how do you k now what you k now? or at least what you think you know?

2007 by David A. Prentice

HOW DO YOU

KNOW WHAT

YOU KNOW?Or at least what you think you know?

HOW DO YOU

KNOW WHAT

YOU KNOW?Or at least what you think you know?

????

???? ??

??


Short ReviewShort Review

QuestionsQuestions

The 6 days of creation The 6 days of creation are really 6,000 years, are really 6,000 years, right?right?

Did God use evolution Did God use evolution to create anything?to create anything?

Is Evolution science or Is Evolution science or religion?religion?

AnswersAnswers

WRONG! They are just WRONG! They are just Normal Days!!!Normal Days!!!

NO!!!NO!!!

ReligionReligion


Smile!

There are Only 2

Slides of Review

Questions!!!


Last QuestionsLast Questions

Which two are Non-Repeatable:Which two are Non-Repeatable:

Science Science HistoryHistory Belief Belief

Which two must have Eye WitnessesWhich two must have Eye Witnesses

Science Science HistoryHistory Belief Belief

Which is history and which is only belief?Which is history and which is only belief?

Evolution CreationEvolution Creation= History!!!= Only Belief!!!


IS IT LOGICAL TO BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION?IS IT LOGICAL TO BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION?IF man evolved from apes,IF man evolved from apes,

Your brain evolved from an ape brain.Your brain evolved from an ape brain.

IF your brain evolved from an ape brain,IF your brain evolved from an ape brain,

Your logic

evolved from

ape logic.

Your logic

evolved from

ape logic.

How do you know it evolved right?Maybe you’re not even asking the right questions!

How do you know it evolved right?Maybe you’re not even asking the right questions!

Evolution is logical ONLY if you are a modified ape.Evolution is logical ONLY if you are a modified ape.

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How do they know that?How do they know that?

When we hear the Discovery Channel say When we hear the Discovery Channel say a new missing link that proves evolution a new missing link that proves evolution has been discovered!has been discovered!– We ask: How do they know that?We ask: How do they know that?

When we read in our science books, “this When we read in our science books, “this animal has been evolving for millions of animal has been evolving for millions of years to fine tune its ability to survive”years to fine tune its ability to survive”– We ask: How do they know that?We ask: How do they know that?


What do we ask?What do we ask?

When we hear Elmo say, “Elmo is When we hear Elmo say, “Elmo is glad dinosaurs haven’t been around glad dinosaurs haven’t been around for millions of years!”for millions of years!”– We ask: . . .We ask: . . .

When we hear Pastor or Mrs. Kim When we hear Pastor or Mrs. Kim say, “the earth is less than 4,000 say, “the earth is less than 4,000 years old"years old"– We ask: . . . We ask: . . .


HOW DO PEOPLE “KNOW” HOW DO PEOPLE “KNOW” ANYTHING?ANYTHING?

PAGE 10


People “know” through People “know” through personal experiencepersonal experience

This method relies on the five sensesThis method relies on the five senses– I “know” touching a stove burns me I “know” touching a stove burns me

because I touched one once and it because I touched one once and it burned meburned me

However, the five senses can misleadHowever, the five senses can mislead– I saw the ghost of my dead grandmother I saw the ghost of my dead grandmother

last night with my own two eyes!last night with my own two eyes!


People “know” what leading People “know” what leading authorities tell themauthorities tell them

This method usually relies on humansThis method usually relies on humans– I “know” poinsettias are poisonous I “know” poinsettias are poisonous

because a nurse told me sobecause a nurse told me so

However, authorities can misleadHowever, authorities can mislead– The leading authorities of his day told The leading authorities of his day told

Columbus that he would sail over the Columbus that he would sail over the edge of the world if he went too faredge of the world if he went too far


People “know” through logicPeople “know” through logic This method relies on the human brainThis method relies on the human brain

– I know, “what goes up must come down” – I know, “what goes up must come down” – the law of gravity always wins!the law of gravity always wins!

However, logic can misleadHowever, logic can mislead– When one goes outside of our atmosphere, When one goes outside of our atmosphere,

nothing ever has to come downnothing ever has to come down

Everyone dies, so I’ll die somedayEveryone dies, so I’ll die someday– Not if Christ comes back firstNot if Christ comes back first


People “know” through People “know” through feeling or intuitionfeeling or intuition

This method relies on emotionsThis method relies on emotions– I just “know” this is the job God wants I just “know” this is the job God wants

for me!for me!

