Alvin Plantinga Knocking Down Atheist Objections

http://closertotruth.com - PBS' Closer To Truth host Robert Lawrence Kuhn interviews Dr. Alvin Plantinga (often named as the most important living philosopher of religion today) about typical arguments made by atheists against the existence of God.

Hell: The Final Destination of The Lost

Here is the Sunday school class I taught last Sunday on Hell and the final destiny of the lost. This will be at least a two part series.
We are going through the book "Convictions Without Compromise" and I draw from Dr. Geisler systematic theology 4

Hope you enjoy it. This is a issue that can be hard to teach on but I do my best to be faithful to the text.

 (http://www.amazon.com/Systematic-Theology-Vol-Church-Things/dp/0764225545)

Should Christians warn others about Hell? This well known outspoken Atheist say's for a Christian to believe that others are going to Hell and they will not share the truth with the lost must really hate them to not warn them and tell them the truth.  Sad day when the Atheist has to lecture the Christians on evangelism

The Final Destiny of The Lost

Join us Sunday morning as we look at the final destiny of the unbeliever. We will be looking at the Biblical basis for Hell, the Nature of Hell and the duration of Hell.

We will be looking at some objections such as:

If God is all loving how can he send people to Hell for eternity?

Does Hell exist or does God just Annihilate those who never trusted on His name?

What does Jesus say about Hell?

You do NOT want to miss this friends. We will have time for questions as well as we look at this doctrine.

Community Fellowship Church 217 N Trade st Mathews, NC
Class starts at 9:30am

Bible Study 1 John 1:3-4

Hello friends. Today we will continue our study in 1 John.



(1 John 1:3-4 ESV)

'that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete."

Verse 3-  We are being told these truths so that we can not only have fellowship with our brothers and sisters but ultimately fellowship with the Triune God of the universe!

The apostle John goes to great lengths to tell us he SAW   the events surrounding Jesus and that this is not some fabricated story that has no basis.

The things John is telling us are spiritual truths that MUST be believed in order to have fellowship with the God of the universe. Sadly many people want to throw out doctrine and just focus on "love".  To be a Christian is to believe certain doctrinal truths. If we do not have these distinctions then how can we say Mormonism is false when they say they love Jesus and believe in him. Of course the problem is that they have the wrong Jesus and we know that based on the doctrinal truths that John has written to us in his letters.

Joel Osteen who has a massive following was interviewed a while back on Fox News and was asked his view on Mormonism. Remember Joel has one of the largest church's in America and has made millions in his book sales. Sadly this is what happens when theology dose not matter

We live in an age where doctrine is a dirty word. I recently saw a picture with the slogan "It is better to be kind then to be right". Sadly I can not even count how many Christians that I know that hold this un-Biblical un-Godly worldly philosophy. Truth matters friends and truth divides from error.

To be a Christian is to be a slave of Jesus Christ. There are doctrinal truths that we must believe to separate the kingdom of Christ from the kingdom of the cults. Many times I hear that Christians have to much head knowledge and not enough "love".   I have yet to meet these people. Where I live in the Carolina's theology and head knowledge is very hard to find. We can not apply the truth's of the Gospel if we do not know them. How can we follow the teachings of Christ if we are ignorant of what he says.

The apostle John is clear that to have fellowship with the Triune God of the universe then we MUST  believe certain doctrinal truths.


Verse 4- John talks about the joy that the gospel brings. The main point of life is not health, wealth and happiness. The purpose of life is to know the Creator of the universe and be reconciled through Jesus Christ.

What Joy we have that should amaze us everyday. Sinful man who is by nature:

1)-Dead in sin  (Romans 5:12- 1 Corinthians 15:21)

2)-A child of God's wrath (Ephesians 2)

3)-Hostile towards God (Romans 8:7)

4)-Loves sin and darkness (John 3:18-20)

5)-Is a friend of the world and an enemy of God (James 4:4)


We could go on but we see that in our selves and by ourselves we are doomed. Yet our Glorious Savior lays his life down for the sheep:


               (John 10:11 ESV) 
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

That while we were helpless and could do nothing to save ourselves Christ  steps in:

            (Romans 5:6-9 ESV)

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."

