See the title, but this is a question that I've been thinking about recently. More specifically, while Aquinas' Five Ways are very strong arguments, what necessarily makes them apply to reality?
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Discussion on matters of general mainstream evangelical Christian theology that do not fit within Theology 201. Have some spiritual gifts ceased today? Is the KJV the only viable translation for the church today? In what sense are the books of the bible inspired and what are those books? Church government? Modern day prophets and apostles?
This forum is primarily for Christians to discuss matters of Christian doctrine, and is not the area for debate between atheists (or those opposing orthodox Christianity) and Christians. Inquiring atheists (or sincere seekers/doubters/unorthodox) seeking only Christian participation and having demonstrated a manner that does not seek to undermine the orthodox Christian faith of others are also welcome, but must seek Moderator permission first. When defining “Christian” or "orthodox" for purposes of this section, we mean persons holding to the core essentials of the historic Christian faith such as the Trinity, the Creatorship of God, the virgin birth, the bodily resurrection of Christ, the atonement, the future bodily return of Christ, the future bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, and the final judgment. Persons not holding to these core doctrines are welcome to participate in the Comparative Religions section without restriction, in Theology 201 as regards to the nature of God and salvation with limited restrictions, and in Christology for issues surrounding the person of Christ and the Trinity. Atheists are welcome to discuss and debate these issues in the Apologetics 301 forum without such restrictions.
Additionally and rarely, there may be some topics or lines of discussion that within the Moderator's discretion fall so outside the bounds of mainstream orthodox doctrine (in general Christian circles or in the TheologyWeb community) or that deny certain core values that are the Christian convictions of forum leadership that may be more appropriately placed within Unorthodox Theology 201. NO personal offense should be taken by such discretionary decision for none is intended. While inerrancy is NOT considered a requirement for posting in this section, a general respect for the Bible text and a respect for the inerrantist position of others is requested.
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How Do We Know that God Exists?
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Um, unless you are arguing for a steady state universe, Number Three inherently applies to material reality as we know it (arguably, so do the rest but I'd argue Five as the second strongest).
I suspect - not a philosopher and don't play on on TV - the existence of God is where we should wind up following Plato's forms to their logical conclusion but I would not argue it as I'm not well enough read in the two."He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot
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Originally posted by Teallaura View PostUm, unless you are arguing for a steady state universe, Number Three inherently applies to material reality as we know it (arguably, so do the rest but I'd argue Five as the second strongest).
I suspect - not a philosopher and don't play on on TV - the existence of God is where we should wind up following Plato's forms to their logical conclusion but I would not argue it as I'm not well enough read in the two.
Unlike some modern Thomists, Thomas Aquinas didn't seem to divide his physics and metaphysics in a way that made them into non-overlapping magisteria.
*Those like Edward Feser, and our own Nick Peters. I also read one a while back claiming that even if there was no such thing as motion Thomas would still be right.
An example of this from Edward Feser's blog.
"Moreover, the philosophy of nature, as modern Scholastics have understood it, tells us what the natural world must be like whatever the specific laws of physics, chemistry, etc. turn out to be. And the Scholastic position is that the distinction between actuality and potentiality, the principle of causality, and other fundamental elements of the Aristotelian conception of nature are among the preconditions of any possible material world susceptible of scientific study.
That is why no findings of empirical science can undermine the claims of metaphysics and the philosophy of nature. It is also why no findings of empirical science can undermine the Aristotelian-Thomistic arguments for the existence of God, for these are grounded in premises drawn, not from natural science, but from metaphysics and the philosophy of nature. "
**Quantum mechanics, gravity, and light going through a vacuum are falsifications of these.
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Originally posted by psstein View PostSee the title, but this is a question that I've been thinking about recently. More specifically, while Aquinas' Five Ways are very strong arguments, what necessarily makes them apply to reality?
This is why we as humans all doubt at times, and this is why we continue to debate worldviews, evidences, and interpretations because at the end of the day, no one can prove with certainty that their answers to "ultimate questions" are the correct ones.Last edited by Scrawly; 12-03-2017, 07:21 PM.
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Originally posted by psstein View PostSee the title, but this is a question that I've been thinking about recently. More specifically, while Aquinas' Five Ways are very strong arguments, what necessarily makes them apply to reality?Originally posted by Scrawly View PostWe don't know God exists. When someone says they know God exists, what they really mean is "I strongly believe God exists". Conviction and proof are two different things. Of course we can claim evidence for our beliefs, but the evidence still falls significantly short of furnishing any sort of rational certainty.
This is why we as humans all doubt at times, and this is why we continue to debate worldviews, evidences, and interpretations because at the end of the day, no one can prove with certainty that their answers to "ultimate questions" are the correct ones.For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>
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Originally posted by The Remonstrant View PostDogmatic statements in support of agnosticism(?).
