Evidence for a Creator
Encounter Apologetics Training Camp Week #1
Apologetics Camp Outline
1. Evidence for a Creator
2. Validity of the Bible
3. Resurrection of Jesus
4. Creationism vs. Evolution
5. Other Religions
6. Question Session
What is Apologetics?
• Defense of the truth of the Christian faith.
Apologia - to give a defense or a reply.
What is Apologetics?
• Negative Apologetics - Defend against objections.Positive
Apologetics - Present a positive case in favor of the Christian
faith.
Why Apologetics?
• Persuade nonbelievers.
• Strengthen convictions.
• Grow deeper in faith and understanding.
Why Apologetics
Brethren, be not children in
understanding: howbeit in malice be ye
children, but in understanding be men.
1 Corinthians 14:20
Why Apologetics
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been
forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not
be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall
from your secure position. But grow in the grace
and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!
Amen.
2 Peter 3:17-18
The Historical Foundation
• The Apostle Paul was one of the first “apologists.”
The Historical Foundation
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how
that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And
that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according
to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the
twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at
once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some
are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the
apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born
out of due time.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
The Historical Foundation
• The Apostle Paul was one of the first
“apologists.”Throughout Western history, the Christian faith
has produced some of the greatest intellects.
Aquinas
Anselm
Newton
The Historical Foundation
• The Apostle Paul was one of the first
“apologists.”Throughout Western history, the Christian faith
has produced some of the greatest intellects.The great
universities of Europe and America were founded upon
Christian Principles.
The Biblical Foundation
“But set Christ apart as Lord in your
hearts and always be ready to give an
answer to anyone who asks about the
hope you possess. Yet do it with
courtesy and respect...”
1 Peter 3:15
The Biblical Foundation
“Dear friends, although I have been eager to write
to you about our common salvation, I now feel
compelled instead to write to encourage you to
contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all
entrusted to the saints.”
Jude 3
The Biblical Foundation
“Paul went to the Jews in the synagogue, as he
customarily did, and on three Sabbath days he
addressed them from the scriptures, explaining and
demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and to
rise from the dead, saying, "This Jesus I am
proclaiming to you is the Christ."
Acts 17:2-4
Answering Atheists
How to talk to atheists, agnostics and non-believers.
Often angry or have a vendetta against believers
Need to diffuse the situation first
Need to knock them down a few pegs
They often are arrogant and/or feel superior
Must even the playing field first
Answering Atheists
Don’t be intimidated
No question they ask will crumble Christianity
It’s okay to be vulnerable, better than being silent
Christian swag
Ask questions
DO NOT USE THE BIBLE
Answering Atheists
In Love
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can
fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move
mountains, but do not have love, I am
nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13.2
Answering Atheists
Burden of proof is on the believer.
They believe just as much as we do...
believe that there is no God.
Christians only have blind faith...
Enlighten them
Answering Atheists
Christianity is for lazy, dumb people
Try and use evolution...we’ll talk about
that later
They can’t prove there is no God
We have proof to support our claim
Answering Atheists
FB example
Besides, the facts I’m stating are overwhelmingly supported by the scientific
community therefore you are the one who is making outlandish claims and the
burden of proof is on you, not me. The only "evidence" you've given is loose
associations of known facts with your beliefs which amount to little more than
pseudo-scientific spin.
Let me illustrate the flaws in your logic by comparing your methods with those of
scientists:
SCIENTIFIC METHOD: Gather the facts and reach a conclusion.
CREATIONIST METHOD: Reach a conclusion and try to find facts to support it.
Your “god” is a racist, sexist, a**hole that only morons and people who don’t want
to think believe in.
Answering Atheists
Practice Time
The burden of proof is on the believer,
PROVE IT TO ME JERKFACE!
You just have blind faith, you’ll never have real evidence
....like ever.
Flip the script...ask them questions.
The Existence of God
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible
qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have
been clearly seen, being understood from what has
been made, so that men are without excuse."