This is the best news we could possibly have. I will leave you with one of the most amazing passages in scripture for you to meditate on today. Think of these incredible truths today and take time to marvel at our Glorious Master who loved us and rescued us  from death.

Summary:

1)- Verse 3

A)- The apostle John saw Jesus do many might works. His information is not from hear say but was an actual witness of the event

  B)-Man has sinned and is cut off from God from birth (Romans 5:12) and there are certain doctrinal truths  that must be believed to be a Christian which will allow us to have fellowship with our Creator.

2)- Verse 4

A)-The amazing grace that God has poured out on sinners which is the good news!

B)-We are completed in the sense that we are fulfilling our purpose for which we were ultimately created for which is union with God. Or as The Westminster Shorter Catechism says:

What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever

I will leave you with this passage from Ephesians to meditate on:

                      (Ephesians 1:3-14 ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

If God Why Evil?

This is the number one objection to God's existence. Dr. Zacharias does a great job explaining how an all good and Holy God exists and yet evil exists also.

Dr. Ravi Zacharias  makes a great point in that even the question demonstrates that there is a moral standard to which they are using to condemn the actions of evil. Many times the atheist will bring up the actions of God in the OT and go into a rage about how awful and cruel God is.

The well known and outspoken atheist Dr. Richard Dawkins in his book the "God Delusion" says:

“Yahweh: "The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unplesant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser, a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”

Where is Dawkins getting this standard to judge the actions of God as being wrong?  If there is no moral standard then it is just mans opinion that rape is wrong.  How do we say Mother Teresa was good and Hitler was bad unless we have a transcendent standard that is outside of both of them?

The standard is Gods very character and nature. When looking at my neighbor we nay think we are pretty good. However we are not going to be judges based on how we do compared to our neighbor but rather how we do compared to God!

We are told:

       Mathew 5:48
"You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

2 Samuel 22:31 

"As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him."

Deuteronomy 32:4
"He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he."

We are judged by God's Holy standard which is perfection. The real question is not do bad things happen to good people but why does God allow so many good things to happen to bad people?  

Dr. Vodie Baucham gives us some insight on the correct way the question should be answered:

When we realize the problem is man and not God, we see that we are not owed anything and are deserving of God's wrath and judgement and yet in his grace chooses for himself and elect chosen people (Ephesians 1:3-14).    

Next time someone asks why does God allow bad things to happen to "good" people? Ask them whose standard are you using to determine whether someone is "good" or bad"?    Man's or God's?

Secondly point out to them that they are using a standard outside of themselves to be able to know the way things "ought" to be!  C.S. Lewis pointed out that you when drawing you do not know a line is crooked unless you know what a straight line is.  You do not know something is wrong unless you know what is right.

In closing we are told that God has supernaturally created us with the knowledge of right and wrong but sadly men suppress the truth in unrighteousness:

  (Romans 1:18-23 ESV)

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things."

Why would God allow Evil and Suffering?

Dr. William Lane Craig answers this objection. Many people struggle with this issue and many have turned from Christianity because they do not feel there were good answers to this question. In this video clip Dr. Craig shows why this objection is not without an adequate and powerful response!

If God Why Evil?

Dr. Norman Geisler does a wonderful job explaining the problem of evil and gives the proper and thoughtful response to this problem!

Lennox Vs. Dawkins Debate - Has Science Buried God?

Well known Atheist Dr. Richard Dawkins comes back for a second debate with Christian apologist D.r. John Lennox as they discuss science, theology and ethics. This is a very good discussion, please enjoy!!!

How Can A Benevolent God Allow Suffering?

