Most Important Notes from PHIL 240 {2,868 words}
I. Lesson One - The Scripture and Evidences
A. Christian evidences should answer doubts and be practical. There is a biblical basis for evidences.
B. Old Testament references that show a good basis for evidences (Numbers 14:11 (miracles enhance faith), I Kings 18:24 (true God will show it), Psalm 32:8-9 (do not be like a dumb animal), and Isaiah 41:21-23 and Isaiah 45:21 (fulfilled prophesy))
C. Old Testament references that show a good basis for evidences (Matthew 11:21 (great works should bring repentance), and John 5:36 and John 10:38 (works bear testimony)).
D. Compare Matthew 12:38-45 (He gave a sign anyway), Luke 7:19-23 (evidence with a compliment), and John 20:24-29 (evidence with a mild rebuke). Thomas may not have been a Christian until He saw the wounds because of his unwillingness to accept the gospel without evidence.
E. Paul went to the synagogues and to the market places. In each case, he gave evidences.
F. Paul witnessed on Mars Hills to the Epicureans and the Stoics. They were professional philosophers. He told them that they were worshipping the unknown god. He presented four major doctrines to them: (1) God the Father, (2) a man Jesus, (3) the need to repent, and (4) judgment.
G. Acts 19:8-10 - Paul reasoned for three months, and it was right for him to do. It is not always right or always wrong to debate.
H. Romans 1:3-4 - Paul argued Jesus by presenting evidences. Discussion of signs and the resurrection means evidences. In Romans 1:20, he used evidences of nature to show the sinner without excuse. God makes Himself known in nature and in one's heart.
I. I Corinthians 15:12-18 - Paul argued the significance of the resurrection. The resurrection is an evidence. There is no Christianity apart from the resurrection.
J. II Corinthians 5:11 - Paul's purpose was to persuade people. In Titus 1:9, Colossians 4:6, Philippians 1:7 and Philippians 1:16, Paul spoke about defending and convincing about the gospel.
K. I Peter 3:15 - Peter also commanded people to be able to know what and why they believe as they do.
L. John 20:30 was also about the importance of evidences.
II. Lesson Two - Evidences and Methodologies
A. Types of evidences
1. Natural theology (Romans 1:20 and Romans 2:14-15).
2. Miracles - the resurrection (John 10:37-38 and Acts 2:22)
3. Fulfilled prophecy (II Peter 1:21)
4. Spiritual gifts (Hebrews 2:3-4 and I Corinthians 14:22)
5. Direct Intervention by God - the Ten Commandments, Jesus' baptism, or the Transfiguration (II Peter 1:21)
B. Reasons for Apologetics
1. To strengthen the faith of believers
2. To help to witness by the power of the Holy Spirit (Paul used apologetics to lead others to Christ). But it is the work of the Holy Spirit.
3. To defend the Faith even when it appears that no one is listening
C. Type of Apologetists (Methodologies)
1. Evidentialists - their chief interest is usually history. God has revealed Himself through those evidences (fulfilled prophecies).
2. Rationalists - the emphasis is on philosophical evidences (natural theology, arguments for God's existence, pain and evil, and so forth).
3. Presuppositionalists - their chief belief is that no one can begin their analysis from a totally neutral position. All people have some kinds of beliefs (some people believe that the Bible is the Word of God because it says so. They will admit that it is a circular argument, but then they will say that all thinking is circular.). Most of these are Calvinists. There are also many Calvinists in the upper two metodologies.
4. Fidiism - "Faith only." It is the opposite of the above three. It opposes evidences. This is an anti-Apologetic. Many Fidiians are not Christians. Many do not accept the Bible as the Word of God.
III. Lesson Three - A Biblical Methodology
A. Being able to identify methodology is important to best argue one's points.
B. Key doctrines from each methodology's point of view. Note that the evidentialists and the rationalists are almost identical in their approaches to the key doctrines.
1. God's existence - How do you know that He exists?
a. Rationalists - they look at the evidences (cosmological, teleological, moral, and ontological arguments)
b. Presuppositional - One cannot even think if God does not exist. Therefore, the discussion about His existence proves His existence.
c. Evidentialists - they look at the evidences (cosmological, teleological, moral, and ontological arguments)
2. The Nature of Sin
a. Rationalists - the Holy Spirit can give the person an understanding, if He is working.
b. Presuppositional - they say that man is totally depraved (Calvinism). One cannot even witness to such a person, and you cannot even use evidences because he or she will not understand.
c. Evidentialists - the Holy Spirit can give the person an understanding, if He is working.
3. Scripture - How do you know that the Bible is the Word of God?
a. Rationalists - Scripture is shown by evidences (excellent manuscript evidence, archaeology, history, and extrabiblical history).
b. Presuppositional - the Bible says that it is the Word of God, and he or she will agree that it is a circular argument, stating that all arguments are circular.
c. Evidentialists - Scripture is shown by evidences (excellent manuscript evidence, archaeology, history, and extrabiblical history).
