systematic theology

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

THEOLOGY PROPER

SENIORS…

Ponder the following question and discuss with the people in

your Tribond:

Why do you believe God exists?What do you use as “proof”

that there is a God?

SENIORS…

Friday start-up

Rock/Paper/Scissors/Lizard/Spock to determine who opens

the class in prayer.

THIS WEEK IN SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL CLASS INTRO

TRIBONDS

GUIDELINES

SYLLABUS

WESBITE

EXISTENCEOF GOD

Does God exist?

Why do you believe God exists?

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Begin with a positive argument!

Personal experience

EXISTENCE OF GOD

SENIORS…

Share with the people in your Tribond a personal experience

that helped solidify your faith in God.

(share youngest to oldest)

Personal experience God’s world God’s Word

EXISTENCE OF GOD

SENIORS…

Ponder the following question and discuss with the people in

your Tribond:

What are reasons people use to doubt God’s existence?

(try to think of at least 3)

SENIORS…

Monday start-up

Pray with your Tribond 2-3 minutes– have the person with the longest last name pray first, the person with

the shortest last name pray last

EXISTENCE OF GOD

ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE EXISTENCE

OF GOD

EXISTENCEOF GOD

TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENT-

THE ARGUMENT

FROM DESIGN

EXISTENCEOF GOD

TELELOGICALARGUMENT

EXISTENCEOF GOD

COSMOLOGICAL ARGUMENT

EXISTENCEOF GOD

“CASE FOR A CREATOR” pt 1

Why do people doubt God’s existence?

EXISTENCE OF GOD

The top two responses… I can’t see/hear/touch

God (I only believe in the physical universe)

I can’t understand why God could or would allow pain, suffering, and evil

EXISTENCE OF GOD

3 responses…

JesusThomas Aquinas

John Lynch

EXISTENCE OF GOD

SENIORS…

Review with the people in your Tribond the three positive ways

to begin a discussion about God’s existence.

SENIORS…

Tuesday start-up

Two pray Tuesday. In your Tribond have one person pray for the school and

another pray for the country

Personal experience God’s world God’s Word

EXISTENCE OF GOD

OF GOD

EXISTENCEOF GOD

THE ARGUMENT

FROM DESIGN

EXISTENCEOF GOD

TELELOGICAL ARGUMENT

EXISTENCEOF GOD

EXISTENCE OF GOD

WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE FOR

GOD’S EXISTENCE?

Traditional arguments for the existence of God:

Teleological Argument Cosmological

Argument Ontological Argument Moral Argument Pascal’s “Wager”

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Teleological ArgumentGk. teleos: “end”, “purpose” or “goal”

The design, order and purpose of the universe is due to intelligence rather than chance

EXISTENCE OF GOD

William Paley’s watchmaker illustration

EXISTENCE OF GOD

SENIORS…

Without looking at your notes, review with the people in your

Tribond the Teleological argument for God’s existence.

Discuss whether or not you think this argument works.

SENIORS…

Wednesday start-up

ePray. Tribond tweet a word of thanksgiving or

praise to God.

EXISTENCE OF GOD

OF GOD

EXISTENCEOF GOD

THE ARGUMENT

FROM DESIGN

EXISTENCEOF GOD

What is a syllogism?A syllogism is a 3 step logical proof, comprised of 2 statements of fact (premises) and a conclusion based upon the two factual statements

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Teleological syllogismPremise 1: If there is design, there must be a designerPremise 2: The universe has highly complex designConclusion: The universe had a designer

EXISTENCE OF GOD

SENIORS…

Brainstorm with your Tribond other examples of design in the universe that were not shared

yesterday- make a list of at least 5.

SENIORS…

Thursday start-up

In your Tribond pray over the theme in your life.

“Fall into His story.”

EXISTENCE OF GOD

OF GOD

EXISTENCEOF GOD

THE ARGUMENT

FROM DESIGN

EXISTENCEOF GOD

Psalm 19:1–2The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

EXISTENCE OF GOD

EXISTENCE OF GODPsalm 19:1–2

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

The universe is noisy!

