Chang Dao
2012-08-14 21:01:15 UTC
Is Christianity True? Evidence for the Truth of the Christian Religion
by Rich Deem
Introduction
Why Christianity?
Many people think that religious truth claims are beyond our ability
to test for truthfulness. Although many claims cannot be directly
tested (such as claims about morality), nearly all religions make
claims about the nature of our world (the creation). Don't throw your
hands up in the air in defeat. Test the claims!
Rich Deem
Part 2 of the introduction for non-believers provided a survey of the
evidence suggesting that the universe was designed by an intelligent
agent. I came to that conclusion in 1973 as a result of my studies as
an undergraduate at the University of Southern California (not exactly
a bastion of religious fervor). However, it took another 15 years
before I identified the Designer. Like many other skeptics, I assumed
that one could not determine which god (if any) were correctly
described by any of the world's religious traditions. Looking back,
the primary reason for my failure to identify the Designer was due to
a lack of diligent research on my part. The intent of this page is to
get you started on your research.
How does one test religious claims?
When I was a young adult, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Carl Sagan's
Cosmos specials on PBS. Sagan had a way to make cosmology interesting
even to biologists. I waited all week to watch his program. Later, in
his Gifford lectures, Carl Sagan talked about how to test religious
truth claims:
"Now, what happened before that [Big-Bang]? There are two views.
One is 'Don't ask that question,' which is very close to saying that
God did it. And the other is that we live in an oscillating universe
in which there is an infinite number of expansions and contractions.
The former of these views happens, by chance, to be close to the Judeo-
Christian-Islamic view, the latter, close to the standard Hindu views.
And so, if you like, you can think of the varying contentions of these
two major religious views being fought out in the field of
contemporary satellite astronomy. Because that's where the answer to
this question will very likely be decided. This is an experimental
question. And it is very likely that in our lifetime we will have the
answer to it. And I stress that this is very different from the usual
theological approach, where there is never an experiment that can be
performed to test out any contentious issue. Here there is one. So we
don't have to make judgments now. All we have to do is maintain some
tolerance for ambiguity until the data are in, which may happen in a
decade or less." (Carl Sagan, 1985 Gifford Lectures).
Multiverse is science?
Multiverse theories aren't theories-they're science fictions,
theologies, works of the imagination unconstrained by evidence.
John Horgan, agnostic
Guess what? Sagan was right (although it took a little more than a
decade). Sagan's second alternative, the oscillating universe model
has been discredited by a lack of sufficient matter to cause a
contraction.1 It was further discredited by the discovery of dark
energy, which shows that the universe is actually expanding at an ever
increasing rate.2 So, Sagan's first alternative is the one that turned
out to be true. My guess is that he was betting on the second. Of
course, the atheists haven't lined up to become Christians, but
instead have invented their own form of metaphysics (i.e., religion).
Atheists have invented the multiverse, a kind of super-universe that
randomly spews out other universes (with differing physical laws) at
will. The multiverse sounds scientific, but it is really philosophical
wishful thinking, since there is no evidence supporting the idea. If
one really thinks about it, the multiverse is impossible over the
entire period of eternity (which is what atheists would propose for
the age of the "invisible" part of our universe - if such a thing
exists at all). The problem is that our part of the multiverse has
managed to make itself completely inaccessible to contraction and
future expansion. If it were possible for one part of the multiverse
to become thermodynamically dead, it would be expected to be possible
for others. Even if entry into such a state is extremely unlikely,
eternity is a very, very long time. Certainly by now (over all
eternity), the entire multiverse would have entered into one of these
thermodynamically dead zones. So, one would expect the entire
multiverse to have suffered thermodynamic death by now. Therefore, it
makes absolutely no sense that the universe is eternal with the
characteristics that we observe. We are left with Sagan's first
alternative - God did it. Atheists like to say that there is no
evidence for God's existence and pretend such evidence doesn't exist.
However, Sagan realized that science could judge between religious
claims.
More religious claims
The example of distinguishing between Hinduism versus the Judeo-
Christian-Islamic creation account is just one of many ways to examine
the truth claims of the world's religions. Since most of the world's
religions developed hundreds to thousands of years ago, it is a fairly
trivial matter to examine their material for scientific and other
errors. It would not be expected that ancient peoples would be able to
accurately describe all modern scientific principles. Only those
individuals who were given divine revelation would be expected to give
an accurate account of our world.
Science and the Quran
Farewell Israel: Bush, Iran, and The Revolt of IslamFor example, the
Quran3 says that the heavens and the earth were once joined together
as one unit before it was split into two parts.4 Obviously, this
creation model could never be applied to any kind of Big Bang theory.
However, the Bible clearly presents the creation of the universe as an
expanding universe model in which God spreads out the stars.5 The
Quran says that Allah created seven heavens6 and that the stars are
found in the lowest heaven.7 In addition, the Quran says that earth is
like a carpet8 that is held in place by the heavy mountains, described
as being like tent pegs,9 so that it won't move or shake.10 In
contrast, the Bible associates the mountains with shaking11 and says
that, instead of placing the mountains on the earth, God caused the
mountains to rise up.12 So, the Bible accurately describes the
mountains as being associated with tectonic activity and volcanism
whereas the Quran says that the mountains were placed on the earth to
prevent shaking. The Quran says that the Sun "sets in a spring of
murky water."13 In contrast to the Bible14 the Quran presents a flat
earth model for the earth and universe, which is clearly at odds with
the facts of science.
Science and LDS scriptures
When dealing with more modern religious traditions, tests of
scientific accuracy are more difficult to deploy, since those
religions have the advantage of scientific revelation since the
Enlightenment. Surprisingly, even some of the more modern religious
traditions make claims that can be disproved through the discoveries
of modern science. A prime example of this principle can be found in
the religious writings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints (Mormons). Although calling themselves "Christians," LDS
theology is radically different from historic Christianity15 and
contains its own set of religious writings (in addition to the Bible).
Even though written in the 19th century, LDS religious writings make
numerous scientific errors, including astronomical errors,16
archeological and historical errors,17 and genetic/hereditary errors
for people groups.18 Because of these problems, the LDS religion can
be safely discarded from accurately representing the true nature of
God, having been shown to not be divinely inspired.
Christian truth claims
7 Truths that Changed the World: Discovering Christianity's Most
Dangerous IdeasFor the age in which it was written, the Bible makes
some rather surprising claims regarding the nature of the universe and
how it was created. For example, the Bible says that time was created
by God when He created the universe.19 Stephen Hawking, George Ellis,
and Roger Penrose extended the equations for general relativity to
include space and time, demonstrating that time began at the formation
of the universe.20 Of course, the biggest coup of the Bible was to
declare that the universe had a beginning21 through an expanding
universe model.22 The New Testament even declares that the visible
creation was made from what was not visible and that dimensions of
length, width and height were created by God.23 In addition, the Bible
refuted steady-state theory (saying that the creation of matter and
energy has ended)24 long before science made that determination. The
Bible also states that the universe is subject to decay and will wear
out.25 The existence of the second law of thermodynamics, coupled with
recent discoveries indicating that the universe is expanding at an
increasing rate, with an insufficient amount of matter to stop that
contraction, guarantees that the Bible is correct on this claim, also.
Besides these stunning revelations about the nature of the universe,
the Bible describes several properties of the earth that were not
confirmed by science until hundreds of years after the Bible first
made the claim. Examples include the claim that air has weight,26 the
existence of valleys27 and vents28 on the bottom of the sea, ocean
currents,29 and the fact that winds blow in circular paths.30 These
are remarkable claims that could not have been directly observed by a
bunch on nomadic sheep herders. Where did this information come from?
Christian worldview
A worldview is a set of constructs by which we interpret how the world
operates. The Christian worldview operates on the basis of the
theology presented in the Bible. Below is an example comparison
between a purely naturalistic worldview and the Christian worldview.