4. Natural Theology - Can natural theology be gained from nature? Natural theology is what people can learn about God through nature, reasoning, conscience, science, and so forth.
a. Rationalists - Yes. A lot of philosophical apologetics comes from nature.
b. Presuppositional - Natural theology is not valid. Natural revelation is true, but that is not natural theology.
c. Evidentialists - Yes. A lot of philosophical apologetics comes from nature.
5. Pre-evangelism and Witnessing - this pertains to the method of witnessing, not the content of it.
a. Rationalists - The best ways to witness are preaching, witnessing, and presenting the evidences.
b. Presuppositional - He or she says that the nonbeliever cannot understand the evidences. Therefore, that person accepts preaching and witnesses as valid methods. He or she would try to turn an unbelievers presuppositions against the person. In the matter of morals, atheists are usually against killing and running red lights. These are arguments that show that there are some absolute ethics, and that supports the moral argument.
c. Evidentialists - The best ways to witness are preaching, witnessing, and presenting the evidences.
6. Faith and the Holy Spirit
a. Rationalists - Faith (in the Greek, actually means to surrender one's life) is extremely important. It involves commitment and surrender.
b. Presuppositional - Faith is extremely important. The three all agree on faith.
c. Evidentialists - Faith is extremely important. The three all agree on faith. They may stress the Holy Spirit too little because they might get too cocky or proud. They focus more on the evidences than on the fact that the Holy Spirit is doing the work.
d. Fidiists - their thrust is the need to be totally committed to Christ.
C. Reconciliation - We probably need an eclectic or combined methodology. Below is Dr. Habemas' eclectic approach.
1. God's existence - How do you know that He exists? The presuppositionalists are probably correct. One cannot even think if God does not exist. Therefore, the discussion about His existence proves His existence. The classic evidences show God's existence, but thinking comes before formulating arguments.
2. The Nature of Sin - The evidentialists and rationalists are probably correct. The Holy Spirit can give the person an understanding, if He is working. Paul used evidences, and the Holy Spirit was working because people got saved. If the Holy Spirit can help a person understand preaching and witnessing, then he or she can also understand evidences.
3. Scripture - How do you know that the Bible is the Word of God? The evidentialists and rationalists are probably correct. Scripture is shown by evidences (excellent manuscript evidence, archaeology, history, and extrabiblical history). What the presuppositionalists say is correct (the Bible says that it is the Word of God), but the evidences are stronger.
4. Natural Theology - Can natural theology be gained from nature? The evidentialists and rationalists are probably correct. A lot of philosophical apologetics comes from nature. Natural theology and natural revelation do not seem to be different.
5. Pre-evangelism and Witnessing - this pertains to the method of witnessing, not the content of it. Both sides are correct. The best ways to witness are preaching, witnessing, and presenting the evidences, if the Holy Spirit is working.
6. Faith and the Holy Spirit - The presuppositionalists are probably correct because the Holy Spirit needs to be stressed more.
IV. Lesson Four - Facts and Faith
A. People should not focus only on faith because facts are important, too. The gospel involves facts about Jesus. Facts and faith go together. The facts of the gospel along with faith in those facts equals salvation. No facts means no salvation. No faith means no salvation. Anti-intellectualism is a problem that must be considered.
B. Theology is stating and organizing revealed truth. Apologetics defends revealed truth. Apologetics defends the Christian Faith and critiques non-Christian views. Evidences support revealed truth.
C. Proof is a high degree of certainty in the presence of no viable, conflicting, alternative views. We only have a high degree of probability that anything is true, including Christianity. The Bible teaches people to speak in terms of probability ("If the Lord wills, then I will do this or that.").
D. We have proof of Christianity, but that does not mean that we are correct. It means that we have a high degree of certainty without any viable, alternative views.
E. Factual doubts should be satisfied by evidences (this course provides evidences to help those with factual doubts). Emotional doubts are often driven by moods and emotions (something involving the will to doubt). Doubts of the will infiltrate all doubts (whether or not I ought to believe.).
F. An emotional doubt is a "what if" type of doubt. Emotional doubts can be settled by factual questions about what the person truly believes. Emotional doubts can be driven by being in a bad mood. Depression can force emotional doubts. Human beings often work themselves into a frenzy just because something minor happens, like stubbing one's toe. Elijah got depressed, and the Lord told him to rest. Being tired can be a part of this, too.
1. When having an emotional doubt, then talk to your emotions and tell them the truth. The following three steps work, but they must be applied.
a. First, locate the lie.
b. Argue against the lie.
c. Reinforce the argument against the lie with truth.