Romans 1:20–21For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

EXISTENCE OF GOD

EXISTENCE OF GODRomans 1:20–21

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

SENIORS…

Work in your Tribond to find other Scripture passages that

suggest design and order in the universe.

When in an “apologetics”conversation, remember- it’s all about relationships

The universe is either…

Infinite Finite EternalTemporal UncausedCaused

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Cosmological ArgumentGk. cosmos: “world” or “universe”

Every new thing or element of change must have a cause(cause and effect)

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Kalam Cosmological syllogismPremise 1: Whatever begins to exist has a cause

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Kalam Cosmological syllogismPremise 1: Whatever begins to exist has a causePremise 2: The universe began to exist

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Kalam Cosmological syllogismPremise 1: Whatever begins to exist has a causePremise 2: The universe began to existConclusion: The universe has a cause

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Since this cause is responsible for bringing space and time into existence, this cause must be an uncaused, changeless, timeless, immaterial being(sound like anyone you know?)

EXISTENCE OF GOD

SENIORS…

The objector might ask,“If everything has a cause,

then who or what caused God?” Discuss your answer in your

Tribond

FIRRST CAUSEFIRST CAUSE?

SENIORS…

Create a KWL for “The Case of a Creator” DVD. Things you Know

about the creator argument, things you Want to know, and a column for things you Learned while watching. Due end of the

day Monday.

SENIORS…

Friday start-up

CLASS INTRO

THE ARGUMENT

FROM DESIGN

EXISTENCEOF GOD

THE ARGUMENT

FROM DESIGN

EXISTENCEOF GOD

THE CASE FOR A CREATOR

1. How does the negative evidence of Darwinian evolution hinder the theory’s effectiveness in describing the origin of life? Why do you think this evidence is not as widely published as pro-Darwinian evidence?2. Is it possible to be a scientist and “religious” at the same time? Can a Christian draw scientific conclusions in an unbiased way? Can an atheist? Why or why not?

3. How does irreducible complexity in a cell potentially pose a problem for Darwinian evolution?4. If Darwin were alive today, do you think he would continue to support his own theory? Why or why not?5. If the evidence of science points toward a Creator, where does faith fit in? What is the relationship between faith and science?

SENIORS…

Create a KWL for “The Case of a Creator” DVD. Things you Know

about the creator argument, things you Want to know, and a column for things you Learned while watching. Due end of the

day Monday.

SENIORS…

Monday start-up

EXISTENCEOF GOD

DVD:“THE CASE

FOR A CREATOR”

PART 2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

ONTOLOGICAL ARGUMENT

MEMORY VERSE

GROUP #1Presents

Psalm 19:1-2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

MORAL ARGUMENT

EXISTENCEOF GOD

PASCAL’S WAGER

WEEKLY QUESTIONS

DUE BY MIDNIGHT!

3. How does irreducible complexity in a cell potentially pose a problem for Darwinian evolution?4. If Darwin were alive today, do you think he would continue to support his own theory? Why or why not?5. If the evidence of science points toward a Creator, where does faith fit in? What is the relationship between faith and science?

SENIORS…

The Case for a Creator review…

Discuss with your Tribond your 3 favorite examples

highlighted in The Case for a Creator DVD

that demonstrate the existence of God

(3 examples of design in the universe)

SENIORS…

Tuesday start-up

Two pray Tuesday. In your Tribond have one person pray for the school and

another pray for the country

EXISTENCEOF GOD

DVD:“THE CASE

FOR A CREATOR”

PART 2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

MEMORY VERSE

GROUP #1Presents

Psalm 19:1-2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

MORAL ARGUMENT

EXISTENCEOF GOD

PASCAL’S WAGER

WEEKLY QUESTIONS

DUE BY MIDNIGHT!

