Chapters 5-7 The religion of naturalism Written by Charles Colson Presented by David Hasz

The discovery What did Dave Mulholland discover on his trip to Disney with Katy? What did Dave Mulholland discover on his trip to Disney with Katy?

The Discovery Cont. What was Katys view of religion in relation to science? What was Katys view of religion in relation to science? Where had Katy formed these views? Where had Katy formed these views?

The dominant view Naturalism is the dominant view in our culture, and it is radically one sided. Naturalism is the dominant view in our culture, and it is radically one sided.

The dominant View Cont. Naturalism is in direct contrast to Gen. 1:1 Naturalism is in direct contrast to Gen. 1:1 What is the problem here? What is the problem here?

Naturalist Scientists Scientist pretend that they are fair minded and objective and try to make religious people look subjective and biased. Scientist pretend that they are fair minded and objective and try to make religious people look subjective and biased.

Naturalist Scientists Cont. This is a ruse for naturalism is as much a philosophy, world view and personal belief system as Christianity. This is a ruse for naturalism is as much a philosophy, world view and personal belief system as Christianity.

Cosmos Sagan makes it clear in Cosmos, that he believes in naturalism. Sagan makes it clear in Cosmos, that he believes in naturalism.

Cosmos Cont. The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be. The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be. This is liturgical and mocks Christian liturgy. This is liturgical and mocks Christian liturgy.

Liturgy Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Liturgy Cont. Notice Sagan even capitalizes the world Cosmos the same way Christians capitalize God. Notice Sagan even capitalizes the world Cosmos the same way Christians capitalize God.

Sagan goes farther Sagan on God: an outsized, light-skinned male with a long white beard, sitting on a throne somewhere up in there in the sky, busily tallying the fall of every sparrow. Sagan on God: an outsized, light-skinned male with a long white beard, sitting on a throne somewhere up in there in the sky, busily tallying the fall of every sparrow.

Sagan Goes Further Cont. Sagan: A universe that is infinitely old requires no creator Sagan: A universe that is infinitely old requires no creator

Christianity v. Naturalism Christianity says we are: Children of God. Christianity says we are: Children of God. Naturalism says we are: Children of the Cosmos. Naturalism says we are: Children of the Cosmos. The Cosmos offers salvation, worship, etc. The Cosmos offers salvation, worship, etc.

The great debate Most have the view from Inherit the Wind Most have the view from Inherit the Wind The debate is not necessarily about the Bible versus science. The debate is not necessarily about the Bible versus science.

The Great Debate Cont. The debate is about pursuing scientific facts and following the facts. The debate is about pursuing scientific facts and following the facts.

The Challenge We must challenge the assumption that science by definition means naturalistic philosophy. We must challenge the assumption that science by definition means naturalistic philosophy.

The Beginning Christians have religiously held for centuries that there is a beginning. Christians have religiously held for centuries that there is a beginning. Science has stated for centuries that there is not a natural beginning to the universe. Science has stated for centuries that there is not a natural beginning to the universe.

The Beginning Cont. In the 18th century scientists created the law of conservative matter. In the 18th century scientists created the law of conservative matter.

The Evidence Then in the 20th century several lines of evidence began to emerge that pointed to a beginning. Then in the 20th century several lines of evidence began to emerge that pointed to a beginning.

The Evidence Cont. The 2nd law of thermodynamics - everything is running down. When did it run up? The 2nd law of thermodynamics - everything is running down. When did it run up?

Finally a new idea for science In the 1960s scientists formulated the Big Bang theory. In the 1960s scientists formulated the Big Bang theory.

New idea Cont. Science itself now indicated the universe burst into existence at a particular time in the past. Science itself now indicated the universe burst into existence at a particular time in the past.

Huge Problems for Naturalists The Big Bang does not fit classic naturalism. The Big Bang does not fit classic naturalism. They believe everything has been going on forever. They believe everything has been going on forever. What to do with the big bang? What to do with the big bang?

The dilemma Page 60 Page 60

Design The orbit The orbit The chemicals in our bodies The chemicals in our bodies The temperature The temperature

Design Cont. Water Water Atom: Neutron larger than the proton Atom: Neutron larger than the proton

The Universe points to a creator Mt. Rushmore Mt. Rushmore Major features of the universe are irregular and highly specific. Major features of the universe are irregular and highly specific. If the universe displays design, who is the designer? If the universe displays design, who is the designer?