Navigating Science & Faith Science is fantastic in explaining the Material World Both Christians and Atheist Should Celebrate Science has NOTHING TO SAY about the non-material World Atheistic Scientists are Reductionists Reducing all of Reality to the material World 1
Navigating Science & Faith The non-material World is where we all live and breath and exist THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF LIFE Atheists are entitled to their unbelief FAITH Christians are entitled to their belief FAITH Christians should call their faith FAITH Scientists should NOT call their FAITH Science Now, You ve Got Some Explaining To Do. 3 : 1. Why is there Suffering? 2. How Can a Good God Send People to Hell? 3. How Can there be ONLY One Way to Heaven? 2
Troublesome Question #1 What do Atheists/Agnostics Say about Suffering? 1. Not much No Real Answer: By Chance (disease, natural disasters, etc) By Humanity Not Beneficial Behavior Will solve by Evolution Most are Humanists Evolved people will do no harm to humans, animals, or the planet. 3
What do Other Religions Say about Suffering? 1. Eastern (Buddhism, Hinduism, et al): Suffering exists & arises from attachment to desires ANSWER: Detachment From stuff, people, relationships, etc. Plus Reincarnation Cosmic Do-Over NO FORGIVENESS 2. Islam Suffering Exists to Refine You and Make you More Suitable for Heaven God is Punishing You What Does Christianity Say about Suffering? Byproduct of Humanity s Freedom God is HOLDING BACK Full Impact of Suffering Humanity Is Fallen Disease, Strife, Corruption. Your Education and Behavior is NOT the problem. Your Separation from God is the Actual Problem. 4
Troublesome Question #2 How Does A Loving God Send People to Hell???? How Does A Loving God Send People to Hell???? The Origins of Hell Who are its true citizens? The Purpose of Hell What Does Freedom Look Like Without Hell? 5
The New Home for Fallen Angels: No Attributes of God Absence of God To Create a New Place to Rule Free from Him. God s Attributes: Love Peace Beauty Everlasting Light Comfort 6
ABSENCE (OR opposite) of God s Attributes: Love HATE Peace UNREST, STRIFE, VIOLENCE, TERROR Beauty UGLY, HORROR Everlasting Light TOTAL DARKNESS Comfort DISCONTENT, DISPLEASURE, DISSATISFACTION, GLOOM, MISERY, PAIN, SADNESS, SORROW, WANT, WOE, AGGRAVATION, HURT, INJURY, TORMENT, TORTURE Clearly - They did not think this through. Divorce from God Meant Divorce from His Attributes But what does that have to do with Humans???? 7
But what does Hell have to do with Humans???? Like Kids in an Ugly Divorce: God Lost Custody The Court Battle? Adam s Choice of Who to Follow Troublesome Question #3 How Can there be ONLY One Way? 8
Troublesome Question #3 How Can there be ONLY One Way? What is Wrong with Many Paths? Lot s of Good People Don t Follow Jesus. You Mean Good People are Doomed? Atheist/Agnostic Comparison To Christianity 9
Atheist/Agnostic Comparison To Christianity Guiding of His Spirit NEVER ALONE Fruits of Spirit Fellowship of Saints Other Advocacy ALL of these Things are NOT Available to the Unbeliever 10
Comparison of Documentation from Major Historical Events History What When Alexander the Great One Document Originally Written 300 Years AFTER His Death Josephus (Roman Wars, Masada, Burning of the Temple in 70 AD Nine Documents Only Copies - 900 Years AFTER His Death Tacitus - Roman Historian (History of Roman Emporers from Agustus Through Nero) One Document Only Copies - 700 Years AFTER His Death Julius Caesar - Conquering France - Led to him becoming Rome's First Emporer Six Documents Hannibal Two Documents - BOTH CONTRADICTORY New Testament 24,000 Documents 5,000 of them Dating back to about 100 years from Jesus - CLOSER THAN ANY OTHER DOCUMENTED EVENT IN AN- CIENT HISTORY WARNING - STATS KEEP CHANGING - BUT USUALLY IN THE DIRECTION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT STATS GETTING STRONGER Primary Reference: Case For Christ - Lee Strobel