The Bible doesn t try to prove God s reality, and there are two possible reasons for this:

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "The Bible doesn t try to prove God s reality, and there are two possible reasons for this:"

Transcription

1 God Is Evident!

2 The Bible doesn t try to prove God s reality, and there are two possible reasons for this: Some believe that in biblical times the idea of God was so universal that proof just wasn t necessary; the Athenians are a case in point, for Paul referred to their altar with this inscription: To the Unknown God (Acts 17:23). Or It may simply be that the evidence for God s existence was thought to be so overwhelming that the Bible and its scribes merely left it as if all its readers would believe the obvious. As King David said of God, The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork (Psa. 19:1). Similarly Tony E. Denton, 12/07. ASiteForTheLord.com

3 Paul wrote, Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead (Rom. 1:20a). God is an invisible spirit and hence can t be perceived/measured by our five senses. But Certain things about God are clearly seen via nature: His invisible attributes, eternal power, and even His divine nature. Now As we turn to the physical evidence of God s existence, there are four classic arguments which have testified of His existence and His nature to mankind for thousands of years.

4 There s the Cosmological Argument.

5 Firstly, the law of cause & effect requires there to be an uncaused-first-cause for all things. This law is accepted by all rational thinkers as a self-evident truth. All observation and experience agree that in the natural world nothing exists in and of itself; i.e., nothing happens on its own. So For every effect there must be an adequate cause. We may reason that the pattern of cause & effect reaches infinitely into the past, but this would be impossible, because this principle demands that the cause & effect chain itself have an adequate cause. In other words

6 Somewhere in the past, an uncaused-first-cause must have started the cause & effect pattern. And That uncaused-first-cause is obviously the God of the Bible: as John wrote by inspiration, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made (John 1:1-3). If the uncaused-first-cause is NOT the God of the Bible, then what or who is? Science is speechless. Secondly, and continuing with thoughts along these lines

7 The principles of deductive reasoning prove the existence of an uncaused-first-cause. The process of deduction reasons from general truths to specific conclusions; and, with universally accepted and self-evident truths, the proper use of deduction provides indisputable evidence of God the uncaused-first-cause. In this type of reasoning, we generally use what s called a syllogism with a major premise & a minor premise which result in an inescapable conclusion. For examples

8 Major: Something cannot come from nothing. Minor: Something exists. Con.: Something or someone has always existed. Major: Living beings cannot come from non-living. Minor: Living beings exist. Con.: At least one living being has always existed. Major: Rational beings cannot come from irrational. Minor: Rational beings exist. Con.: At least one rational being has always existed. So The Cosmological Argument evidence from causation proves that there has always been a living, reasoning, creative being God!

9 There s the Teleological Argument.

10 Firstly, DESIGN demands a DESIGNER. This argument should have an especially profound effect on scientists since science is founded upon orderliness and predictability. I.e. To witness the order and predictability of just our own solar system and then insist on the non-existence of a designer for it is totally dishonest. Research chemist, Elmer W. Maurer, once said, It is impossible for me to conceive the law and order of the universe as being the result of pure chance. The odds are simply too great. When I step into my lab I know that the laws which hold true today will hold true as long as the universe exists. Otherwise my life in the lab would be a succession of quandaries, a life of uncertainty & doubts, rendering all scientific activity futile, in fact, impossible. 1 Paul wrote, Every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God (Heb. 3:4).

11 Secondly, the VASTNESS of the universe demands a POWERFUL designer. If our sun were hollow, it could contain over one million Earths, yet there are stars that could contain half a billion of our suns! Our solar system is 100,000 light years in diameter, and revolves at a speed of 200 miles per second; yet it takes 200 million years to make a revolution. Our galaxy is made up of 100 billion stars of which our sun is just one little speck in our Milky Way. Other galaxies are numbered in the 100 millions in known space; in fact, Einstein once said, We have probed only one billionth of teleological space, and if that is true, then there are an estimated 10 octillion (that s 28 zeros) stars in the universe.

12 Thirdly, the PRECISION of the universe demands an INTELLIGENT designer. The planets don t move across the heavens haphazardly, rather each planet moves in its own particular orbit with a Swiss watch-like exactness. Astronomers can precisely predict the position of any star at any given moment past, present, or future; they can predict the visit of a comet or the time of an eclipse hundreds of years in advance. The same force that moves the heavenly bodies with such exactness also moves our Earth systematically and orderly; so night and day and the seasons follow each other in a consistent order.

13 Fourthly, the ORGANIZATION of the world demands a PURPOSEFUL designer. Human organs demand a purposeful designer. The Eye is made up of 107 million cells that have one purpose to produce sight; these specialized cells don t respond at all to sound, but when they are touched by light, they instantly focus and record the precise color and intensity of the light. The Ear is a very complex organ, the only purpose of which is to transmit sound waves; it can t see or taste, but it fulfills its function with precision. The Skin is designed to respond exclusively to touch; each square inch is equipped with 450 heat and pressure sensitive cells for the purpose of giving pleasure or protecting us from harm.

14 The design and location of the earth demand a purposeful designer. A physician and former president of the New York State Academy of Science, Dr. A. Cressy Morrison, once said, The evidence is strongly suggestive of [a] directive purpose back of everything. We ve found that the world is in the right place, that the crust is adjusted to within ten feet, and that if the ocean were a few feet deeper we d have no oxygen or vegetation. We ve found that the earth rotates in twenty-four hours and that were this revolution delayed, life would be impossible. We ve found that the sun is the one among thousands that could make our sort of life possible on Earth; its size, density, temperature, and the character of its rays all must be right and are right. We ve found that the gases of the atmosphere are adjusted to each other and that a very slight change would be fatal.

