Defending the Faith Truth, the Existence of God, and the Problem of Evil.

Defending the FaithDefending the Faith

Truth, the Existence of God, and Truth, the Existence of God, and the Problem of Evilthe Problem of Evil

So Many Religions So Little TimeSo Many Religions So Little Time

• According to the World Christian Encyclopedia there are over 10,000 distinct religions in the world

• There are about 33,830 Christian denominations, which one is right?

• 150 religions have more than a million members

• How do you know which one is right?

Five Life-Changing QuestionsFive Life-Changing Questions

• Is there Truth?

• Does God Exist?

• Is there Revelation?

• Is Jesus God?

• Did Jesus start the Catholic Church?

Is there Truth?Is there Truth?

What is Truth?What is Truth?

• Truth is the mind’s correspondence to reality–When our mind perceives reality the way it

really is

• Objective vs. Subjective Truth–Objective Truth – something is true

independent of whether I believe it

– Subjective Truth – something is true if I believe it so

What is Truth?What is Truth?

• False theories of Truth– Relativism– Agnosticism & Skepticism

• Are Religious Truths Objective?– Yes

• How can matters of faith be objective?– Faith is not believing something you can’t

prove because its contrary to reason, but believing something that’s beyond reason

Finding the TruthFinding the Truth

• The truth doesn’t conform to us, we conform to the truth.– Seeking the truth is not about finding what “works

for you” but finding the truth of how things really work

• We shouldn’t be a member of a religion simply because it agrees with us, but because it is the truth.

–Catholicism is not Burger King – it’s not our way right away

What is Faith? What is Faith?

• Faith is a personal adherence of the whole man to God who reveals himself. It involves an assent of the intellect and will to the self-revelation God has made through his deeds and words.

• "To believe" has thus a twofold reference: to the person, and to the truth: to the truth, by trust in the person who bears witness to it.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 176 & 177

Faith & ScienceFaith & Science

• Faith & Science do not conflict– “Methodical research in all branches of

knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God.” CCC 159

• Creation vs. Evolution

Is There a God?Is There a God?

• Argument from Causality– If everything that exists in the universe has a

cause for its existence (a reason why it exists the way it does)

– There must be a First Cause to start everything going• We call Him…GOD

Is There a God?Is There a God?

• Kalam Cosmological Argument–Whatever began to exist, has a cause for its

coming into being

– The universe & time began to exist

– Therefore, both the universe & time have a cause for their existence• Outside of time• Outside of the universe• We call Him…God

Is There a God?Is There a God?

• Pascal's Wager–Not sure? What is the best bet? Only two

options...either believe or not believe

– If you believe in God• If He doesn't exist → live a good life & die• If He does exist → live a good life & heaven

– If you don't believe in God• If He doesn't exist → live a sinful life & die• If He does exist → live a sinful life & hell

What about Evil?What about Evil?

IIf God is good and All-f God is good and All-Powerful, then how can Powerful, then how can

evil exist?evil exist?

What about Evil?What about Evil?

IIf God is good and All-f God is good and All-Powerful, then how can Powerful, then how can

evil exist?evil exist?

The Problem of EvilThe Problem of Evil

• All from the Fall of Adam & Eve

• Evils of Nature – only a problem because we are in the way

–Never meant to be outside the Garden

– Entropy: Material reality falls apart

• Evils from Sin – whether ours or others

– Free will

– The preciousness of love is worth the risk of free will

• Still Not Enough

The Final Word on TruthThe Final Word on Truth

• "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31-32

Catholic Cool Stuff – St. Padre PioCatholic Cool Stuff – St. Padre Pio

• Handbook of Catholic Apologetics by Peter Kreeft and Ronald Tacelli

• The Journey by Peter Kreeft

• www.peterkreeft.com

• Prove It! God by Amy Welborn

• Because God is Real: Sixteen Questions, One Answer by Peter Kreeft

Defending the FaithDefending the Faith

Truth, the Existence of God, and Truth, the Existence of God, and the Problem of Evilthe Problem of Evil