The document discusses whether it is reasonable to believe in God from both a theistic and atheistic perspective. It references scripture passages that argue God has given evidence of himself through nature and acts of providence. It also considers scientific arguments like the origins of the universe and life, as well as philosophical views on topics like consciousness, ethics, and the human desire to worship. The document presents arguments for intelligent design but also references views that argue life can be explained through naturalistic processes like evolution alone. Overall, it aims to explore the rationality of theism versus atheism without coming to a definite conclusion.
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This presentation is the first part in a series that examines how God's sovereignty can be reconciled with human free will. It looks at the history of the debate and the main areas of discussion.
In talking about the humanity of Christ we must not rely on our reason alone rather we look in the eyes of faith so that we may see the truth clearly. On the other hand, we cannot separate the reason and faith for they must go hand in hand.
As St. Augustine says, faith seeks understanding. Moreover, scripture presents to us the evidences to prove the humanity of Christ. This will be our guide to have an idea on the life of Christ. In addition, the truth by which our early fathers of the church passed on to us will be part of this topic. The error of the teaching of some early Christians will also be included.
God's Sovereignty, Free Will, and Salvation - IntroductionRobin Schumacher
This presentation is the first part in a series that examines how God's sovereignty can be reconciled with human free will. It looks at the history of the debate and the main areas of discussion.
In talking about the humanity of Christ we must not rely on our reason alone rather we look in the eyes of faith so that we may see the truth clearly. On the other hand, we cannot separate the reason and faith for they must go hand in hand.
As St. Augustine says, faith seeks understanding. Moreover, scripture presents to us the evidences to prove the humanity of Christ. This will be our guide to have an idea on the life of Christ. In addition, the truth by which our early fathers of the church passed on to us will be part of this topic. The error of the teaching of some early Christians will also be included.
This is a study of Jesus being the head of every man. God was the head of Jesus, man was the head of women, and Jesus was the head of man. It is all about headship and order.
A talk on an aspect of the Hebraic Mindset - a look at some interesting biblical 'contradictions'.
Presented at an Olive Tree Connection Seminar in Brisbane Australia
A presentation given at the Society of St. John Chrysostom-Western Region Light of the East Conference, 01-02 March 2013: Following Jesus: The Power of Forgiveness Theological, Psychological and Practical Suggestions for Growth Hosted by: St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, CA
This presentation covers proofs for the creation of the universe by God and examines Biblical and philosophical evidence regarding how it was carried out.
This is a study of Jesus as our body transformer. He will transform our bodies to be just like His in all His glory. We will finally be like Jesus for all eternity.
Immortality & the Ultimate Re-boot:
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- Presentation given to National Conference, CRF 2009 Aust.
Jesus was the foolishness and weakness of god'GLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus being the foolishness and weakness of God. The cross seems nonsense to the world, but it is really the wisdom of God by which he saves the world.
This presentation was given to the Clergy Retreat of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, November 08-11, 2011, in Scottsdale, AZ. An in depth discussion of many of the Retreat topics can be found in the articles I have written, which are posted on: Orthodoxy Today [www.orthodoxytoday.org/archive/morelli] and the Antiochian Archdiocese [http://www.antiochian.org/author/morelli] website. The high technology, secularist society we live in today poses many challenges to living Christ's teachings, being committed to His Church, and living a Christ-like life family life. Even greater challenges are faced by the successors of the Apostles, the bishops and priests who are called to shepherd Christ’s Church in the modern world. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, may this resource be of some assistance to all called to minister to our communities in Christ.
This is a study of Jesus being the head of every man. God was the head of Jesus, man was the head of women, and Jesus was the head of man. It is all about headship and order.
A talk on an aspect of the Hebraic Mindset - a look at some interesting biblical 'contradictions'.
Presented at an Olive Tree Connection Seminar in Brisbane Australia
A presentation given at the Society of St. John Chrysostom-Western Region Light of the East Conference, 01-02 March 2013: Following Jesus: The Power of Forgiveness Theological, Psychological and Practical Suggestions for Growth Hosted by: St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, CA
This presentation covers proofs for the creation of the universe by God and examines Biblical and philosophical evidence regarding how it was carried out.
This is a study of Jesus as our body transformer. He will transform our bodies to be just like His in all His glory. We will finally be like Jesus for all eternity.
Immortality & the Ultimate Re-boot:
The New Heavens and Earth or genonmic technologies homo evolutes?