Emotions can misleadEmotions can mislead– What if it takes you away from spending What if it takes you away from spending

time with God in His Word and prayer?time with God in His Word and prayer?


People say they “know” People say they “know” when they are really just when they are really just

wishing wishing This method relies on nothingThis method relies on nothing

– I just “know” that cute boy was looking I just “know” that cute boy was looking at me in third periodat me in third period

Wishful thinking obviously misleadsWishful thinking obviously misleads– You were probably blocking his view of You were probably blocking his view of

the mirrorthe mirror


People say they “know” People say they “know” when they are simply lyingwhen they are simply lying

This method relies on our ignoranceThis method relies on our ignorance– Like the boy I worked with, “I KNOW evolution Like the boy I worked with, “I KNOW evolution

is true because I believe in SCIENCE!”is true because I believe in SCIENCE!”

Lies can be hard to see through when Lies can be hard to see through when they sound truethey sound true– He finally admitted, “I believe in evolution He finally admitted, “I believe in evolution

because I don’t want to believe in a God I because I don’t want to believe in a God I have to answer to.”have to answer to.”


1. Personal Experience through the five senses. I know a bee sting hurts; I know how to ride a bike.

1. Personal Experience through the five senses. I know a bee sting hurts; I know how to ride a bike.

2. Reliance on Authority. I know the sun is 93 million miles away; Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

2. Reliance on Authority. I know the sun is 93 million miles away; Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.3. Logic.

I know 2 million + 2 million = 4 million, even though I’ve never counted that high. I know I have a brain, even though I’ve never seen it.

3. Logic. I know 2 million + 2 million = 4 million, even though I’ve never counted that high. I know I have a brain, even though I’ve never seen it.

4. Feeling or Intuition. I know she’s the one for me; I know God has called me to the ministry.

4. Feeling or Intuition. I know she’s the one for me; I know God has called me to the ministry.

5. Wishful Thinking (you really want it to be true) I just know I’m going to win the lottery!

5. Wishful Thinking (you really want it to be true) I just know I’m going to win the lottery!

6. Bluffing (lying) - you try to persuade others for an ulterior motive. You should buy these tickets from me because I know this team is going to the Super Bowl this year; I know evolution is a fact!

6. Bluffing (lying) - you try to persuade others for an ulterior motive. You should buy these tickets from me because I know this team is going to the Super Bowl this year; I know evolution is a fact!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING?WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING?WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING?WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING?

UNRELIABLE

UNRELIABLE

Except Bible

UNRELIABLE

UNRELIABLE

UNRELIABLE

UNRELIABLE


REASONS TO BELIEVE OTHERS WHO TRY TO PERSUADE US OF WHAT THEY “KNOW”

REASONS TO BELIEVE OTHERS WHO TRY TO PERSUADE US OF WHAT THEY “KNOW”

IS IT BECAUSE:IS IT BECAUSE:

(1) They claim to have personal experience, OR(2) They appeal to an authority we trust, OR(3) We have checked out their logic and found it trustworthy?

(1) They claim to have personal experience, OR(2) They appeal to an authority we trust, OR(3) We have checked out their logic and found it trustworthy?

OR are we willing to trust their (4) intuition, (5) wishful thinking, or (6) lying?

OR are we willing to trust their (4) intuition, (5) wishful thinking, or (6) lying?

PAGE 11


THE PREHISTORIC PAST:THE PREHISTORIC PAST:

1. No living person has personal experience.1. No living person has personal experience.

2. There are no eyewitness accounts except the

Bible, which is unacceptable to skeptics.

2. There are no eyewitness accounts except the

Bible, which is unacceptable to skeptics.

SO HOW DO WE “KNOW” ABOUT THE BEGINNING?Through LOGIC ONLY?

SO HOW DO WE “KNOW” ABOUT THE BEGINNING?Through LOGIC ONLY?