2. The remedy for factual doubts is the facts.
V. Lesson Five - Evidences and the Holy Spirit
A. The work of the Holy Spirit is crucial because man cannot get the job done. Witnessing, presenting evidences, or locating flaws and inconsistencies in a person's thinking all require the Holy Spirit. A big problem for the individual is pride and arrogance. Reason is not an end in itself. Philosophy is sometimes an excuse for someone to show off his or her mind.
B. All people, saved or unsaved, have emotional doubts on occasion. The Holy Spirit can help people handle their doubts.
C. Paul's methodology in Acts. He often spoke to dual audiences - Jews and God-fearing Greeks (sympathetic audiences). Sometimes, they were both present in the same discussion. So, Paul preached and witnessed. Two examples are Acts 16:11-15 with Lydia and Acts 16:19-40 with the Philippian jailer. He also used evidences (fulfilled prophecy and the resurrection) often and miracles on occasion. For antagonistic audiences, he reasoned from their beliefs to his beliefs (Mars Hill in Acts 17:16-34).
D. Paul used whatever approach that he thought would work (I Corinthians 9:20-21). A key strategy is to minister to the audience and let the Holy Spirit rule. Be sensitive to the person's heart condition. Paul became all things to all men.
VI. Lesson Six - Proofs for the Existence of God (Part 1)
A. These proofs do not prove that the existing God is the God of the Bible. But the Bible provides support and evidences to show that the existing God is the God of the Bible.
B. C. S. Lewis - a person cannot even think if there is no God. Rational thinking proves God. Rational thinking is valid only if it cannot be explained by irrational causes. If individual thought is irrational, then every philosophy that teaches that people are rational is irrational and invalid. Naturalism teaches that life came from irrational causes because evolution teaches that life came from non-life, and that is irrational thinking. If we were somehow products of evolution, then evolution could be right, but we would not be able to know it because we would all still be irrational creatures. We can only know truth if there is a rational mind in the universe.
C. Theistic Proofs for God's existence.
1. The Teleological Proof - the argument from design (Psalm 19:1 and Romans 1:20). Argues from design to a Designer. The C. S. Lewis statement above is categorized under this one.
2. The Cosmological Proof - a cause and effect argument (Acts 17:22-26).
3. The Moral Proof - Romans 2:14-15 - proceeds from the conscience and sense of law that everyone has internally. The One that gives those things is God.
4. The Ontological Argument argues that I am a finite being with a concept of an infinite Being. This is only possible if there is a God. This is one form of the argument. Another type of this argument is that a necessary Being must exist, cannot exist, or maybe does or does not. If He must (which is the nature of a necessary Being), then God exists. It is impossible for a necessary Being to NOT exist.
VII. Lesson Seven - Proofs for the Existence of God (Part 2)
A. The Moral Proof (abreviated form) - we can learn about His attributes from this argument by C. S. Lewis. Without moral law, people's disputes are meaningless because there is no basis for disagreement. Moral Law exists. Traffic signals are examples of laws. Higher nations do not allow cold-blooded murder. Kidnapping is illegal. Nations judge the morality of other nations. Can the moral law be herd instinct? No. Life is precious, and the laws help us live together. People kill bugs, but they do not kill other people. There is moral law and a moral Lawgiver.
B. The Cosmological Proof from Existential Causality - There is an infinite first Cause, and He is God. The first Cause must be infinite, necessary, eternal, simple, unchangeable, and one. He is infinite because He is the first Cause. No one or no thing caused His existence. That also makes Him eternal. We cannot just have a little-bigger-than-me god because that would make him finite with his own first Cause. A rule of philosophy is that a person does not multiply first causes. A whole string of gods is not helpful because one can just settle on a single infinite God. He must be necessary because otherwise life would not exist. Simple means that He is not divided (John 4:24). He is not part spirit and part matter. People are composed creatures (body, soul, and spirit), but He is not composed of different substances. If there is a finite existence, then there must be an infinite existence.
VIII. Lesson Eight - Proofs for the Existence of God (Part 3)
A. Psalm 139:14 and Psalm 8:3-5 express the complexity of human beings. There seems to be a return to the theistic arguments these days, but much of that is towards pantheism. Pantheism says that god is everywhere and that a person can reach him through meditation. Pantheism views god as nature.
B. The Second Law of Thermodynamics shows that God exists because it shows that there had to be a beginning. The earth is finite. The universe is running down from non-chaos to chaos, from less random to more random. Energy is becoming less and less useful. If the universe were infinite, then it would have already run down. Scientists say that the universe is ten to twenty billion years old, but that still admits that it is finite and that it had a Cause. The Creator has morals because He values His creation. He is personal because He has intelligence, morality, and value. This is a teleological argument.
C. This is also a teleological argument, and it involves the complexity of the human body. Successful creation without a creator is 1 in 10**40000 chances, based on the order of amino acid development. Evolutionists believe that life from non-life occurred at least once.
Tom of Bethany "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
PHIL 240 - Christian Evidences (Lessons 9-16)
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