tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772414331480635861.post7852077029234397632..comments2024-03-18T18:19:19.002-07:00Comments on bylogos: Proving God’s Existencejohn bylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05766117392831032432noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772414331480635861.post-92208303376370390412010-11-10T20:39:55.466-08:002010-11-10T20:39:55.466-08:00Anonymous,
I'm sorry, but I am not following ...Anonymous,<br /><br />I'm sorry, but I am not following you.<br /><br />Did you mean "a priori"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772414331480635861.post-28352515728184681602010-11-03T15:25:06.833-07:002010-11-03T15:25:06.833-07:00Hi mennoknight,
I don't believe God or his se...Hi mennoknight,<br /><br />I don't believe God or his self-revelation *because* of their plausibility; rather my understanding is a posteriori. To paraphrase Lewis, it is not that I see the Son, it is rather that by the Son I see anything. Relating this sight to one who is blinded is in essence a plausibility statement: "look at how much sense you can make of the world when you humble yourself under God, whereas if you reject God, nothing makes sense at all". <br /><br />However, believing is always a humbling act; it is not only employing our deductive faculties. Indeed, one can always reject God and posit outlandish solutions to the consequent paradoxes of life. Think of the many (infinity) universes theory (a so-called "multiverse of the gaps" solution?) to explain away the anthropic coincidences in nature, as one example.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772414331480635861.post-81289070188420109642010-11-01T04:20:17.552-07:002010-11-01T04:20:17.552-07:00Thanks for the insightful review Dr. Byl.
In resp...Thanks for the insightful review Dr. Byl.<br /><br />In response to Doug, I'm wondering if you would agree that Christians should not attempt to establish the plausibility of God's existence as much as assume that the unbeliever knows this and suppresses this truth, a la Romans 1:18-30?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772414331480635861.post-1684861236589902992010-10-28T20:25:15.554-07:002010-10-28T20:25:15.554-07:00Dr. Byl,
Would you review William Dembski's b...Dr. Byl,<br /><br />Would you review William Dembski's book, "The End of Christianity"?<br /><br />Love the blog!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772414331480635861.post-37180400784208001842010-10-27T09:12:00.914-07:002010-10-27T09:12:00.914-07:00Hi Doug
Thanks for your comments, with which I am...Hi Doug<br /><br />Thanks for your comments, with which I am in substantial agreement. I myself do prefer a presuppositional approach to apologetics.John Bylnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772414331480635861.post-74432699547875328932010-10-26T20:22:52.270-07:002010-10-26T20:22:52.270-07:00But, philosophically, if our created reason could ...But, philosophically, if our created reason could posit God's being on the basis of certain axioms not given by God, doesn't this transgress some sort of circularity condition, or at least bring God down from his throne to be subject to our reason? <br /><br />I have always been skeptical of "proofs", and would much rather hear terms like "plausibility arguments", or arguments about the irrationality of the contrary (a la presuppositional apologetics). <br /><br />In my experience it isn't a matter of proof anyway. As Doug Wilson quipped, atheists have two basic statements:<br /><br />1. God doesn't exist<br />2. I hate God<br /><br />In various conversations with atheists, I have slowly come to realize the veracity of this witticism. <br /><br />--<br />Doug SchoutenDoug Schoutennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772414331480635861.post-91382260640708403932010-10-21T15:38:09.199-07:002010-10-21T15:38:09.199-07:00Hi Henrietta
You ask an interesting question--&qu...Hi Henrietta<br /><br />You ask an interesting question--"if it can be proven that God exists, why should faith be necessary?" <br /><br />I would respond that, as your quotes indicate, Christian faith is much more than the mere belief that God exists. "Even the demons believe that God is one--and shudder" (James 2:19). Abraham knew that God existed, since God had appeared to him, but he still needed to have faith in God's promises to him.<br /><br />I can do no better than to quote the Heidelberg Catechism (Lord's Day 7):<br /><br /> "True faith is a sure knowledge whereby I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in His Word. At the same it is a firm confidence that not only to others, but also to me, God has granted forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation, out of mere grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits. This faith the Holy Spirit works in my heart by the gospel."John Bylnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772414331480635861.post-9678813294104955092010-10-21T14:37:35.237-07:002010-10-21T14:37:35.237-07:00I honestly don't think that it is part of God&...I honestly don't think that it is part of God's plan that man will ever be able to “prove” that He does exist. <br /><br />If it can be proven that God does exist, why would faith be necessary? There are so many "faith" verses and even Abraham’s story – how he became the father of all believers because of his faith. Heb 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him”.Henriettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14013504677625361696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772414331480635861.post-80662881953657927642010-10-21T09:34:36.611-07:002010-10-21T09:34:36.611-07:00"Ultimately, of course, only the Holy Spirit ..."Ultimately, of course, only the Holy Spirit can change rebellious hearts."<br /><br />Amen!!! Grace is an awesome thing! Praise God!Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09064538128810623156noreply@blogger.com