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Answers for Non-Believers (and Believers)

Explore tough questions about distant starlight, Bible accuracy, and God's actions through logic and faith-based reasoning. Discover answers for believers and non-believers alike.

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Answers for Non-Believers (and Believers)

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  1. Apologetics Hard Questions Real Answers LOGIC And The Bible Answers for Non-Believers (and Believers) Mike Riddle www.CreationTraining.org

  2. Topics • Is distant starlight a problem? • Have scientists proven the Bible wrong? • Is God evil because He killed men, women and children?

  3. Challenge 1Distant Starlight If the earth (universe) is only six-thousand years old, how could the light from distant galaxies (billions of light years away) have reached the earth? 6-Thousand Years?

  4. Two Issues • Answering the believer seeking an answer • Answering the non-believer

  5. Answering the Believer A burning bush that is not consumed (Exodus 3:2-3) • Do you believe this really happened? • Can you explain this scientifically? • Can God do things we cannot understand?

  6. Answering the Believer • A talking donkey (Num 22:21-35) • Jesus healing people “immediately” • The raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44) • God creating everything out of nothing? • The Resurrection of Jesus

  7. Distant Galaxy Earth Beam of Light What is the problem with a six-day creation and distant starlight? • Why are you seeking signs? • 1 Cor 1:20-25 • Mark 8:11-12

  8. Answering the Non-BelieverThe Critical Thinking Method Before answering, it should be shown that even the evolution model has to solve a distant starlight problem.

  9. Answering the Non-Believer Challenge their statement by asking questions. Where did the matter come from to create the universe? A Matter of Faith

  10. Answering the Non-Believer Is there any observational evidence for the origin of stars? A Matter of Faith

  11. Answering the Non-Believer How did the universe get a homogeneous temperature in 14 billion years? Horizon Problem

  12. Horizon ProblemA Distant Starlight Problem 14 Billion years 14 Billion years A Matter of Faith The opposite edges of the universe are 28 billion years apart

  13. Conclusion • Origin of matter • Origin of stars • Homogeneous temperature A Matter of Faith All three of these events are essential components involved in the distant starlight challenge.

  14. Challenge 2Have Scientists Proven the Bible False? Evolution God’s Word The Authority Man’s Wisdom

  15. Scripture and Authority John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

  16. Scripture and Authority 2 Timothy 3:16-17 • All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [a]instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

  17. Know These Facts • Everyone knows God exists (Romans 1:19-20) • Psalm 14:1, 53:1 The fool has said in his heart,“There is no God.”

  18. Know These Facts Proverbs 26:4-5 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly,Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

  19. Know These Facts • The first verse of the Bible (Genesis 1:1) assumes God exists. • The 2% challenge • No human possesses infinite knowledge. Therefore, no one can honestly claim they know for sure God does not exist.

  20. Nothing Can Exist Without God (The Creator of all things) • Problems with the universe created itself • Where did matter come from? • The Law of Cause and Effect • No space to pop into existence • Problems with the universe has always existed (no beginning) • The Second Law of Thermodynamics • The foundation for evolution is a matter of faith.

  21. A Fair Question If God Created The Universe Who Created God?

  22. God is a Self-Existing Being • Ex 3:14 - He is the “I AM” (“I AM WHO I AM • Rev 1:8; 21:6 (He is the “Alpha and Omega”) • Psalm 90:2 (He is everlasting) • 1 Tim 1:17 (He is the eternal King) • 1 Tim 6:16 (He is immortal) • Psalm 102: 25-27 (His years have no end)

  23. God’s eternal existence does not violate any known laws of science • The laws of science govern how the material universe operates. God is not made of material things. • John 4:24 (God is spirit,…) • Acts 7:48 (God does not dwell in temples made by man) • Acts 7:49 (His throne is in heaven) • Psalm 90:4; Titus 1:2 (God is outside of time)

  24. The Bible Teaches God Is the Creator of All Things • Genesis 1 • Ex 20:11 • Neh 9:6 • Ps 33:6,9 • Isa 45:11-12, 18 • Jer 32:17 • John 1:3 • Acts 17:24 • Eph 3:9 • Col 1:16 • Heb 11:3 • Rev 4:11

  25. The observational science does not contradict the Bible • The origin of matter (universe) • The origin of stars and galaxies • The origin of life • The origin of dinosaurs • The origin of humans • Diversity of species (kinds) • Fossil record

  26. Accuracy of History “To date, over 25,000 sites in biblical lands have been discovered, dating back to Old Testament times, which have established the accuracy of innumerable details in the Bible.” Ron Rhodes, Th.D., Answering The Objections of Atheists, Agnostics and Skeptics, 2006, p. 130.