15 Considering the bulk of the earth, its place in space & the nicety of the adjustments, the chances of all of them occurring cannot be calculated even in the billions. The existence of these facts cannot, therefore, be reconciled with any of the laws of chance. It s impossible, then, to escape the conclusion that the adjustments of nature to man are far more amazing than the adjustments of man to nature. A review of the wonders of nature demonstrate beyond question that there are design and purpose in it all. A program is being carried out in all its infinite detail by the Supreme being we call God. 2 So

16 The Teleological Argument evidence from order and design proves that the happenstance collision of atoms (aka, The Big Bang Theory) cannot explain the vast, precise, and purposed condition of the universe; such design unquestionably demands a designer, and this designer is the God of the Bible. As we quoted David earlier: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork (Psa. 19:1). And We might add more of David s words: The fool has said in his heart, There is no God (Psa. 14:1).

17 There s the Moralogical Argument.

18 Firstly, man differs from the beasts because only he possesses a sense of right and wrong. However, this moral sense mustn t be confused with animal instinct, for man possesses certain instincts just asanimalsdo; but these instincts aren t the same as the moral sense. Suppose you hear a cry of a man in danger; you re immediately confronted with two powerful instincts: the desire to help that arises from your instinct to save a fellow human being and the desire to keep out of danger that arises from your instinct of selfpreservation. However

19 In addition to these two impulses, you ll find within yourself a third element that tells you to suppress the impulse to run away and follow the impulse that tells you to help. This third element that judges between the two instincts cannot itself be either of them, rather it s a moral law within each person.

20 If two instincts are in conflict, and there s nothing within the mind except those two instincts, obviously the stronger one will win out. But It s at this moment when we re most conscious of the moral law within us: in the case of the man in danger, the moral law tells us to side with the weaker of the two instincts. You d rather run away due to the strong instinct to survive, but instead You help the man and risk danger to yourself, because a higher law compels you to do what s right. So the moral sense isn t instinct it s the judge of instinct.

21 This law within us also mustn t be confused with any set of moral principles that have been learned thru upbringing. Different cultures have set forth different laws of morality, but these differences have never a- mounted to a total difference. In fact An actual comparison of cultures, both ancient and modern, reveals similarities. E.g., can you think of a country where men are admired for running away in battle or where a man is proud about betraying his friend or where a criminal is purposely praised and the innocent is purposely hanged? This overall similarity among cultures is evidence of a common, moral sense within man. So

22 The moral law in us isn t something acquired, but that with which we are all born; even the most primitive savage possesses it: Romans 2:14-15 say, When Gentiles, who don t have the law, by nature do the things contained in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them.

23 Secondly, the moral law in man demands an adequate lawgiver. Blind, irrational matter and force cannot give rise to morality; mere chance cannot explain the moral law within us. The presence of a moral law within us, and within us alone, demands a source different from and higher than the beast; what the beast doesn t have, he can t pass on to his offspring. The moral law within man demands a moral lawgiver; only a moral lawgiver is adequate enough to produce the moral law within us.

24 The moral law clearly distinguishes between good and evil, so a moral lawgiver must be the source of knowledge about good and evil. The moral law in man urges him to avoid evil and do good, so the moral lawgiver Himself must be good and opposed to evil. So we see that The Moralogical Argument evidence from the moral law within man proves that the only logical cause for man s innate sense of right and wrong originates with our Creator the holy God of the Bible. Now Quite related to this argument is the next and last one:

25 There s the Ontological Argument.

26 Firstly, man s intuition tells of a higher power. Intuition is the direct perception of truth independent of any reasoning process; 3 and much like the moral law within us, intuition is a witness to God s existence exclusively from within our minds. Although it can t be tested by science, it has long been acknowledged by history and anthropology. All nations & tribes in every age have believed in supernatural beings; whether ancient or modern, near or far from others, one experience is common to all the desire to worship a higher power. Since all the knowledge of modern times has neither displaced nor replaced this hunger, then we know that this urge to worship isn t the result of ignorance or superstition, but an innate need that can t be cut away from our existence.

27 King David, a mere human being like each of us, once said to God, As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, Oh God (Psa. 42:1-2a). Secondly, man s intuition points him beyond the material world to find satisfaction for his deepest needs and aspirations. Despite its great vastness, the material world is too narrow for us, because it addresses only one side of our nature. This physical world can feed us when we re hungry and clothe us when we re cold; it can shelter us from the elements and give us protection from its harsh extremes. But There are real needs and aspirations within us that just cannot find fulfillment here.

28 We hunger for eternal life, but this world only gives us death. We hunger for a purpose for our existence that transcends ourselves, but this world gives us no purpose greater than mere self-preservation. We seek a relationship with a being who s everything we aren t eternal, all-knowing, all powerful, & unchanging, but this world doesn t offer such. We seek a transcendent being who possesses a perfect degree of every good quality which we can conceive but cannot achieve perfect holiness, justice, truth, and love; we seek such because we were created with an innate need for a relationship with a being worthy of worship, and this world provides no end to our search.

29 Wouldn t it be a strange world where people in it required food & water and neither existed to fulfill those needs? And wouldn t it be just as strange to find that man possesses spiritual needs and there was no spiritual reality to satisfy them? Intuition teaches us to look past this physical world in our search for spiritual fulfillment. So The Ontological Argument evidence from intuition teaches us that man s spiritual hunger exists to be satisfied and that, therefore, there must be a higher power adequate enough to satisfy it; and, again, the God of the Bible fits the bill. Now Let s summarize and conclude our thoughts:

30 The evidence from the material world is overwhelming proof of God s existence to anyone who has a mind to perceive and receive it. The only cause adequate to produce the universe is the creative God of the Bible. The only designer adequate to design and order the complexities of the universe is the all-knowing and all-powerful God of the Bible. The only adequate explanation for the moral law within man is the holy God of the Bible. And The only adequate explanation for the spiritual hunger in man is the spiritual God of the Bible.