Christian vs. Naturalistic Worldview Premise Christianity
Naturalistic Materialism31
Purpose of the universe The purpose of the universe is to provide a
temporary habitation for human beings to choose to love or reject God.
32 The universe has no purpose. It began as some random quantum
variation and will likely end in thermodynamic heat death.
Value of the human species Human beings are more valuable than any
other species of life, since they were created in the image of God.33
Human beings evolved from other species, so they have no more
intrinsic value than any other species of life on earth.
Purpose of human life The purpose of human life is to bring glory to
God34 through loving Him35 and our fellow human beings.36 There is no
ultimate purpose to human life. We live and we die and it doesn't
matter what we do with our life.
Value of individuals All human beings are valuable to God37 and none
has any more value than any other.38 Those who contribute more to
society are more valuable than those who contribute less.
The work of individuals The most valuable work a person can do are
spiritual service to God (worship)39 and to humans (good works).40
"He who dies with the most things wins." Wealth and fame will bring
you happiness. Rich celebrities win!
Morality Moral laws are given by God, and like the laws of physics,
do not change.41 Immoral behavior is not justified by circumstances.42
Morality is determined by society and can be changed at any time to
reflect current practices. Immoral behavior can be justified to bring
about a "greater good."
Worldviews can be tested using the following criteria43:
1. Logical consistency
2. Balanced (not too simple or complex)
3. Explanatory power and scope
4. Correspondence to well-established facts
5. Verifiable (truth claims can be verified or falsified)
6. Applicable to real life
7. Fills existential needs
Using the above criteria, it can be seen that Christianity and
naturalism exhibit different strengths.
1. Although both Christianity and naturalism are logically
consistent within their own spheres, they come to radically different
conclusions.
2. Both worldviews are reasonably balanced, although naturalism
must resort to extremely complex hypotheses to explain the origin of
the universe and the origin of life.
3. The explanatory power and scope of Christianity and naturalism
tend to lie in different areas. Naturalism's strength lies in its
explanation of the history of the earth and how living organisms
function on a physical basis. It has failed to adequately explain the
origin of the universe, the origin of life on earth, and the
development of human consciousness, altruism and morality.
Christianity fails to explain the details involved in much of how the
physical world works (although it was never intended to do so).
However, much of this information was unavailable to naturalism until
the last 50 years. Christianity does address the big questions of
origins (the origin of the universe, the origin of life on earth, and
the development of human consciousness, altruism and morality), which
naturalism inadequately addresses.
4. As demonstrated above, Christianity provides some surprisingly
accurate explanations of our physical world, even though it was
written thousands of years before actual proof of those claims could
be experimentally verified. In addition, it is historically accurate,
and its prophecies go far beyond what would be expected by chance.
5. Scientific naturalism has always claimed to provide explanations
that are verifiable and can be falsified experimentally. However,
there has been a recent change in the explanations of those espousing
the naturalism-only worldview. As atheists attempt to answer the "big
questions," explanations have become more metaphysical and complicated
in nature. Explanations such as the multiverse are probably not even
falsifiable.
6. One of naturalism's big failures is in its ability to provide
application to real life issues for human beings. Explanations of
human romantic love and need for interpersonal relationships, our need
to create beautiful works of art and music, and our desire to help
others (altruism) seem to defy naturalistic explanation. Attempts to
fit these realities into the Darwinian evolutionary box have failed
miserably. Even the evil side of our natures seems extreme from an
evolutionary standpoint. Christianity provides a far superior
explanation for why we behave the way we do.
7. The largest problem for naturalism is a failure to provide for
the existential needs of human beings. People have a need for meaning,
a purpose for living, and a hope for the future. Naturalism provides
for none of this. In fact, naturalism destroys the idea that humans
have a purpose, and leaves individuals only with the prospect of
aging, suffering and eventual death and non-existence. In addition,
naturalism says that there is no hope for the human species, since we
will be eventually destroyed by an asteroid collision, a nearby
supernova event, global warming, or solar expansion. Even if we manage
to escape from our solar system to another, the eventual collision of
our galaxy with the much larger Andromeda galaxy will cause chaos
throughout most of the galaxy. After this time, we can expect that the
accelerating expansion of the universe will eventually rip apart the
entire universe into its elementary particles as the universe suffers
permanent heat death - the end of all life. So much for the "hope"
from naturalism. The human need for a spiritual connection causes even
most naturalists to go into meditation, study Buddhism, etc. to
attempt to fulfill this need. When I was an agnostic, the lack of
purpose in my life was eventually disturbing, as my life settled from
the franticness of college into the complacency of a steady job. Even
though the science in my job was exciting, there was something missing
- ultimate purpose.
As a person who originally followed a naturalistic-only worldview, I
have found the Christian worldview to be a far superior explanation
for human life. This doesn't mean that I have completely rejected the
science behind naturalism. As a fulltime research scientist, I still
find the biological sciences fascinating and captivating. However,
unlike those who follow a naturalism-only worldview, I have not
rejected a priori the possibility of supernatural phenomena. For more
information on testing the Christian worldview, please see A World of
Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test.
Worldviews and moral choices
Three recently published studies show that worldview beliefs influence
moral behavior. The first study showed that atheists were less likely
to consider certain moral choices as being "very important",
especially patience, forgiveness, and generosity. A second study
showed that teens who were not exposed to religious teaching were
significantly more likely to be involved in negative behaviors than
those who attend church. A third study showed that belief in the
atheistic concept of determinism is correlated with an increased
tendency to cheat. Even a short reading of a passage denying free will
produced more cheating behavior among randomly-selected subject
groups. These studies show that the promotion and prevalence of
atheism in society can be expected to result in negative consequences
to societies.
Conclusion Top of page
Yes, many religious truth claims are testable. Those who are truly
interested in whether a religion represents truth should test the
claims to see how they stand against the evidence. Modern cosmology
destroys the Hindu model for the universe, but affirms the Judeo-
Christian model. Cosmology and earth sciences destroy the strange
assertions of the Quran. Archeology, cosmology and molecular biology
destroy the claims of the LDS Book of Mormon., but confirm many claims
from the Bible. For an ancient document written thousands of years
ago, the Bible makes some remarkable scientific claims - many of which
were not verified until this century. However, the Bible was never
written to serve as a science textbook, but was given as guide to
having a relationship with God and our fellow human beings. The Bible
answers the "why" and "what" questions that naturalism says are
unanswerable:
* Why does the universe exist?
* Why do human beings exist?
* What is my purpose?
* Why do I do things I know I shouldn't do?
* Is this all there is?
General Introduction for Non-Believers, Part 1, Are Your Beliefs
Consistent with Your Worldview? | Part 2: Is God Real? Does Science
Answer "Is There a God?"
Related Pages Top of page
Testing the truth claims in the LDS "Standard Works"
* Are the Standard Works of the LDS Church Inspired Scripture?
(PDF Icon Acrobat file)
* Testing the Creation Model of the LDS Church (Testing the
Creation Model of the LDS Church PowerPoint file)
* Deoxyribonucleic acid: the chemical inside the nucleus of a cell
that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms.DNA
Evidence and Molecular Genetics Disprove the Book of Mormon (PDF Icon
Acrobat file)
* Archeological/Anthropological Problems in the Book of Mormon
(PDF Icon Acrobat file)
* The Smithsonian Institution's statement regarding the Book of
Mormon (PDF Icon Acrobat file, The Smithsonian Institution's statement
regarding the Book of Mormon zipped Microsoft Word file)
Christianity's accurate descriptions of creation
* The Extradimensional Nature of God
* Does Genesis One Conflict with Science? Day-Age Interpretation
* God of the Gaps - Do All Christian Apologetics Fall Into This
Kind of Argument?
