Arguments for God, Part 2 (Teleological, Volitional, Moral)

Series- Tracing Truth: From Worldviews to the Risen Christ

“Arguments for God, Part 2 (Teleological, Volitional, Moral)”

The Teleological Argument

Summary:

1. The complexities of manmade things indicate they are created by .
2. Nature has .
3. These could not happen on their own.
4. Therefore, a designer (God) must exist.

Problems:

The Volitional Arguments

Pascal’s Wager

Summary:

1. A game is being played; heads (God exists) or tails (God doesn’t exist)
2. You must wager; there is no other option (not choosing is a wager)
3. If God doesn’t exist: the results of belief or disbelief are the .
4. If God exists: belief brings infinite ; disbelief brings infinite .
5. The wager that God exists is the wager; the potential payoff is infinite; the cost of being wrong is minimal.

Leap of Faith (Kierkegaard)

Summary:

1. Human existence is marked by uncertainty (leading to despair)
2. Religious belief offers a meaningful response to this existential condition.
3. Matters of faith transcend reason and logic.
4. The only choice is to embrace or reject religion.
5. Choosing to believe is a leap of faith- a personal passionate commitment without evidence.
6. This leap leads to authentic faith and existential transformation.

Problems:

The Moral Argument

The Problem of Evil

The Free Will Defense:

1. God maximized the in the world by creating free beings.
2. Being free means we have the choice to do —a choice many of us exercise.
3. God doesn’t create evil, but evil can’t be avoided without depriving us of our freedom, and a world without freedom would be a worse place overall.

Problems:

Summary:

1. We are morally obligated to strive for the highest good.
2. The highest good requires the union of and .
3. We’re not capable of ensuring this union in this life.
4. Therefore, we must assume:
   • The existence of  (who makes the highest good possible).
   • The immortality of the  (for ongoing moral development).

Problems:

C.S. Lewis’ Moral Argument

Summary:

1. If objective moral values exist, then a moral lawgiver (God) exists.
2. Objective moral values do exist.
3. Therefore, a moral lawgiver (God) exists.

Criticisms: