Power Point: Faith That Answers the Hard Questions
- 1. Faith That Answers the Hard Questions John Oakes, PhD 2010 ICEC Christian and Other World Views
- 2. Jesus Christ: “I came to testify to the truth.” Pontius Pilate: “What is truth?”
- 3. The Hard QuestionsThe Hard Questions Evil: What is Evil and Why is There EvilEvil: What is Evil and Why is There Evil Why is There Suffering?Why is There Suffering? The Problem of JudgmentThe Problem of Judgment The Problem of Sin.The Problem of Sin.
- 4. World ViewWorld View One's world view is theOne's world view is the perspective one uses toperspective one uses to process and interpretprocess and interpret information received aboutinformation received about the world.the world. James W. Sire put it thisJames W. Sire put it this way, "A world view is a setway, "A world view is a set of presuppositions (ie.of presuppositions (ie. assumptions) which we holdassumptions) which we hold about the basic makeup ofabout the basic makeup of our world."our world." James W. Sire,James W. Sire, The Universe NextThe Universe Next DoorDoor (InterVarsity Press, 1997)(InterVarsity Press, 1997) A Jain World View
- 5. Other World Views: The Leading PhilosophiesOther World Views: The Leading Philosophies of Our Dayof Our Day Naturalism/Scientism/MaterialismNaturalism/Scientism/Materialism Postmodernism: The Loss of TruthPostmodernism: The Loss of Truth Delos B. McKown: “Christianity is scientifically unsupported and probably insupportable, philosophically suspect at best and disreputable at worst, and historically fraudulent.”
- 6. A “Good” World View DefinedA “Good” World View Defined A. It is true.A. It is true. It is consistent with reality. It works.It is consistent with reality. It works. B. It answers satisfactorily the questions people reallyB. It answers satisfactorily the questions people really want answered.want answered. What is prime reality/the ultimate cause/the nature ofWhat is prime reality/the ultimate cause/the nature of God?)God?) What is my value as a human being?What is my value as a human being? What happens to a person at death?What happens to a person at death? How do we know what is right and wrong?How do we know what is right and wrong? What is my purpose?What is my purpose? What is the nature of my relationship, with the "primeWhat is the nature of my relationship, with the "prime reality?"reality?" C. It causes those who hold to it to be better peopleC. It causes those who hold to it to be better people than they would otherwise have been if they held tothan they would otherwise have been if they held to competing alternative world views.competing alternative world views.
- 7. Naturalism/Scientism/MaterialismNaturalism/Scientism/Materialism The belief that the only reliable or validThe belief that the only reliable or valid instrument to deciding the truth or eveninstrument to deciding the truth or even the value of any proposition is thethe value of any proposition is the scientific method.scientific method. No basis for ethics or morality, noNo basis for ethics or morality, no supernatural, no God, no truth (exceptsupernatural, no God, no truth (except that found by science), no consciousness,that found by science), no consciousness, no “I.” Justice is a figment of ourno “I.” Justice is a figment of our imagination.imagination.
- 8. MaterialismMaterialism ““We exist as material beings in a material world, allWe exist as material beings in a material world, all of whose phenomena are the consequences ofof whose phenomena are the consequences of material relations among material entities." In a word,material relations among material entities." In a word, the public needs to accept materialism, which meansthe public needs to accept materialism, which means that they must put God in the trash can of historythat they must put God in the trash can of history where such myths belong.”where such myths belong.” Richard LewontinRichard Lewontin Retrospective essay on Carl Sagan in the January 9, 1997Retrospective essay on Carl Sagan in the January 9, 1997 New York Review of BooksNew York Review of Books,,
- 9. Postmodernism: The Loss of TruthPostmodernism: The Loss of Truth Truth, if such a thing exists, is theTruth, if such a thing exists, is the property of culture. There is no absoluteproperty of culture. There is no absolute truth. All truth is relative. It is created bytruth. All truth is relative. It is created by societies. There is no ultimate moralsocieties. There is no ultimate moral authority or moral absolute.authority or moral absolute.
- 10. A Response to Naturalism/Materialism/ScientismA Response to Naturalism/Materialism/Scientism It is a faith/religious belief based on circularIt is a faith/religious belief based on circular reasoning.reasoning. It cannot answer the questions humanIt cannot answer the questions human beings care about.beings care about. It is patently and demonstrably false.It is patently and demonstrably false. Does accepting naturalism make us better?Does accepting naturalism make us better?
- 11. Questions Science Can AnswerQuestions Science Can Answer When?When? What?What? Where?Where? How many?How many? By what means?By what means?