31 GOD E. A. Maness wrote, If the word God were written on every blowing leaf, embossed on every passing cloud, and engraved on every granite rock, the inductive evidence of God in the world would be no stronger than it is. 4 GOD GOD

32 The same evidence that proves God s existence also reveals the divine attributes of God. If God is the uncaused-first-cause, then He s selfexistent, eternal, and totally independent. If God is the designer of the universe, then He s incredibly limitless in intelligence, power, & purpose. If God is the author of the moral law within us, then He s moral and holy. And If God is the source of the spiritual hunger within us, then He must be a spirit Himself. Lastly

33 The witness of these classic arguments for God s existence lead us to agree with Paul: In Romans 1:18-20 he wrote, The wrath of God is revealed from heaven because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. God has never left Himself without witness, for in Acts 14:16-17 Paul said that God had in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless, He did not leave Himself without witness in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

34 The End

A Fine Tuned Universe The Improbability That God is Improbable

A Fine Tuned Universe The Improbability That God is Improbable A Fine Tuned Universe The Improbability That God is Improbable The debate over creation in biology has increasingly led scientist to become more open to physics and the Christian belief in a creator. It

More information

In the Beginning A study of Genesis Chapters Christian Life Assembly Jim Hoffman The Journey 2018

In the Beginning A study of Genesis Chapters Christian Life Assembly Jim Hoffman The Journey 2018 A study of Genesis Chapters 1-11 Christian Life Assembly Jim Hoffman The Journey 2018 Psalm 19:1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Romans 1:20 For ever since the

More information

Does God Exist? By: Washington Massaquoi. January 2, Introduction

Does God Exist? By: Washington Massaquoi. January 2, Introduction Does God Exist? By: Washington Massaquoi. January 2, 2017 Introduction In almost all societies there are people who deny the existence of God. Disbelievers (atheists) argue that there is no proof or evidence

More information

Origin of the Idea of God. TEXT: Acts 17:22-31 THESIS:

Origin of the Idea of God. TEXT: Acts 17:22-31 THESIS: 1 TEXT: Acts 17:22-31 Origin of the Idea of God THESIS: INTRODUCTION: 1. Paul stood in the midst of Mars Hill ready to preach to the Gentiles. a. He stood where so many of the world's great philosophers

More information

How Can I Prove that God Exists? Genesis 1:1

How Can I Prove that God Exists? Genesis 1:1 1 How Can I Prove that God Exists? Genesis 1:1 Introduction At one of the gatherings of the World Congress of Secular Humanism, Richard Dawkins (a world-renowned atheist) allowed an interview with Belief.net.

More information

Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org - Evidence of God. In Cosmos & Conscience Robert C. Newman

Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org - Evidence of God. In Cosmos & Conscience Robert C. Newman Evidence of God In Cosmos & Conscience Robert C. Newman The Biblical Claim "Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood

More information

IDHEF Chapter 4 Divine Design Only a rookie who knows nothing about science would say science takes away from faith. If you really study science, it

IDHEF Chapter 4 Divine Design Only a rookie who knows nothing about science would say science takes away from faith. If you really study science, it 1 IDHEF Chapter 4 Divine Design Only a rookie who knows nothing about science would say science takes away from faith. If you really study science, it will bring you closer to God. -James Tour, Nanoscientist

More information

Christianity & Science

Christianity & Science Christianity & Science Robert C. Newman What is Christianity? Various Definitions: Sociological: The religion & culture of those who call themselves Christians. There is enormous variety here. Theological:

More information

The Cosmological Argument for the Existence of God

The Cosmological Argument for the Existence of God The Cosmological Argument for the Existence of God Some preliminaries: The essence of being a Christian is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God. It is through Christ

More information

Is God Still Speaking to Man? Kevin Presley

Is God Still Speaking to Man? Kevin Presley Is God Still Speaking to Man? Kevin Presley A lot of people say that God speaks to them. You certainly don t have to look far to find a preacher who will claim that the Lord gave him some kind of message.

More information

Darkened minds in an enlightened age

Darkened minds in an enlightened age Darkened minds in an enlightened age General Omar N. Bradley [H]umanity is in danger of being trapped in this world by its moral adolescents. Our knowledge of science has clearly outstripped our capacity

More information

Lesson 2. Systematic Theology Pastor Tim Goad. Part Two Theology Proper - Beginning at the Beginning I. Introduction to the One True God

Lesson 2. Systematic Theology Pastor Tim Goad. Part Two Theology Proper - Beginning at the Beginning I. Introduction to the One True God Lesson 2 Part Two Theology Proper - Beginning at the Beginning I. Introduction to the One True God a. Arguments for the existence of God i. The Scriptural Argument Throughout Scripture we are presented

More information

Getting To God. The Basic Evidence For The Truth of Christian Theism. truehorizon.org

Getting To God. The Basic Evidence For The Truth of Christian Theism. truehorizon.org Getting To God The Basic Evidence For The Truth of Christian Theism truehorizon.org A True Worldview A worldview is like a set of glasses through which you see everything in life. It is the lens that brings

More information

Why We Believe In God

Why We Believe In God Introduction Why We Believe In God Hebrews 11:6 1. Hebrews 11:6 Man must believe that God is, and must believe His Word. 2. 1 Peter 3:15 Our hope is built on faith in God and in His word. I. BLESSING FOR

More information

There are many rational reasons for believing in God. This booklet will briefly explain three simple reasons for God s existence.

