the existence of God.

the battle between science and faith.the battle between science and faith.

nature of God.nature of God.

personal agentpersonal agent

exists outside of (independent of) the universeexists outside of (independent of) the universe

has dominion/power over the universehas dominion/power over the universe

4 arguments4 arguments

1.) cosmological argument

3.) argument from mind (consciousness)

2.) design argument2.) design argument

4.) argument from religious experience

1.) cosmological argument1.) cosmological argument

1.) everything that begins to exist has a cause

3.) therefore, the universe has a cause

2.) the universe began to exist2.) the universe began to exist

the universe began to existthe universe began to exist

Guth-Borde-Vilenkin Theorem

2nd Law of Thermodynamics

the universe is expanding

what kind of cause?what kind of cause?

outside the universe

personal agent

created the universe (dominion)created the universe (dominion)

eternal (no beginning)eternal (no beginning)

2.) design argument2.) design argument

1.) design of the universe due to design, chance, or necessity

3.) therefore, the universe was designed

2.) not law or chance2.) not law or chance

2.) design argument2.) design argument

Gravity; must be fine tuned to 1 part in 10^36Gravity; must be fine tuned to 1 part in 10^36

(10000000000000000000000000000000000000)

2.) design argument2.) design argument

Cosmological Constant; 1 part in 10^53Cosmological Constant; 1 part in 10^53

2.) design argument2.) design argument

Nuclear Strong Force:Increase by 2% = No atomsDecrease by 5% = No starsNuclear Strong Force:Increase by 2% = No atomsDecrease by 5% = No stars

2.) design argument2.) design argument

Fred Hoyle, astronomer and former atheist“. . . 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.”

3.) argument from mind3.) argument from mind

if we are merely made of physical material, then why we would we have conscious experience?if we are merely made of physical material, then why we would we have conscious experience?

where does it come from?

matter does not have it...matter does not have it...

two views of the mindtwo views of the mind

physicalism - the human person is merely a physical body.physicalism - the human person is merely a physical body.

dualism - human person is composed of two fundamental things; a body and a soul.dualism - human person is composed of two fundamental things; a body and a soul.

problems with physicalismproblems with physicalism

no personal identity over time.no personal identity over time.

conscious experiences have properties that physical objects don’t have.conscious experiences have properties that physical objects don’t have.

3.) argument from mind3.) argument from mind

God is a mind, so He could create minds.God is a mind, so He could create minds.

matter could not create mindsmatter could not create minds

4.) argument from religious experience4.) argument from religious experience

had to start to think of God.had to start to think of God.

God made us know him.God made us know him.

knowledge of God.knowledge of God.

6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 corinthians 4.6

6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 corinthians 4.6

3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 peter 1.3

3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 peter 1.3

arguments against Godarguments against God

the problem of evilthe problem of evil

1. If God exists, He would not create or allow pointless evil.2. Pointless evil exists.3. Therefore, God does not exist.

is there pointless evil?is there pointless evil?

reason for evil free will

reason for evil free will

the butterfly effectthe butterfly effect

questions?questions?