  27. Conclusion • Romans 1:19-20, and • Since no one can prove God does not exist, and • The scientific evidence does not contradict the Bible. No one can honestly state science has proven the Bible is false.

  28. Challenge 3 God is evil because He killed men, women and children? If God is good, why is there so much evil in the world?

  29. Topics • Is God evil? • Can God and evil co-exist? • What is evil? • If God created everything did He create evil? • Why does God allow evil to continue?

  30. The Problem of Evil James Edwin Orr (Th.D., Ph.D., Ed.D.), The Faith That Persuades, 1977, p. 80. “The problem of evil is one of the most crucial protests raised by unbelievers against the fact of God.” 1912 – 1987 Chaplin U.S. Air Force, WWII

  31. The Problem of Evil Victor Stenger (Ph.D. Physics, popular atheist), God, the Failed Hypothesis: How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist, 2007, p. 216. “The problem of evil remains the most powerful argument against God.”

  32. 2009 Survey Question “If you could ask God only one question and you knew He would give you an answer, what would you ask?” The most common response: “Why is there pain and suffering in the world?” Lee Strobel (Masters in Law, Journalist, Christian Apologist), The Case for Faith, 2000, p. 29.

  33. Bertrand Russell (Nobel prize winner and atheist, 1872 - 1979) “No one can sit at the bedside of a dying child and still believe in God.”

  34. Critical Thinking If you believe God should stop evil and suffering, then Should God stop suicide? Should God stop rape? Should God stop bad thoughts? Should God stop … Who should make the rules for what is good and what is evil?

  35. A Question for the Atheist Since you don’t believe God exists, why do you believe He is evil? In your worldview, what is wrong with killing men, women and children?

  36. How to Answer the Non-believer“God is Evil” Understand the nature of the challenge. Challenge the non-believer for why they believe their statement is true. Provide a solution.

  37. Part 1Understanding the Challenge It is an argument about morality (absolutes or moral relativism). The fact that evil exists is not about the existence of God, but about His character. If God is good, then why does He allow death and suffering?

  38. The challenge is a conclusion based on some value (or standard) of what is good and what is not good. Right Wrong

  39. Absolute Morality How do you decide “right” from “wrong”? If God created us, He has the right to set the rules. Otherwise, why not make our own rules? Whoever is in power makes the rules.

  40. A Challenge to the Atheist • If there is such a thing as evil, are we to assume there is such a thing as good? • If there is good and evil, then there must be a moral law to differentiate between good and evil. • If there is a moral law, then there must be a moral lawgiver. • This is the essential question; who or what is the moral lawgiver.

  41. Part 2 Challenge for the Non-believer What is your absolute standard for measuring what is good and what is evil? (Right from Wrong)

  42. Overview: 4 Responses • Personal opinion • What benefits society • The laws of society • Feelings Good Evil Moral Relevance

  43. Possible Response 1 If the standard (moral code) is based upon personal opinion, Then How can we condemn murderers, rapists, and burglars?

  44. Possible Response 2 If the standard (moral code) is based upon what benefits society, Then Statements like “the society was evil” are meaningless because different cultures have different conventions.

  45. Possible Response 3 If the standard (moral code) is based on the laws of society, Then We can have many different moral codes because different societies have different laws. We are assuming all laws are good.

  46. Possible Response 4 If the standard (moral code) is based on what makes people feel good, Then We can have many different moral codes because people have different feelings. This response allows for murder, stealing, torture, and rape.

  47. The Nonbeliever and Standards All fall short No universal standard • Personal opinion • Benefit of society • Laws of society • Feelings Whoever is in power makes the rules

  48. Part 3The Solution God is all-good. God is all-powerful. Evil exists. A Fourth Premise God has a morally sufficient reason for the evil which exists.

  49. Why Does God Allow Evil to Continue? God is purposely delaying eliminating evil in order to allow more time for people to come to Him (Matt 13:24-30, 36-43: The parable of the wheat and tares). God will do away with evil (Rev 20:9 – 21:4). God is longsuffering and wants all to come to a saving knowledge (2 Peter 3:9).

  50. The Solution: God’s Standards • John 3:16 • John 3:17 • Genesis 1; Col 1:16 • Genesis 1:31 • Genesis 2; 3 • Matthew 5:48 • 2 Corinthians 7:10 • Romans 6:23; 3:23 • John 14:6: Acts 4:12 • Ephesians 2:8-9 • Romans 5:8 • Romans 1:19-20 • Romans 10:9

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