Reasons for BeliefReasons for Belief

John Oakes John Oakes Harvard UniversityHarvard University

10/16/0910/16/09

You are Invited!2010 International Christian Evidence

ConferenceConcordia University

Irvine, CAEvolution: Four Views

Can Science and belief in God coexist?Can Science and belief in God coexist?

The Language of The Language of GodGod

Reasons Collins believes in GodReasons Collins believes in God

1. There is something instead of nothing.1. There is something instead of nothing.2. The unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics.2. The unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics.3. The Big Bang.3. The Big Bang.4. Nature does not solve the problem of why.4. Nature does not solve the problem of why.5. The existence of time.5. The existence of time.6. Fine tuning of the universe. The “Goldilocks 6. Fine tuning of the universe. The “Goldilocks

Paradox.”Paradox.”7. Ockham’s Razor.7. Ockham’s Razor.8. The existence of moral law.8. The existence of moral law.

I would add… Because the Bible is inspiredI would add… Because the Bible is inspired

Accident or Design? The Anthropic Principle

William Paley

The Teleological Argument

Evidence for Design in Nature

The Anthropic Principle

Boeing 747Design or Accident?

Physics:

The Finely Tuned Universe

.00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001

Fine Tuning of the Gravitational

Constant

Fred Hoyle on Fine-TuningFred Hoyle on Fine-Tuning

“… a super-intellect has monkeyed with physics, as well as with chemistry and

biology.”

Antony Flew Considers GodAntony Flew Considers God

Flew is increasingly Flew is increasingly persuaded that some sort of persuaded that some sort of Deity brought about this Deity brought about this universe. He says he has in universe. He says he has in mind something like the God mind something like the God of Aristotle, a distant, of Aristotle, a distant, impersonal "prime mover." It impersonal "prime mover." It might not even be might not even be conscious, but a mere force. conscious, but a mere force. In formal terms, he regards In formal terms, he regards the existence of this minimal the existence of this minimal God as a hypothesis that, at God as a hypothesis that, at present, is perhaps the best present, is perhaps the best explanation for why a explanation for why a universe exists that can universe exists that can produce complex lifeproduce complex life

Delos B. McKown:

“Christianity is scientifically unsupported and probably insupportable, philosophically suspect at best and disreputable at worst, and historically fraudulent.”

Proposition #1Proposition #1

The Bible is scientifically unsupported and The Bible is scientifically unsupported and probably insupportibleprobably insupportible

Papyrus EbersPapyrus Ebers

The Ebers PapyrusThe Ebers Papyrus::

““To prevent hair from turning gray, To prevent hair from turning gray, anoint it with the blood of a calf anoint it with the blood of a calf which has been boiled in oil or with which has been boiled in oil or with

the fat of a rattlesnake.”the fat of a rattlesnake.”

““A mixture of six fats, namely those A mixture of six fats, namely those of the horse, the hippopotamus, the of the horse, the hippopotamus, the crocodile, the cat, the snake and crocodile, the cat, the snake and the ibex.... to prevent hair loss.”the ibex.... to prevent hair loss.”

Drugs of Choice included:Drugs of Choice included:

Lizards bloodLizards bloodSwine’s teethSwine’s teethPutrid meatPutrid meatMoisture from Pigs’ earsMoisture from Pigs’ earsExcreta from animals including human Excreta from animals including human beings, donkeys, antelope, dogs, cats beings, donkeys, antelope, dogs, cats and fliesand flies

“I will not bring on you any of these diseases...”

Exodus 15:26

“The pig... is unclean for you...those that walk on their paws...the weasel, the rat...are unclean for you.”

Leviticus 11

“The sting of a hornet is healed by the house-fly, crushed and applied to the wound.”

“The gnat, feeble creature, taking in food but never secreting it is a specific against the poison of the viper.”

An ancient Hebrew medical manuscript.

“Whoever touches the dead body of anyone will be unclean for seven days. He must purify himself with the water on the third and seventh day...take some hyssop, dip it in the water and sprinkle the tent and furnishings and the people who were there.”

Numbers 19

SemelweissSemelweiss

Vienna, 1847Vienna, 1847

In maternity wards one out of In maternity wards one out of every six women dies.every six women dies.Obstetricians ascribe deaths to Obstetricians ascribe deaths to constipation, fear and constipation, fear and poisonous air.poisonous air.

Death Rate falls Death Rate falls from 18% to 1%from 18% to 1%

Thymol (Oil of Hyssop)

“For the generations to come, every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised...”

Genesis 17:12

Vitamin K

Prothrombrin: a clotting protein.