There are many rational reasons for believing in God. This booklet will briefly explain three simple reasons for God s existence. 3 REASONS FOR There are many rational reasons for believing in God. This booklet will briefly explain three simple reasons for God s existence. ORDER IN THE UNIVERSE When we reflect upon the nature of

More information

12/8/2013 The Origin of Life 1

12/8/2013 The Origin of Life 1 "The Origin of Life" Dr. Jeff Miller s new book, Science Vs. Evolution, explores how science falls far short of being able to explain the origin of life. Hello, I m Phil Sanders. This is a Bible study,

More information

Sounds of Love Series. Mysticism and Reason

Sounds of Love Series. Mysticism and Reason Sounds of Love Series Mysticism and Reason I am going to talk about mysticism and reason. Sometimes people talk about intuition and reason, about the irrational and the rational, but to put a juxtaposition

More information

1. Does God Exist? 2. If So, What Kind of God Is He? 3. Is The Bible Reliable? 4. When Was Creation? 5. How Long Did Creation Take?

1. Does God Exist? 2. If So, What Kind of God Is He? 3. Is The Bible Reliable? 4. When Was Creation? 5. How Long Did Creation Take? 1. Does God Exist? 2. If So, What Kind of God Is He? 3. Is The Bible Reliable? 4. When Was Creation? 5. How Long Did Creation Take? 6. Is Evolution Even Possible? 7. Is The Big Bang Possible? - Intelligence

More information

Jesus is our Creator What is Christmas About? Christmas is a time to let the World know.

Jesus is our Creator What is Christmas About? Christmas is a time to let the World know. Jesus is our Creator John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him was

More information

Belief in God is a reasonable response to the evidence.

Belief in God is a reasonable response to the evidence. Belief in God is a reasonable response to the evidence. Recognizing (acknowledging) Design Improbability (complexity) plus specification equals design. Design demonstrates purpose, intentionality, and

More information

Lecture 4.2 Aquinas Phil Religion TOPIC: Aquinas Cosmological Arguments for the existence of God. Critiques of Aquinas arguments.

Lecture 4.2 Aquinas Phil Religion TOPIC: Aquinas Cosmological Arguments for the existence of God. Critiques of Aquinas arguments. TOPIC: Lecture 4.2 Aquinas Phil Religion Aquinas Cosmological Arguments for the existence of God. Critiques of Aquinas arguments. KEY TERMS/ GOALS: Cosmological argument. The problem of Infinite Regress.

More information

Christian Evidences. The Verification of Biblical Christianity, Part 2. CA312 LESSON 06 of 12

Christian Evidences. The Verification of Biblical Christianity, Part 2. CA312 LESSON 06 of 12 Christian Evidences CA312 LESSON 06 of 12 Victor M. Matthews, STD Former Professor of Systematic Theology Grand Rapids Theological Seminary This is lecture 6 of the course entitled Christian Evidences.

More information

Main idea The most important part of a love relationship is that we honestly reveal who we are, what we are thinking, and what we are feeling.

Main idea The most important part of a love relationship is that we honestly reveal who we are, what we are thinking, and what we are feeling. LOVE STORY PSALM 19 Main idea The most important part of a love relationship is that we honestly reveal who we are, what we are thinking, and what we are feeling. I. GOD REVEALS HIMSELF TO US IN CREATION

More information

We can Know Can a creature really know its Creator? Perhaps that is like wondering whether a dab of paint on a canvas can know its Painter or if a spe

We can Know Can a creature really know its Creator? Perhaps that is like wondering whether a dab of paint on a canvas can know its Painter or if a spe 1 We can Know Can a creature really know its Creator? Perhaps that is like wondering whether a dab of paint on a canvas can know its Painter or if a speck of clay in a sculpture can know the Potter. But

More information

The Revelation of God s Wrath:

The Revelation of God s Wrath: The Revelation of God s Wrath: A Holy God in the Hands of Sinful Man Part 2 Romans 1:18-23 April 26 th, 2008 Scripture For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness

More information

There is a bit of ground clearance needed, it seems to me. This particular corner of the field is overgrown with every sort of confusion.

There is a bit of ground clearance needed, it seems to me. This particular corner of the field is overgrown with every sort of confusion. 9.45am and 11.15am Sermon series 15 September 2013 St Michael s Acts 17:22-31; John 1: 14-18 I believe in God. You might say that the great religious division between human beings lies exactly here, between

More information

The Cosmological Argument

The Cosmological Argument The Cosmological Argument Reading Questions The Cosmological Argument: Elementary Version The Cosmological Argument: Intermediate Version The Cosmological Argument: Advanced Version Summary of the Cosmological

More information

PROVING THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. By Dub McClish. Introduction

PROVING THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. By Dub McClish. Introduction PROVING THE EXISTENCE OF GOD By Dub McClish Introduction There are only two possible positions relative to the existence of God: Either He does or He does not exist. The absolutely fundamental issue to

More information

The Large Hadron Collider: How Humanity s Largest Science Experiment Bears Witness to God

The Large Hadron Collider: How Humanity s Largest Science Experiment Bears Witness to God The Large Hadron Collider: How Humanity s Largest Science Experiment Bears Witness to God By Brent Paschall brent@brentnrachel.com Presented July 2012 at Blue Ridge Church of Christ www.blueridgecoc.org

More information

Learning from Mistakes Karl Popper and Thomas Kuhn

Learning from Mistakes Karl Popper and Thomas Kuhn chapter 36 Learning from Mistakes Karl Popper and Thomas Kuhn In 1666 a young scientist was sitting in a garden when an apple fell to the ground. This made him wonder why apples fall straight down, rather

More information

1. Atheism We begin our study with a look at atheism. Atheism is not itself a religion.

1. Atheism We begin our study with a look at atheism. Atheism is not itself a religion. 1 1. Atheism We begin our study with a look at atheism. Atheism is not itself a religion. What is atheism Atheism is the view that God does not exist. The word comes from the Greek atheos which when we

More information

The Cosmological Argument

The Cosmological Argument The Cosmological Argument The Cosmological Argument is an argument that attempts to demonstrate the existence of God using only one starting assumption: Something exists. 1. Three sorts of being: Whatever

More information

Psalm 19 - Part One Are You Talking to Me?

