A sermon given by John Oakes, PhD 6/13/2010 in Long Beach.

1. Faith That Answers the Hard Questions
John Oakes, PhD
2010 ICEC
Christian and Other World Views

2. Jesus Christ: “I came to testify to the truth.”
Pontius Pilate: “What is truth?”

3. The Hard QuestionsThe Hard Questions
 Evil: What is Evil and Why is There EvilEvil: What is Evil and Why is There Evil
 Why is There Suffering?Why is There Suffering?
 The Problem of JudgmentThe Problem of Judgment
 The Problem of Sin.The Problem of Sin.

4. World ViewWorld View
 One's world view is theOne's world view is the
perspective one uses toperspective one uses to
process and interpretprocess and interpret
information received aboutinformation received about
the world.the world.
 James W. Sire put it thisJames W. Sire put it this
way, "A world view is a setway, "A world view is a set
of presuppositions (ie.of presuppositions (ie.
assumptions) which we holdassumptions) which we hold
about the basic makeup ofabout the basic makeup of
our world."our world."

James W. Sire,James W. Sire, The Universe NextThe Universe Next
DoorDoor (InterVarsity Press, 1997)(InterVarsity Press, 1997)
A Jain World
View

5. Other World Views: The Leading PhilosophiesOther World Views: The Leading Philosophies
of Our Dayof Our Day
 Naturalism/Scientism/MaterialismNaturalism/Scientism/Materialism
 Postmodernism: The Loss of TruthPostmodernism: The Loss of Truth
Delos B. McKown:
“Christianity is scientifically unsupported
and probably insupportable, philosophically
suspect at best and disreputable at worst, and
historically fraudulent.”

6. A “Good” World View DefinedA “Good” World View Defined
A. It is true.A. It is true.
It is consistent with reality. It works.It is consistent with reality. It works.
B. It answers satisfactorily the questions people reallyB. It answers satisfactorily the questions people really
want answered.want answered.
What is prime reality/the ultimate cause/the nature ofWhat is prime reality/the ultimate cause/the nature of
God?)God?)
What is my value as a human being?What is my value as a human being?
What happens to a person at death?What happens to a person at death?
How do we know what is right and wrong?How do we know what is right and wrong?
What is my purpose?What is my purpose?
What is the nature of my relationship, with the "primeWhat is the nature of my relationship, with the "prime
reality?"reality?"
C. It causes those who hold to it to be better peopleC. It causes those who hold to it to be better people
than they would otherwise have been if they held tothan they would otherwise have been if they held to
competing alternative world views.competing alternative world views.

7. Naturalism/Scientism/MaterialismNaturalism/Scientism/Materialism
 The belief that the only reliable or validThe belief that the only reliable or valid
instrument to deciding the truth or eveninstrument to deciding the truth or even
the value of any proposition is thethe value of any proposition is the
scientific method.scientific method.
 No basis for ethics or morality, noNo basis for ethics or morality, no
supernatural, no God, no truth (exceptsupernatural, no God, no truth (except
that found by science), no consciousness,that found by science), no consciousness,
no “I.” Justice is a figment of ourno “I.” Justice is a figment of our
imagination.imagination.

8. MaterialismMaterialism
 ““We exist as material beings in a material world, allWe exist as material beings in a material world, all
of whose phenomena are the consequences ofof whose phenomena are the consequences of
material relations among material entities." In a word,material relations among material entities." In a word,
the public needs to accept materialism, which meansthe public needs to accept materialism, which means
that they must put God in the trash can of historythat they must put God in the trash can of history
where such myths belong.”where such myths belong.”
Richard LewontinRichard Lewontin
Retrospective essay on Carl Sagan in the January 9, 1997Retrospective essay on Carl Sagan in the January 9, 1997 New York Review of BooksNew York Review of Books,,

9. Postmodernism: The Loss of TruthPostmodernism: The Loss of Truth
 Truth, if such a thing exists, is theTruth, if such a thing exists, is the
property of culture. There is no absoluteproperty of culture. There is no absolute
truth. All truth is relative. It is created bytruth. All truth is relative. It is created by
societies. There is no ultimate moralsocieties. There is no ultimate moral
authority or moral absolute.authority or moral absolute.

10. A Response to Naturalism/Materialism/ScientismA Response to Naturalism/Materialism/Scientism
 It is a faith/religious belief based on circularIt is a faith/religious belief based on circular
reasoning.reasoning.
 It cannot answer the questions humanIt cannot answer the questions human
beings care about.beings care about.
 It is patently and demonstrably false.It is patently and demonstrably false.
 Does accepting naturalism make us better?Does accepting naturalism make us better?

11. Questions Science Can AnswerQuestions Science Can Answer
 When?When?
 What?What?
 Where?Where?
 How many?How many?
 By what means?By what means?

