There are several evidential arguments for the existence of God from Cosmology, Teleology, Axiology and Logic. I’ve described these arguments and created a Bible Insert to help you recall the detailed steps necessary to make the case for God’s Existence. This month, I’d like to provide you with a second Bible Insert to supplement the first one. Here are some additional points to remember when making a case for the Existence of God:
God’s Existence Is Demonstrated in the Cosmos
The following points support the Cosmological Argument for the existence of God:
The Universe Began to Exist As Described in the Standard Cosmological Model
The science of cosmology agrees with the Bible. The overwhelming body of scientific evidence points to a universe with a beginning just as described in the Old Testament.
The Bible Affirms the Standard Cosmological Model
Scientists believe the universe came into existence from nothing at a point in the distant past. Several verses from the Old and New Testament affirm and acknowledge the scientific evidences supporting the Standard Cosmological Model.
Alternatives to the Standard Cosmological Model Fail
Scientists uncomfortable with theistic inferences have been searching for a way to avoid a universe with a beginning. But, all the alternative explanations are evidentially inferior and deficient.
The Standard Cosmological Argument Points to a Creator God
The evidence from cosmology points to the existence of an uncaused, first cause of the universe, capable of creating everything from nothing. The best inference for the uncaused, first cause is the Being we call God.
A Personal Creator God is the Best Explanation for the Beginning of the Universe
The cause of the universe is an uncaused, non-spatial, a-temporal, immaterial force possessing incredible power. There are also good philosophical reasons to believe this cause is personal.
God Created “Everything From Nothing”
The Christian worldview provides an explanation for the cosmological singularity described by the Big Bang
God’s Existence Is Demonstrated in the Design of Biological Organisms
The following points support the Teleological Argument for the existence of God:
Biological Micro-Machines Display the Appearance of Design
Incredible biological machines like the bacterial flagellum display evidence of design. They are irreducibly complex, functionally specific machines resembling other designed motors.
The Appearance of Design is Good Evidence for a Designer
Purposeful, intentional, irreducibly complex design features such as those we observe in bacterial flagella are most reasonably explained as the result of a Designer.
Three Attributes of Design Point to the Existence of God as a Designer
Only God can achieve the naturalistically improbable, informationally specific, irreducible complexity we see in biological micro-machines such as bacterial flagella.
Alternative Naturalistic Explanations for the Origin of Life Fail
Attempts to create artificial life in laboratories fail to provide a natural pathway to living organisms eliminating the need for God. Instead, these experiments simply illustrate the need for intelligent intervention.
God’s Existence Is Demonstrated in Objective, Transcendent Moral Truths
The following points support the Axiological Argument for the existence of God:
Objective Moral Truths Are Self-Evident
Transcendent, objective moral truths are obvious to anyone who fairly examines their own experiences and moral intuitions.
Objective Transcendent Moral Laws Require an Adequate Law Giver
Transcendent, objective laws require transcendent, objective moral law givers. Only god transcends history, location and people groups.
Common, Objective Moral Standards Are an Evidence of God’s Existence
The existence of a commonly experienced objective moral standard is yet another evidence of God’s existence.
God is the Best Explanation for Objective Moral Laws
Efforts to explain the existence of transcendent, moral laws from individual preference (moral subjectivism), cultural acceptance (moral relativism) or biological origin simply fail. The insufficiency of the alternative explanations strengthens the argument for the existence of God
God’s Existence Is Demonstrated in Transcendent Laws of Logic
The following points support the Transcendental Argument for the existence of God:
The Transcendent Laws of Logic Require a Transcendent Source
The Laws of Logic provide evidence establishing the most reasonable inference: A transcendent, unchanging source for such laws.
The Laws of Logic Are More Than Simple Human Conventions
The Laws of Logic cannot be explained as human conventions. They precede and supersede the existence of humans altogether.
The Laws of Logic Are More Than “Brute Realities”
The Laws of Logic cannot be explained away as simple “brute realities” of the universe. Statements like “that’s just the way it is” fail to sufficiently explain the existence of these transcendent truths.
The Laws of Logic Are Best Explained by God’s Existence
The Laws of Logic provide evidence establishing the most reasonable inference: God exists, and the Laws of Logic are a reflection of his nature.
God’s Existence Is Demonstrated in the Person of Jesus
The Reliability of the New Testament presents us with the following additional evidence:
God Appeared to Us in Jesus
Jesus’ life demonstrates the existence of God. If the gospels are true, none of us need any additional proof. Jesus is sufficient evidence that God exists.
Conversations related to the existence of God can be challenging. It’s tempting to offer every possible evidence when trying to make a case for something, but I’ve learned to use only those evidences I think will be powerful to the jury I am addressing. These additional points are meant to supplement the classic arguments for God’s existence. Take the time to learn about your “jury” and after mastering every evidential category, use only those points and arguments needed to move the conversation forward. Be informed, but be patient and purposeful in your approach. Be sure to visit the ColdCaseChristianity.com home page to download this free Bible Insert.
For more information about the scientific and philosophical evidence pointing to a Divine Creator, please read God’s Crime Scene: A Cold-Case Detective Examines the Evidence for a Divinely Created Universe. This book employs a simple crime scene strategy to investigate eight pieces of evidence in the universe to determine the most reasonable explanation. The book is accompanied by an eight-session God’s Crime Scene DVD Set (and Participant’s Guide) to help individuals or small groups examine the evidence and make the case.
J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured Cold-Case Detective, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Adj. Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, author of Cold-Case Christianity, God’s Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith, and creator of the Case Makers Academy for kids.
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The post Points to Remember When Making the Case for God’s Existence (Free Bible Insert) first appeared on Cold Case Christianity.
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