Converse in LogicConverse in Logic Take an “if, then” :Take an “if, then” :

– Original “Original “IfIf I am listening to the pastor of I am listening to the pastor of West SideWest Side, , thenthen I am listening to Pastor I am listening to Pastor David PearsonDavid Pearson””

Reverse the positions of the two Reverse the positions of the two statementsstatements– Converse “Converse “IfIf I am listening to Pastor I am listening to Pastor

David PearsonDavid Pearson, , thenthen I am listening to I am listening to the pastor of West Sidethe pastor of West Side””


Must work in “if and only if” Must work in “if and only if” form backward and forwardform backward and forward

– If I am talking to the tallest man in the If I am talking to the tallest man in the room, then I am talking to Uncle Henryroom, then I am talking to Uncle Henry

Does it fit the “if and only if” form?Does it fit the “if and only if” form?– I am talking to the tallest man in the room, I am talking to the tallest man in the room,

if and only if I am talking to Uncle Henryif and only if I am talking to Uncle Henry– I am talking to Uncle Henry, if and only if I I am talking to Uncle Henry, if and only if I

am talking to the tallest man in the room.am talking to the tallest man in the room.TRUTH!!!

TRUTH!!!


Converses are often falseConverses are often false

If the statement and its converse If the statement and its converse cannot fit the “if and only if” form cannot fit the “if and only if” form – ““If I am talking to one of the shortest If I am talking to one of the shortest

women in the room, then I am talking to women in the room, then I am talking to Mama G”Mama G”

Does it fit the “if and only if” form?Does it fit the “if and only if” form?– ““I am talking to one of the shortest women I am talking to one of the shortest women

in the room, if and only if, I am talking to in the room, if and only if, I am talking to Mama G”Mama G”

TRUTH?TRUTH?

FALSE!!!FALSE!!!


TALKING TO ONE SHORTTALKING TO ONE SHORTWOMANWOMAN

TO MRS. KIM

TO MRS.

CHRISTALTO MAMA

G

TO MRS.BECKY

TO MARCIA

PROPER LOGIC FLOWPROPER LOGIC FLOWPROPER LOGIC FLOWPROPER LOGIC FLOW

1-21

PAGE 12


TALKING TO ONE SHORTTALKING TO ONE SHORTWOMANWOMAN

TO MAMAG

IMPROPER LOGIC FLOWIMPROPER LOGIC FLOWIMPROPER LOGIC FLOWIMPROPER LOGIC FLOW

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There areOther short

women

There areOther short

women

If you’reTalking to

A shortWoman

You must beTalkingTo me!

If you’reTalking to

A shortWoman

You must beTalkingTo me!


Evolution rests on LogicEvolution rests on Logic

In school evolution is taught as truthIn school evolution is taught as truth– As the only truth possibleAs the only truth possible

They started by saying:They started by saying:– Universe exists = evolution could be trueUniverse exists = evolution could be true

Now they say: Now they say: – Evolution is true = the universe existsEvolution is true = the universe exists


Evolution rests on LogicEvolution rests on Logic

Evolution is true, if and only if the Evolution is true, if and only if the universe and life exist - True logic!universe and life exist - True logic!

Universe doesn’t exist = evolution Universe doesn’t exist = evolution can’t be truecan’t be true

Universe exists = evolution could be Universe exists = evolution could be truetrue BUT . .

.

BUT . . .


Is Logic Ever Misleading?Is Logic Ever Misleading?

– Converse: If the universe exists, then Converse: If the universe exists, then evolution must be trueevolution must be true

The universe exists = evolution is The universe exists = evolution is truetrue


If and only if TestIf and only if Test

““If and only if” testIf and only if” test– Evolution could be true, if and only if the Evolution could be true, if and only if the

universe and life exist.universe and life exist.– Universe exists = evolution could be Universe exists = evolution could be

truetrue

– The universe and life could exist, if and The universe and life could exist, if and only if evolution is true.only if evolution is true.

– Evolution is true = the universe existsEvolution is true = the universe exists

TRUTH?TRUTH?

FALSE!!!FALSE!!!