* Science and the Bible: Does the Bible Contradict Scientific
Principles?
* The Universe is Not Eternal, But Had A Beginning
* Archeology and the Bible
Christian worldview
* A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the
Worldview Test by Kenneth R. Samples
* Implications of Evolution in Morality/Culture
* Are Atheists and Theists Morally Equivalent?
* Is the Teaching of Religion Really a Form of Child Abuse?
* Does Atheism (Determinism) Negatively Impact Morality?
* 'People are Basically Good' - Proof to the Contrary
* There is Too Much Evil and Suffering For God to Exist?
* All Religions Lead to God? Can One Discern the True Religion?
References Top of page
1. Carl Sagan (Author), Ann Druyan (Editor). 2006. The Varieties of
Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God. Penguin
Press HC.
2. See Extreme Fine Tuning - Dark Energy or the Cosmological
Constant.
3. The English Meanings of The Holy Quran Translator: Abdullah
Yusuf Ali (from islam 101.com)
4. Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were
joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them
asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then
believe? (Surah 21:30)
5. The following verses suggest that God created the universe
through an expanding universe - what science has called the Big Bang.
In many cases the Hebrew text indicates present tense - a process
still continuing.
* Who alone stretches out the heavens, And tramples down the
waves of the sea; (Job 9:8)
* Covering Thyself with light as with a cloak, Stretching
out heaven like a tent curtain. (Psalm 104:2)
* It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its
inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like
a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. (Isaiah 40:22)
* Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and
stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who
gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk in it,
(Isaiah 42:5)
* Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the one who formed
you from the womb, "I, the Lord, am the maker of all things,
Stretching out the heavens by Myself, And spreading out the earth all
alone" (Isaiah 44:24)
* "It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I
stretched out the heavens with My hands, And I ordained all their
host." (Isaiah 45:12)
* "Surely My hand founded the earth, And My right hand
spread out the heavens; When I call to them, they stand
together." (Isaiah 48:13)
* That you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, Who stretched
out the heavens, And laid the foundations of the earth; That you fear
continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor, As he
makes ready to destroy? But where is the fury of the oppressor?
(Isaiah 51:13)
* It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established
the world by His wisdom; And by His understanding He has stretched out
the heavens. (Jeremiah 10:12)
* It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established
the world by His wisdom, And by His understanding He stretched out the
heavens. (Jeremiah 51:15)
* The burden of the word of the Lord concerning Israel. Thus
declares the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation
of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him, (Zechariah 12:1)
6. It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth;
Moreover His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and
perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He hath perfect
knowledge. (Surah 02:29)
The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare
His glory: there is not a thing but celebrates His praise; And yet ye
understand not how they declare His glory! Verily He is Oft-Forbear,
Most Forgiving! (Surah 17:44)
Say: "Who is the Lord of the seven heavens, and the Lord of the
Throne (of Glory) Supreme?" (Surah 23:86)
God is He Who created seven Firmaments and of the earth a
similar number. Through the midst of them (all) descends His Command:
that ye may know that God has power over all things, and that God
comprehends, all things in (His) Knowledge. (Surah 65:12)
He Who created the seven heavens one above another: No want of
proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (God) Most Gracious. So
turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw? (Surah 67:3)
"'See ye not how God has created the seven heavens one above
another, And made the moon a light in their midst, and made the sun as
a (Glorious) Lamp?'" (Surah 71:15-16)
7. Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all between them, and
Lord of every point at the rising of the sun! We have indeed decked
the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars,- (Surah 37:5-6)
So He completed them as seven firmaments in two Days, and He
assigned to each heaven its duty and command. And We adorned the lower
heaven with lights, and (provided it) with guard. Such is the Decree
of (Him) the Exalted in Might, Full of Knowledge. (Surah 41:12)
He Who created the seven heavens one above another: No want of
proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (God) Most Gracious. So
turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw? Again turn thy vision a
second time: (thy) vision will come back to thee dull and discomfited,
in a state worn out. And we have, (from of old), adorned the lowest
heaven with Lamps, and We have made such (Lamps) (as) missiles to
drive away the Evil Ones, and have prepared for them the Penalty of
the Blazing Fire. (Surah 67:3-5)
And (have We not) built over you the seven firmaments, And
placed (therein) a Light of Splendour? (Surah 78:12-13)
8. (Yea, the same that) has made for you the earth (like a carpet)
spread out, and has made for you roads (and channels) therein, in
order that ye may find guidance (on the way); (Surah 43:10)
"'And God has made the earth for you as a carpet (spread out),
That ye may go about therein, in spacious roads.'" (Surah 71:19-20)
9. Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse, And the mountains
as pegs? (Surah 78:6-7)
10. And We have set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it
should shake with them, and We have made therein broad highways
(between mountains) for them to pass through: that they may receive
Guidance. (Surah 21:31)
Or, Who has made the earth firm to live in; made rivers in its
midst; set thereon mountains immovable; and made a separating bar
between the two bodies of flowing water? (can there be another) god
besides God? Nay, most of them know not. (Surah 27:61)
He created the heavens without any pillars that ye can see; He
set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with
you; and He scattered through it beasts of all kinds. We send down
rain from the sky, and produce on the earth every kind of noble
creature, in pairs. (Surah 31:10)
And the earth, moreover, hath He extended (to a wide expanse);
He draweth out therefrom its moisture and its pasture; And the
mountains hath He firmly fixed;- (Surah 79:30)
And at the Mountains, how they are fixed firm?- (Surah 88:19)
11. "And with the best things of the ancient mountains, And with the
choice things of the everlasting hills, (Deuteronomy 33:15)
"It is God who removes the mountains, they know not how, When He
overturns them in His anger; Who shakes the earth out of its place,
And its foundations tremble; (Job 9:5-6)
Then the earth shook and quaked; And the foundations of the
mountains were trembling And were shaken, because He was angry. (Psalm
18:7)
Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at
its swelling pride. Selah. (Psalm 46:3)
He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the
mountains, and they smoke. (Psalm 104:32)
On this account the anger of the LORD has burned against His
people, And He has stretched out His hand against them and struck them
down. And the mountains quaked, and their corpses lay like refuse in
the middle of the streets. For all this His anger is not spent, But
His hand is still stretched out. (Isaiah 5:25)
"For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But
My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, And My covenant of
peace will not be shaken," Says the LORD who has compassion on you.
(Isaiah 54:10)
Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, That the
mountains might quake at Your presence-- (Isaiah 64:1)
I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking, And
all the hills moved to and fro. (Jeremiah 4:24)
12. You covered it with the deep as with a garment; The waters were
standing above the mountains. At Your rebuke they fled, At the sound
of Your thunder they hurried away. The mountains rose; the valleys
sank down To the place which You established for them. (Psalm 104:6-8)
Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth
and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
(Psalm 90:2)
13. Verily We established his power on earth, and We gave him the
ways and the means to all ends. One (such) way he followed, Until,
when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of
murky water: Near it he found a People: We said: "O Zul-qarnain! (thou
hast authority,) either to punish them, or to treat them with
kindness." (Surah 18:84-86)
14. See False Teachings in the Bible?
15. See Why the LDS Church is a Cult: Theological Differences
Between Christian and LDS Doctrines.
16. See Are the Standard Works of the LDS Church Inspired Scripture?
and LDS Cosmology
17. See Archeological/Anthropological Problems in the Book of
Mormon.
18. See DNA Evidence and Molecular Genetics Disprove the Book of
Mormon.