Psalm 19 - Part One Are You Talking to Me? Psalm 19 - Part One Are You Talking to Me? Psa 19:1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Psa 19:2 Day unto day utters speech,

More information

007 - LE TRIANGLE DES BERMUDES by Bernard de Montréal

007 - LE TRIANGLE DES BERMUDES by Bernard de Montréal 007 - LE TRIANGLE DES BERMUDES by Bernard de Montréal On the Bermuda Triangle and the dangers that threaten the unconscious humanity of the technical operations that take place in this and other similar

More information

1: MADE FOR GOD. Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?

1: MADE FOR GOD. Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth? 1: MADE FOR GOD Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth? Creation of Adam by Michelangelo Catechist Preparation YouCat 1-6, 20-24 For more details: CCC 27-49; 142-184 Further

More information

PROOF YAHWEH EXISTS. Keith Slough

PROOF YAHWEH EXISTS. Keith Slough PROOF YAHWEH EXISTS Keith Slough Never before in our lifetime has there been such a need to know whether or not there is an Almighty. This booklet will give you absolute proof of the existence of an all

More information

DO YOU KNOW THAT THE DIGITS HAVE AN END? Mohamed Ababou. Translated by: Nafissa Atlagh

DO YOU KNOW THAT THE DIGITS HAVE AN END? Mohamed Ababou. Translated by: Nafissa Atlagh Mohamed Ababou DO YOU KNOW THAT THE DIGITS HAVE AN END? Mohamed Ababou Translated by: Nafissa Atlagh God created the human being and distinguished him from other creatures by the brain which is the source

More information

HOW WE CAN KNOW THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD

HOW WE CAN KNOW THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD HOW WE CAN KNOW THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD I know any number of people who would be willing to go toe to toe with me after giving such a title to a message. They want to believe that there are many different

More information

Evidences for Christian Beliefs

Evidences for Christian Beliefs Evidences for Christian Beliefs Date Day Lesson Title Teacher 7 Jan 17 Sun 1 Understanding Faith Marty 10 Jan 17 Wed 2 The Christian's Faith Marty 14 Jan 17 Sun 3 The Universe: God's Power & Deity Marty

More information

Introduction. I. Proof of the Minor Premise ( All reality is completely intelligible )

Introduction. I. Proof of the Minor Premise ( All reality is completely intelligible ) Philosophical Proof of God: Derived from Principles in Bernard Lonergan s Insight May 2014 Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D. Magis Center of Reason and Faith Lonergan s proof may be stated as follows: Introduction

More information

Trinity. One God, Three Persons. A Bible Study Course for Adults SAMPLE. by Norman F. Burger Jr. Leader s Guide

Trinity. One God, Three Persons. A Bible Study Course for Adults SAMPLE. by Norman F. Burger Jr. Leader s Guide Trinity One God, Three Persons A Bible Study Course for Adults by Norman F. Burger Jr. Leader s Guide Lesson One How Can We Know God?... 2 Lesson Two I Believe in God... 9 Lesson Three The Father and the

More information

Lesson 6: The Doctrine of God: The Existence of God

Lesson 6: The Doctrine of God: The Existence of God Lesson 6: The Doctrine of God: The Existence of God How do we know that God exists? The existence of God is the foundation of true religion. If we do not have a right understanding of the existence of

More information

Things We Can Know No. 275

Things We Can Know No. 275 "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.lockman.org) Introduction

More information

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THE METAPHYSIC OF MORALS. by Immanuel Kant

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THE METAPHYSIC OF MORALS. by Immanuel Kant FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THE METAPHYSIC OF MORALS SECOND SECTION by Immanuel Kant TRANSITION FROM POPULAR MORAL PHILOSOPHY TO THE METAPHYSIC OF MORALS... This principle, that humanity and generally every

More information

Philosophy of Religion. Ross Arnold, Summer 2014 Lakeside institute of Theology

Philosophy of Religion. Ross Arnold, Summer 2014 Lakeside institute of Theology Philosophy of Religion Ross Arnold, Summer 2014 Lakeside institute of Theology Philosophical Theology 1 (TH5) Aug. 15 Intro to Philosophical Theology; Logic Aug. 22 Truth & Epistemology Aug. 29 Metaphysics

More information

A level Religious Studies at Titus Salt

A level Religious Studies at Titus Salt Component 2 Philosophy of Religion Theme 1: Arguments for the existence of God inductive This theme considers how the philosophy of religion has, over time, influenced and been influenced by developments

More information

Philosophy Epistemology. Topic 3 - Skepticism

Philosophy Epistemology. Topic 3 - Skepticism Michael Huemer on Skepticism Philosophy 3340 - Epistemology Topic 3 - Skepticism Chapter II. The Lure of Radical Skepticism 1. Mike Huemer defines radical skepticism as follows: Philosophical skeptics

More information

112, 407, 640 CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS Lesson 3 The Defense Begins The Defense of the Biblical Worldview Part 1

112, 407, 640 CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS Lesson 3 The Defense Begins The Defense of the Biblical Worldview Part 1 112, 407, 640 CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS Lesson 3 The Defense Begins The Defense of the Biblical Worldview Part 1 1 Peter 3:15 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense

More information

In our busy, activity filled, pleasure seeking, self-absorbed culture the words, Be still and know that I am God have no meaning or interest.