- Presentation given to National Conference, CRF 2009 Aust.
Jesus was the foolishness and weakness of god'GLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus being the foolishness and weakness of God. The cross seems nonsense to the world, but it is really the wisdom of God by which he saves the world.
This presentation was given to the Clergy Retreat of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, November 08-11, 2011, in Scottsdale, AZ. An in depth discussion of many of the Retreat topics can be found in the articles I have written, which are posted on: Orthodoxy Today [www.orthodoxytoday.org/archive/morelli] and the Antiochian Archdiocese [http://www.antiochian.org/author/morelli] website. The high technology, secularist society we live in today poses many challenges to living Christ's teachings, being committed to His Church, and living a Christ-like life family life. Even greater challenges are faced by the successors of the Apostles, the bishops and priests who are called to shepherd Christ’s Church in the modern world. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, may this resource be of some assistance to all called to minister to our communities in Christ.
A study on Revelation 11:1-8. The presenter identifies the two witnesses, the bottomless pit power, and discusses why this history is important and how it relates to present-day world crises.
A sermon address focusing on the need for revival and reformation for Seventh-day Adventists as a preparation for the latter rain. Based on the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, come and see!
Does God Exist? A question that even atheists spend a lot of time on, having concluded already that there is no God. Hava look at the framework of a lesson I put togther to explore the question.
Richard Dawkins, the world's most famous atheist, makes his home in Oxford, England. It points to a wide array of books, articles, DVDs and audios on Richard Dawkins and The God Delusion.
This presentation presents the second of three core arguments for the existence of God and presents evidence for God being the intelligent cause of the universe.
Dr. John Oakes taught a class on Modernism and Scientific Materialism at the 2015 International Christan Evidence Conference at York College in York, Nebraska, June 19-21. He gave a brief overview of the history of modern science and then give a world view critique of the philosophy, comparing it to Christianity. Here are notes and power points from the presentation.
Embracing GenAI - A Strategic ImperativePeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
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Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
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How to Make a Field invisible in Odoo 17Celine George
It is possible to hide or invisible some fields in odoo. Commonly using “invisible” attribute in the field definition to invisible the fields. This slide will show how to make a field invisible in odoo 17.
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
4. Acts 14:15-17 (NKJV)
15 . . .the living God, who made the
heaven, the earth, the sea, and all
things that are in them, 16 who in
bygone generations allowed all
nations to walk in their own ways. 17
Nevertheless He did not leave
Himself without witness, in that He
did good, gave us rain from heaven
and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts
with food and gladness."
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
5. Romans 1:19-20 (NKJV)
19 because what may be known of
God is manifest in them, for God
has shown it to them. 20 For since
the creation of the world His
invisible attributes are clearly
seen, being understood by the
things that are made, even His
eternal power and Godhead, so
that they are without excuse,
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
6. The number of Americans who
do not identify with any religion
continues to grow at a rapid
pace. One-fifth of the U.S.
public – and a third of adults
under 30 – are religiously
unaffiliated today, the highest
percentages ever in Pew
Research Center polling.
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
7. In the last five years alone, the
unaffiliated have increased from
just over 15% to just under 20% of
all U.S. adults. Their ranks now
include more than 13 million self-
described atheists and agnostics
(nearly 6% of the U.S. public), as
well as nearly 33 million people
who say they have no particular
religious affiliation (14%).
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
8. • Are there better
arguments for God’s
existence than against
it?
• What is the best
explanation for the
existence and
continuance of the
universe?
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
9. “A delusion is
something that
people believe in
despite a total lack
of evidence.”Richard
Dawkins
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
10. Faith is the great cop-out,
the great excuse to evade
the need to think and
evaluate evidence. Faith
is belief in spite of, even
perhaps because of, the
lack of evidence.
Richard Dawkins
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
11. ✦ Faith is not some mystical,
unexplainable conviction arrived
at without evidence. (Isaiah
1:18)
✦ Faith is a conviction arrived at by
examining the evidence and
accepting the most reasonable
conclusion. (Heb 11:1; Rom
1:20; 10:17)
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
12. Hebrews 11:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of
things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen. 2 For by it the
elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the
worlds were framed by the word
of God, so that the things which
are seen were not made of things
which are visible.
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
13. Today the theory of
evolution is about as
much open to doubt
as the theory that the
earth goes round the
sun.