19. God created time and was acting before time began:
* In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth
(Genesis 1:1)
* No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has
been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. (1
Corinthians 2:7)
* This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the
beginning of time (2 Timothy 1:9)
* The hope of eternal life, which God... promised before the
beginning of time (Titus 1:2)
* To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and
forever. Amen. (Jude 1:25)
20. "The conclusion of this lecture is that the universe has not
existed forever. Rather, the universe, and time itself, had a
beginning in the Big Bang, about 15 billion years ago." Stephen
Hawking The Beginning of Time.
Penrose, R. 1966. An analysis of the structure of space-time.
Adams Prize Essay, Cambridge University.
Hawking, S.W. 1966. Singularities and the Geometry of space-
time. Adams Prize Essay, Cambridge University.
Hawking, S.W. and G.F.R. Ellis. 1968. The cosmic black-body
radiation and the existence of singularities in our universe.
Astrophysical Journal 152: 25-36.
Hawking, S.W. and R. Penrose. 1970. The singularities of
gravitational collapse and cosmology. Proceedings of the Royal Society
of London. Series A: 529-548.
21. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis
1:1)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things
were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was
made. (John 1:1-3)
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that
are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by
him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things
consist. (Colossians 1:16-17)
The universe was formed at God's command, so that what was seen
was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:3)
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power:
for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and
were created. (Revelation 4:11)
22. The following verses suggest that God created the universe
through an expanding universe - what science has called the Big Bang.
In many cases the Hebrew text indicates present tense - a process
still continuing.
* Who alone stretches out the heavens, And tramples down the
waves of the sea; (Job 9:8)
* Covering Thyself with light as with a cloak, Stretching
out heaven like a tent curtain. (Psalm 104:2)
* It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its
inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like
a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. (Isaiah 40:22)
* Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and
stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who
gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk in it,
(Isaiah 42:5)
* Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the one who formed
you from the womb, "I, the Lord, am the maker of all things,
Stretching out the heavens by Myself, And spreading out the earth all
alone" (Isaiah 44:24)
* "It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I
stretched out the heavens with My hands, And I ordained all their
host." (Isaiah 45:12)
* "Surely My hand founded the earth, And My right hand
spread out the heavens; When I call to them, they stand
together." (Isaiah 48:13)
* That you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, Who stretched
out the heavens, And laid the foundations of the earth; That you fear
continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor, As he
makes ready to destroy? But where is the fury of the oppressor?
(Isaiah 51:13)
* It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established
the world by His wisdom; And by His understanding He has stretched out
the heavens. (Jeremiah 10:12)
* It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established
the world by His wisdom, And by His understanding He stretched out the
heavens. (Jeremiah 51:15)
* The burden of the word of the Lord concerning Israel. Thus
declares the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation
of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him, (Zechariah 12:1)
23. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:38-39)
24. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in
it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. This is
the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in
the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven. (Genesis 2:3-4)
25. In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the
heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change
them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your
years will never end. (Psalm 102:25-27)
that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to
decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
(Romans 8:21)
26. "When He imparted weight to the wind, And meted out the waters
by measure" (Job 28:25)
27. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the
earth laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of breath from
his nostrils. (2 Samuel 22:16)
28. "Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the
recesses of the deep? (Job 38:16)
First discovered in the 1970's. See Exploring the deep ocean
floor: Hot springs and strange creatures
29. ... and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the
seas. (Psalm 8:8)
30. Blowing toward the south, Then turning toward the north, The
wind continues swirling along; And on its circular courses the wind
returns. (Ecclesiastes 1:6)
31. Materialism refers to the atheistic belief that only material
things exist (e.g., there is no spiritual realm at all), and does not
necessarily refer to the desire to acquire material goods.
32. "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I
have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So
choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
(Deuteronomy 30:19)
"And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD,
choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods
which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of
the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house,
we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)
Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the
way he should choose. (Psalm 25:12)
Because they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the
LORD. (Proverbs 1:29)
Do not envy a man of violence, And do not choose any of his
ways. (Proverbs 3:31)
"He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to
refuse evil and choose good. (Isaiah 7:15)
For thus says the LORD, "To the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths,
And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant, (Isaiah 56:4)
I will destine you for the sword, And all of you shall bow down
to the slaughter. Because I called, but you did not answer; I spoke,
but you did not hear. And you did evil in My sight, And chose that in
which I did not delight." (Isaiah 65:12)
So I will choose their punishments, And I will bring on them
what they dread. Because I called, but no one answered; I spoke, but
they did not listen. And they did evil in My sight, And chose that in
which I did not delight." (Isaiah 66:4)
33. God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created
him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27)
"Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For
in the image of God He made man." (Genesis 9:6)
"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap
nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are
you not worth much more than they?" (Matthew 6:26)
34. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among
all the peoples. (1 Chronicles 16:24)
Therefore glorify the LORD in the east, The name of the LORD,
the God of Israel, In the coastlands of the sea. (Isaiah 24:15)
Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for
My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made." (Isaiah 43:7)
"The beasts of the field will glorify Me, The jackals and the
ostriches, Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in
the desert, To give drink to My chosen people. (Isaiah 43:20)
"Then all your people will be righteous; They will possess the
land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I
may be glorified. (Isaiah 60:21)
"I will set a sign among them and will send survivors from them
to the nations: Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal and Javan, to the
distant coastlands that have neither heard My fame nor seen My glory.
And they will declare My glory among the nations. (Isaiah 66:19)
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew
5:16)
But when Jesus heard this, He said, "This sickness is not to end
in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be
glorified by it." (John 11:4)
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant
you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6)
For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision
on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the
fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is
written, "THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND
I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME." (Romans 15:8-9)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit
who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your
body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His
will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a
view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that
is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and
things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance,
having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things
after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first
to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians
1:8-12)
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to
the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is
spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to
abound to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 4:15)
Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the
thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your
good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of
visitation. (1 Peter 2:12)
Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the
utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by
the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be
glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion
forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11)
but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed,
but is to glorify God in this name. (1 Peter 4:16)
and he said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory,
because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the
heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters." (Revelation 14:7)
35. "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your might." (Deuteronomy 6:5)
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He
said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART,
AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'" (Matthew 22:37)
36. 'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the
sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I
am the LORD.' (Leviticus 19:18)
"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-44)
"This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like
it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'" (Matthew 22:38-39)
For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement,
"YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." (Galatians 5:14)
37. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
(John 3:16)
"For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds
the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will
raise him up on the last day." (John 6:40)
This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who
desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
(1 Timothy 2:3-4)
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness,
but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all
to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed
our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially
of believers. (1 Timothy 4:10)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all
men, (Titus 2:11)
38. "For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords,
the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show
partiality nor take a bribe. (Deuteronomy 10:17)
"Surely, God will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not
pervert justice... Who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' To nobles,
'Wicked ones'; Who shows no partiality to princes Nor regards the rich
above the poor, For they all are the work of His hands? (Job 34:12-19)
Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now
that God is not one to show partiality, (Acts 10:34)
For there is no partiality with God. (Romans 2:11)
But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes
no difference to me; God shows no partiality)--well, those who were of
reputation contributed nothing to me. (Galatians 2:6)
And masters, do the same things to them, and give up
threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven,
and there is no partiality with Him. (Ephesians 6:9)
39. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God,
which is your spiritual service of worship. (Romans 12:1)
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD
in holy array. (Psalm 29:2)
40. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew
5:16)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:10)
41. "The statutes and the ordinances and the law and the commandment
which He wrote for you, you shall observe to do forever; and you shall
not fear other gods. (2 Kings 17:37)
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The
testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7)
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute
darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for
sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)
"For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob,
are not consumed. (Malachi 3:6)
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation
or shifting shadow. (James 1:17)
42. And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some
claim that we say), "Let us do evil that good may come"? Their
condemnation is just. (Romans 3:8)
43. Samples, K.R. 2007. A World of Difference: Putting Christian
Truth-Claims to the Worldview TestA World of Difference: Putting
Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test. Baker Books.
by Rich Deem
Introduction
Why Christianity?
