![Author:
Theology and Falsification and The Presumption of Atheism
“I think that the most impressive arguments [for God] are
those supported by recent scientific discoveries," he said,
even contending that the argument for ‘intelligent design’
is enormously stronger than it was when I first met it.”
“I’m thinking of a God very different from the God of the
Christian and far and away from the God of Islam, because
both are depicted as omnipotent Oriental despots, cosmic
Saddam Husseins,” he said. “It could be a person in the
sense of a being that has intelligence and a purpose, I
suppose.”
Anthony Flew
• British Philosopher
• Prominent Atheist](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/rel228workshop2lewisintrostuleddisc-131008122003-phpapp02/85/REL228Workshop2-32-320.jpg)
![TIME WITH LEWIS
MERE CHRISTIANITY: Book 1
In 1943 England, he gave a series of radio
addresses focusing on the issues of
Christianity.
Spoke of the Law Of Nature
(objective right/wrong)
ROMANS 2:14-15; 3:20 and 23
-When Gentiles who have not the law do by
nature what the law requires, they are a law to
themselves, even though they do not have the
law. They show that what the law requires is
written on their hearts, while their conscience
also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts
accuse or perhaps excuse them . . . . For no
human being will be justified in [God’s] sight by
works of the law, since through the law comes
knowledge of sin . . . All have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God. (Revised Standard
Version)](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/rel228workshop2lewisintrostuleddisc-131008122003-phpapp02/85/REL228Workshop2-46-320.jpg)
REL228Workshop2
- 1. Workshop 2 Truth & Worldview REL 228 - Defending The Faith The Impact of a Christian Worldview Glenn Johnson
- 2. 14:1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 14:4 You know the way to the place where I am going." 14:5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. BIBLICAL WISDOM & PRAYER
- 3. OVERVIEW WS 1: What is Truth? WS 2: How Did We Get Here? WS 3: What Has Gone Wrong With The World? WS 4: What Can We Do To Fix Things? WS 5: How Now Shall We Live? Defending The Faith: The Impact of a Christian Worldview
- 4. INDIVIDUAL NEWS ARTICLE PRESENTATIONSINDIVIDUAL NEWS ARTICLE PRESENTATIONS Include In Your Presentation: -Article Title and Where You Found It -Brief Summary -Why You Think It Supports/Attacks A Christian Worldview -Not Everyone Will Be Called Upon To Present In Each Workshop Defending The Faith: The Impact of a Christian Worldview
- 5. HOW WE GOT HERE: CREATIONHOW WE GOT HERE: CREATION Defending The Faith: The Impact of a Christian Worldview OR…
- 6. Two Primary Views on Creation Naturalism Christianity Natural—without God God created all things No beginning Universe begun by G Life created by “accident” God created life Life has evolved God created all speci Leads to humanism Leads to awe & worshi of the one true Go
- 7. Christianity & Science Not In Conflict 1. Nature exists because it was created by God. 2. Love and honor are given to God by understanding his handiwork. 3. God is perfect, thus his work functions in accord with immutable principles. 4. Using our God-given powers of reason and observation we ought to be able to discover these principles. (Rodney Stark, For The Glory of God, Princeton University Press, 2003)
- 8. Myth of Christianity & Science Conflict Denis Diderot & Jean D'Alembert compiled de L'Encyclopedie (1751-72 – fiercely anti-cleric, Promoted concept Dark Ages & Enlightenment) John William Draper, president University of the City of New York – History of the Conflict between Religion and Science (1874) Andrew Dickson White, founding president of Cornell University - History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom (1896) Carl Sagan, Astronomer, The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark (1995)
- 9. Naturalism concludes that humans can achieve The knowledge needed to become “god” and Control the universe. Star Trek: Wrath of Khan “Genesis Project”
- 10. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1
- 11. The observed basic characteristics of the cosmos appear to be remarkably fine-tuned for producing life. Anthropic Cosmological Principle
- 12. Physical ConstantsPhysical Constants Magnetic Constant 4π × 10-7 N·A-2 = 1.2566 370 614... × 10-6 N·A-2 Newtonian constant of gravitation 6.6742(10) × 10-11 m3 ·kg-1 ·s-2 speed of light in vacuum 299 792 458 m·s-1 The premise of the fine-tuned universe assertion is that any small change in the twenty or so physical constants would make the universe radically different:
