Faith

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Faith Reason Seminars Seminar 1 Support for a
Theistic World View

• Steve Whitehouse, Ph.D.
• January 12, 2014

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Course Overview

• Apologetics is

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Course Overview

• Apologetics is the branch of theology that deals
  with the defense and proof of Christianity

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Course 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 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 Regarding 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?

• Why do we ask the question?

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Does God Exist?

• Why do we ask the question?
• People used to accept Gods 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?

• 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

• 1. Ontological Argument

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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 didnt
  actually exist?

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Four Logical Arguments

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

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Four Logical Arguments

• 2. Moral Argument
• All humans have a built-in sense of right and
  wrong.
• Children and students often say Thats 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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Four Logical Arguments

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

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Four Logical Arguments

• 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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Four Logical Arguments

• 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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Four Logical Arguments

• 4. Teleological Argument

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Four Logical Arguments

• 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 Gods
  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 (Contd)

• 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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Teleological Argument (Contd)

• 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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Teleological Argument (Contd)

• 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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Teleological Argument (Contd)

• 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.
• 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 (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 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.

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Rival 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 God

• Humanism
• Man is the measure of all things.
• The complete realization of human personality is
  the end (purpose) of mans 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 doesnt hurt anyone, do it.

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The 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 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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Summary

• 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.

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Lesson 2 The Scientific Method

• all things were created by Him and for Him. He
  is before all things, and in Him all things hold
  together. Col 1. 16b and 17
• The Son is the radiance of Gods glory and the
  exact representation of His being, sustaining all
  things by His powerful word. Heb 1.3
• Now we see but a poor reflection then we shall
  see face to face. Now I know in part then I
  shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1
  Cor 13.12
• The first to present his case seems right, till
  another comes forward and questions him. Prov
  18.17
• Scientific method provides a means of learning
  about God through study of His creation. Since
  Christ is the Power who made everything and
  sustains everything, science is actually study of
  Christ. It provides a powerful tool for finding
  the truth about observable, repeatable processes
  associated with us and the universe.

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Lesson Objectives

• Review and illustrate the scientific method as a
  means of discovering truth.
• Discuss Biblical basis for scientific method.
• Provide background necessary to employ scientific
  method to evaluate information pertinent to
  creation vs evolution debate, and show Christian
  heritage of science itself.
• Use of the scientific method to evaluate data
  regarding creation versus evolution will show
  that a Christian explanation for origins is a
  reasonable explanation.

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Review of Scientific Method

• 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.
• Improper understanding of science provides the
  chief challenge to belief in God. However,
  scientific method rests on assumptions that imply
  an Intelligent, Purposeful God must exist.

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Steps in the Scientific Method

• Identify a problem.
• Research the problem.
• Formulate a hypothesis.
• Collect more data.
• Design and conduct experiments.
• Analyze data.
• Formulate conclusions.

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Review of Scientific Method

• This approach is based on the following
  assumptions
• There is order in the universe
• We can trust our senses and memory
• We can use data obtained from our senses along
  with reason and logic to discover the order in
  the universe
• Without these assumptions, there is no science!

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Review of Scientific Method

• But if there is no God, how did we get the order
  we see in the universe, the finely developed
  sensors in our own bodies, our memory, and our
  rational abilities to analyze data and formulate
  conclusions starting just with an impersonal
  universe governed by time and chance? Or how do
  you get intelligence starting with just matter
  rearranged using random processes?
• For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. 1
  Cor 14.33
• Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and
  forever. Heb 13.8
• Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your
  faithfulness to the skies. Ps 36.5
• God is faithful Duet 7.9, Ps 146.6, Is 65.16

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Review of Scientific Method

• However, science does work. The understanding we
  have gained of the universe makes atomic energy,
  airplanes, space travel, lasers, etc. possible.
  Therefore, there is order in the universe, and we
  can use our senses, memory, and reasoning to
  discover it. It seems highly improbable that any
  of these factors (order in the universe, and our
  ability to understand it) would exist in a
  eternally existent, solely material universe
  governed only by random processes. It seems much
  more likely that the order we see, and our
  ability to see it are the result of an orderly
  creation designed by an Intelligent Creator.