Many people think that religious truth claims are beyond our ability
to test for truthfulness. Although many claims cannot be directly
tested (such as claims about morality), nearly all religions make
claims about the nature of our world (the creation). Don't throw your
hands up in the air in defeat. Test the claims!
Rich Deem
Part 2 of the introduction for non-believers provided a survey of the
evidence suggesting that the universe was designed by an intelligent
agent. I came to that conclusion in 1973 as a result of my studies as
an undergraduate at the University of Southern California (not exactly
a bastion of religious fervor). However, it took another 15 years
before I identified the Designer. Like many other skeptics, I assumed
that one could not determine which god (if any) were correctly
described by any of the world's religious traditions. Looking back,
the primary reason for my failure to identify the Designer was due to
a lack of diligent research on my part. The intent of this page is to
get you started on your research.
How does one test religious claims?
When I was a young adult, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Carl Sagan's
Cosmos specials on PBS. Sagan had a way to make cosmology interesting
even to biologists. I waited all week to watch his program. Later, in
his Gifford lectures, Carl Sagan talked about how to test religious
truth claims:
"Now, what happened before that [Big-Bang]? There are two views.
One is 'Don't ask that question,' which is very close to saying that
God did it. And the other is that we live in an oscillating universe
in which there is an infinite number of expansions and contractions.
The former of these views happens, by chance, to be close to the Judeo-
Christian-Islamic view, the latter, close to the standard Hindu views.
And so, if you like, you can think of the varying contentions of these
two major religious views being fought out in the field of
contemporary satellite astronomy. Because that's where the answer to
this question will very likely be decided. This is an experimental
question. And it is very likely that in our lifetime we will have the
answer to it. And I stress that this is very different from the usual
theological approach, where there is never an experiment that can be
performed to test out any contentious issue. Here there is one. So we
don't have to make judgments now. All we have to do is maintain some
tolerance for ambiguity until the data are in, which may happen in a
decade or less." (Carl Sagan, 1985 Gifford Lectures).
Multiverse is science?
Multiverse theories aren't theories-they're science fictions,
theologies, works of the imagination unconstrained by evidence.
John Horgan, agnostic
Guess what? Sagan was right (although it took a little more than a
decade). Sagan's second alternative, the oscillating universe model
has been discredited by a lack of sufficient matter to cause a
contraction.1 It was further discredited by the discovery of dark
energy, which shows that the universe is actually expanding at an ever
increasing rate.2 So, Sagan's first alternative is the one that turned
out to be true. My guess is that he was betting on the second. Of
course, the atheists haven't lined up to become Christians, but
instead have invented their own form of metaphysics (i.e., religion).
Atheists have invented the multiverse, a kind of super-universe that
randomly spews out other universes (with differing physical laws) at
will. The multiverse sounds scientific, but it is really philosophical
wishful thinking, since there is no evidence supporting the idea. If
one really thinks about it, the multiverse is impossible over the
entire period of eternity (which is what atheists would propose for
the age of the "invisible" part of our universe - if such a thing
exists at all). The problem is that our part of the multiverse has
managed to make itself completely inaccessible to contraction and
future expansion. If it were possible for one part of the multiverse
to become thermodynamically dead, it would be expected to be possible
for others. Even if entry into such a state is extremely unlikely,
eternity is a very, very long time. Certainly by now (over all
eternity), the entire multiverse would have entered into one of these
thermodynamically dead zones. So, one would expect the entire
multiverse to have suffered thermodynamic death by now. Therefore, it
makes absolutely no sense that the universe is eternal with the
characteristics that we observe. We are left with Sagan's first
alternative - God did it. Atheists like to say that there is no
evidence for God's existence and pretend such evidence doesn't exist.
However, Sagan realized that science could judge between religious
claims.
More religious claims
The example of distinguishing between Hinduism versus the Judeo-
Christian-Islamic creation account is just one of many ways to examine
the truth claims of the world's religions. Since most of the world's
religions developed hundreds to thousands of years ago, it is a fairly
trivial matter to examine their material for scientific and other
errors. It would not be expected that ancient peoples would be able to
accurately describe all modern scientific principles. Only those
individuals who were given divine revelation would be expected to give
an accurate account of our world.
Science and the Quran
Farewell Israel: Bush, Iran, and The Revolt of IslamFor example, the
Quran3 says that the heavens and the earth were once joined together
as one unit before it was split into two parts.4 Obviously, this
creation model could never be applied to any kind of Big Bang theory.
However, the Bible clearly presents the creation of the universe as an
expanding universe model in which God spreads out the stars.5 The
Quran says that Allah created seven heavens6 and that the stars are
found in the lowest heaven.7 In addition, the Quran says that earth is
like a carpet8 that is held in place by the heavy mountains, described
as being like tent pegs,9 so that it won't move or shake.10 In
contrast, the Bible associates the mountains with shaking11 and says
that, instead of placing the mountains on the earth, God caused the
mountains to rise up.12 So, the Bible accurately describes the
mountains as being associated with tectonic activity and volcanism
whereas the Quran says that the mountains were placed on the earth to
prevent shaking. The Quran says that the Sun "sets in a spring of
murky water."13 In contrast to the Bible14 the Quran presents a flat
earth model for the earth and universe, which is clearly at odds with
the facts of science.
Science and LDS scriptures
When dealing with more modern religious traditions, tests of
scientific accuracy are more difficult to deploy, since those
religions have the advantage of scientific revelation since the
Enlightenment. Surprisingly, even some of the more modern religious
traditions make claims that can be disproved through the discoveries
of modern science. A prime example of this principle can be found in
the religious writings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints (Mormons). Although calling themselves "Christians," LDS
theology is radically different from historic Christianity15 and
contains its own set of religious writings (in addition to the Bible).
Even though written in the 19th century, LDS religious writings make
numerous scientific errors, including astronomical errors,16
archeological and historical errors,17 and genetic/hereditary errors
for people groups.18 Because of these problems, the LDS religion can
be safely discarded from accurately representing the true nature of
God, having been shown to not be divinely inspired.
Christian truth claims
7 Truths that Changed the World: Discovering Christianity's Most
Dangerous IdeasFor the age in which it was written, the Bible makes
some rather surprising claims regarding the nature of the universe and
how it was created. For example, the Bible says that time was created
by God when He created the universe.19 Stephen Hawking, George Ellis,
and Roger Penrose extended the equations for general relativity to
include space and time, demonstrating that time began at the formation
of the universe.20 Of course, the biggest coup of the Bible was to
declare that the universe had a beginning21 through an expanding
universe model.22 The New Testament even declares that the visible
creation was made from what was not visible and that dimensions of
length, width and height were created by God.23 In addition, the Bible
refuted steady-state theory (saying that the creation of matter and
energy has ended)24 long before science made that determination. The
Bible also states that the universe is subject to decay and will wear
out.25 The existence of the second law of thermodynamics, coupled with
recent discoveries indicating that the universe is expanding at an
increasing rate, with an insufficient amount of matter to stop that
contraction, guarantees that the Bible is correct on this claim, also.
Besides these stunning revelations about the nature of the universe,
the Bible describes several properties of the earth that were not
confirmed by science until hundreds of years after the Bible first
made the claim. Examples include the claim that air has weight,26 the
existence of valleys27 and vents28 on the bottom of the sea, ocean
currents,29 and the fact that winds blow in circular paths.30 These
are remarkable claims that could not have been directly observed by a
bunch on nomadic sheep herders. Where did this information come from?
Christian worldview
A worldview is a set of constructs by which we interpret how the world
operates. The Christian worldview operates on the basis of the
theology presented in the Bible. Below is an example comparison
between a purely naturalistic worldview and the Christian worldview.