020406080

100120140

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

days

% o

f nor

mal

Clotting Protein Peaks on Day EightClotting Protein Peaks on Day Eight

Available Prothrombin

Day Day CircumcisedCircumcised

Number of Hebrew Number of Hebrew BoysBoys

Number of DeathsNumber of Deaths

11 823823 44

33 759759 66

55 693693 88

77 855855 33

99 770770 22

1111 698698 44

Abraham’s Experiment

Proposition #1Proposition #1

The Bible is scientifically unsupported and The Bible is scientifically unsupported and probably insupportibleprobably insupportible

Genesis 1, Hebrews 11:3Genesis 1, Hebrews 11:3

Response: Oh really…Response: Oh really…

Proposition #2Proposition #2

““Christianity is Christianity is philosophically philosophically suspect at best”suspect at best”

Delos McKownDelos McKown

Socrates

Christian Philosophy/TheologyChristian Philosophy/Theology

Christian Philosophy (theology) gives a more Christian Philosophy (theology) gives a more realistic description of things as they are than realistic description of things as they are than materialism or postmodernism.materialism or postmodernism.

Materialism denies the existence of truth, morality Materialism denies the existence of truth, morality and value.and value.

Postmodernism says that all truth is relative. No Postmodernism says that all truth is relative. No particular world view is preferred.particular world view is preferred.

Naturalism/Scientism/MaterialismNaturalism/Scientism/Materialism

The belief that the only reliable or valid The belief that the only reliable or valid instrument to deciding the truth or even the instrument to deciding the truth or even the value of any proposition is the scientific method.value of any proposition is the scientific method.

No ethics, no morality, no supernatural, no God, No ethics, no morality, no supernatural, no God, no truth (except that found by science), no no truth (except that found by science), no consciousness, no “I.” Justice is a figment of our consciousness, no “I.” Justice is a figment of our imagination.imagination.

Richard DawkinsRichard Dawkins

In the universe of blind physical forces and genetic In the universe of blind physical forces and genetic replication, some people are going to get hurt and replication, some people are going to get hurt and other people are going to get lucky: and you won’t other people are going to get lucky: and you won’t find any rhyme or reason to it, nor any justice. The find any rhyme or reason to it, nor any justice. The universe we observe has precisely the properties we universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is at the bottom, no design, no should expect if there is at the bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good. Nothing but blind, purpose, no evil and no good. Nothing but blind, pitiless indifference. DNA neither knows nor cares. pitiless indifference. DNA neither knows nor cares. DNA just is, and we dance to its music.DNA just is, and we dance to its music.

Questions Science Can AnswerQuestions Science Can Answer

When?When?What?What?Where?Where?How many?How many?By what means?By what means?

Questions Science Cannot Answer:Questions Science Cannot Answer:(That the Bible Does Answer)(That the Bible 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?

If the Materialist is right, then…If the Materialist is right, then…

Religious thought is absolute nonsense. Prayer is Religious thought is absolute nonsense. Prayer is chemical moving around in your brain.chemical moving around in your brain.

Art, Literature, Music have no intrinsic value.Art, Literature, Music have no intrinsic value.

Justice is a meaningless word.Justice is a meaningless word.

Human rights have no basis.Human rights have no basis.

Etc….Etc….

Naturalism is a Dangerous (Evil?) PhilosophyNaturalism is a Dangerous (Evil?) Philosophy

If the naturalist is right then:If the naturalist is right then:

Good and evil are meaningless ideas.Good and evil are meaningless ideas.

Stealing is not necessarily wrong.Stealing is not necessarily wrong.

Any kind of sexual behavior is as right as any other.Any kind of sexual behavior is as right as any other.

There is nothing inherently evil about genocide.There is nothing inherently evil about genocide.

Racism is acceptable.Racism is acceptable.

Postmodernism: Cultural RelativismPostmodernism: Cultural Relativism

Reality is a social construction.Reality is a social construction.

Truth: It is true for you, but it is not true for me.Truth: It is true for you, but it is not true for me.

All beliefs are theory-laden (Thomas Kuhn)All beliefs are theory-laden (Thomas Kuhn)

Meaning, if it exists, lies in a community of believers.Meaning, if it exists, lies in a community of believers.

Self is a construction of our society.Self is a construction of our society.

No rational way to discover which is the best world view.No rational way to discover which is the best world view.

Challenge to a Postmodernist:Challenge to a Postmodernist:

How do you know the postmodern view is the How do you know the postmodern view is the correct one?correct one?

If your culture does not believe in gravity try If your culture does not believe in gravity try throwing yourself off of a high buildingthrowing yourself off of a high building

The Impact of Christian Thinking on the The Impact of Christian Thinking on the World World

Women’s rightsWomen’s rights

Human rightsHuman rights

Abolition of SlaveryAbolition of Slavery

Science was created due to the Christian view of the Science was created due to the Christian view of the worldworld

Predictions Based on Christian Theology:

1. The universe will follow a single, unchanging set of laws.

2. The universe will be understandable to human beings.

3. The universe will be describable by mathematics.

4. The universe will be designed so that we can observe it- (“The Priveleged Planet” Gonzalez and Richards)

Christian Philosophy/The Christian World Christian Philosophy/The Christian World ViewView

Realism but not naturalismRealism but not naturalism

Genesis 1:31 The world/creation is good (vs Genesis 1:31 The world/creation is good (vs Pythagoreanism, Platonism, neo-Platonism, Gnosticism, Pythagoreanism, Platonism, neo-Platonism, Gnosticism, etc.)etc.)