UNIVERSE EXISTS

ATHEISTIC EVOLUTION CORRECT

ATHEISTIC EVOLUTION CORRECT

THEISTIC EVOLUTION CORRECT

THEISTIC EVOLUTION CORRECT

YOUNG-EARTH CREATION CORRECT

YOUNG-EARTH CREATION CORRECT

SOMETHING ELSE CORRECT

SOMETHING ELSE CORRECT

““POSSIBLE” EXPLANATIONS FOR THE POSSIBLE” EXPLANATIONS FOR THE UNIVERSEUNIVERSE

““POSSIBLE” EXPLANATIONS FOR THE POSSIBLE” EXPLANATIONS FOR THE UNIVERSEUNIVERSE

OLD-EARTH CREATION CORRECT

OLD-EARTH CREATION CORRECT

1-23


UNIVERSE EXISTS

TO MAMAG

IMPROPER LOGIC FLOWIMPROPER LOGIC FLOWIMPROPER LOGIC FLOWIMPROPER LOGIC FLOW

1-21

There areOther

possibilities

There areOther

possibilities

If you exist,I must be

true

If you exist,I must be

true


EVEN IF EVEN IF SOMETHING SOMETHING

SOUNDS TRUE!!!SOUNDS TRUE!!!

IT COULD BE IT COULD BE FALSE!!!FALSE!!!


EVEN WITH CORRECT LOGIC, FALSE PREMISES CAN LEAD TO FALSE CONCLUSIONS.

EVEN WITH CORRECT LOGIC, FALSE PREMISES CAN LEAD TO FALSE CONCLUSIONS.

All dogs bark. (Or, “If an animal is a dog, then it barks.”)

Fido is a dog.Therefore, Fido barks.

Not if

Fido is a

Basenji!

Not if

Fido is a

Basenji!

Basenjis do not

bark.

If any one of our premises is wrong, then our conclusion is unreliable.

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WHO?

WHO?

WH

AT?

WH

AT?

WH

AT

NO

T?

WH

AT

NO

T?

HO

W?

HO

W?

GO

D?

GO

D?

HOW TO TELL SCIENCE FROM STORYTELLINGHOW TO TELL SCIENCE FROM STORYTELLINGHOW TO TELL SCIENCE FROM STORYTELLINGHOW TO TELL SCIENCE FROM STORYTELLING

1. WHO said they saw it? Can I trust them?

1. WHO said they saw it? Can I trust them?

2. WHAT did they actually see?

2. WHAT did they actually see?

3. WHAT are they NOT telling me?

3. WHAT are they NOT telling me?

4. HOW could I test this to see if it’s true?

4. HOW could I test this to see if it’s true?

5. What does GOD have to say about it?

5. What does GOD have to say about it?HOW DO YOU

KNOW THAT?

1-25

PAGE 13


MATERIALISM: NO GOD ALLOWED!MATERIALISM: NO GOD ALLOWED!MATERIALISM: NO GOD ALLOWED!MATERIALISM: NO GOD ALLOWED!

"We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of the failure to fulfill many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories,

"We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of the failure to fulfill many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories,

materialism. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the

phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of

investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counterintuitive, no matter how

mystifying to the uninitiated.

materialism. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the

phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of

investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counterintuitive, no matter how

mystifying to the uninitiated.

because we have a prior commitment, a commitment tobecause we have a prior commitment, a commitment to

Moreover, that materialism is an absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door."

Moreover, that materialism is an absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door."

Richard Lewontin, The New York Review, Jan. 1997Richard Lewontin, The New York Review, Jan. 1997

materialism. materialism.

1-26

WE BELIEVE IN WE BELIEVE IN NATURAL NATURAL

PROCESSES PROCESSES BECAUSE WE DO BECAUSE WE DO

NOT WANT A GOD!!!NOT WANT A GOD!!!

PAGE 14


GOD MUST BEGOD MUST BE

1. Only seen by what He does - 1. Only seen by what He does -

2. Established natural laws, so is not subject to those laws -

2. Established natural laws, so is not subject to those laws -

3. Preceded the universe - 3. Preceded the universe -

4. Influence extends throughout the universe -4. Influence extends throughout the universe -

5. Directly or indirectly responsi- ble for everything that has ever happened -

5. Directly or indirectly responsi- ble for everything that has ever happened -

6. Nobody made Him -6. Nobody made Him -

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INVISIBLEINVISIBLE

SUPERNATURALSUPERNATURAL

ETERNALETERNAL

OMNIPRESENTOMNIPRESENT

OMNIPOTENTOMNIPOTENT

SELF-EXISTENTSELF-EXISTENT


What if there is no God? Then the universe would have to be the result of a series of forces, processes, and events operating with no particular purpose for billions of years.

What if there is no God? Then the universe would have to be the result of a series of forces, processes, and events operating with no particular purpose for billions of years.

