APLAAPLAChristian EvidencesChristian Evidences

Manila, PI Jan, 2010Manila, PI Jan, 2010

Introduction:Introduction:The Existence of GodThe Existence of God

The Existence of GodThe Existence of God

Cosmological ArgumentCosmological Argument

Teleological ArgumentTeleological Argument

Moral ArgumentMoral Argument

Ontological ArgumentOntological Argument

Inspiration of the BibleInspiration of the Bible

The Cosmological ArgumentThe Cosmological Argument

Assumes General (as opposed to Special) Assumes General (as opposed to Special) revelation is valid, at least to some extent. If revelation is valid, at least to some extent. If this is not true, then significant parts of this is not true, then significant parts of Christian Apologetics is of dubious Christian Apologetics is of dubious usefulness.usefulness.

God is the “uncaused cause.”God is the “uncaused cause.”

Hebrews 11:3Hebrews 11:3

Scientific support for the Big Bang lends at Scientific support for the Big Bang lends at least some “scientific” credibility to this least some “scientific” credibility to this argument.argument.

The Teleological ArgumentThe Teleological Argument

Argument from Psalms 19:1-4, Psalms Argument from Psalms 19:1-4, Psalms 139:14139:14

Watchmaker design.Watchmaker design.

Argument (William Paley)Argument (William Paley)

Cosmological fine tuning a very strong Cosmological fine tuning a very strong support for this argument.support for this argument.

Existence of information/life also a Existence of information/life also a strong support for this argument.strong support for this argument.

The Moral ArgumentThe Moral Argument

That moral absolute exists implies That moral absolute exists implies a source of this moral absolute, a source of this moral absolute, which is, by definition, God.which is, by definition, God.

Do the words good, evil, right and Do the words good, evil, right and wrong have any objective wrong have any objective meaning?meaning?

If so, then there must be a If so, then there must be a metaphysical authority.metaphysical authority.

Alternatives: Naturalism and Alternatives: Naturalism and Postmodernism.Postmodernism.

The Ontological ArgumentThe Ontological Argument

Anselm of Canterbury 1077Anselm of Canterbury 1077

God is the thing “that than which nothing greater God is the thing “that than which nothing greater can exist.”can exist.”

Questionable value as apologeticsQuestionable value as apologetics

Argument From the Inspiration of the BibleArgument From the Inspiration of the Bible

If the Bible is supernaturally inspired, then God exists.If the Bible is supernaturally inspired, then God exists.

Fulfilled prophecyFulfilled prophecy

Fulfilled prefigure and foreshadowFulfilled prefigure and foreshadow

ConsistencyConsistency

Historical/Archaeological accuracyHistorical/Archaeological accuracy

Scientific accuracyScientific accuracy

It worksIt works