The question regarding the existence of evil and suffering constantly comes up when answering questions about the Christian Faith. Dr. Ravi Zacharias does a great job answering this question. Unfortunately, many Christians just blow this question off and do not engage in any deep thinking about this profound question. Dr. Zacharias shows us why it is important to have reasonable sound answers to difficult questions!

Did God Create Evil?

Dr. Norman Geisler does a masterful job of explaining the "problem of evil" within a Christian world view. After watching this video hopefully you will vie evil in its proper context

Drs. Alvin Plantinga and Richard Gale

The Existence of Evil and the Problem of God from The Veritas Forum on Vimeo.

A conversation with Drs. Alvin Plantinga and Richard Gale on the topic “The Existence of Evil and the Problem of God.” This conversation is followed by a question and answer session with the audience.

Aquinas Lecture by Elenore Stump, Ph.D.

The 2009 Aquinas Lecture, Desires of the Heart: Finding True Fulfillment, will be delivered January 25, 2009, by the internationally renowned Thomist, Elenore Stump, Ph.D.

When the Psalmist says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4), we are reminded that our heartsore longing and loss not only undermine our flourishing, but also frustrate our deepest heart desires. In this lecture, Dr. Stump will discuss this distinctive feature of suffering, along with our need as seekers of true fulfillment to address the desires of our heart as part of the problem of evil.

Problem of Evil examined

William Lane Craig - Problem of Pain - Gracepoint Berkeley (2010) from Gracepoint Berkeley on Vimeo.

Gracepoint Berkeley had the privilege of hosting Dr. William Lane Craig, author of "Reasonable Faith" and "God is Great, God is Good." In this session, he presents the arguments against the problem of pain.

If God, Why Evil?

http://ankerberg.com/Articles/practical-christianity/upside-down/bad-things.htm

CLICK HERE

Thursday July 8th we will be going over the problem of Evil in our young adults group. This is a link from John Ankerberg that gives some very good articles and part of a video debate between Dr. Norman Geisler and Dr. Harold Kushner as they debate why an all good God would allow evil.

Dr. Peter Kreeft

The Problem of Evil and Suffering from The Veritas Forum on Vimeo.

The Problem of Evil and Suffering
Peter Kreeft
Iowa State University
19 February 2010

David Wood vs John Loftus Debate The Problem Of Evil

http://www.bringyou.to/LoftusWoodProblemEvilDebate.mp3

CLICK HERE

David Wood Debates Atheist John Loftus on the problem of evil. This is a very good debate as you will get to see one of the biggest objections to Gods existence leveled against a well trained Christian apologist.

Many Christians do not think deeply about this issue and many just give a very weak and not a very thoughtful answer to the problem of evil. This debate will give some very good insights about the problem of evil that many may not have thought of.

Dr. Norman Geislers book " Philosophy of Religon" has a very good section on "evil" and gives numerous defenses and also builds off of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine.

The Problem Of Evil

The Existence of Evil and the Problem of God from The Veritas Forum on Vimeo.

The Existence of Evil and the Problem of God
Alvin Plantinga, Richard Gale Ph.D.
University of Tennessee
31 December 2008

A conversation with Drs. Alvin Plantinga and Richard Gale on the topic “The Existence of Evil and the Problem of God.” This conversation is followed by a question and answer session with the audience

www.veritas.org

Problem Of Evil

http://ankerberg.com/Articles/practical-christianity/upside-down/bad-things.htm

CLICK HERE

In light of the tragedy yesterday in Haiti Dr. John Ankerberg has set up a page with several articles and a great dialog between Christian philosopher Dr. Norman Geisler and Jewish Rabbi Harold Kushner who represents finite godism on why there is evil and suffering in the world.

Is God Dead?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNZHVdD0ocM

CLICK HERE

Is God Dead?

Dr. Ravi Zacharias argues for the existence of God and why Theism makes sense of the world we see, from creation to the problem of evil and ethics. Hope you enjoy and feel free to leave comments!

Problem Of Evil

Several philosophers attempt to answer the question