We compare the religions of Christianity and modern secularism -- their philosophies, science, and theologies -- in light of internal consistency, consistency with the world, and the fruit they bear.
The evidence over the last century indicates that the religion of modern secularism has been a disaster for humankind, and that Christianity is the best option if humans are to survive and thrive.
The Intersection of philosophy, science, and theology
1. The Intersection of Philosophy,
Science, and Theology
DR. SARAH SALVIANDER
Defending Christianity
November 7, 2017
2. PHILOSOPHY
How do we know truth?
How should we live?
What is reality?
“Love of wisdom”
the rational investigation of logic, ethics, and metaphysics.
5. PHILOSOPHY
What is the basic structure of the world?
Plato: the material world is an illusion
Aristotle: the material world is real
How do we arrive at truth?
Plato: reflection and deductive logic
Aristotle: observing and generalizing
6. SCIENCE
Science = “natural philosophy”
Latin scientia, “knowledge”
the systematic building of knowledge based on testable
explanations and predictions.
8. “JUST A THEORY”?
Common usage of “theory”:
A hunch, a guess
Usually untested
e.g. “I have a theory about that...”
Scientific usage of “theory”:
Based on facts and observation
Rigorously tested
e.g. Einstein’s theory of relativity
9. PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
the rational investigation of the foundations, methods, and
implications of science.
What qualifies as science?
How reliable are scientific theories?
What is the ultimate purpose of science?
10. THEOLOGY
Theology = “science of the divine”
“Study of God”
the rational investigation of God and the nature of
religious ideas.
11. THEOLOGY
The word of God
Scripture
Direct communication
The world of God
Nature
Human experience
31. PHILOSOPHY
Existence is absurd
Make your own meaning
SCIENCE
Multiverse
Unguided evolution
No intelligence
No design
No purpose
THEOLOGY
There is no God
Man is the measure of all
things
ATHEIST RELIGION
32. Which religion is true?
We can’t know for certain, but we can
compare and contrast.
33. KNOW A TREE BY ITS FRUITS
Matthew 7:17: “Likewise, every good tree bears
good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”
How do we take measure of a religion?
Its internal consistency
Its consistency with the world
The fruit it bears
34. INTERNAL CONSISTENCY
No basis for morality
Assume the moral high ground and denounce
Christianity as backwards and oppressive
There is no truth
Itself a truth statement
Boltzmann brains
How do you know what’s real?
36. CONSISTENCY WITH THE WORLD
Eternal universe: supernatural crisis
Principle of mediocrity: fine tuning crisis
Darwinian evolution: in the midst of quiet revolution
Marxism: total, abject economic failure
Freud: anti-science
37. LIFE IS ABSURD – SO WHAT DO WE DO?
Take the leap of faith Make your own meaning
38. If God does not
exist, everything
is permitted.
46. FRUITS OF ATHEISM
Declining birth rates
Breakdown of the family
Abortion rate
STD rate
Depression and anxiety rate
Mass killing rate
Suicide rate
Detachment from reality
Orwellian thought control:
Ontario and California pronoun laws
Push to criminalize denial of climate change
Absurdities coming out of academia
47. FRUITS OF CHRISTIANITY
Universities
Widespread literacy
Science
Industrial Revolution
Widespread prosperity
Rise of the middle class
Human rights
Sanctity of life
End of slavery
Greater happiness
Better health
Greater freedom and creativity