[PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED] I. Definitions… II. Defense:
“Christianity (as defined/revealed in the Bible) provides the only truthful, reality-based, logical, rational, ontological, objective, sane, moral and just argument for man’s existence.”
*All ontological arguments are based on secondary sources. Neither the theist nor the atheist can claim primary evidence.
1. Eternal: “Something must be eternal.”
-Un-Moved Mover Argument (Uncreated must be Creator)
Christianity has the answer: God of the Bible is the Eternal Creator (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1; Isaiah 90:1-2; Revelation 1:8)
2. Intelligent: “Something must be someone.”
-Teleological Argument (Design implies Designer)
-Moral Argument (Morality implies Moral Lawgiver)
Christianity has the answer: God of the Bible is the Intelligent Designer (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 104:1-31, 139:13-14; Proverbs 3:19-20)
Conclusion: The problem is moral not intellectual: “God doesn’t believe in atheists only the insane, ignorant and idiots” – i.e. The Dummy’s Trinity (Ecclesiastes 9:3; Ephesians 4:18; 1 Peter 1:14; Romans 1:18-22).
*Why God/writers of Scripture use disrespectful/dishonoring terms when referring to atheists or unwise/sinful Christians: “respect/honor used gets the gospel confused” (Psalm 14:1; Galatians 3:1): this is why many will miss the gospel and go to Hell (incl. our children, family and friends).
3. Witness: “God has given a witness of Himself.”
3.1. Through Creation (Romans 1:19-20):
3.1.1. (19a) “what can be known about God” = The information necessary to come to the conclusion that there is a God.
3.1.2. (19b) “is plain to them” (fanero,n)= the existence of God is obvious to humanity (Galatians 5:19; 1 John 3:10).
3.1.3. (19c) “because He has shown” (evfane, rwsen) it to them = the reason God’s existence is obvious to humanity is due to the fact He has publicly revealed/openly made it obvious (John 21:14; Ephesians 5:13).
3.1.4. What verse 19 tells us (3 things):
3.1.4.1. God’s existence in not hidden (it is obvious).
3.1.4.2. Theism (in general) should be the popular position (since it is the obvious choice).
3.1.4.3. The burden of proof lies with the atheist as to why (other than their moral unrighteousness which purposefully suppressed the truth about God’s existence – v18) they chose the path of the idiot (v22) – versus the obvious choice!
3.1.5. How God has made His existence obvious (20b) “ever since the creation of the world, in the things which have been made” = Through the things which exist in creation.
3.1.6. What can be “clearly perceived…so that they are without excuse” (20a, c):
3.1.6.1. “His eternal nature” = Something is eternal: whatever created all that exists is eternal (An Un-moved/Primary Mover).
3.1.6.2. “His divine nature” = Something is someone: it was a Divine Personal Being (An Intelligent Designer, An Objective/Just Moral Law Giver) Who created what exists.
3.2. Through the Bible: What demonstrates the Bible to be God’s self-disclosure?
3.2.1. Its (gospel) message is congruent with the (gospel) message of Creation (and therefore its Creator):
3.2.1.1. The Bible testifies that its message is congruent with Creation’s message (Romans 10:14-18 w/Psalm 19:4ff).
3.2.1.2. The gospel message of Creation and its support in the Bible (gospel = Abundant Life, Lord before Savior, Marriage Covenant):
3.2.1.2.1. Our Abundant Life on earth is ultimately dependent upon who/whatever created us. Both the Theists and Atheist of the world have always believed this whether they are willing to admit it or not: Our prosperity on this planet is subject to its design (or Designer) (e.g. Acts 14:15-17).
3.2.1.2.2. We are in danger of not reaping the rewards of this world (or a next) if we do not serve what/who created us (i.e. Lord Before Savior). People throughout humanity’s history have realized this and as a result, have submitted their lives in obedience to the religious rituals, cultic practices or laws of who/what they believed was their Creator. This is true even for the Atheist, though what they religiously serve is the Creation itself (e.g. the “green” movement in America) (e.g. Matthew 7:21-27, 25:31-46).