No. Statements that support the limitations and realities of human reasoning and fallibility.
Are you truly that certain about the uncertainty of the existence of God?
These are self-refuting assertions, Scrawly.Last edited by Scrawly; 12-03-2017, 07:53 PM.
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Originally posted by Scrawly View PostWe don't know God exists. When someone says they know God exists, what they really mean is "I strongly believe God exists". Conviction and proof are two different things. Of course we can claim evidence for our beliefs, but the evidence still falls significantly short of furnishing any sort of rational certainty.
This is why we as humans all doubt at times, and this is why we continue to debate worldviews, evidences, and interpretations because at the end of the day, no one can prove with certainty that their answers to "ultimate questions" are the correct ones.Originally posted by The Remonstrant View PostDogmatic statements in support of agnosticism(?).Originally posted by Scrawly View PostNo. Statements that support the limitations and realities of human reasoning and fallibility.
Originally posted by The Remonstrant View PostAre you truly that certain about the uncertainty of the existence of God?Originally posted by Scrawly View PostI am certain about the limitations of our beliefs when attempting to produce rational certainty.
Originally posted by The Remonstrant View PostThese are self-refuting assertions, Scrawly.Originally posted by Scrawly View PostI think you are refuting a straw man.
Finally, I will simply say that I believe a discussion of this nature belongs on another forum (though the moderators may disagree). I doubt that I will carry on much longer, in any event.Last edited by The Remonstrant; 12-03-2017, 08:26 PM.For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>
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Originally posted by Scrawly View PostWe don't know God exists. When someone says they know God exists, what they really mean is "I strongly believe God exists". Conviction and proof are two different things. Of course we can claim evidence for our beliefs, but the evidence still falls significantly short of furnishing any sort of rational certainty.
This is why we as humans all doubt at times, and this is why we continue to debate worldviews, evidences, and interpretations because at the end of the day, no one can prove with certainty that their answers to "ultimate questions" are the correct ones.
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Originally posted by The Remonstrant View PostAnd would not these purported ‘limitations and realities of human reasoning and fallibility’ be applicable to you and your reasoning as well? Are you certain that your (admittedly) fallible, limited reasoning is cogent?
Conclusion: You are certain that human beings cannot know whether God exists with ‘rational certainty’ (whatever it is you mean by that).
You are certain of the limitations of human knowledge.
Presumably you know with precision where human knowledge begins and ends, or are you merely guessing?
[I do not believe so. You are making faith-claims as to what human beings can and cannot know
and more or less treating the key tenet to your agnostic belief system of incertitude as indubitable fact.
Do you not see the slightest hint of possible contradiction or irony here?
Finally, I will simply say that I believe a discussion of this nature belongs on another forum (though the moderators may disagree). I doubt that I will carry on much longer, in any event.Last edited by Scrawly; 12-03-2017, 09:33 PM.
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Originally posted by Scrawly View PostYes. We as Christian's [sic] cannot provide rational, incontrovertible proof of God's existence to an "outsider[.]"For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>
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Originally posted by The Remonstrant View PostThe problem with this line of argumentation is that it assumes the task of Christianity is to in some way demonstrate its intellectual viability (or respectability) by ushering forth ‘proofs’ of God and his existence to an unbelieving world. This contradicts what Paul sets forth in Romans 1:18–25. The notion that persons need to be ‘proven’ the existence of God is not scriptural, but misguided. As simplistic as it might sound, in their moral corruption, non-believers have suppressed (or held back) the knowledge of God as Creator. There is a sense in which even those who have heard the proclamation of the good news of salvation in Christ are blinded not only by their moral corruption, but supernaturally as well (see 2 Cor. 4:4).
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For some reason, I like working back from the Resurrection. If you establish the reliability of the Gospels and examine all the possible explanations for the empty tomb and the Twelve's reports of seeing a risen Jesus, then the Resurrection is the explanation that makes the most sense. If the Resurrection happened, then Jesus is Who He claimed to be and god exists. Of course the best evidence is yet to come. It will be hard to doubt God's existence when He will be the light source for the New Jerusalem! Well, a really stupid fundy atheist at the final judgement could try to claim that God is somehow like one of those fake gods that are merely aliens from Star Trek, but I'm sure God can easily disprove something so stupid.If it weren't for the Resurrection of Jesus, we'd all be in DEEP TROUBLE!
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The fourth way is what I have been debating with Tassman and JimL regarding morals. They have both made comments that they think human kind's morals are "better" than they used to be (i.e. value of life, slavery, etc) and yet want to say morals are just relative. But they keep appealing to a "better" standard to which they measure past moral value and even present ones to. They don't seem to grasp that they are appealing to an objective moral standard of good and bad.
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