12. Questions Science Cannot Answer:Questions Science Cannot Answer:
(That Christianity Does Answer)(That Christianity Does Answer)
– Why am I here?Why am I here?
– Is that the right thing to do?Is that the right thing to do?
– How valuable am I?How valuable am I?
– Does God exist? Does God act (theism)?Does God exist? Does God act (theism)?
– Will that God respond if I pray?Will that God respond if I pray?
– Do supernatural events (miracles) happen?Do supernatural events (miracles) happen?
- Why is there evil and suffering in the world?- Why is there evil and suffering in the world?

13. Materialism is Patently FalseMaterialism is Patently False
If Materialism/Naturalism is right then;If Materialism/Naturalism is right then;
 ““I” do not exist. Consciousness is justI” do not exist. Consciousness is just
random moving around of chemicals.random moving around of chemicals.
 No soul, no spirit, no non-physical reality.No soul, no spirit, no non-physical reality.
 Life has no value. Human beings have noLife has no value. Human beings have no
value. What is value?value. What is value?
 Love is chemicals moving around (vs. God isLove is chemicals moving around (vs. God is
love)love)

14. Naturalism is Patently False Because….Naturalism is Patently False Because….
 The universe was created.The universe was created.
 Life was created.Life was created.
 The Anthropic Principle. The universe isThe Anthropic Principle. The universe is
ridiculously well fine-tuned for us to exist.ridiculously well fine-tuned for us to exist.
 No one in their right mind can deny theNo one in their right mind can deny the
existence of right and wrongexistence of right and wrong
 The Bible is inspired by God.The Bible is inspired by God.

15. Does Naturalism tend to make its believers betterDoes Naturalism tend to make its believers better
people?people?
If the naturalist is right then:If the naturalist is right then:
 Good and evil are meaningless ideas.Good and evil are meaningless ideas.
 Our purpose, if it exists at all, is to pass onOur purpose, if it exists at all, is to pass on
our DNA.our DNA.
 Any kind of sexual behavior is as right asAny kind of sexual behavior is as right as
any other. Stealing is probably good.any other. Stealing is probably good.
 There is nothing inherently evil aboutThere is nothing inherently evil about
genocide, racism, slavery, etc.genocide, racism, slavery, etc.

16. Postmodernism: Cultural RelativismPostmodernism: Cultural Relativism
 Truth: It is true for you, but it is not true forTruth: It is true for you, but it is not true for
me.me.
 Meaning, if it exists, lies in a community ofMeaning, if it exists, lies in a community of
believers.believers.
 No rational way to discover which is the bestNo rational way to discover which is the best
world view.world view.

17. Problems With PostmodernismProblems With Postmodernism
 Self-refuting.Self-refuting.
– If nothing is true, then postmodernism isIf nothing is true, then postmodernism is
not true.not true.
– Its authors insist on authorial privilege.Its authors insist on authorial privilege.
 I do not care what they say, some things areI do not care what they say, some things are
just true.just true.
 Either God is real or he is not. Even if IEither God is real or he is not. Even if I
cannot prove it one way or another.cannot prove it one way or another.

18. The Christian World View Is TrueThe Christian World View Is True
 The Universe is RealThe Universe is Real
 The creation is good.The creation is good.
 Evil exists.Evil exists.
 Despite what Naturalists say, there is a spiritualDespite what Naturalists say, there is a spiritual
reality. For example, “I” exist. Consciousness is notreality. For example, “I” exist. Consciousness is not
simply an epiphenomenon.simply an epiphenomenon.
 Science and the Christian world view do notScience and the Christian world view do not
contradict.contradict.

19. Christianity Offers Solutions to the Big Problems ofChristianity Offers Solutions to the Big Problems of
Human BeingsHuman Beings
 The Problem of EvilThe Problem of Evil
 The Problem of SufferingThe Problem of Suffering
 The Problem of DeathThe Problem of Death

20. The Christian World View Has Given Us:The Christian World View Has Given Us:
 ScienceScience
 Abolition of Slavery (Wilberforce)Abolition of Slavery (Wilberforce)
 Civil RightsCivil Rights
 Women’s RightsWomen’s Rights
 Christian groups do a majority of allChristian groups do a majority of all
benevolent work in the world (James 1:27,benevolent work in the world (James 1:27,
Micah 6:8)Micah 6:8)

21. Two Good QuestionsTwo Good Questions
 Does evil exist?Does evil exist?
 If God is all-loving and all-powerful andIf God is all-loving and all-powerful and
all-good, then why is there evil?all-good, then why is there evil?

22. The answer: God’s love.The answer: God’s love.
Free Will: God Gives Us a ChoiceFree Will: God Gives Us a Choice
Why? Because he loves us.Why? Because he loves us.
The result: We rebelled and brought evil into theThe result: We rebelled and brought evil into the
world. Is this God’s fault? What is the alternative?world. Is this God’s fault? What is the alternative?
 Deuteronomy 30:15-20Deuteronomy 30:15-20
 Joshua 24:15Joshua 24:15

23. Free Will, An Illustration: The Prodigal Son

24. Apologetics and Evil: What are theApologetics and Evil: What are the
alternatives?alternatives?
 Dualism: Good and Evil in an unending moreDualism: Good and Evil in an unending more
or less equal balanceor less equal balance
 Pantheism: The physical world is evil. EvilPantheism: The physical world is evil. Evil
is being tied down to the physical—it isis being tied down to the physical—it is
missing the god-likeness in you.missing the god-likeness in you.
 Naturalism: There is no evil.Naturalism: There is no evil.
 Postmodernism: Evil???Postmodernism: Evil???
 Determinism/Fate God is the cause of evil.Determinism/Fate God is the cause of evil.