3.2.1.2.3. The Marriage Covenant has been a key part of every culture since the beginning of our existence on planet earth. It universally represents not only a place of special of intimacy and strength, but also a place of great reward for those who together remain faithful to their vows of faith (Ephesians 5:22-32; 1 Peter 1:1-2 w/ Exodus 24:7-8).
3.2.2. It is a logical book promoting a logical Faith which is congruent with the logical makeup of Creation (and therefore its Creator):
3.2.2.1. The 4 Laws of Logic (Identity, Non-Contradiction, Excluded Middle and Rational Inference) are utilized throughout the Bible as the means to establish its teachings and to refute those who oppose (e.g. internal = 1 Corinthians 15:12-18; external = Matthew 16:1-4).
3.2.2.2. The Bible commands us to logically reason with others about our Faith—something which would be impossible unless the Christian Faith (and the Bible as a book) was logical its contents (1 Peter 3:15 – “defense”: avpologi, an =upon logic reason; Acts 17:2-3,10-11).
3.2.2.3. The Bible condemns those who are illogical, relying on emotions and subjective experiences as the basis for their Faith (Jude 4 – “sensuality”, 8 – “relying on dreams”, 10 – “like unreasoning animals”).
3.2.2.4. The Bible reveals a God whose greatest desire is that people use their minds (i.e. logically think) as the means to loving and obeying Him (Matthew 22:37-38; Isaiah 1:18).
3.3. Through Jesus Christ: who claimed to be the Eternal, Divine Creator God of the universe.
3.3.1. Jesus Christ is presented by the human authors of the New Testament as the Eternal, Divine Creator God of the universe (e.g. Col 1:16-19; Jude 5; John 1:1-3).
3.3.2. The human authors of the New Testament consider their view of Jesus Christ to be factual: based on responsible research, legitimate proofs and eyewitness accounts (e.g. Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3, 17:30-31; John 20:30-31; 1 John 1:1-4).
3.3.3. There is no good reason to doubt the claims of/about Jesus Christ since:
3.3.3.1. Much of what is considered historical fact is based largely on secondary sources/evidence such as the writings of people associated with that period of time). The witness of Jesus Christ (in the New Testament) therefore cannot be doubted for this reason, since to do so would mean equally doubting all historical information based on secondary sources/evidences (e.g. Josephus and the Jewish War).
3.3.3.2. The veracity of any historical writing/record is based largely on the reputation of the authors themselves and the number of additional witnesses/writers which corroborate their account. The New Testament is written by at least 8 authors, all who suffered tremendously for their belief, yet maintained unity in their witness about Jesus and the historical events which proved His claims to deity (e.g. authors Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James and Jude all speak of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead).
3.3.4. There is great reason to believe the claims of/about Jesus Christ based on the level of consistency, fulfillment, understanding and overall synthesis that exists between the two Testaments (of the Bible) in regard to the Messiah/Christ and His teachings though it was written by many authors over many different periods of time. There is no other such literary accomplishment like it on planet earth.
Conclusion: The consequences of rejecting what is “the only truthful, reality-based, logical, rational, ontological, objective, sane, moral and just argument for man’s existence” and remaining atheistic in your thinking/living: you will…
…be wise before the world, but an insane, ignorant idiot before God (not logical/rational).
…fail to show intellectual honesty (not just/truthful/reality-based…but an escapist).
…be a hypocrite every time you claim anything to be right or wrong (not moral).
…have no right to borrow from God’s ways/laws (“we follow the golden rule”; Psalm 50:16-17).
…be the one possessing the psychological crutch (since atheism fails intellectually, the only reason to ascribe to atheistic arguments is in an attempt to suppress a guilty conscience and live free in rebellion – Psalm 10:3-4).
…be God’s “holy toilet paper.” (Proverbs 16:4 w/ James 1:1-4, 5:10-11).