Richard Dawkins
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
14. ✦ Questions were asked of
students & professors who
claimed to be atheists in an
attempt to demonstrate that
naturalistic evolution is not the
result of scientific ‘proof’ but
rather a theory requiring one to
‘believe’ in something that
cannot be proven.
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
15. ✦ Atheist ‘CLAIM’ that science has
‘proven’ their position
✦ Yet the question of HOW and WHEN the
Universe began CANNOT be
scientifically PROVEN -
✦ An adequate explanation for the obvious
design in our world CANNOT be
answered by science -
✦ The origin of life and its complexities
CANNOT be scientifically explained!
✦ Where is the science proving the change
of one ‘KIND’ to another?
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
16. Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
✦ Cause And Effect — The Cosmological Argument The Most
Reasonable Cause For The Material Universe?
✦ Order of The Universe — The Teleological Argument - The Most
Reasonable Cause For Organization?
✦ The Irreducible Complexity of Living Things - The Most Reasonable
Cause of Life & its complexities?
✦ Mind, Ethics, & Reason – Anthropological Argument - The Most
Reasonable Explanation For Consciousness?
✦ Religion, – The Spiritual Argument - The Most Reasonable
Explanation For Man’s desire to Worship, Seek God, & The Bible?
17. The Most Reasonable Cause For The
Material Universe?
✦ Did the universe always
exist?
✦ If the universe had a
beginning, then it needs a
first cause.
“The Cosmos is all that
is or ever was or ever
will be”
(Carl Sagan 1980, Cosmos, p. 4).
18. The Most Reasonable Cause For The
Material Universe?
“The Cosmos is all that
is or ever was or ever
will be”
(Carl Sagan 1980, Cosmos, p. 4).
✦ Did the universe self-cause itself?
✴ In order to self-cause itself it would
have to not exist (to cause
existence) and exist (in order to be
caused) at the same time.
✴ Therefore, this option is ruled out
because it violates the “Law of
non-contradiction”.
19. The 1st Law of Thermodynamics
1. Energy can be neither created nor
destroyed (conservation of energy).
2. Thus power generation processes and
energy sources actually involve conversion
of energy from one form to another, rather
than creation of energy from nothing.
(Einstein's famous equation - E = MC2 -
energy (E) is equal to matter (M) times the
square of a constant (C).)
The Most Reasonable Cause For The
Material Universe?
20. The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics
1. Heat can never pass spontaneously from a colder to a
hotter body.
2. As a result of this fact, natural processes that involve
energy transfer must have one direction, and all
natural processes are irreversible.
3. Thus the entropy of an isolated system always
increases with time. (Entropy is the measure of the
disorder or randomness of energy and matter in a system.
- Both energy and matter in the Universe are becoming
less useful as time goes on).
The Most Reasonable Cause For The
Material Universe?
21. The Most Reasonable Cause For The
Material Universe?
“The Second Law of thermodynamics is
probably the most powerful piece of legislation
in the physical world. It ultimately describes
every process we have ever discovered: it is
the final Court of Appeal in any dispute relating
to action and procedures, whether they are
naturally generated or man inspired.
It draws the conclusion that in our universe
there is an overall reduction in order, a loss
of available energy that is measured as an
increase in entropy. . .”
[Geisler, Unshakable Foundations,
Bethany House, 2001, pg. 74]
22. The Most Reasonable Cause For The
Material Universe?
“. . . So the available stock of order is
being exhausted. Akin to the dying battery
of a flashlight, useful energy is being
dissipated into entropy after which none
remains for use… For us to live in a
universe in which the Second Law of
thermodynamics holds, then, it must be
a universe that has a starting point, a
creation.”
[Geisler, Unshakable Foundations,
Bethany House, 2001, pg. 74]
24. The Most Reasonable Cause For The
Material Universe?
✦ A healthy, rooted tree does not fall over
because a fly flies into it.
✦ An encyclopedia is not produced by
spilling ink onto a stack of paper.
✦ These are not adequate causes. For
whatever effects we see, we must
present adequate causes.
25. The Most Reasonable Cause For The
Material Universe?
“If the existence of the cosmos as a
whole needs to be explained, and if
it cannot be explained by natural
causes, Then we must look to the
existence and action of a
supernatural cause for its
explanation”
[Mortimer J. Adler, How to Think about God New
York: Macmillian, 1980) pg. 131]
34. ((2000), The Book of Nothing: Vacuums, Voids, and the Latest Ideas about the
Origins of the Universe p. 296, (NewYork: Pantheon).