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Review of Scientific Method

• Inability of science to prove Gods existence is
  limitation of science, not God. Science limited
  to discovering cause-effect relations in
  repeatable phenomena based on careful observation
  and study. Cannot discover things like God, or
  explain one-time events like creation, or explain
  things associated with personality.
• Proof such as existence of a person, or
  occurrence of one-time events requires legal or
  historical evidence oral testimony, written
  testimony, exhibits. Evidence is examined,
  verdict is reached based on weight of evidence
  (beyond a reasonable doubt).
• 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 Gods
  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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Biblical Basis of Scientific Method

• Hypothesis Research Experiment Analysis to
  falsify or support hypothesis
• The first to present his case seems right, till
  another comes forward and questions him. Prov
  18.17
• Hypothesis is first person to present case data
  from testing is second person.
• Test everything. Hold on to the good. 1 Thes
  5.21
• Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but
  test the spirits to see whether they are from
  God. 1 John 4.1
• Now the Bereans were of more noble character than
  the Thessalonians, for they received the message
  with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures
  every day to see if what Paul said was true.
  Acts 17.11

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Biblical Basis of Scientific Method

• You have tested those who claim to be apostles
  but are not, and have found them false. Rev. 2.2
• Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this
  world, but be transformed by the renewing of our
  mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
  what Gods will is. Rom 12.2
• Let us discern for ourselves what is right let
  us learn together what is good. Job 34.4
• Examples of use of experimental method in Bible

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Biblical Basis of Scientific Method

• You have tested those who claim to be apostles
  but are not, and have found them false. Rev. 2.2
• Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this
  world, but be transformed by the renewing of our
  mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
  what Gods will is. Rom 12.2
• Let us discern for ourselves what is right let
  us learn together what is good. Job 34.4
• Examples of use of experimental method in Bible
• Daniel eating kings food Daniel 1.1-21
• Thomas verifying resurrection of Jesus John
  20.24-30

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Example of Scientific Method

• Natural period of pendulum
• Potential uses??
• Hypothesis Natural period of pendulum affected
  by
• Experimental Design

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Example of Scientific Method

• Natural period of pendulum can be used to keep
  time in clocks.
• Galileo discovered potential application to time
  keeping watching a chandelier during church
  service. Timed natural period with his
  heartbeat.
• Hypothesis Natural period of pendulum affected
  by length, mass at end, initial displacement,
  etc.
• Experiment
• Construct pendulum allowing length, mass, initial
  displacement to be varied
• Time natural period for each combination of
  variables tested
• Time 10 periods, divide by 10 to get average
  (Why?)

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Results from Last Year
Natural Period Data Natural Period Data Natural Period Data Natural Period Data Natural Period Data
Length (ft) Initial Displacement (ft) Natural Period (seconds) Natural Period (seconds) Natural Period (seconds)
Length (ft) Initial Displacement (ft) Mass 1 Mass 2 Mass 7
9 4 3.23 3.29 3.29
2 3.24 3.26 3.26
4 2 2.15 2.18 2.23
1 2.24 2.25 2.27
1 0.5 1.11 1.2 1.12
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Results from Last Year

• Discuss accuracy of time measurement test
  ability to measure natural period of metronome
  accurately using our method.
• Analyze results length is only variable that
  affects natural period (within our ability to
  measure time).
• Initial assumptions seemed reasonable until data
  came forward to question them.
• The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge
  the ears of the wise seek it out. Pr. 18.15
• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
  knowledge Pr. 1.7
• Plot results use them to estimate natural period
  of pendulum of arbitrary length (or estimate
  length of pendulum knowing natural period).

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Results from Last Year
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Results from Last Year
T natural period (s), L length (ft)
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Summary

• Faith and Reason are not opposites true Faith is
  a reasonable belief.
• Study of science is study of Christ we should
  enjoy it!
• Study of science should lead us to believe that
• God created the universe, and is worthy of our
  worship and service
• The Bible is true and reliable, and should be
  used to guide our lives
• We can be proud of the Christian heritage of
  science.