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An incredibly powerful, uncaused first cause outside of space, time, and matter appears to be necessary to bring our universe into existence.
The causal evidence of the universe is a significant piece of circumstantial evidence for God’s existence.
A UNIVERSE WITH THE APPEARANCE OF DESIGN
“Fine-Tuning” Evidence The Anthropic Principle: (1) The physical constants and laws of the universe appear to be uniquely and specifically related to one another (fine-tuned), making life possible on earth. (2) The fine-tuned relationships of these laws and constants appear to be designed (as their existence by natural, unguided means seems improbable and unlikely). (3) A design requires an intelligent designer; an incredibly vast and complex design requires an incredibly intelligent and powerful designer. (4) God is the most reasonable explanation for such a vast, universal designer (and
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As it turns out, the characteristics of a planet must be just so for life to be possible. The presence of liquid water, the proper distance from a star, the existence of a terrestrial crust, a properly proportioned magnetic field, the correct ratio of oxygen to nitrogen in the atmosphere, the existence of a large moon, and a mother star of a specific and particular size and type are all required.
“Maker of heaven and earth” (Ps. 115:15), and describes Him as the Being who designed and created the universe with the earth in mind.
The fine-tuning of the universe is another important piece of circumstantial evidence that points to the existence of an intentional, supernatural, powerful, and creative Being.
A UNIVERSE WITH COM...
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“Design” Evidence The Teleological Argument: (1) Structures and systems that (a) cannot be explained by some natural law requiring their appearance, (b) exist in spite of the high improbability they could result from chance, and (c) conform to an independently existing and recognizable pattern are most reasonably explained as coming from the design efforts of an intelligent agent. (2) Biological systems possess characteristics (e.g., the information contained in the DNA code) that (a) cannot be explained by some natural law requiring their appearance, (b) exist in spite of the high
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conform to an independently existing and recognizable pattern of specified complexity. (3) Biological systems are, therefore, most reasonably explained as coming from the design efforts of an intelligent agent. (4) God is the most reasonable explanation for such an incredibly wise, all-powerful, intelligent agent.
“explanatory filter.” If an object or event (1) cannot be explained by some natural law that necessitates its appearance, (2) exists in spite of the high improbability that it could occur as the result of chance, and (3) conforms to an independently existing and recognizable pattern, the most reasonable inference is that it is the product of an intelligent designer.15
Science has demonstrated that DNA is actually a digital code; DNA is specified information. DNA exhibits characteristics that, when examined through Dembski’s explanatory filter, are best explained by the creative activity of an intelligent designer.
If biological systems display characteristics of design (in the form of specified complexity), it is reasonable to conclude that a designer has been involved in the process.
The presence of specified information in biological systems is yet another piece of circumstantial evidence that points to the existence of God.
A
UNIVERSE WITH O...
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MORALITY “Moral” Evidence The Axiological Argument: (1) There is an objective, transcendent moral law. (2) Every moral law has a moral lawgiver. (3) Therefore, there is an objective, transcendent moral lawgiver. (4) God is the most ...
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First, if we live in a purely natural, physical world governed by the “cause and effect” relationships between chemical processes in our brains, “free will” is an illusion, and the idea of true moral choice is nonsensical.
Objective morality must be rooted in something bigger than the evolutionary development of any one species.
In a similar way, the circumstantial evidence in our universe is consistent with God’s existence and involvement as the uncaused first cause, the fine-tuner, the designer, and the moral lawgiver required to account for all the evidence we observe.
You and I have the ability to assess and make an inference from the circumstantial evidence using our own reasoning power to come to a conclusion.
circumstantial cases are powerful when they are cumulative.
1. How well could the witness see, hear, or otherwise perceive the things about which the witness testified? 2. How well was the witness able to remember and describe what happened? 3. What was the witness’s behavior while testifying? 4. Did the witness understand the questions and answer them directly? 5. Was the witness’s testimony influenced by a factor such as bias or prejudice, a personal relationship with someone involved in the case, or a personal interest in how the case is decided? 6. What was the witness’s attitude about the case or about testifying? 7. Did the witness make a
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8. How reasonable is the testimony when you consider all the other evidence in the case? 9. [Did other evidence prove or disprove any fact about which the witness testified?] 10. [Did the witness admit to being untruthful?] 11. [What is the witness’s character for truthfulness?] 12. [Has the witness been convicted of a felony?] 13. [Has the witness engaged in (other) conduct that reflects on his or her believability?] 14. [Was the witness promised immunity or leniency in exchange for his or her testimony?]18
If we can establish that a witness was present, has been accurate and honest in the past, is verified by additional evidence, and has no motive to lie, we can trust what the witness has to say.
The traditional definition of biblical inerrancy maintains that the Bible is accurate and completely free of error.
Inerrancy does not require, however, that the biblical texts be free of any personal perspectives or idiosyncrasies.
we have to remember that an eyewitness account can be reliable in spite of apparent contradictions.
They weren’t writing moral fiction. They were recording what they saw with their own eyes, heard with their own ears, and touched with their own hands.
The testimony of an eyewitness can be properly viewed as evidence, but anything added to the account after the fact should be viewed with caution as a possible artifact (something that exists in the text when it shouldn’t).
‘Evidence’ is the sworn testimony of witnesses, the exhibits admitted into evidence, and anything else I tell you to consider as evidence.…
“You must disregard anything you see or hear when the court is not in session, even if it is done or said by one of the parties or witnesses”
IDENTIFY THE LATE ADDITIONS
RECOGNIZE DIFFERENCES IN CHARACTER
LOOK FOR AN EXPLANATION
SEE WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU INCLUDE IT
RELY ON WHAT YOU KNOW
1. Some intentional alterations were performed in an effort to harmonize passages that describe the same event in two separate gospels (parallel passages).
2. Some intentional alterations were done to add detail known to the scribe but not clearly described by the apostolic author.
3. Some intentional alterations were made to clarify a passage of Scripture based on what a scribe thought the passage meant (the scribes were not ...
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While it’s reasonable to believe that you and I might die for what we mistakenly thought was true, it’s unreasonable to believe that these men died
for what they definitely knew to be untrue.
Being “beyond a reasonable doubt” simply requires us to separate our possible and imaginary doubts from those that are reasonable.
DEFENSE ATTORNEYS WANT PERFECTION