- 13. The Universe isThe Universe is PrecisePrecise Expansion of the UniverseExpansion of the Universe If larger, no galaxy formationIf larger, no galaxy formation If smaller, universe collapsesIf smaller, universe collapses before star formationbefore star formation In fact, it’s precise to a factor ofIn fact, it’s precise to a factor of 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000 (one1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000 (one hundred quadrillion)hundred quadrillion) Dr. Joong “Jonathan” Lee, Centurion (Biochemist)
- 14. Strong nuclear force – binds subatomic particles 2 percent stronger hydrogen would fuse too easily-no stars Weak nuclear forces – allows radioactive decay, fission, and fusion possible—slightly stronger and no planets would have existed Electromagnetic force – binds electrons to nuclei—slightly weaker electrons would fly away—slightly stronger and electrons couldn’t be shared, thus no molecules Gravitational force – stronger and stars would be so hot they’d burn out very quickly—weaker and fusion wouldn’t ignite stars and generate planets Even More Precise
- 15. Probabilities for Earth’s Existence Kind of Way Out There…..: Dr Hugh Ross (Astrophysicist) He took 123 separate parameters (factors) and calculated the odds that all 123 factors, which had to be present for the earth to exist as we know it, could have come together—“just happened”—on their own He computed an exact value for: galaxy size, type, location, birth date of the sun, proximity of solar nebula to a supernova eruption, number of moons, mass and distance from moons, tidal force, axis tilt of planet, planetary distance from star, global distribution of continents, thickness of planet crust, atmospheric transparency, pressure, viscosity, carbon dioxide level, amount of chlorine, cobalt, copper, fluorine, nickel, potassium (and many other elements in the earth’s crust), oxygen-to-nitrogen ratio, volcanic activity
- 16. Probabilities for Earth’s Existence Odds of planet that can support life: The results of his calculation — of finding all 123 of his parameters on a single earth are: “less than one chance in 10 to the 139th power (ten thousand trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion) exists that even one such planet would occur anywhere in the universe.” Dr. Hugh Ross
- 17. “The odds against a universe like ours emerging out of Something like the big bang are enormous..I think clearly there are religious Implications whenever you start to discuss the issues of the universe.” Professor Steven W. Hawking “A commonsense interpretation of the facts suggests that a super Intellect has monkeyed with physics, as well as chemistry and biology, and that there are no blind forces worth speaking about in nature. The numbers one calculates from the facts seem to me so overwhelming as to put this conclusion beyond question.” Sir Fred Hoyle, Astrophysicist Conclusions of Prominent Scientists
- 18. BREAKBREAK Defending The Faith: The Impact of a Christian Worldview
- 19. Darwinism: The Attack on ChristianityDarwinism: The Attack on Christianity Inherit The Wind Ignorant Christians? •Insight into the myth that secularists propagate: conflict between science and religion •Depicts how naturalists view Christians as ignorant •Wm Jennings Bryan: (Brady in movie) read Origin of Species in 1906…and feared it would be used to justify EUGENICS (which found application with Nazi Germany and today)
- 20. Inherit The Wind
- 21. Principles of Darwinism Mutation occurs within all species imited resources, disease, and predation creates a struggle for survival ome mutations increase survivability ariations that increase survivability are passed on to offspring hese offspring tend to survive better and leave more offspring (this is called natural selection) nough mutations result in development of a new species orces encourage divergence over time and elimination of ntermediate varieties
- 22. Darwin’s Beliefs Long before having arrived at this part of my work, a crowd of difficulties will have occurred to my reader. Some of them are so grave that to this day I can never reflect on them without being staggered ....…. “.....scarcely a single point is discussed in this volume on which the facts cannot be adduced, often apparently leading to conclusions directly opposite to those at which I arrived. “And to think that the eye could evolve "by natural selection seems, I freely confess, absurd to the highest degree.” “Why then is not every geological formation full of such intermediate links. Geology assuredly does not reveal any finely graduated organic change, and this is the most obvious and serious objection that can be urged against the theory.” Often a cold shudder has run through me, and I have asked myself whether I may have not devoted myself to a phantasy Man in his arrogance thinks himself a great work. worthy the interposition of a deity, more humble & I believe true to consider him created from animals.