IF THERE IS NO GOD, THEN WHAT?IF THERE IS NO GOD, THEN WHAT?

What characteristics would Random Chance have to have?

What characteristics would Random Chance have to have?

1-28

We could call the whole series “evolution,” “quantum fluctuation,” or “accident.” Let’s use

the term “Random Chance,” with the under-standing that it represents the whole multibillion

year series of forces, processes, and events.

We could call the whole series “evolution,” “quantum fluctuation,” or “accident.” Let’s use

the term “Random Chance,” with the under-standing that it represents the whole multibillion

year series of forces, processes, and events.


NECESSARY CHARACTERISTICSNECESSARY CHARACTERISTICS

1. Only seen by what He does - INVISIBLE.1. Only seen by what He does - INVISIBLE.

2. Established natural laws, so is not subject to those laws - SUPERNATURAL.


3. Preceded the universe - ETERNAL.3. Preceded the universe - ETERNAL.

4. Influence extends throughout the universe - OMNIPRESENT.4. Influence extends throughout the universe - OMNIPRESENT.

5. Directly or indirectly responsi- ble for everything that has ever happened - OMNIPOTENT.


6. Nobody made Him - SELF- EXISTENT.6. Nobody made Him - SELF- EXISTENT.

RANDOM CHANCE1. Only seen by what it does - INVISIBLE.

RANDOM CHANCE1. Only seen by what it does - INVISIBLE.



3. Preceded the universe - ETERNAL.3. Preceded the universe - ETERNAL.

4. Influence extends throughout the universe - OMNIPRESENT.4. Influence extends throughout the universe - OMNIPRESENT.



6. Nobody made it - SELF- EXISTENT.6. Nobody made it - SELF- EXISTENT.

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GODGOD

There is no possibility that God does NOT exist.There is no possibility that God does NOT exist.

PAGE 15


3. If you believe in Random Chance and you are right, nothing matters anyway.


2. If you believe in the God of the Bible and you are wrong, you’ll never know -- so it doesn’t matter.


1. If you believe in the God of the Bible and you are right, you at least have the potential to spend eternity in heaven with Him.


GOD OR RANDOM CHANCE?GOD OR RANDOM CHANCE?The Bible says that God loves you so much that He

gave His only son to die for your sins.The Bible says that God loves you so much that He

gave His only son to die for your sins.







4. If you believe in Random Chance and you are wrong, you are headed for an eternal hell.

4. If you believe in Random Chance and you are wrong, you are headed for an eternal hell.

Which step of faith makes more sense?Which step of faith makes more sense?

1-30

PAGE 16


USEFUL IDEAS WITH STRANGE ORIGINSUSEFUL IDEAS WITH STRANGE ORIGINS

The Sewing Machine - DREAM

Structure of Benzene – DREAM

Fiber Optics – OCEAN INSPIRATION

Self-Starting Electric Motor – SUNSET INSPIRATION

Breakthroughs in Astronomy - ACCIDENTS

etc.

The Sewing Machine - DREAM

Structure of Benzene – DREAM

Fiber Optics – OCEAN INSPIRATION

Self-Starting Electric Motor – SUNSET INSPIRATION

Breakthroughs in Astronomy - ACCIDENTS

etc.

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WHERE DID SCIENCE COME FROM?WHERE DID SCIENCE COME FROM?

Eastern ReligionsEastern Religions1. The physical universe is a deception.1. The physical universe is a deception.

RESULT: There is no point in

studying nature.

RESULT: There is no point in

studying nature.

Western ReligionsWestern Religions

RESULT: The Scientific Method.

RESULT: The Scientific Method.

Science owes its very existence to Western religious belief.

Science owes its very existence to Western religious belief.

2. There is no such thing as objective reality.2. There is no such thing as objective reality.3. Because of this, it is not possible to accu- rately measure the universe or know things about it with certainty.

3. Because of this, it is not possible to accu- rately measure the universe or know things about it with certainty.

1. The physical universe is real.1. The physical universe is real.2. There is such a thing as objective reality.2. There is such a thing as objective reality.3. It is possible to accu- rately measure the universe and know things about it with varying degrees of certainty.

3. It is possible to accu- rately measure the universe and know things about it with varying degrees of certainty.

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how do you k now what you k now? or at least what you think you know?

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