This week we will conclude our three week study on the evidence for the existence of God. The last two weeks we examined the cosmological argument also known as the first cause argument and the moral argument. This Thursday we will be examining teleological or intelligent design argument. With the increase of technology and the ongoing study of molecular biology scientist are beginning to see that living things are composed of microscopic complex organisms that point to an intelligent designer known as God.  To aid us in the study of the teleological argument, we will be watching and discussing a DVD titled “Unlocking the Mystery of Life” by Michael Behe.

As we conclude our series on the evidence for the existence of God. I want to remind you that we have only briefly addressed these topics. The goal of doing so is to expose our students to the fact that there are logical and evidential reasons for believing in God. I pray that our students will further their study in these areas as they grow in their faith and are challenged by their peers and teachers.

Hope to see you there!

-Phil

This Thursday will be the second week to a three week series discussing evidential arguments for the existence of God. This week we will examine the moral argument. William Lane Craig describes the moral argument in an article titled “Five Arguments for God” as followed:

1. If God does not exist, objective moral values and duties do not exist.

2. Objective moral values and duties do exist.

3. Therefore, God exists

The moral argument proposes that since there is morality or a universal belief of right and wrong then there must be a universal moral giver. Furthermore, morality is presented in the form of commands, do this or don’t do that. Therefore, commands depend on a commander and Christians refer to that commander as God.

I’m looking forward to another great Thursday night discussing deep and relevant Christian issues.

Hope to see you there!

-Phil

Over the next three to four weeks, we will be discussing a variety of philosophical and evidential arguments for the existence of God. It’s important to understand that the Bible encourages us to believe purely on faith as well as from historical evidential facts and philosophical arguments.  After Jesus’ resurrections he appeared before Thomas the “doubter” and said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Jesus praises those who have no physical evidence and still believe, but only a few verses later John records that Jesus performed many more signs beyond what were recorded “so that [we] may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing [we] may have life in his name” John 20:30–31(ESV). Therefore, while evidential facts and signs should not be the sole basis for our faith, scripture encourages us to have a reason and hope for why we believe what we believe.

It is also important to mention that no amount of evidence or logical arguments can convince an individual that there is a God, that man is sinful, and that man is in desperate need of a savior, etc. It is only by the grace of God and the working of the Holy Spirit that awakens an individual’s heart to see the gospel truth and the need for Christ’s blood for the forgiveness of sins. While it is the grace of God that awakens the heart of an individual, our logical and evidential facts for the existence of God, Christ as savior, etc, can be a means by which Christ uses to draw a person to Himself.

This week we will be discussing the cosmological or first cause argument for the existence of God. The premise of this argument goes as follows:

• There exist things that are caused (created) by other things.
• Nothing can be the cause of itself (nothing can create itself.)
• There cannot be an endless string of objects causing other objects to exist.
• Therefore, there must be an uncaused first cause called God.

I’m looking forward to Thursday and am excited to see the direction our Lord takes us!

-Phil