“Let me tell you a story about a man named

Anselm…”

Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) wanted to formulate an argument that everyone could comprehend and agree upon- this is what he came up with…

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Ontological ArgumentGk. on: “being, existing, essence”

The idea of God, the perfect Being, has always existed in the minds of human beings

EXISTENCE OF GOD

SyllogismPremise 1: If it can be

conceived, it must exist

WAIT A MINUTE!!! WHAT ABOUT…

EXISTENCE OF GOD

The objection might be made that people have conceived of many things that do not exist, like a unicorn. The answer to this objection is that all of our conceptions do exist in reality one way or another and are never original.

EXISTENCE OF GOD

A unicorn is the concept of a horse and a horn, both of which exist separately in reality. God is a concept that exists in some capacity within our minds, so He must in some way be connected to reality.

EXISTENCE OF GOD

The point of the ontological argument is that it is impossible to conceive of something that does not exist in reality. People have no concept of non-existent entities. Our very conception of God proves that He exists.

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Ontological SyllogismPremise 1: If it can be

conceived, it must existPremise 2: The concept

of God is universally conceived

Conclusion: God must exist

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Romans 1:18-19For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

EXISTENCE OF GOD

SENIORS…

Are there any possible weaknesses within the Ontological argument?

If so, what might they be?

SENIORS…

Group 1 prepare. Everyone else get out your Bible and preview

Psalm 19:1,2 at your desk.

SENIORS…

Wednesday start-up

ePray.

EXISTENCEOF GOD

DVD:“THE CASE

FOR A CREATOR”

PART 2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

MEMORY VERSE

GROUP #1Presents

Psalm 19:1-2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

MORAL ARGUMENT

EXISTENCEOF GOD

PASCAL’S WAGER

WEEKLY QUESTIONS

DUE BY MIDNIGHT!

SENIORS…

Review with the people at your table the three argument for

God’s existence we have covered so far in class.

Discuss the pros and cons of each argument.

SENIORS…

Thursday start-up

Teleological syllogismPremise 1: If there is design, there must be a designerPremise 2: The universe has highly complex designConclusion: The universe had a designer

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Kalam Cosmological syllogismPremise 1: Whatever begins to exist has a causePremise 2: The universe began to existConclusion: The universe has a cause

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Ontological SyllogismPremise 1: If it can be

conceived, it must existPremise 2: The concept

of God is universally conceived

Conclusion: God must exist

EXISTENCE OF GOD

EXISTENCEOF GOD

DVD:“THE CASE

FOR A CREATOR”

PART 2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

MEMORY VERSE

GROUP #1Presents

Psalm 19:1-2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

MORAL ARGUMENT

EXISTENCEOF GOD

PASCAL’S WAGER

WEEKLY QUESTIONS

DUE BY MIDNIGHT!

SENIORS…In your Tribonds ask:

How do people learn the difference between right and

wrong?

How might the issue of morality help demonstrate the existence

of God?

Murder hurts people Therefore, murder is wrong

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Murder hurts peopleHurting people is wrong Therefore, murder is wrong

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Where do we getthis idea?

Moral ArgumentAll people have a concept of right and wrong, a concept that must have come from something outside of them, a Moral Absolute

EXISTENCE OF GOD

All people have a conscience that reflects some sense of morality outside of themselves

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Non-theistic counterarguments to

Morality:Relativism- right and wrong is decided by the individual or society

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Morality:Evolutionary Ethics- right and wrong is an expression of natural instincts that evolved to promote survival

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Morality:Relativism- right and wrong is decided by the individual or society

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Problems with Relativism…

They are confusing truth claims with preference claimsNo one can really live this way!

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Morality:Evolutionary Ethics- right and wrong is an expression of natural instincts that evolved to promote survival

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Problems with EE…This may describe moral behavior but it doesn’t prescribe moral behavior

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Moral laws do not describe how we live, they prescribe how we

should live

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Problems with EE…This may describe moral behavior but it doesn’t prescribe moral behaviorThis does not account for acts of selflessness (ex: helping an elderly person across the street)

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Romans 2:14–15For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Romans 2:14–15For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.