Christian vs. Naturalistic Worldview Premise Christianity
Naturalistic Materialism31
Purpose of the universe The purpose of the universe is to provide a
temporary habitation for human beings to choose to love or reject God.
32 The universe has no purpose. It began as some random quantum
variation and will likely end in thermodynamic heat death.
Value of the human species Human beings are more valuable than any
other species of life, since they were created in the image of God.33
Human beings evolved from other species, so they have no more
intrinsic value than any other species of life on earth.
Purpose of human life The purpose of human life is to bring glory to
God34 through loving Him35 and our fellow human beings.36 There is no
ultimate purpose to human life. We live and we die and it doesn't
matter what we do with our life.
Value of individuals All human beings are valuable to God37 and none
has any more value than any other.38 Those who contribute more to
society are more valuable than those who contribute less.
The work of individuals The most valuable work a person can do are
spiritual service to God (worship)39 and to humans (good works).40
"He who dies with the most things wins." Wealth and fame will bring
you happiness. Rich celebrities win!
Morality Moral laws are given by God, and like the laws of physics,
do not change.41 Immoral behavior is not justified by circumstances.42
Morality is determined by society and can be changed at any time to
reflect current practices. Immoral behavior can be justified to bring
about a "greater good."
Worldviews can be tested using the following criteria43:
1. Logical consistency
2. Balanced (not too simple or complex)
3. Explanatory power and scope
4. Correspondence to well-established facts
5. Verifiable (truth claims can be verified or falsified)
6. Applicable to real life
7. Fills existential needs
Using the above criteria, it can be seen that Christianity and
naturalism exhibit different strengths.
1. Although both Christianity and naturalism are logically
consistent within their own spheres, they come to radically different
conclusions.
2. Both worldviews are reasonably balanced, although naturalism
must resort to extremely complex hypotheses to explain the origin of
the universe and the origin of life.
3. The explanatory power and scope of Christianity and naturalism
tend to lie in different areas. Naturalism's strength lies in its
explanation of the history of the earth and how living organisms
function on a physical basis. It has failed to adequately explain the
origin of the universe, the origin of life on earth, and the
development of human consciousness, altruism and morality.
Christianity fails to explain the details involved in much of how the
physical world works (although it was never intended to do so).
However, much of this information was unavailable to naturalism until
the last 50 years. Christianity does address the big questions of
origins (the origin of the universe, the origin of life on earth, and
the development of human consciousness, altruism and morality), which
naturalism inadequately addresses.
4. As demonstrated above, Christianity provides some surprisingly
accurate explanations of our physical world, even though it was
written thousands of years before actual proof of those claims could
be experimentally verified. In addition, it is historically accurate,
and its prophecies go far beyond what would be expected by chance.
5. Scientific naturalism has always claimed to provide explanations
that are verifiable and can be falsified experimentally. However,
there has been a recent change in the explanations of those espousing
the naturalism-only worldview. As atheists attempt to answer the "big
questions," explanations have become more metaphysical and complicated
in nature. Explanations such as the multiverse are probably not even
falsifiable.
6. One of naturalism's big failures is in its ability to provide
application to real life issues for human beings. Explanations of
human romantic love and need for interpersonal relationships, our need
to create beautiful works of art and music, and our desire to help
others (altruism) seem to defy naturalistic explanation. Attempts to
fit these realities into the Darwinian evolutionary box have failed
miserably. Even the evil side of our natures seems extreme from an
evolutionary standpoint. Christianity provides a far superior
explanation for why we behave the way we do.
7. The largest problem for naturalism is a failure to provide for
the existential needs of human beings. People have a need for meaning,
a purpose for living, and a hope for the future. Naturalism provides
for none of this. In fact, naturalism destroys the idea that humans
have a purpose, and leaves individuals only with the prospect of
aging, suffering and eventual death and non-existence. In addition,
naturalism says that there is no hope for the human species, since we
will be eventually destroyed by an asteroid collision, a nearby
supernova event, global warming, or solar expansion. Even if we manage
to escape from our solar system to another, the eventual collision of
our galaxy with the much larger Andromeda galaxy will cause chaos
throughout most of the galaxy. After this time, we can expect that the
accelerating expansion of the universe will eventually rip apart the
entire universe into its elementary particles as the universe suffers
permanent heat death - the end of all life. So much for the "hope"
from naturalism. The human need for a spiritual connection causes even
most naturalists to go into meditation, study Buddhism, etc. to
attempt to fulfill this need. When I was an agnostic, the lack of
purpose in my life was eventually disturbing, as my life settled from
the franticness of college into the complacency of a steady job. Even
though the science in my job was exciting, there was something missing
- ultimate purpose.
As a person who originally followed a naturalistic-only worldview, I
have found the Christian worldview to be a far superior explanation
for human life. This doesn't mean that I have completely rejected the
science behind naturalism. As a fulltime research scientist, I still
find the biological sciences fascinating and captivating. However,
unlike those who follow a naturalism-only worldview, I have not
rejected a priori the possibility of supernatural phenomena. For more
information on testing the Christian worldview, please see A World of
Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test.
Worldviews and moral choices
Three recently published studies show that worldview beliefs influence
moral behavior. The first study showed that atheists were less likely
to consider certain moral choices as being "very important",
especially patience, forgiveness, and generosity. A second study
showed that teens who were not exposed to religious teaching were
significantly more likely to be involved in negative behaviors than
those who attend church. A third study showed that belief in the
atheistic concept of determinism is correlated with an increased
tendency to cheat. Even a short reading of a passage denying free will
produced more cheating behavior among randomly-selected subject
groups. These studies show that the promotion and prevalence of
atheism in society can be expected to result in negative consequences
to societies.
Conclusion Top of page
Yes, many religious truth claims are testable. Those who are truly
interested in whether a religion represents truth should test the
claims to see how they stand against the evidence. Modern cosmology
destroys the Hindu model for the universe, but affirms the Judeo-
Christian model. Cosmology and earth sciences destroy the strange
assertions of the Quran. Archeology, cosmology and molecular biology
destroy the claims of the LDS Book of Mormon., but confirm many claims
from the Bible. For an ancient document written thousands of years
ago, the Bible makes some remarkable scientific claims - many of which
were not verified until this century. However, the Bible was never
written to serve as a science textbook, but was given as guide to
having a relationship with God and our fellow human beings. The Bible
answers the "why" and "what" questions that naturalism says are
unanswerable:
* Why does the universe exist?
* Why do human beings exist?
* What is my purpose?
* Why do I do things I know I shouldn't do?
* Is this all there is?
General Introduction for Non-Believers, Part 1, Are Your Beliefs
Consistent with Your Worldview? | Part 2: Is God Real? Does Science
Answer "Is There a God?"
Related Pages Top of page
Testing the truth claims in the LDS "Standard Works"
* Are the Standard Works of the LDS Church Inspired Scripture?
(PDF Icon Acrobat file)
* Testing the Creation Model of the LDS Church (Testing the
Creation Model of the LDS Church PowerPoint file)
* Deoxyribonucleic acid: the chemical inside the nucleus of a cell
that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms.DNA
Evidence and Molecular Genetics Disprove the Book of Mormon (PDF Icon
Acrobat file)
* Archeological/Anthropological Problems in the Book of Mormon
(PDF Icon Acrobat file)
* The Smithsonian Institution's statement regarding the Book of
Mormon (PDF Icon Acrobat file, The Smithsonian Institution's statement
regarding the Book of Mormon zipped Microsoft Word file)
Christianity's accurate descriptions of creation
* The Extradimensional Nature of God
* Does Genesis One Conflict with Science? Day-Age Interpretation
* God of the Gaps - Do All Christian Apologetics Fall Into This
Kind of Argument?
