Upload
others
View
3
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
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
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
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
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
Christ’s Influence on Civilization
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
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
Expectations of God