- 23. The Finch Mistake Beaks vary from one season to another due to food supply 5% variation between seasons Finches begin favoring larger beaks but then reverted to smaller beaks No correlation between beak size and food availability Indicating this as proof of evolution doesn’t follow science but rather ideology
- 24. Peppered Moth Deceit Theory White peppered moths prospered in normal times Black peppered moths prospered when trees turned black from pollution Birds were able to see them and preyed on them Evidence came from experiments Truth Correlation doesn’t occur in wild Moths hide under branches not on tree trunks Primary predator bats not birds—birds don’t see the same way we do Pictures are taken by gluing moths on trees
- 25. pig fish chicken pig chicken fish Haeckel’s Embryo Drawings (1874) “Ontogeny Recapitulates Phylogeny” • This has been used to justify elective abortions (that child aborted was in “fish” stage • Drawings are fraudulent
- 26. Fossil Record Doesn’t Support Evolution Different time periods, different geography, not in order fraud perpetrated by Othniel C. Marsh (1874)
- 27. Macroevolution Conference at Chicago in 1980 Paleontologists to Darwinists: There is no evidence of one species evolving to a new species.
- 28. Intelligent Design 1. The universe, earth, and life are so complex and the probabilities against their existence so great that the only reasonable explanation is that they exhibit an intelligent design. 2. An intelligent design can only be the result of an intelligent being. 3. That intelligent being is best explained by the Christian God. 4. This is a wedge that opens a thought process that can be used to challenge the naturalistic worldview.
- 29. 1. Both artifacts and natural objects display orderly adjustment of constituent parts to each other. 2. Artifacts have this property as a result of being designed. 3. Of two classes of things, x and y, if the members of x and y share some property p1, and members of x have p1 as a result of having a property p2, then, probably, members of y have p1 as a result of having p2. 4. Therefore, natural objects display orderly adjustment of constituent parts to each other as a result of being designed. (Natural objects are designed.) 5. If natural objects are designed, then some god designed them. 6. If some god designed natural objects, then God designed them. 7. If God designed natural objects, then God exists. 8. Therefore, God exists. Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion David Hume-British Philosopher
- 30. Irreducible Complexities in Life Michael Behe-Darwin’s Black Box 3 billion base pairs on single human DNA molecule Human eye Bacterial Flagellum 240 distinct proteins
- 31. Naturalism and Darwinism are belief systems or worldviews and are not science.
- 32. Author: Theology and Falsification and The Presumption of Atheism “I think that the most impressive arguments [for God] are those supported by recent scientific discoveries," he said, even contending that the argument for ‘intelligent design’ is enormously stronger than it was when I first met it.” “I’m thinking of a God very different from the God of the Christian and far and away from the God of Islam, because both are depicted as omnipotent Oriental despots, cosmic Saddam Husseins,” he said. “It could be a person in the sense of a being that has intelligence and a purpose, I suppose.” Anthony Flew • British Philosopher • Prominent Atheist
- 33. Christian Views on Creation Creation Science • God created all things • Young earth—30,000 years or less • Six literal 24 hour days • Literal interpretation of Genesis • Noah and flood explain sedimentation & fossils • No macroevolution
- 34. Christian Views on Creation Progressive Creationism • God created all things • Old earth—4.5 billion years • Days in Genesis may be millions of years • Believe in Genesis but some verses must be understood as figurative rather than literal
- 35. Christian Views on Creation Theistic Evolution • Little or no historical significance to Genesis • Old earth • God either created the evolutionary process or guides the evolutionary process • Some doubt that there were a literal Adam & Eve • Accept almost all scientific evidence
- 36. Implications of Ideas About Creation • View of God • Humanity’s Purpose • Sanctity of Life • Origin of Sin • Humanity’s Condition • Humanity’s place in the universe
- 37. Practical Implications • Abortion • Euthanasia • Cloning • Biological Engineering • War • Capital Punishment • Artificial Intelligence • Computer/Human Interface • Environmental Concerns
- 38. Application of Worldview Lesson 1. The evidence for creation is confirmed by Intelligent Design. Look for complexities and ask the skeptic to provide a natural explanation. 2. Naturalism and Darwinism are nothing more than belief systems. Ask a person that believes these ideas to explain why they must start with the assumption that science must arrive at facts and theories that exclude the existence of God. (This is a belief.) 3. The difference between Christians and their view of creation are less important than understanding that God created the world and everything in it.