In our busy, activity filled, pleasure seeking, self-absorbed culture the words, Be still and know that I am God have no meaning or interest. GROWING IN KNOWING GOD. Rev. Robert T. Woodyard First Christian Reformed Church, Lynden, WA June 7, 2015, 10:30AM Text for the Sermon: Jeremiah 9:23-24; John 17:1-3; Colossians 1:9-11 Introduction. In

More information

PART 2: REVELATION GENERAL REVELATION. In the great summery of faith, found in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, the

PART 2: REVELATION GENERAL REVELATION. In the great summery of faith, found in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, the BASIC DOCTRINE THE FUNDAMENTALS PART 2: REVELATION GENERAL REVELATION In the great summery of faith, found in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, the author says: But without faith it is impossible to please

More information

IN WHAT WAY DOES GOD REVEAL HIMSELF TO US?

IN WHAT WAY DOES GOD REVEAL HIMSELF TO US? IN WHAT WAY DOES GOD REVEAL HIMSELF TO US? Throughout history Some have questioned God s existence While many others have confidently asserted that He does indeed exist. It never seemed to occur to any

More information

Classical Arguments For The Existence Of God

Classical Arguments For The Existence Of God Page1 Classical Arguments For The Existence Of God Written by: D. Eddie Bhawanie Through the centuries the most eminent, and distinguished Christian thinkers have put forward arguments in defense of God

More information

A Law that Leads to God

A Law that Leads to God Creation, Evolution, and Laws of Science ERIC LYONS Evolutionists like to make a big deal out of creationists not being able to test God. Since humans cannot use one of their five senses to examine God

More information

The Debate Between Evolution and Intelligent Design Rick Garlikov

The Debate Between Evolution and Intelligent Design Rick Garlikov The Debate Between Evolution and Intelligent Design Rick Garlikov Handled intelligently and reasonably, the debate between evolution (the theory that life evolved by random mutation and natural selection)

More information

OBJECTIONS ANSWERED: A Crash-Course in Defending the Christian Faith 1 June 2011 How Do We Know There Really is a God?

OBJECTIONS ANSWERED: A Crash-Course in Defending the Christian Faith 1 June 2011 How Do We Know There Really is a God? OBJECTIONS ANSWERED: A Crash-Course in Defending the Christian Faith 1 June 2011 How Do We Know There Really is a God? Context: Tonight we continue our Bible study series Objections Answered: A Crash-Course

More information

The view that all of our actions are done in self-interest is called psychological egoism.

The view that all of our actions are done in self-interest is called psychological egoism. Egoism For the last two classes, we have been discussing the question of whether any actions are really objectively right or wrong, independently of the standards of any person or group, and whether any

More information

THE CREATOR GENESIS 1:1

THE CREATOR GENESIS 1:1 THE CREATOR GENESIS 1:1 How are we to read the first chapter of Genesis? It is obvious that we cannot read it as simply history. The events that it reports happened before there was a historian. In order

More information

1 In t h e Be g i n n i n g Go d

1 In t h e Be g i n n i n g Go d Ch a p t e r Tw o 1 In t h e Be g i n n i n g Go d 2 Angels, Hosts and Stars Ch a p t e r Tw o 15 1 In t h e Be g i n n i n g Go d The Bible starts with four very profound words: In the beginning God Genesis

More information

PROOF CHRISTIANITY IS TRUE. Download free ebook at

PROOF CHRISTIANITY IS TRUE. Download free ebook at PROOF CHRISTIANITY IS TRUE Download free ebook at www.callup.org/proof Correspondence view of truth. The correspondence view is the correct view. This view states that truth is that which corresponds to

More information

Logic: Deductive and Inductive by Carveth Read M.A. CHAPTER IX CHAPTER IX FORMAL CONDITIONS OF MEDIATE INFERENCE

Logic: Deductive and Inductive by Carveth Read M.A. CHAPTER IX CHAPTER IX FORMAL CONDITIONS OF MEDIATE INFERENCE CHAPTER IX CHAPTER IX FORMAL CONDITIONS OF MEDIATE INFERENCE Section 1. A Mediate Inference is a proposition that depends for proof upon two or more other propositions, so connected together by one or

More information

About Islam By Dr. Naji Ibrahim Al-Arfaj

About Islam By Dr. Naji Ibrahim Al-Arfaj 100 About Islam By Dr. Naji Ibrahim Al-Arfaj 01 Allah is the Arabic name for the One true God, the Creator of mankind. 02 03 Muhammad is the last Prophet of the one true God (Allah); the Messenger to

More information

What does it pronounce? James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

What does it pronounce? James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. Divine Law What is it? Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. p.335 The law of God is the teaching given by God which prescribes

More information

The Laws of Conservation

The Laws of Conservation Atheism is a lack of belief mentality which rejects the existence of anything supernatural. By default, atheists are also naturalists and evolutionists. They believe there is a natural explanation for

More information

Three Kinds of Arguments

Three Kinds of Arguments Chapter 27 Three Kinds of Arguments Arguments in general We ve been focusing on Moleculan-analyzable arguments for several chapters, but now we want to take a step back and look at the big picture, at

More information

Who is God? In the beginning God (Gen 1:1) Stephen Semple

Who is God? In the beginning God (Gen 1:1) Stephen Semple ANSWERS IN GENESIS BBC Sunday, February 5, 2016 Who is God? In the beginning God (Gen 1:1) Stephen Semple Focus All of the Bible is important, but if you were to chose which book of the Bible is the foundational

More information

Listening Guide. We Believe in God. What We Know About God. CA310 Lesson 01 of 04

Listening Guide. We Believe in God. What We Know About God. CA310 Lesson 01 of 04 We Believe in God What We Know About God CA310 Lesson 01 of 04 Listening Guide This Listening Guide is designed to help you ask questions and take notes on what you re learning. The process will accomplish

More information

The Importance of Scripture as a Source of Revelation Psalm 19

The Importance of Scripture as a Source of Revelation Psalm 19 The Importance of Scripture as a Source of Revelation Psalm 19 Introduction Definition of Revelation: Revelation is the disclosure of that which is previously unknown. Definition of general revelation.