Genesis 1:1 Defeats pantheism, atheism, dualism, Genesis 1:1 Defeats pantheism, atheism, dualism, materialism/scientism, humanism, animism, all in one materialism/scientism, humanism, animism, all in one verse. (Hebrews 11:3)verse. (Hebrews 11:3)

Christian Philosophy (cont.)Christian Philosophy (cont.)

Biblical theology solves the dual problems of suffering Biblical theology solves the dual problems of suffering and evil.and evil.

Evil the result of people with free will rebelling against Evil the result of people with free will rebelling against God.God.

Suffering is not evil. It is from God, but it should be dealt Suffering is not evil. It is from God, but it should be dealt with by compassion.with by compassion.

Nearly all compassionate works in the world are done by Nearly all compassionate works in the world are done by Bible believers.Bible believers.

Proposition #3Proposition #3

Christianity is historically fraudulentChristianity is historically fraudulent

Ruins of Hattusha, capital of the Hittites

The Lion Gate in Hattusha

The Five City League, including Sodom and Gomorrah

The Tel Dan Inscription

820 BC

2 Kings 8:28-29

I Hazael killed Joram, son of Omri and I defeated Ahaziah of the House of David

Pilate Inscription Caesarea AD 30

Ziggurat in UrZiggurat in Ur

Proposition #4Proposition #4

The Bible is full of myths.The Bible is full of myths.

This charge is true! The Bible contains true myths.This charge is true! The Bible contains true myths.

Myths Common to Nearly All CulturesMyths Common to Nearly All Cultures

Creation mythsCreation myths– Gilgamesh (Akkadian/Sumerian)Gilgamesh (Akkadian/Sumerian)– Popol Vuh (Mayan)Popol Vuh (Mayan)– Sutras (Hindu) etc.Sutras (Hindu) etc.– vs. Genesis 1-3vs. Genesis 1-3

God/man mythsGod/man myths– Isis and OsirisIsis and Osiris– MithraMithra– KrishnaKrishna– Eleusian Rites, etc.Eleusian Rites, etc.– vs. Jesusvs. Jesus

Babylonian Creation Myth: Marduk kills

Tiamat

Sutras: Hindu ScriptureSutras: Hindu Scripture

The Earth sits on the back of four elephants, standing on The Earth sits on the back of four elephants, standing on a turtle, encircled by a snake, swimming in a bowl of a turtle, encircled by a snake, swimming in a bowl of milk.milk.

Egyptian Creation Myth

Iroquois Creation Myth:Enigorio and Enigohahetgea Battling the

Ronnongwetowanca (Stone Giants)

Inspiration of the Bible:Inspiration of the Bible:Messianic Prophecies FulfilledMessianic Prophecies Fulfilled

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. Luke 24:44Prophets and the Psalms. Luke 24:44

Isaiah 53:1-13:

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering. (v. 3)

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (v. 5) (John 19:31-37)

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (v. 7)

Micah 5:2But you, Bethlehem Ephrathrah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.

Isaiah 9:1,6In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan…. For to us a child is born… And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Psalm 22:16-18Dogs have surrounded me;

a band of evil men have encircled me,

they have pierced my hands and my feet.

I can count all my bones; (John 19:3-37)

people stare and gloat over me.

They divide my garments among them

and cast lots for my clothing. (John 19:23,24)

Zechariah 11:12,13

I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” so they paid me thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:14-16)

And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord, to the potter. (Matthew 27:3-8)

Daniel 9:24-26

Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.

Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Anointed One, the ruler comes, there will be seven ‘sevens’ and sixty two ‘sevens’

Decree of Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:12-26) 458 BC

458 BC - 490 years = -32 (no zero BC)

Be born in BethlehemBe born in BethlehemBe raised in Galilee near NazarethBe raised in Galilee near NazarethBe despised and rejected by menBe despised and rejected by menBe meek and silent before his accusersBe meek and silent before his accusersBe “pierced”Be “pierced”Be crucifiedBe crucifiedHave his garments divided and gambled overHave his garments divided and gambled overBe betrayed for 30 pieces of silverBe betrayed for 30 pieces of silverCome to Jerusalem to make atonement for sin in about AD 33Come to Jerusalem to make atonement for sin in about AD 33And many more….And many more….

Was all this an accident, or did God plan all along for the Passion of the Was all this an accident, or did God plan all along for the Passion of the Christ for forgiveness of sins? What do you think?Christ for forgiveness of sins? What do you think?

Is the Bible the Word of God or the word of men?Is the Bible the Word of God or the word of men?

If The Bible is the Word of GodIf The Bible is the Word of GodWe Need to Put it Into PracticeWe Need to Put it Into Practice

Hebrews 11:1 Faith in what is not seen.Hebrews 11:1 Faith in what is not seen.

John 12:47-50 The Word will be our judgeJohn 12:47-50 The Word will be our judge

James 1:22-25 Put it into practiceJames 1:22-25 Put it into practice

2 Tim 4:1-5 No sentimentality. Eternal life is 2 Tim 4:1-5 No sentimentality. Eternal life is at stake.at stake.

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