- 39. At the moment, then, of Man's victory over Nature, we find the whole human race subjected to some individua men, and those individuals subjected to that in themselves which is purely `natural'—to their irrational impulses. Man's final conquest has proved to be the abolition of Man. C. S Lewis
- 40. 13 He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth- the LORD God Almighty is his name. Amos 4 17 Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker? Job 4
- 41. TIME WITH LEWIS 12:10-12:45 •Most read Xn apologist of the 20th century
- 42. TIME WITH LEWIS •STEPS INTO ATHEISM •QUEST FOR TRUE JOY •ENCOUNTER WITH GOD
- 43. TIME WITH LEWIS •HIS INTELLECT •ENCOUNTER WITH HOLINESS •ELECTED TO OXFORD IN 1916 •BECOMING A THEIST
- 44. TIME WITH LEWIS • LEWIS AS AN APOLOGIST…. 1. Present the Christian faith to unbelievers 2. Defend the Christian faith on behalf of uneducated believers 3. Defend traditional orthodoxy
- 45. TIME WITH LEWIS MERE CHRISTIANITY: Book 1 First Point: a universal moral sense, an agreed-upon standard of morality runs throughout the human race There are certain things that people have always regarded as honorable or desirable behaviors
- 46. TIME WITH LEWIS MERE CHRISTIANITY: Book 1 In 1943 England, he gave a series of radio addresses focusing on the issues of Christianity. Spoke of the Law Of Nature (objective right/wrong) ROMANS 2:14-15; 3:20 and 23 -When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them . . . . For no human being will be justified in [God’s] sight by works of the law, since through the law comes knowledge of sin . . . All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Revised Standard Version)
- 47. TIME WITH LEWIS MERE CHRISTIANITY: Book 1 Lectures later published as 3 books and combined into “Mere Christianity” C.S. Lewis proves that "at the center of each there is something, or a Someone, who against all divergences of belief, all differences of temperament, all memories of mutual persecution, speaks with the same voice," rejecting the boundaries that divide Christianity's many denominations.
- 48. TIME WITH LEWIS LEWIS REACTION: WHAT DO YOU THINK? What about Lewis’ observations of universal Law of Nature? Do you agree with Lewis when he says that none of us are keeping that Law of Nature? How do you think that Lewis would respond to contemporary moral relativism of today (i.e., that actions are right or wrong insofar as they benefit me and “hurt” no one else)
- 49. TIME WITH LEWIS STUDENT-LED DISCUSSION: BOOK 2 Chapters 1-2 Chapters 3-4 Chapter 5
- 50. Workshop 3…Next Week WS 3: The Problem of Evil 1. Write News Article Analysis: What has gone wrong with the world? 2. Write Movie Analysis Prepare a 5 minute presentation for Workshop 3. Provide a 2 minute synopsis and then spend 3 minutes comparing and contrasting the movie’s worldview with a Christian worldview. 3. Keep working on worldview interviews. You should have identified a person to interview by now and made arrangements to conduct the interview. 4. Read: How Now Shall We Live: Chapters 15-21 5. Read: Mere Christianity: Book Three, Chapters 1-6