More information

What the Bible Teaches About Salvation

What the Bible Teaches About Salvation What the Bible Teaches About Salvation Class Description A study of what the Bible teaches about how sinful man can be accepted by and right with a holy God. Errors prevalent in our area with regard to

More information

The Cosmological Argument: A Defense

The Cosmological Argument: A Defense Page 1/7 RICHARD TAYLOR [1] Suppose you were strolling in the woods and, in addition to the sticks, stones, and other accustomed litter of the forest floor, you one day came upon some quite unaccustomed

More information

Nearly everyone, at one time or another, has an incredible

Nearly everyone, at one time or another, has an incredible 1 The Existence of God Nearly everyone, at one time or another, has an incredible experience that profoundly alters his or her life s journey. At such times most of us turn to the divine, to God, and wonder

More information

Does Science Contradict Scripture?

Does Science Contradict Scripture? In Defense of Holy Scripture HaDavar November 7, 2017 Ron Keller Session 6 Does Science Contradict Scripture? Aldous Huxley once said: Modern science makes it impossible to believe in a personal God; Bertrand

More information

Summer Preparation Work

Summer Preparation Work 2017 Summer Preparation Work Philosophy of Religion Theme 1 Arguments for the existence of God Instructions: Philosophy of Religion - Arguments for the existence of God The Cosmological Argument 1. Watch

More information

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 1 Has Science Disproved Christianity? Seaford Baptist Church February 23, 2011 2 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 3 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky

More information

1 Ted Kirnbauer Romans 1: /15/17. The theme of the book of Romans is the gospel, or the good news about Christ (1:1, 3 4, 16 17).

1 Ted Kirnbauer Romans 1: /15/17. The theme of the book of Romans is the gospel, or the good news about Christ (1:1, 3 4, 16 17). 1 C. Transition to the Main Theme The Gospel (1:16-17) The theme of the book of Romans is the gospel, or the good news about Christ (1:1, 3 4, 16 17). Paul desires to see the name of Christ glorified among

More information

Only something greater than what it creates could have created

Only something greater than what it creates could have created L e s s o n 1 *December 29 January 4 (page 6 of Standard Edition) Jesus, Creator of Heaven and Earth Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week s Study: Gen. 1:1; Heb. 11:3; Ps. 19:1 3; John 1:1 3, 14; Col.

More information

Systematic Theology for the Local Church FELLOWSHIP

Systematic Theology for the Local Church FELLOWSHIP BELIEVERS' Systematic Theology for the Local Church FELLOWSHIP #11 Bibliology Part II 1 God Has Spoken to Everyone: General Revelation Paul Karleen May 27, 2007 For the studies in Bibliology: Become familiar

More information

Science, Religion & the Existence of God Seidel Abel Boanerges

Science, Religion & the Existence of God Seidel Abel Boanerges Science, Religion & the Existence of God Seidel Abel Boanerges I. Has Science buried Religion? II. Three Reasons why the Existence of God makes a HUGE difference. III. Four Reasons for the Existence of

More information

Praying for the Lost

Praying for the Lost Praying for the Lost Charles F. Stanley - In Touch Ministries Seasons of prayer 01 for god so loved Is there someone you love who is currently lost to God? Does your heart break at the thought of that

More information

WRITTEN BY: DR. NAJI IBRAHIM EDITED BY: ANN RONAYNE DESIGNED BY:DR. WASEEMRIAZ

WRITTEN BY: DR. NAJI IBRAHIM EDITED BY: ANN RONAYNE DESIGNED BY:DR. WASEEMRIAZ WRITTEN BY: DR. NAJI IBRAHIM EDITED BY: ANN RONAYNE DESIGNED BY:DR. WASEEMRIAZ Answering Humanity s Critical Questions Islam answers humanity s most critical and significant questions, such as: What is

More information

Wk 10Y5 Existence of God 2 - October 26, 2018

Wk 10Y5 Existence of God 2 - October 26, 2018 1 2 3 4 5 The Existence of God (2) Module: Philosophy Lesson 10 Some Recommended Resources Reasonable Faith, by William Lane Craig. pp. 91-204 To Everyone an Answer, by Beckwith, Craig, and Moreland. pp.

More information

Welcome back to week 2 of this edition of 5pm Church Together.

Welcome back to week 2 of this edition of 5pm Church Together. Welcome back to week 2 of this edition of 5pm Church Together. Last week we started considering some rational theistic proofs for the existence of God with particular reference to those intellectual barriers

More information

Correcting the Creationist

Correcting the Creationist Correcting the Creationist By BRENT SILBY Def-Logic Productions (c) Brent Silby 2001 www.def-logic.com/articles Important question Is creationism a science? Many creationists claim that it is. In fact,

More information

Things Which Cannot Be Shaken

Things Which Cannot Be Shaken 1 Things Which Cannot Be Shaken By F. M. Perry God once spoke to the Twelve Tribes of Israel from the top of Mount Sinai, and when He did, Heb. 12:26 tells us, "His voice shook the earth then, but now

More information

WHAT IS FAITH? (Hebrews 11:1-3) Sunday, July 10, 2016 Summit EFC Series: Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), Message #1 Pastor Doug Corlew