* Science and the Bible: Does the Bible Contradict Scientific
Principles?
* The Universe is Not Eternal, But Had A Beginning
* Archeology and the Bible
Christian worldview
* A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the
Worldview Test by Kenneth R. Samples
* Implications of Evolution in Morality/Culture
* Are Atheists and Theists Morally Equivalent?
* Is the Teaching of Religion Really a Form of Child Abuse?
* Does Atheism (Determinism) Negatively Impact Morality?
* 'People are Basically Good' - Proof to the Contrary
* There is Too Much Evil and Suffering For God to Exist?
* All Religions Lead to God? Can One Discern the True Religion?
References Top of page
1. Carl Sagan (Author), Ann Druyan (Editor). 2006. The Varieties of
Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God. Penguin
Press HC.
2. See Extreme Fine Tuning - Dark Energy or the Cosmological
Constant.
3. The English Meanings of The Holy Quran Translator: Abdullah
Yusuf Ali (from islam 101.com)
4. Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were
joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them
asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then
believe? (Surah 21:30)
5. The following verses suggest that God created the universe
through an expanding universe - what science has called the Big Bang.
In many cases the Hebrew text indicates present tense - a process
still continuing.
* Who alone stretches out the heavens, And tramples down the
waves of the sea; (Job 9:8)
* Covering Thyself with light as with a cloak, Stretching
out heaven like a tent curtain. (Psalm 104:2)
* It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its
inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like
a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. (Isaiah 40:22)
* Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and
stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who
gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk in it,
(Isaiah 42:5)
* Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the one who formed
you from the womb, "I, the Lord, am the maker of all things,
Stretching out the heavens by Myself, And spreading out the earth all
alone" (Isaiah 44:24)
* "It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I
stretched out the heavens with My hands, And I ordained all their
host." (Isaiah 45:12)
* "Surely My hand founded the earth, And My right hand
spread out the heavens; When I call to them, they stand
together." (Isaiah 48:13)
* That you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, Who stretched
out the heavens, And laid the foundations of the earth; That you fear
continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor, As he
makes ready to destroy? But where is the fury of the oppressor?
(Isaiah 51:13)
* It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established
the world by His wisdom; And by His understanding He has stretched out
the heavens. (Jeremiah 10:12)
* It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established
the world by His wisdom, And by His understanding He stretched out the
heavens. (Jeremiah 51:15)
* The burden of the word of the Lord concerning Israel. Thus
declares the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation
of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him, (Zechariah 12:1)
6. It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth;
Moreover His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and
perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He hath perfect
knowledge. (Surah 02:29)
The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare
His glory: there is not a thing but celebrates His praise; And yet ye
understand not how they declare His glory! Verily He is Oft-Forbear,
Most Forgiving! (Surah 17:44)
Say: "Who is the Lord of the seven heavens, and the Lord of the
Throne (of Glory) Supreme?" (Surah 23:86)
God is He Who created seven Firmaments and of the earth a
similar number. Through the midst of them (all) descends His Command:
that ye may know that God has power over all things, and that God
comprehends, all things in (His) Knowledge. (Surah 65:12)
He Who created the seven heavens one above another: No want of
proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (God) Most Gracious. So
turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw? (Surah 67:3)
"'See ye not how God has created the seven heavens one above
another, And made the moon a light in their midst, and made the sun as
a (Glorious) Lamp?'" (Surah 71:15-16)
7. Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all between them, and
Lord of every point at the rising of the sun! We have indeed decked
the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars,- (Surah 37:5-6)
So He completed them as seven firmaments in two Days, and He
assigned to each heaven its duty and command. And We adorned the lower
heaven with lights, and (provided it) with guard. Such is the Decree
of (Him) the Exalted in Might, Full of Knowledge. (Surah 41:12)
He Who created the seven heavens one above another: No want of
proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (God) Most Gracious. So
turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw? Again turn thy vision a
second time: (thy) vision will come back to thee dull and discomfited,
in a state worn out. And we have, (from of old), adorned the lowest
heaven with Lamps, and We have made such (Lamps) (as) missiles to
drive away the Evil Ones, and have prepared for them the Penalty of
the Blazing Fire. (Surah 67:3-5)
And (have We not) built over you the seven firmaments, And
placed (therein) a Light of Splendour? (Surah 78:12-13)
8. (Yea, the same that) has made for you the earth (like a carpet)
spread out, and has made for you roads (and channels) therein, in
order that ye may find guidance (on the way); (Surah 43:10)
"'And God has made the earth for you as a carpet (spread out),
That ye may go about therein, in spacious roads.'" (Surah 71:19-20)
9. Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse, And the mountains
as pegs? (Surah 78:6-7)
10. And We have set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it
should shake with them, and We have made therein broad highways
(between mountains) for them to pass through: that they may receive
Guidance. (Surah 21:31)
Or, Who has made the earth firm to live in; made rivers in its
midst; set thereon mountains immovable; and made a separating bar
between the two bodies of flowing water? (can there be another) god
besides God? Nay, most of them know not. (Surah 27:61)
He created the heavens without any pillars that ye can see; He
set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with
you; and He scattered through it beasts of all kinds. We send down
rain from the sky, and produce on the earth every kind of noble
creature, in pairs. (Surah 31:10)
And the earth, moreover, hath He extended (to a wide expanse);
He draweth out therefrom its moisture and its pasture; And the
mountains hath He firmly fixed;- (Surah 79:30)
And at the Mountains, how they are fixed firm?- (Surah 88:19)
11. "And with the best things of the ancient mountains, And with the
choice things of the everlasting hills, (Deuteronomy 33:15)
"It is God who removes the mountains, they know not how, When He
overturns them in His anger; Who shakes the earth out of its place,
And its foundations tremble; (Job 9:5-6)
Then the earth shook and quaked; And the foundations of the
mountains were trembling And were shaken, because He was angry. (Psalm
18:7)
Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at
its swelling pride. Selah. (Psalm 46:3)
He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the
mountains, and they smoke. (Psalm 104:32)
On this account the anger of the LORD has burned against His
people, And He has stretched out His hand against them and struck them
down. And the mountains quaked, and their corpses lay like refuse in
the middle of the streets. For all this His anger is not spent, But
His hand is still stretched out. (Isaiah 5:25)
"For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But
My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, And My covenant of
peace will not be shaken," Says the LORD who has compassion on you.
(Isaiah 54:10)
Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, That the
mountains might quake at Your presence-- (Isaiah 64:1)
I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking, And
all the hills moved to and fro. (Jeremiah 4:24)
12. You covered it with the deep as with a garment; The waters were
standing above the mountains. At Your rebuke they fled, At the sound
of Your thunder they hurried away. The mountains rose; the valleys
sank down To the place which You established for them. (Psalm 104:6-8)
Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth
and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
(Psalm 90:2)
13. Verily We established his power on earth, and We gave him the
ways and the means to all ends. One (such) way he followed, Until,
when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of
murky water: Near it he found a People: We said: "O Zul-qarnain! (thou
hast authority,) either to punish them, or to treat them with
kindness." (Surah 18:84-86)
14. See False Teachings in the Bible?
15. See Why the LDS Church is a Cult: Theological Differences
Between Christian and LDS Doctrines.
16. See Are the Standard Works of the LDS Church Inspired Scripture?
and LDS Cosmology
17. See Archeological/Anthropological Problems in the Book of
Mormon.
18. See DNA Evidence and Molecular Genetics Disprove the Book of
Mormon.
19. God created time and was acting before time began:
* In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth
(Genesis 1:1)
* No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has
been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. (1
Corinthians 2:7)
* This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the
beginning of time (2 Timothy 1:9)
* The hope of eternal life, which God... promised before the
beginning of time (Titus 1:2)
* To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and
forever. Amen. (Jude 1:25)
20. "The conclusion of this lecture is that the universe has not
existed forever. Rather, the universe, and time itself, had a
beginning in the Big Bang, about 15 billion years ago." Stephen
Hawking The Beginning of Time.