Paul [Romans 1:20]
The Existence of God
3 Things God Made that Testify to His Existence
• The universe. Intelligent life. You.
1. The Universe
The Cosmological Argument
1. Everything that begins to exist has a cause. The universe
began to exist. Therefore the universe has a cause
1. The Universe
Everything that begins to exist has a cause.
1. Universally affirmed by experience.
2. Foundational scientific principle.
3. Alternative - things pop into existence out of nothing?
1. The Universe
The universe began to exist.
1. Expansion of the universe.
2. 2nd Law of Thermodynamics.
3. Borde-Guth-Vilenkin Theorem
1. The Universe
It is said that an argument is what convinces
reasonable men and a proof is what it takes to
convince even an unreasonable man. With the
proof now in place, cosmologists can no longer hide
behind the possibility of a past-eternal universe.
There is no escape, they have to face the problem
of a cosmic beginning.
Alexander Vilkenkin
1. The Universe
Therefore the universe has a cause
1. Timeless
2. Immaterial
3. Changeless
4. Uncaused
5. PERSONAL
1. The Universe
1. The Universe
RECAP - The Cosmological Argument
1. Everything that begins to exist has a cause. The universe
began to exist. Therefore the universe has a cause
2. Intelligent Life
The Teleological Argument
1. The Universe is fine tuned for life.
2. The fine tuning of the universe is due to chance, necessity, or
design. The fine tuning is not due to chance or necessity.
Therefore, the universe is designed.
2. Intelligent Life
The Universe is fine tuned for life.
1. Gravity - 1 in 10^36
2. Cosmological Constant - 1 in
10^120
2. Intelligent Life
Cover the entire North American continent in dimes all the way
up to the moon (a height of 239,000 miles). Next, pile dimes on a
billion other continents the same size as North America up to the
moon. Paint one dime red and mix that one into the rest of the
dimes on the billions of continents. Blindfold a friend and ask
them to pick out the red dime. The chances that they will pick out
the red dime are 1 in 10^37. And this is only one of the
parameters that must be balanced within 1 part in 10^37 to allow
any kind of life to form.
Hugh Ross
2. Intelligent Life
The fine tuning is not due to chance or necessity.
1. Necessity - Does the universe have to exist the way it is?
2. Chance - The Multiverse?
2. Intelligent Life
Problems with the Multiverse
1. No evidence in favor of it.
2. Still would need to be fine-tuned.
3. Boltzmann brains!
2. Intelligent Life
. . . A common sense interpretation of the facts suggests
that a superintellect has monkeyed with physics, as well as
with 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 almost beyond question.
Astronomer Fred Hoyle, former atheist.
2. Intelligent Life
RECAP: The Teleological Argument
1. The Universe is fine tuned for life.
2. The fine tuning of the universe is due to chance, necessity, or
design. The fine tuning is not due to chance or necessity.
Therefore, the universe is designed.
3. You!
1. The Human Brain - most complex thing in the universe.
2. Where does conscious experience come from?
3. You!
Noological Argument
1. If atheism is true, souls would not exist.
2. Souls exist.
3. Therefore, atheism is not true.
3. You!
If atheism is true, souls would not exist.
• Dualism: The view that a human person is
composed of two fundamental things; a body and a
soul.Physicalism: The view that a human person is
merely a physical body.
3. You!
• Dualism: The view that a human person is
composed of two fundamental things; a body and a
soul.Physicalism: The view that a human person is
merely a physical body.
3. You!
Souls exist.
1. Physicalism can’t explain consciousness.
2. Near Death Experiences
3. You!
RECAP - Noological Argument
1. If atheism is true, souls would not exist.
2. Souls exist.
3. Therefore, atheism is not true.
Conclusion
• Apologetics - Defense of faithWhy it’s important.
• How to apply.
• Christian swag.
Conclusion
Evidence for God’s Existence
• Creation of the universe.
• Fine-tuning of the universe for life.
• Creation of the human soul.
M51 Whirlpool Galaxy