- 12. Questions Science Cannot Answer:Questions Science Cannot Answer: (That Christianity Does Answer)(That Christianity Does Answer) – Why am I here?Why am I here? – Is that the right thing to do?Is that the right thing to do? – How valuable am I?How valuable am I? – Does God exist? Does God act (theism)?Does God exist? Does God act (theism)? – Will that God respond if I pray?Will that God respond if I pray? – Do supernatural events (miracles) happen?Do supernatural events (miracles) happen? - Why is there evil and suffering in the world?- Why is there evil and suffering in the world?
- 13. Materialism is Patently FalseMaterialism is Patently False If Materialism/Naturalism is right then;If Materialism/Naturalism is right then; ““I” do not exist. Consciousness is justI” do not exist. Consciousness is just random moving around of chemicals.random moving around of chemicals. No soul, no spirit, no non-physical reality.No soul, no spirit, no non-physical reality. Life has no value. Human beings have noLife has no value. Human beings have no value. What is value?value. What is value? Love is chemicals moving around (vs. God isLove is chemicals moving around (vs. God is love)love)
- 14. Naturalism is Patently False Because….Naturalism is Patently False Because…. The universe was created.The universe was created. Life was created.Life was created. The Anthropic Principle. The universe isThe Anthropic Principle. The universe is ridiculously well fine-tuned for us to exist.ridiculously well fine-tuned for us to exist. No one in their right mind can deny theNo one in their right mind can deny the existence of right and wrongexistence of right and wrong The Bible is inspired by God.The Bible is inspired by God.
- 15. Does Naturalism tend to make its believers betterDoes Naturalism tend to make its believers better people?people? If the naturalist is right then:If the naturalist is right then: Good and evil are meaningless ideas.Good and evil are meaningless ideas. Our purpose, if it exists at all, is to pass onOur purpose, if it exists at all, is to pass on our DNA.our DNA. Any kind of sexual behavior is as right asAny kind of sexual behavior is as right as any other. Stealing is probably good.any other. Stealing is probably good. There is nothing inherently evil aboutThere is nothing inherently evil about genocide, racism, slavery, etc.genocide, racism, slavery, etc.
- 16. Postmodernism: Cultural RelativismPostmodernism: Cultural Relativism Truth: It is true for you, but it is not true forTruth: It is true for you, but it is not true for me.me. Meaning, if it exists, lies in a community ofMeaning, if it exists, lies in a community of believers.believers. No rational way to discover which is the bestNo rational way to discover which is the best world view.world view.
- 17. Problems With PostmodernismProblems With Postmodernism Self-refuting.Self-refuting. – If nothing is true, then postmodernism isIf nothing is true, then postmodernism is not true.not true. – Its authors insist on authorial privilege.Its authors insist on authorial privilege. I do not care what they say, some things areI do not care what they say, some things are just true.just true. Either God is real or he is not. Even if IEither God is real or he is not. Even if I cannot prove it one way or another.cannot prove it one way or another.
- 18. The Christian World View Is TrueThe Christian World View Is True The Universe is RealThe Universe is Real The creation is good.The creation is good. Evil exists.Evil exists. Despite what Naturalists say, there is a spiritualDespite what Naturalists say, there is a spiritual reality. For example, “I” exist. Consciousness is notreality. For example, “I” exist. Consciousness is not simply an epiphenomenon.simply an epiphenomenon. Science and the Christian world view do notScience and the Christian world view do not contradict.contradict.
- 19. Christianity Offers Solutions to the Big Problems ofChristianity Offers Solutions to the Big Problems of Human BeingsHuman Beings The Problem of EvilThe Problem of Evil The Problem of SufferingThe Problem of Suffering The Problem of DeathThe Problem of Death
- 20. The Christian World View Has Given Us:The Christian World View Has Given Us: ScienceScience Abolition of Slavery (Wilberforce)Abolition of Slavery (Wilberforce) Civil RightsCivil Rights Women’s RightsWomen’s Rights Christian groups do a majority of allChristian groups do a majority of all benevolent work in the world (James 1:27,benevolent work in the world (James 1:27, Micah 6:8)Micah 6:8)
- 21. Two Good QuestionsTwo Good Questions Does evil exist?Does evil exist? If God is all-loving and all-powerful andIf God is all-loving and all-powerful and all-good, then why is there evil?all-good, then why is there evil?