“At first, the absence of a beginning appears
to be an advantage to the scientific
approach. There are no awkward starting
conditions to deduce or explain. But this is
an illusion. We still have to explain why the
Universe took on particular properties—its
rate expansion, density, and so forth— at an
infinite time in the past”
The Most Reasonable Cause For The
Order of The Universe?
35. The Milky Way Galaxy: Vital Statistics
Diameter 100,000 light years
Thickness (Nucleus) 20,000 light years
Thickness (Disc) 2,000 light years
Number of Stars 100,000,000,000
60x60=3600
3,600 x 24 = 86,400 – (seconds in a day)
86,400 x 365 = 31,536,000 (seconds in a year)
186,000 x 31,536,000= 58,656,960,000,000 (#
miles light travels in 1 year) –
58,656,960,000,000 x 100,000 =
41. The Most Reasonable Cause For The
Order of The Universe?
The Blind Watchmaker: Why the
Evidence of Evolution Reveals a
Universe Without Design (1996) by
Richard Dawkins (Norton
Publishing).
42. The Most Reasonable Cause For The
Order of The Universe?
The Blind Watchmaker: Why the
Evidence of Evolution Reveals a
Universe Without Design (1996) by
Richard Dawkins (Norton
Publishing).
”Even the most ardent atheist concedes
that design is all around us. To a
Christian, the design we see all around us
is totally consistent with the Bible’s
explanation that God created all.
‘All appearance to the contrary, the
only watchmaker in nature is the blind
forces of physics, albeit deployed in a
very special way. A true watchmaker has
foresight: he designs his cogs and
springs, and plans their interconnections,
with future purpose in his mind’s eye.
43. The Most Reasonable Cause For The
Order of The Universe?
The Blind Watchmaker: Why the
Evidence of Evolution Reveals a
Universe Without Design (1996) by
Richard Dawkins (Norton
Publishing).
Natural selection, the blind,
unconscious, automatic process
which Darwin discovered, and
which we now know is the
explanation for the existence
and apparently purposeful form
of all life, has no purpose in
mind. . . . It has no mind . . . . It
does not plan for the future . . .
it is the blind watchmaker.’
45. Hebrews 11:1-6 (NKJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a
good testimony. 3 By faith we
understand that the worlds were framed
by the word of God, so that the things
which are seen were not made of things
which are visible. . . . 6 But without
faith it is impossible to please Him, for
he who comes to God must believe that
He is, and that He is a rewarder of
those who diligently seek Him.
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
46. Not Only Is It
Reasonable To
Believe In God - It
Is Unreasonable
NOT TO!
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
47. Acts 17:30-31 (NKJV)
30 Truly, these times of ignorance
God overlooked, but now
commands all men everywhere
to repent, 31 because He has
appointed a day on which He
will judge the world in
righteousness by the Man whom
He has ordained. He has given
assurance of this to all by raising
Him from the dead."
Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
49. Charts by Don McClain
Prepared October 10-12, 2013 - Preached October 13, 2013
West 65th Street church of Christ
P.O. Box 190062Little Rock AR 72219
501-568-1062
Prepared using Keynote
Email – donmcclain@sbcglobal.net
More Keynote, PPT & Audio Sermons:
http://w65stchurchofchrist.org/coc/sermons/
Note – Many of the transition effects used in this presentation will be lost using PPT 2007 Viewer
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Is It Reasonable To Believe In God?
50. Genesis 2:1-7 (NKJV)
1 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host
of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day
God ended His work which He had done, and He
rested on the seventh day from all His work
which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the
seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He
rested from all His work which God had created
and made. 4 This is the history of the heavens and
the earth when they were created, in the day that
the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
51. Genesis 2:1-7 (NKJV)
5 before any plant of the field was in the earth
and before any herb of the field had grown.
For the LORD God had not caused it to rain
on the earth, and there was no man to till the
ground; 6 but a mist went up from the earth
and watered the whole face of the ground. 7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust
of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life; and man became a living
being.
Editor's Notes
Zooming In On Earth - http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.html
60x60=3600
3600x24=86,400 – (seconds in a day)
86,400x365=31536000 (seconds in a year)
186,000 (# of miles light travels in a second) x 31536000= 58,656,960,000,000 (# miles light travels in 1 year) – 58 trillion, 656, billion, 960, million miles = ONE LIGHT YEAR
58,656,960,000,000 x 100,000 =