One effective way to show people God REALLY exists (with objections answered)
Feb 11, 2020
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In this talk, Braxton Hunter, a philosophical expert from Trinity Radio, provides compelling arguments for God's existence. He breaks down the Kalam Cosmological Argument, explaining the necessity of a cause for the universe while addressing common objections. The conversation delves into the nature of 'nothingness' and its implications, blending philosophical and scientific insights. Hunter also engages with criticisms of this argument and encourages clear evidence for a personal God, all while keeping the discussion lively and humorous.
The Kalam cosmological argument asserts that everything that begins to exist has a cause, emphasizing the need for a cause behind the universe's existence.
The podcast addresses and counters common objections to the Kalam argument, reinforcing its validity and the idea of a personal God as the universe's cause.
Philosophical reasoning against the concept of an infinite past is presented, strengthening the argument for the universe having a definitive beginning orchestrated by a powerful cause.
Deep dives
The Existence of Evidence for God
Many claim there is no evidence for God, but there are numerous thoughtful reasons to believe in Him. The discussion emphasizes the abundant existence of rational arguments that support the belief in God, particularly focusing on the Kalam cosmological argument. This argument provides a clear structure and strong foundation for understanding the necessity of a cause behind the universe's existence. The podcast aims to unpack these arguments thoroughly, addressing common objections and fostering a resource for those seeking answers.
Overview of the Kalam Cosmological Argument
The Kalam cosmological argument comprises two key premises leading to a significant conclusion: whatever begins to exist has a cause, and the universe began to exist. The discussion highlights how the first premise asserts that everything that comes into being requires a cause, while the second premise is often more contentious but backed by philosophical reasoning and scientific inquiry. The conclusion derived from these two premises is that the universe itself also has a cause, inviting listeners to contemplate the nature of that cause. This reasoning pushes towards considering a timeless, spaceless, and immaterial origin for the universe.
Understanding the Cause of the Universe
If the universe has a cause, it leads us to question what that cause must be like. The characteristics of the cause suggest it must be spaceless, timeless, non-material, and incredibly powerful, aligning closely with common descriptions of God in religious texts. The argument systematically dismisses alternative explanations, like abstract objects, because they lack causal power. Thus, the cause of the universe is inferred to be a personal mind capable of making decisions, further supporting the concept of a personal God.
Addressing Common Objections
One notable objection is whether God himself requires a cause, but this misunderstanding arises from conflating those that begin to exist with the existence of something timeless. The discussion clarifies that God, as an eternal being, does not need a cause because He simply does not have a beginning in the same sense as the universe. Furthermore, objections like the composition fallacy or the potential for a multiverse are also addressed, reaffirming the argument's strength against such claims. The responses serve to solidify the premises, showing their robustness in affirming the necessity of a cause for the universe's existence.
Exploring the Beginning of the Universe
The podcast engages with the idea that the universe began to exist, presenting philosophical reasoning against the concept of an infinite past. An infinite timeline would negate the possibility of arriving at the present, raising logical concerns about its coherence. Even if alternatives, like a cyclical universe, are proposed, they still face the philosophical challenge of infinity, limiting their plausibility. This need for a beginning, therefore, reinforces the argument for God as the cause of the universe.
Distinguishing Between Types of Causes
In discussing the nature of the universe's cause, the conversation highlights different types of causation, including event-event and state-event causation. It suggests that a timeless state necessitates a decision to initiate an event, implicating a personal agent in the beginning of the universe. This consideration leads to the practical observation that the cause need not just be powerful, but also display characteristics of intentionality. In this way, the argument pivots from philosophical reasoning to demonstrating that a personal God could logically account for the universe's existence.
You're about to get a crash course on evidence for God! And we will deal with a bunch of objections to it as well. I'm joined today by Braxton Hunter from Trinity Radio (his channel here https://www.youtube.com/user/braxhunt ) and we are teaching you the Kalam Cosmological Argument for God's existence. This is supported by philosophical and scientific arguments and evidence. In this video we intend to give you a simple version of the argument as well as a more careful and complex explanation of it. Then we will interact with objections that you can expect to come across when you are using this to show people God exists.
Here's one video from Braxton that I thought you might want to check out! "A Christian Response to 15 Atheist YouTubers"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGdoPvtAUzo
I mentioned my videos on understanding variants in the New Testament (in response to a question on John 8) here's a link to those three videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WclIZwBFhq0&list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuzJhPtmrgqpVoXhjvqiIjW
My work in this ministry is fully supported by donations and I intend to keep it that way so that everything I produce can be offered for free. If you want to help make this possible here's the link. https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate
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