For My Atheist Friend. a reminder, a refresher, an encouragement

For My Atheist Friend a reminder, a refresher, an encouragement

Christian Believe in God Atheist

Not: win Bear informed, gracious witness 1 Peter 3:15 Always be prepared to give...the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Respect

Respect Be a friend Listen. Earn respect. Be open, honest, genuine Insist on mutual respect of person and beliefs

Your Goal Plant a seed

Your Role Open the door

Understand His Thinking Get in his head Listen, ask Concerns, reservations Reasons for his beliefs Why an atheist?

Be Prepared Explain your beliefs Reasons Faith challenged

Pace Pray Be patient Go slowly Choose time, place Be persistent

Time in the Creation

Evidence Not: proof

Evidence Possible explanations Look for the best possible explanation

Evidence for the Existence of God Universe Design Morality

Cosmological Argument Beginning Beginner

Design Argument Watch = Watchmaker

Morality Case Is right and wrong objective reality or personal opinion? If objective: transcendent, personal being

Cosmological Argument Beginning Beginner Kalam Argument Big Bang 2nd Law of Thermodynamics

Cosmological Argument Kalam Argument There are no actual infinites. Now = finite past Finite past = Beginning Beginning = Beginner

Cosmological Argument Big Bang 13 Billion years ago Point of Origin: extremely hot, dense Expanding Before: no time, space, matter, energy

Cosmological Argument 2nd Law of Thermodynamics Entropy happens: slows, cools Hot spots: not infinitely old Goldilocks universe

Cosmological Evidence Beginning Beginner Inferences: Transcendent: beyond time, space, matter, energy. Non-contingent Necessary Intentional, proactive, willful, chooses Omniscient (knows all) Personal

Design Argument Watch = Watchmaker fine tuning irreducible complexities information

Case from Design Watch = Watchmaker Fine-tuning

Case from Design Design Argument: Watch = Watchmaker Irreducible complexity

Case from Design Design Argument: Watch = Watchmaker Information: communication between minds

Case from Design Design Argument: Watch = Watchmaker Inferences: Intentional Intelligent Personal Powerful Precision Purpose Benevolent

Case from Morality If objective Transcendent, personal Being

Case from Morality If objective Transcendent, personal Being! Relativism No objective, universal moral truth Society, individuals decide right & wrong True for me Opinions, not morals

Case from Morality If objective Transcendent, personal Being! Objectivism Objective RIGHT and WRONG: Torturing babies for fun is wrong. Commands Authoritative!! Source: higher power True for me

Guilt Guilt to a person - not to a thing

Case from Morality If objective Transcendent, personal Being! Inferences: Transcendent Personal concerned Engaged Holy Authority Judgement punishment

Inferences from the Evidence Exists Necessary Intentional will intelligent All knowing All powerful Beyond time Immaterial, eternal Personal Author, Authority Transcendent Necessary Moral, Holy Judge Concerned Engaged Unique Timeless

Human Expectations of God on Earth If God were to become a man and walk around here on the planet... What would we humans expect of Him?

Human Expectations of God on Earth Unique entrance

Human Expectations of God on Earth Unique entrance Without sin

Human Expectations of God on Earth Unique entrance Without sin Miracles

Human Expectations of God on Earth Unique entrance Without sin Miracles Greatest words

Human Expectations of God on Earth Unique entrance Without sin Miracles Greatest words Pivotal influence

The nature of Christ s existence is mysterious, I admit; but this mystery meets the wants of a man - reject it and the world is an inexplicable riddle, believe it, and the history of our race is satisfactorily explained.! Napoleon Bonaparte

Christ s Influence on Civilization

Christ s Influence on Civilization Hospitals Universities Literacy Representative gov t Separate political powers Civil Liberties Abolition of slavery Modern science Benevolence, charity Standards of Justice Elevation of Common Man High regard for human life Civilized barbarians written language Art & music Changed lives Saved souls

Human Expectations of God on Earth Unique entrance Without sin Miracles Greatest words Pivotal influence Satisfy Spiritual hunger

Human Expectations of God on Earth Unique entrance Without sin Miracles Greatest words Pivotal influence Satisfy Spiritual hunger #1 Enemy: death

Evidence for the Existence of God Universe Design Morality

Cosmological Argument Beginning Beginner

Design Argument Watch = Watchmaker

Expectations of God