Day 2 - Evidence for a Creator
Session #2
Genesis: 1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
During today’s session we are going to go over some evidence for a creator. As you watch the video clips try to consider the evidence being presented from two basic points of view:
1- The Christian worldview: Reality is God and his creation. We are made in the image of God. God is the sovereign, immanent, transcendent creator of the universe. In the Christian worldview truth exist in the forms of general (can be discovered) and special (from God) revelation. Under this worldview morals are absolute, grounded in God’s very nature. The goal of life is serving God’s kingdom (fulfilling the will of the father) and developing a Christ-like character.
2- The materialist/naturalist worldview (Atheism proper): Is focused on nature, matter, atoms and the current evolutionary state of the universe (i.e. the physical universe). Just like all other animals we are nothing more than complex organisms made up of cells, DNA, etc. Under this view there is no God. We are here as a result of time, matter, and chance. We can only know what is testable and verifiable by science. Moral values on this worldview are based on functionality (what ensures survival). The goal of life is to survive and minimize pain.
The question you should be continually asking yourself during these videos (from both points of view) is – Does this piece of evidence make sense or fit within this worldview?
1- The Christian worldview: Reality is God and his creation. We are made in the image of God. God is the sovereign, immanent, transcendent creator of the universe. In the Christian worldview truth exist in the forms of general (can be discovered) and special (from God) revelation. Under this worldview morals are absolute, grounded in God’s very nature. The goal of life is serving God’s kingdom (fulfilling the will of the father) and developing a Christ-like character.
2- The materialist/naturalist worldview (Atheism proper): Is focused on nature, matter, atoms and the current evolutionary state of the universe (i.e. the physical universe). Just like all other animals we are nothing more than complex organisms made up of cells, DNA, etc. Under this view there is no God. We are here as a result of time, matter, and chance. We can only know what is testable and verifiable by science. Moral values on this worldview are based on functionality (what ensures survival). The goal of life is to survive and minimize pain.
The question you should be continually asking yourself during these videos (from both points of view) is – Does this piece of evidence make sense or fit within this worldview?
Physical/material evidence...
Q-1 Have you ever heard someone say "science and religion (Christianity) don't mix? What do you think of this statement in light of the video you just watched?
Q-2 Does the naturalist worldview cohere with or contradict ALL the scientific evidence we have about the universe (e.g., the beginning of the universe, 2nd laws of thermodynamics, fine tuning, and information in DNA)?
Does the Christian worldview cohere with or contradict ALL the scientific evidence we have about the universe?
Does the Christian worldview cohere with or contradict ALL the scientific evidence we have about the universe?
Immaterial evidence...
Q-3 Does the naturalist worldview cohere with or contradict our understanding of consciousness and free will?
Does the Christian worldview cohere with or contradict our understanding of consciousness and free will?
Does the Christian worldview cohere with or contradict our understanding of consciousness and free will?
Q-4 Does the naturalist worldview cohere with or contradict our moral experience?
Does the Christian worldview cohere with or contradict our moral experience?
Does the Christian worldview cohere with or contradict our moral experience?
Q-5 Have you ever heard someone say "science is the only way we can know truth"? Did you respond? If so, how did you respond?
Q-6 Let’s add up the score. Of the two worldviews (Christianity or materialism/naturalism) you were asked to consider during today’s study which has more explanatory power for the way things are (i.e. a better explanation of reality)?
Which is a better explanation for:
1- The beginning of the universe?
2- The fine tuning of the universe?
3- The information within the cell (DNA)?
4- Our consciousness (or mind)?
5- Our power of volition (free will)?
6- Our moral experience?
7- Non-material features of reality?
Which is a better explanation for:
1- The beginning of the universe?
2- The fine tuning of the universe?
3- The information within the cell (DNA)?
4- Our consciousness (or mind)?
5- Our power of volition (free will)?
6- Our moral experience?
7- Non-material features of reality?