25. Christianity and the Problem of EvilChristianity and the Problem of Evil
 Evil is very much real. Quite indirectly, it isEvil is very much real. Quite indirectly, it is
the product of God’s love. God loved us sothe product of God’s love. God loved us so
much that he loved us and that he gave us amuch that he loved us and that he gave us a
choice. We chose evil, and thus evil camechoice. We chose evil, and thus evil came
into the world.into the world.
 Remember your alternatives:Remember your alternatives:
– Predestination/Determinism God is the cause ofPredestination/Determinism God is the cause of
evil.evil.
– Deny evil existsDeny evil exists
– Physical creation is evil, but you are GodPhysical creation is evil, but you are God
– An unending battle/balance between good andAn unending battle/balance between good and
evil.evil.

26. The Problem of SufferingThe Problem of Suffering
 Suffering is not evil. Sin is evil, but muchSuffering is not evil. Sin is evil, but much
suffering is caused by our choice to sin.suffering is caused by our choice to sin.
 Not all suffering is due to sin. (Job, John 9)Not all suffering is due to sin. (Job, John 9)
 Christianity’s answer to suffering:Christianity’s answer to suffering:
Compassion.Compassion.
 Jesus WeptJesus Wept
 Matt 9:35-38Matt 9:35-38

27. Julian “the apostate.” (332-363)Julian “the apostate.” (332-363)
““Atheism (i.e. Christian faith) has beenAtheism (i.e. Christian faith) has been
specially advanced through the lovingspecially advanced through the loving
service rendered to strangers, and throughservice rendered to strangers, and through
their care for the burial of the dead. It is atheir care for the burial of the dead. It is a
scandal that there is not a single Jew who isscandal that there is not a single Jew who is
a beggar, and that the godless Galileansa beggar, and that the godless Galileans
care not only for their own poor but for ourscare not only for their own poor but for ours
as well; while those who belong to us look inas well; while those who belong to us look in
vain for the help that we should rendervain for the help that we should render
them.”them.”

28. The Problem of JudgmentThe Problem of Judgment
 Romans 3:10f There is no one righteous, not evenRomans 3:10f There is no one righteous, not even
one.one.
 Revelation 20:15 If anyone’s name was not foundRevelation 20:15 If anyone’s name was not found
written in the book of life, he was thrown into thewritten in the book of life, he was thrown into the
lake of fire. Rev 21:8 …the fiery lake of burninglake of fire. Rev 21:8 …the fiery lake of burning
sulfur. This is the second death. Rev 20:10 … Theysulfur. This is the second death. Rev 20:10 … They
will be tormented day and night for even and ever.will be tormented day and night for even and ever.
 Does God choose to send us to hell? No! We chooseDoes God choose to send us to hell? No! We choose
hell and God, in his justice, accepts our decision.hell and God, in his justice, accepts our decision.
 Is suffering in hell literally eternal? Is joy in heavenIs suffering in hell literally eternal? Is joy in heaven
literally eternal?literally eternal?

29. Love and JusticeLove and Justice
 For God so loved the world…For God so loved the world…
 The wages of sin is death Rom 6:23The wages of sin is death Rom 6:23
 The law of sin and death Rom 8:2The law of sin and death Rom 8:2
 We like God’s love, but we are not so firedWe like God’s love, but we are not so fired
up about his justice.up about his justice.
 When we reach heaven, we will understandWhen we reach heaven, we will understand
and fully appreciate, on an emotional level,and fully appreciate, on an emotional level,
God’s justice. Rev 11:17-18 Rev 16:5-6God’s justice. Rev 11:17-18 Rev 16:5-6
The elders are thankful that God’sThe elders are thankful that God’s
judgement has finally come. You are just, Ojudgement has finally come. You are just, O
God.God.

30. Attributes of GodAttributes of God
 EternalEternal
 OmnipresentOmnipresent
 OmniscientOmniscient
 OmnipotentOmnipotent
 Righteous, HolyRighteous, Holy
 LoveLove
 JusticeJustice
God is not merely loving, he is loveGod is not merely loving, he is love
God, in his awesomeness is fully love and fullyGod, in his awesomeness is fully love and fully
justjust

31. The Problem of SinThe Problem of Sin
 God’s love met God’s justice at the cross. AsGod’s love met God’s justice at the cross. As
far as we are concerned, love won.far as we are concerned, love won.
 Romans 3:21-26Romans 3:21-26