Chapters 5-7Chapters 5-7The religion of naturalismThe religion of naturalism

Written by Charles ColsonWritten by Charles Colson

Presented by David HaszPresented by David Hasz

The discoveryThe discovery

What did Dave Mulholland What did Dave Mulholland discover on his trip to Disney discover on his trip to Disney with Katy?with Katy?

The Discovery Cont.The Discovery Cont.

What was Katy’s view of What was Katy’s view of religion in relation to religion in relation to science?science?

Where had Katy formed these Where had Katy formed these views?views?

The dominant viewThe dominant view

Naturalism is the dominant Naturalism is the dominant view in our culture, and it is view in our culture, and it is radically one sided.radically one sided.

The dominant View Cont.The dominant View Cont.

Naturalism is in direct Naturalism is in direct contrast to Gen. 1:1contrast to Gen. 1:1

What is the problem here?What is the problem here?

Naturalist ScientistsNaturalist Scientists

Scientist pretend that they Scientist pretend that they are fair minded and objective are fair minded and objective and try to make religious and try to make religious people look subjective and people look subjective and biased.biased.

Naturalist Scientists Cont.Naturalist Scientists Cont.

This is a ruse for naturalism is This is a ruse for naturalism is as much a philosophy, world as much a philosophy, world view and personal belief view and personal belief system as Christianity.system as Christianity.

CosmosCosmos

Sagan makes it clear in Sagan makes it clear in Cosmos, that he believes in Cosmos, that he believes in naturalism.naturalism.

Cosmos Cont.Cosmos Cont.

The Cosmos is all that is or The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be.ever was or ever will be.

This is liturgical and mocks This is liturgical and mocks Christian liturgy.Christian liturgy.

LiturgyLiturgy

Glory be to the Father, and to Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy the Son and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.shall be, world without end.

Liturgy Cont.Liturgy Cont.

Notice Sagan even capitalizes Notice Sagan even capitalizes the world Cosmos the same the world Cosmos the same way Christians capitalize God.way Christians capitalize God.

Sagan goes fartherSagan goes farther

Sagan on God: “an outsized, Sagan on God: “an outsized, light-skinned male with a long light-skinned male with a long white beard, sitting on a throne white beard, sitting on a throne somewhere up in there in the somewhere up in there in the sky, busily tallying the fall of sky, busily tallying the fall of every sparrow.”every sparrow.”

Sagan Goes Further Cont.Sagan Goes Further Cont.

Sagan: “A universe that is Sagan: “A universe that is infinitely old requires no infinitely old requires no creatorcreator””

Christianity v. NaturalismChristianity v. Naturalism

Christianity says we are: Christianity says we are: Children of God.Children of God.

Naturalism says we are: Naturalism says we are: Children of the Cosmos.Children of the Cosmos.

The Cosmos offers salvation, The Cosmos offers salvation, worship, etcworship, etc..

The great debateThe great debate

Most have the view from Most have the view from “Inherit the Wind”“Inherit the Wind”

The debate is not necessarily The debate is not necessarily about the Bible versus about the Bible versus science.science.

The Great Debate Cont.The Great Debate Cont.

The debate is about pursuing The debate is about pursuing scientific facts and following scientific facts and following the facts.the facts.

The ChallengeThe Challenge

We must challenge the We must challenge the assumption that science assumption that science by definition means by definition means naturalistic philosophy.naturalistic philosophy.

The BeginningThe Beginning

Christians have religiously held Christians have religiously held for centuries that there is a for centuries that there is a beginning.beginning.

Science has stated for centuries Science has stated for centuries that there is not a natural that there is not a natural beginning to the universe. beginning to the universe.

The Beginning Cont.The Beginning Cont.

In the 18th century In the 18th century scientists created the law scientists created the law of conservative matter.of conservative matter.

The EvidenceThe Evidence

Then in the 20th century Then in the 20th century several lines of evidence several lines of evidence began to emerge that pointed began to emerge that pointed to a beginning.to a beginning.

The Evidence Cont.The Evidence Cont.

The 2nd law of The 2nd law of thermodynamics - everything thermodynamics - everything is running down. When did it is running down. When did it run up?run up?

Finally a new idea for scienceFinally a new idea for science

In the 1960’s scientists In the 1960’s scientists formulated the Big Bang formulated the Big Bang theory.theory.

New idea Cont.New idea Cont.

Science itself now indicated Science itself now indicated the universe burst into the universe burst into existence at a particular time existence at a particular time in the past.in the past.

Huge Problems for NaturalistsHuge Problems for Naturalists

The Big Bang does not fit The Big Bang does not fit classic naturalism.classic naturalism.

They believe everything has They believe everything has been going on forever.been going on forever.

What to do with the big bang?What to do with the big bang?

The dilemmaThe dilemma

Page 60Page 60

DesignDesign

The orbitThe orbit The chemicals in our bodiesThe chemicals in our bodies The temperatureThe temperature

Design Cont.Design Cont.

WaterWater Atom: Neutron larger than Atom: Neutron larger than

the protonthe proton

The Universe points to a creatorThe Universe points to a creator

Mt. RushmoreMt. Rushmore Major features of the universe Major features of the universe

are irregular and highly are irregular and highly specific.specific.

If the universe displays If the universe displays design, who is the designer?design, who is the designer?