EXISTENCE OF GOD

EXISTENCE OF GODRomans 2:14–15

For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.

SENIORS…

Without looking it up, write down on a note card or half sheet;

what you think Pascal’s Wager will be and place it in the bowl.

SENIORS…

Friday start-up

EXISTENCEOF GOD

DVD:“THE CASE

FOR A CREATOR”

PART 2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

MEMORY VERSE

GROUP #1Presents

Psalm 19:1-2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

MORAL ARGUMENT

EXISTENCEOF GOD

PASCAL’S WAGER

WEEKLY QUESTIONS

DUE BY MIDNIGHT!

Pascal’s “Wager”If you say there is a God and there is not, there are no consequencesIf you say there is not a God and there is, there will be drastic consequences

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Pascal’s “Wager”

God exists God does not exist

I believe in God I do not believe in God

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Pascal’s “Wager”

God exists God does not exist

I believe in God I do not believe in God

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Which argument do you find most persuasive?

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Describe a situation or type of person in which

each argument would be most effective…

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Argument Situation/Person

Teleological

Cosmological

Ontological

Pascal’s wager

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Is something “good” because God commanded it

orDoes God command

something because it is “good”?

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Syllogism (C.S. Lewis)Premise 1: There must be a universal moral law, or else:

(a) all moral disagreements/criticisms would make no sense

(The Nazis were wrong)

EXISTENCE OF GOD

(b) it would be unnecessary to keep

promises or treaties

EXISTENCE OF GOD

(c) mankind would not make excuses for breaking moral law

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Syllogism (C.S. Lewis)Premise 2: A universal moral law requires a universal “Moral law-giver” who is interested in our moral behavior

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Syllogism (C.S. Lewis)Premise 3: This universal “Moral law-giver” must be absolutely good, otherwise all moral effort would be futile since we would be sacrificing our lives for what is not ultimately right

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Syllogism (C.S. Lewis)Conclusion: There must be an absolutely good “Moral law-giver”

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Jay Richards:What is “fundamental reality”? What is that thing from which everything else derives? That is a worldview question- what is the thing that itself doesn’t need a cause for its existence?Whatever is the “fundamental reality”, it must be something that has always existed!

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Jay Richards:When discussing design, inquiring about the designer is just an attempt to change the subject- we can see design even if we cannot completely demonstrate where the designer came from.

EXISTENCE OF GOD

SENIORS…

Review with the people at your table the 5 arguments for God’s

existence (teleological, cosmological, ontological, moral

and Pascal’s wager)

SENIORS…

Monday start-up

LABORDAY

EXISTENCEOF GOD

3 REASONS CHRISTIANS DON’T NEED

TO PROVE GOD EXISTS

SCIENTIFICALLY

MEMORY VERSE

QUIZPsalm 19:1-2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

UNIT REVIEW

EXISTENCEOF GOD

UNIT QUIZ

WEEKLY QUESTIONS

DUE BY MIDNIGHT!

Screen shot of websites new weekly reading

Insert screen shot of website clicking on study guides

• Historical evidences strongly verify the existence, the teachings, and the miracles performed by Jesus.

• Christian’s have been personal witnesses to the transforming power of trusting in Christ

• Every semi-coherent ethical doctrine attempted apart from Christ uses His teachings

3 REASONS WE DON’T NEED SCIENTIFIC PROOF

OF GOD

“Many people try to put off personal commitment to Christ by voicing the assumption that if you cannot prove something scientifically, it is not true or worthy of acceptance. Since one cannot prove scientifically the Deity of Jesus or the resurrection, the twentieth-century individual should know better than to accept Christ as savior or believe in the resurrection…” - Josh McDowell