WHAT IS FAITH? (Hebrews 11:1-3) Sunday, July 10, 2016 Summit EFC Series: Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), Message #1 Pastor Doug Corlew WHAT IS FAITH? (Hebrews 11:1-3) Sunday, July 10, 2016 Summit EFC Series: Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), Message #1 Pastor Doug Corlew Video: The Things Unseen (1:30) http://media.preachingtoday.com/mini-movies/59871/faith-the-things-unseen?tcode=d3f00c7275&dcode=aed4d55e2d

More information

Lecture 7.1 Berkeley I

Lecture 7.1 Berkeley I TOPIC: Lecture 7.1 Berkeley I Introduction to the Representational view of the mind. Berkeley s Argument from Illusion. KEY TERMS/ GOALS: Idealism. Naive realism. Representations. Berkeley s Argument from

More information

Personality and Soul: A Theory of Selfhood

Personality and Soul: A Theory of Selfhood Personality and Soul: A Theory of Selfhood by George L. Park What is personality? What is soul? What is the relationship between the two? When Moses asked the Father what his name is, the Father answered,

More information

God. D o e s. God. D o e s. Exist?

God. D o e s. God. D o e s. Exist? D o e s D o e s Exist? D o e s Exist? Why do we have something rather than nothing at all? - Martin Heidegger, The Fundamental Question of Metaphysics Comes back to Does exist? D o e s Exist? How to think

More information

1. Right & Wrong as a Clue to The Meaning of The Universe 1.1. The Law of Human Nature 1.2. Some Objections

1. Right & Wrong as a Clue to The Meaning of The Universe 1.1. The Law of Human Nature 1.2. Some Objections Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis Book 1 Chapters 1 2 1. Right & Wrong as a Clue to The Meaning of The Universe 1.1. The Law of Human Nature 1.2. Some Objections 1. Right & Wrong as a Clue to The Meaning

More information

THE UNIVERSE NEVER PLAYS FAVORITES

THE UNIVERSE NEVER PLAYS FAVORITES THE THING ITSELF We all look forward to the day when science and religion shall walk hand in hand through the visible to the invisible. Science knows nothing of opinion, but recognizes a government of

More information

A Posteriori Necessities by Saul Kripke (excerpted from Naming and Necessity, 1980)

A Posteriori Necessities by Saul Kripke (excerpted from Naming and Necessity, 1980) A Posteriori Necessities by Saul Kripke (excerpted from Naming and Necessity, 1980) Let's suppose we refer to the same heavenly body twice, as 'Hesperus' and 'Phosphorus'. We say: Hesperus is that star

More information

Why Believe in God, Eccl.1

Why Believe in God, Eccl.1 Intro: Many of us, I am sure, have experienced children going through the why phase. Know what I mean? Daddy, why is the grass green? ( Ah, because we paint it that color. Go ask your mother! ). Daddy,

More information

The Literal Week. E. J. Waggoner. p. 1, Para. 1, [LITERAL].

The Literal Week. E. J. Waggoner. p. 1, Para. 1, [LITERAL]. The Literal Week. E. J. Waggoner. p. 1, Para. 1, Like the Sabbath, the week originated at creation, and it has been preserved and brought down to us through Bible history. God Himself measured off the

More information

The Rationality of Religious Beliefs

The Rationality of Religious Beliefs The Rationality of Religious Beliefs Bryan Frances Think, 14 (2015), 109-117 Abstract: Many highly educated people think religious belief is irrational and unscientific. If you ask a philosopher, however,

More information

Are the Heathen Lost? A Study on Romans 1: by Dr. Jack L. Arnold

Are the Heathen Lost? A Study on Romans 1: by Dr. Jack L. Arnold Are the Heathen Lost? A Study on Romans 1:18-23 by Dr. Jack L. Arnold Are the heathen lost? The answer to this question has never been a problem to Bible-believing Christians the Bible, church history,

More information

God is a Community Part 1: God

God is a Community Part 1: God God is a Community Part 1: God FATHER SON SPIRIT The Christian Concept of God Along with Judaism and Islam, Christianity is one of the great monotheistic world religions. These religions all believe that

More information

VERIFICATION AND METAPHYSICS

VERIFICATION AND METAPHYSICS Michael Lacewing The project of logical positivism VERIFICATION AND METAPHYSICS In the 1930s, a school of philosophy arose called logical positivism. Like much philosophy, it was concerned with the foundations

More information

BIBLE DOCTRINES I, STUDIES IN

BIBLE DOCTRINES I, STUDIES IN A Course In BIBLE DOCTRINES I, STUDIES IN Prepared by the Committee on Religious Education of the American Bible College Pineland, Florida 33945 A COURSE IN BIBLE DOCTRINES I, STUDIES IN Prepared by the

More information

Think For A Minute - What gives life meaning?

Think For A Minute - What gives life meaning? Think For A Minute - What gives life meaning? What s a person? In both science and philosophy, defining a person has been one of the most hotly debated questions throughout history. This is especially

More information

Sense. Finally, not only do the scientific Laws of Thermodynamics and the Law of Cause and Effect support

Sense. Finally, not only do the scientific Laws of Thermodynamics and the Law of Cause and Effect support tion for the cause of the original ball of matter. The fact is, a logical, physical explanation for the original ball of matter does not exist. The ball of matter could not have popped into existence or

More information

We Believe in God. Study Guide WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT GOD LESSON ONE. We Believe in God by Third Millennium Ministries

We Believe in God. Study Guide WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT GOD LESSON ONE. We Believe in God by Third Millennium Ministries 1 Study Guide LESSON ONE WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT GOD For videos, manuscripts, and other Lesson resources, 1: What We visit Know Third About Millennium God Ministries at thirdmill.org. 2 CONTENTS HOW TO USE

More information