- 22. The answer: God’s love.The answer: God’s love. Free Will: God Gives Us a ChoiceFree Will: God Gives Us a Choice Why? Because he loves us.Why? Because he loves us. The result: We rebelled and brought evil into theThe result: We rebelled and brought evil into the world. Is this God’s fault? What is the alternative?world. Is this God’s fault? What is the alternative? Deuteronomy 30:15-20Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Joshua 24:15Joshua 24:15
- 23. Free Will, An Illustration: The Prodigal Son
- 24. Apologetics and Evil: What are theApologetics and Evil: What are the alternatives?alternatives? Dualism: Good and Evil in an unending moreDualism: Good and Evil in an unending more or less equal balanceor less equal balance Pantheism: The physical world is evil. EvilPantheism: The physical world is evil. Evil is being tied down to the physical—it isis being tied down to the physical—it is missing the god-likeness in you.missing the god-likeness in you. Naturalism: There is no evil.Naturalism: There is no evil. Postmodernism: Evil???Postmodernism: Evil??? Determinism/Fate God is the cause of evil.Determinism/Fate God is the cause of evil.
- 25. Christianity and the Problem of EvilChristianity and the Problem of Evil Evil is very much real. Quite indirectly, it isEvil is very much real. Quite indirectly, it is the product of God’s love. God loved us sothe product of God’s love. God loved us so much that he loved us and that he gave us amuch that he loved us and that he gave us a choice. We chose evil, and thus evil camechoice. We chose evil, and thus evil came into the world.into the world. Remember your alternatives:Remember your alternatives: – Predestination/Determinism God is the cause ofPredestination/Determinism God is the cause of evil.evil. – Deny evil existsDeny evil exists – Physical creation is evil, but you are GodPhysical creation is evil, but you are God – An unending battle/balance between good andAn unending battle/balance between good and evil.evil.
- 26. The Problem of SufferingThe Problem of Suffering Suffering is not evil. Sin is evil, but muchSuffering is not evil. Sin is evil, but much suffering is caused by our choice to sin.suffering is caused by our choice to sin. Not all suffering is due to sin. (Job, John 9)Not all suffering is due to sin. (Job, John 9) Christianity’s answer to suffering:Christianity’s answer to suffering: Compassion.Compassion. Jesus WeptJesus Wept Matt 9:35-38Matt 9:35-38
- 27. Julian “the apostate.” (332-363)Julian “the apostate.” (332-363) ““Atheism (i.e. Christian faith) has beenAtheism (i.e. Christian faith) has been specially advanced through the lovingspecially advanced through the loving service rendered to strangers, and throughservice rendered to strangers, and through their care for the burial of the dead. It is atheir care for the burial of the dead. It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew who isscandal that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileansa beggar, and that the godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for ourscare not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look inas well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help that we should rendervain for the help that we should render them.”them.”
- 28. The Problem of JudgmentThe Problem of Judgment Romans 3:10f There is no one righteous, not evenRomans 3:10f There is no one righteous, not even one.one. Revelation 20:15 If anyone’s name was not foundRevelation 20:15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into thewritten in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Rev 21:8 …the fiery lake of burninglake of fire. Rev 21:8 …the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. Rev 20:10 … Theysulfur. This is the second death. Rev 20:10 … They will be tormented day and night for even and ever.will be tormented day and night for even and ever. Does God choose to send us to hell? No! We chooseDoes God choose to send us to hell? No! We choose hell and God, in his justice, accepts our decision.hell and God, in his justice, accepts our decision. Is suffering in hell literally eternal? Is joy in heavenIs suffering in hell literally eternal? Is joy in heaven literally eternal?literally eternal?
- 29. Love and JusticeLove and Justice For God so loved the world…For God so loved the world… The wages of sin is death Rom 6:23The wages of sin is death Rom 6:23 The law of sin and death Rom 8:2The law of sin and death Rom 8:2 We like God’s love, but we are not so firedWe like God’s love, but we are not so fired up about his justice.up about his justice. When we reach heaven, we will understandWhen we reach heaven, we will understand and fully appreciate, on an emotional level,and fully appreciate, on an emotional level, God’s justice. Rev 11:17-18 Rev 16:5-6God’s justice. Rev 11:17-18 Rev 16:5-6 The elders are thankful that God’sThe elders are thankful that God’s judgement has finally come. You are just, Ojudgement has finally come. You are just, O God.God.
- 30. Attributes of GodAttributes of God EternalEternal OmnipresentOmnipresent OmniscientOmniscient OmnipotentOmnipotent Righteous, HolyRighteous, Holy LoveLove JusticeJustice God is not merely loving, he is loveGod is not merely loving, he is love God, in his awesomeness is fully love and fullyGod, in his awesomeness is fully love and fully justjust
- 31. The Problem of SinThe Problem of Sin God’s love met God’s justice at the cross. AsGod’s love met God’s justice at the cross. As far as we are concerned, love won.far as we are concerned, love won. Romans 3:21-26Romans 3:21-26