OF GOD

Scientific Proof- -Controlled environment-Observations can be made-Data can be drawn-Hypothesis can be verifiedLegal-historical proof--Oral testimony-Written testimony-exhibts

OF GOD

…”that a few simple men should in one generation have invented so powerful and appealing a personality, so lofty an ethic, and so inspiring a vision of human brotherhood, would be a miracle far more incredible than any recorded in the Gospels. After two centuries of Higher Criticism the outlines of the life, character and teaching of Christ remain reasonably clear, and constitute fascinating feature in the history of Western Man.” - Will Durant

OF GOD

“There exists no document from the ancient world witnessed by so excellent a set of textual and historical testimonies, and offering so superb an array of historical data on which an intelligent decision may be made. An honest person cannot dismiss a source of this kind. Skepticism regarding historical credentials of Christianity is based upon an irrational bias.” -Dr. Charles H. Pinnock

OF GOD

Christianity isn’t a To-Do List. We can’t manufacture our own transformation.Our new identities have new desires. These desires are proclaimed in Scripture such as Romans 12:9-21. We only read them as commands when we can’t feel the desires. We can’t feel the desire when…

1.) Our flesh desires are too loud2. )We have no new identity

OF GOD

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandments. A second is like it, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depends all the Law and the Prophets.” - Jesus (Mt 22:37-40)

OF GOD

“Given that Christ established the foundation of all attempts at godless ethic Himself 2000 years ago, given His philosophical conception of an unthinkable, unimaginable system by which to consult and lean on God through the Holy Spirit, given the continued experience of one of the most incredibly historically accurate testaments to His teachings and how to follow that ethic and given the witnessing that many people still are and continue to be miraculously transformed by Christ- trusting in Him, and who this simple carpenter of Nazareth claimed to be is not too difficult of a leap to make without scientific “proof” of the existence of God”. – Craig Chamberlain

OF GOD

SENIORS…

Put all your gear in the front away from your Tribond. It’s a

MVQ day!

SENIORS…

Wednesday start-up

ePray.

LABORDAY

EXISTENCEOF GOD

TO PROVE GOD EXISTS

SCIENTIFICALLY

MEMORY VERSE

QUIZPsalm 19:1-2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

UNIT REVIEW

EXISTENCEOF GOD

UNIT QUIZ

WEEKLY QUESTIONS

DUE BY MIDNIGHT!

SENIORS…

Share with the people at your table an opportunity you had to defend or explain Christianity-If you had to do it over again,

what would you do differently?What would you do the same?

SENIORS…

Thursday start-up

LABORDAY

EXISTENCEOF GOD

TO PROVE GOD EXISTS

SCIENTIFICALLY

MEMORY VERSE

QUIZPsalm 19:1-2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

UNIT REVIEW

EXISTENCEOF GOD

UNIT QUIZ

WEEKLY QUESTIONS

DUE BY MIDNIGHT!

SENIORS…Thursday “pop-quiz”!

(everybody groan in unison)(then realize it’s only worth a participation grade)

1. Define the teleological argument 2. Define the cosmological argument3. Define the ontological argument4. Define the moral argument

SENIORS…

5. Romans 1:20 provides a biblical description of which argument?6. Romans 2:14-15 provides a biblical description of which argument?7. Romans 1:19 provides a biblical description of which argument?8. Psalm 19:1-2 provides a biblical description of which argument?

SENIORS…

Put all your gear in the front away from your Tribond. It’s a

Quiz day!

SENIORS…

Friday start-up

LABORDAY

EXISTENCEOF GOD

TO PROVE GOD EXISTS

SCIENTIFICALLY

MEMORY VERSE

QUIZPsalm 19:1-2

EXISTENCEOF GOD

UNIT REVIEW

EXISTENCEOF GOD

UNIT QUIZ

WEEKLY QUESTIONS

DUE BY MIDNIGHT!

systematic theology

gods existence

existence of godwhat

existence of godthe

existence of godbegin

positive argument

seeheartouch god

reasons people

lastthis week

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