Penrose, R. 1966. An analysis of the structure of space-time.
Adams Prize Essay, Cambridge University.
Hawking, S.W. 1966. Singularities and the Geometry of space-
time. Adams Prize Essay, Cambridge University.
Hawking, S.W. and G.F.R. Ellis. 1968. The cosmic black-body
radiation and the existence of singularities in our universe.
Astrophysical Journal 152: 25-36.
Hawking, S.W. and R. Penrose. 1970. The singularities of
gravitational collapse and cosmology. Proceedings of the Royal Society
of London. Series A: 529-548.
21. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis
1:1)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things
were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was
made. (John 1:1-3)
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that
are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by
him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things
consist. (Colossians 1:16-17)
The universe was formed at God's command, so that what was seen
was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:3)
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power:
for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and
were created. (Revelation 4:11)
22. The following verses suggest that God created the universe
through an expanding universe - what science has called the Big Bang.
In many cases the Hebrew text indicates present tense - a process
still continuing.
* Who alone stretches out the heavens, And tramples down the
waves of the sea; (Job 9:8)
* Covering Thyself with light as with a cloak, Stretching
out heaven like a tent curtain. (Psalm 104:2)
* It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its
inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like
a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. (Isaiah 40:22)
* Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and
stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who
gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk in it,
(Isaiah 42:5)
* Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the one who formed
you from the womb, "I, the Lord, am the maker of all things,
Stretching out the heavens by Myself, And spreading out the earth all
alone" (Isaiah 44:24)
* "It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I
stretched out the heavens with My hands, And I ordained all their
host." (Isaiah 45:12)
* "Surely My hand founded the earth, And My right hand
spread out the heavens; When I call to them, they stand
together." (Isaiah 48:13)
* That you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, Who stretched
out the heavens, And laid the foundations of the earth; That you fear
continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor, As he
makes ready to destroy? But where is the fury of the oppressor?
(Isaiah 51:13)
* It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established
the world by His wisdom; And by His understanding He has stretched out
the heavens. (Jeremiah 10:12)
* It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established
the world by His wisdom, And by His understanding He stretched out the
heavens. (Jeremiah 51:15)
* The burden of the word of the Lord concerning Israel. Thus
declares the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation
of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him, (Zechariah 12:1)
23. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:38-39)
24. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in
it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. This is
the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in
the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven. (Genesis 2:3-4)
25. In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the
heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change
them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your
years will never end. (Psalm 102:25-27)
that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to
decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
(Romans 8:21)
26. "When He imparted weight to the wind, And meted out the waters
by measure" (Job 28:25)
27. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the
earth laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of breath from
his nostrils. (2 Samuel 22:16)
28. "Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the
recesses of the deep? (Job 38:16)
First discovered in the 1970's. See Exploring the deep ocean
floor: Hot springs and strange creatures
29. ... and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the
seas. (Psalm 8:8)
30. Blowing toward the south, Then turning toward the north, The
wind continues swirling along; And on its circular courses the wind
returns. (Ecclesiastes 1:6)
31. Materialism refers to the atheistic belief that only material
things exist (e.g., there is no spiritual realm at all), and does not
necessarily refer to the desire to acquire material goods.
32. "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I
have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So
choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
(Deuteronomy 30:19)
"And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD,
choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods
which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of
the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house,
we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)
Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the
way he should choose. (Psalm 25:12)
Because they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the
LORD. (Proverbs 1:29)
Do not envy a man of violence, And do not choose any of his
ways. (Proverbs 3:31)
"He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to
refuse evil and choose good. (Isaiah 7:15)
For thus says the LORD, "To the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths,
And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant, (Isaiah 56:4)
I will destine you for the sword, And all of you shall bow down
to the slaughter. Because I called, but you did not answer; I spoke,
but you did not hear. And you did evil in My sight, And chose that in
which I did not delight." (Isaiah 65:12)
So I will choose their punishments, And I will bring on them
what they dread. Because I called, but no one answered; I spoke, but
they did not listen. And they did evil in My sight, And chose that in
which I did not delight." (Isaiah 66:4)
33. God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created
him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27)
"Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For
in the image of God He made man." (Genesis 9:6)
"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap
nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are
you not worth much more than they?" (Matthew 6:26)
34. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among
all the peoples. (1 Chronicles 16:24)
Therefore glorify the LORD in the east, The name of the LORD,
the God of Israel, In the coastlands of the sea. (Isaiah 24:15)
Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for
My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made." (Isaiah 43:7)
"The beasts of the field will glorify Me, The jackals and the
ostriches, Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in
the desert, To give drink to My chosen people. (Isaiah 43:20)
"Then all your people will be righteous; They will possess the
land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I
may be glorified. (Isaiah 60:21)
"I will set a sign among them and will send survivors from them
to the nations: Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal and Javan, to the
distant coastlands that have neither heard My fame nor seen My glory.
And they will declare My glory among the nations. (Isaiah 66:19)
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew
5:16)
But when Jesus heard this, He said, "This sickness is not to end
in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be
glorified by it." (John 11:4)
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant
you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6)
For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision
on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the
fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is
written, "THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND
I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME." (Romans 15:8-9)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit
who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your
body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His
will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a
view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that
is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and
things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance,
having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things
after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first
to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians
1:8-12)
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to
the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is
spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to
abound to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 4:15)
Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the
thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your
good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of
visitation. (1 Peter 2:12)
Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the
utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by
the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be
glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion
forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11)
but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed,
but is to glorify God in this name. (1 Peter 4:16)
and he said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory,
because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the
heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters." (Revelation 14:7)
35. "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your might." (Deuteronomy 6:5)
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He
said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART,
AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'" (Matthew 22:37)
36. 'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the
sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I
am the LORD.' (Leviticus 19:18)
"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-44)
"This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like
it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'" (Matthew 22:38-39)
For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement,
"YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." (Galatians 5:14)
37. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
(John 3:16)
"For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds
the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will
raise him up on the last day." (John 6:40)
This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who
desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
(1 Timothy 2:3-4)
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness,
but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all
to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed
our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially
of believers. (1 Timothy 4:10)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all
men, (Titus 2:11)
38. "For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords,
the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show
partiality nor take a bribe. (Deuteronomy 10:17)
"Surely, God will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not
pervert justice... Who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' To nobles,
'Wicked ones'; Who shows no partiality to princes Nor regards the rich
above the poor, For they all are the work of His hands? (Job 34:12-19)
Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now
that God is not one to show partiality, (Acts 10:34)
For there is no partiality with God. (Romans 2:11)
But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes
no difference to me; God shows no partiality)--well, those who were of
reputation contributed nothing to me. (Galatians 2:6)
And masters, do the same things to them, and give up
threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven,
and there is no partiality with Him. (Ephesians 6:9)
39. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God,
which is your spiritual service of worship. (Romans 12:1)
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD
in holy array. (Psalm 29:2)
40. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew
5:16)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:10)
41. "The statutes and the ordinances and the law and the commandment
which He wrote for you, you shall observe to do forever; and you shall
not fear other gods. (2 Kings 17:37)
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The
testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7)
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute
darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for
sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)
"For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob,
are not consumed. (Malachi 3:6)
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation
or shifting shadow. (James 1:17)
42. And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some
claim that we say), "Let us do evil that good may come"? Their
condemnation is just. (Romans 3:8)
43. Samples, K.R. 2007. A World of Difference: Putting Christian
Truth-Claims to the Worldview TestA World of Difference: Putting
Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test. Baker Books.