exist. Concepts regarding the existence of God are universal:

In all cultures All of us have pondered the question

Where would this idea come from if He didn’t actually exist?

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2. Moral Argument All humans have a built-in sense of right and wrong. Children and students often say:

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2. Moral Argument All humans have a built-in sense of right and wrong. Children and students often say: “That’s not fair!” Where would concepts of right and wrong, fair and unfair come

from if the universe were merely matter re-arranging itself in a random manner?

Existence of inherent moral code, or conscience, in all people is evidence of a Moral Creator.

Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them. Romans 2.14,15

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3. Cosmological (or Cause and Effect) Argument Universe exists. Three possible explanations:

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3. Cosmological (or Cause and Effect) Argument Universe exists. Three possible explanations:

(a) It created itself (b) It always existed (c) It was created by an eternal being

Argument (a) is self contradictory, and generally irrational.

If nothing created itself, it had to be something and nothing at the same time, which violates the law of contradiction.

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3. Cosmological (or Cause and Effect) Argument Argument (b) is a possibility. However, scientific data seem to indicate the universe had a

beginning. If we accept that the universe had a beginning, then Argument (b)

is incorrect. This leaves us with one logical possibility which does not

contradict scientific evidence available to us at this time: i.e., the universe was created by an eternal, self-existent being.

In short, the universe is an effect, and God is its cause. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of

everything. Hebrews 3.4

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4. Teleological Argument There is order, harmony, and intelligence in universe. It is logical

to assume that this order is the product of an Intelligent Creator, and that all we see was designed with a purpose.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19.1-4

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1.20

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Teleological Argument (Cont’d)Teleological Argument (Cont’d)

Life provides evidence for existence of God. Dr. Francis Crick discovered DNA.

Molecules in one cell 6 ½ feet long. Molecules in each person 500,000 miles long. Genetic info in each cell = 4000 volumes of books in library Each human has about 30 trillion cells Crick calculated chance of DNA molecule coming into existence

by chance = 0

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Life provides evidence for existence of God. Dr. Francis Crick discovered DNA.

Molecules in one cell 6 ½ feet long. Molecules in each person 500,000 miles long. Genetic info in each cell = 4000 volumes of books in library Each human has about 30 trillion cells Crick calculated chance of DNA molecule coming into existence by

chance = 0 Led him to propose theory of panspermia

Sir Fred Hoyle, famous astronomer Probability of single cell forming by chance = 1/ 1040,000 Probability of 1 / 1050 = 0 (Lecomte duNouy, 1052 electrons in universe)

To date, science has identified a total of 63 characteristics which must be properly tuned for life to exist on earth. Four of these to precision of 1 part in 1037 or better.

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Balance also seen regarding characteristics of earth itself. Polarity of water molecule. If greater, water would boil at higher temp. If

less, water would boil at too low a temp; liquid water would be an inferior solvent; ice would not float, leading to runaway freeze-up.

Size of earth. If too large, toxic atmosphere. If too small, not enough atmosphere.

Distance from sun. If 5% closer, too hot (water would boil). If 1% farther away, too cold (water would freeze).

Rate of rotation. If slower, temperature too extreme. If faster, wind velocity too high.

Inclination of orbit. If too large, temperature differences too extreme. Orbital eccentricity. If too large, seasonal temperature differences would be

too extreme. Axial tilt. If larger or smaller, surface temperature differences would be too

great. Albedo (ratio of reflected light to total amount impinging on surface). If

greater, runaway glaciation. If less, runaway greenhouse effect. Location of heavy planets (Jupiter and Saturn) in outer orbits to deflect

incoming comets.

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Teleological Argument Teleological Argument (Concluded)(Concluded)

Based on study of only 41 parameters, probability of all 41 being in proper range is 1 out of 1053. Estimated max number of planets in universe is 1022!

Not to believe in God given reality of life on earth is irrational!

Belief in God ultimately requires faith, but it is a reasonable and logical faith. Also, it requires faith not to believe in God as well. In fact, it requires more faith not to believe in God than to believe in Him. That is why it is foolish not to believe in God.

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Rival Concepts of GodRival Concepts of God Pantheism

God “beyond” good and evil (pantheism) versus God Who is righteous and takes sides regarding good and evil (Christianity, Judaism, Islam)

God animates the universe; almost is the universe. If universe did not exist, God would not exist. This is view behind concept of “The Force” in Star Wars movies.

“The Force” is the energy which animates the universe. We all draw our strength from it. It has a “Dark Side” and a “Non-Dark (Light?) Side”. We can choose which side we want to be aligned with. THIS IS NOT THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF THINGS!

From recent Star Wars movie (Revenge of the Siths): “Only Siths deal in absolutes”

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Rival Concepts of GodRival Concepts of God Humanism

Man is the measure of all things. The complete realization of human personality is the end

(purpose) of man’s life, and seeks its development in the here and now.

Man alone is responsible for the realization of the world of his dreams, and has the power within himself for its achievement.

Religions that place revelation, God or ritual above human need or experience do a disservice to the human species.

We can discover no divine purpose for the human species. No deity will save us; we must save ourselves.

There are no moral absolutes. Ethics is situational. The only recognized morality is that which emerges from continuous human experience.

If it feels good and doesn’t hurt anyone, do it.

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The Question of Good and EvilThe Question of Good and Evil

If God made the universe, how come there is evil? Universe seems cruel and unjust at times. But where does our concept of “cruel” and “unjust” come

from? There must be a Standard out there to allow us to make

judgments regarding what is “cruel” and “unjust” Universe contains much that is bad and appears

meaningless. The fact that it also contains creatures who know it is bad

and meaningless has 1 of 2 possible explanations.

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The Question of Good and EvilThe Question of Good and Evil

Christian view: good world gone wrong, which retains some memory of what it ought to be

Dualism: two equal and independent powers (like “The Force”) But what makes one good and the other bad? There must be a Standard behind the Good Power and the Bad

Power which allows us to say the Good Power is good because it is aligned or has the proper relationship to the Standard.

Universe embroiled in civil war. We are in rebel-held territory. We are invited to help the Good Side win it back.

Also, existence of “good” and “evil” provides opportunities for: Us to have free will God to show that He loves us (“For God so loved the world that

He gave His only Son …”) Us to show that we love each other Us to show that we love God

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SummarySummary If God exists, we are not number 1. If He exists, we should obey Him rather

than our own thirst. If He exists, we should believe in Him rather than ourselves.

Four arguments supporting belief in the existence of God Ontological Argument: The very fact that humans have an idea of God

provides evidence for His existence. Moral Argument: Existence of built-in sense of right and wrong, or

conscience, in all people is evidence of a Moral Creator. Cosmological Argument: Universe exists. It was created by an eternal

being is the most rational explanation. Teleological Argument: It is logical to conclude that the order, harmony,

and intelligence in universe is the product of an Intelligent Creator, and that all we see was designed with a purpose.

Reason based on observation of the world around us reveals that belief in God is logical. Additional information is required to determine if the Creator of the universe is the God of the Bible. This information includes comparison of scientific evidence with creation accounts in the Bible, as well as archeological and historical evidence regarding the veracity of Biblical accounts.

Faith & Reason Seminars Seminar 1: Support for a Theistic World View Steve Whitehouse, Ph.D. March...

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