Apologetics

 Science & Faith

Are science and faith contradictory?

No, science and faith are two sides of the same coin. Science explains the “how?” (e.g. How did the Big Bang create the universe?) while faith answers the “why?” (e.g. Why did God create the universe?").

What is the fine-tuning argument?

There are many fundamental constants in our universe (e.g. gravitational constant) that need to fall within a very, very, very range in order for life to exist. Since this is so improbable, we have good reason to believe this “fine-tuning” didn’t happen by chance, but that there was a designer involved.

Has evolution disproved God?

Everyone agrees that evolution is true to some extent. However, there is little evidence for Darwin’s theory that all life began from a single-cell organism. Evolution also fails to adequately explain things like irreducible complexity and the Cambrian explosion. Finally, evolution doesn’t necessarily disprove God. Some Christians believe that God could have used it as a means to create life on Earth.

Does God Exist?

Kalam Cosmological Argument* explains that:

Whatever begins to exist has a cause.

Things do not pop into existence on their own

The universe began to exist.

Supported by multiple recent scientific discoveries: Big Bang Theory, Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation, Second Law of Thermodynamics, and Cosmological Redshift.

Therefore, the universe has a cause.

This cause must be spaceless, timeless, immaterial, and incredibly powerful. This description seems to fit the idea of God.

*This is not proof for the Christian God, but a logical explanation for a divine creator.

Jesus’ Resurrection

Did Jesus really come back to life?

The Minimal Facts Approach takes a list of historical facts about the resurrection and attempts to present the best explanation of all the facts. This list of facts is agreed upon by nearly every scholar who studies the subject - including the skeptical ones:

1. Burial: Jesus died and was buried

2. Empty Tomb: His tomb was found to be empty 3 days later

3. Postmortem Appearances: Disciples claimed to have seen the risen Jesus

4. Transformation of Disciples: Disciples became bold proclaimers of Jesus, and many were martyred

There are alternative theories to the resurrection (swoon, hallucination, twin, etc.), but none account for all facts.

And if the resurrection actually happened, we can be confident Jesus is who he said he was: Son of God, and Savior of the World.

MORAL RELATIVISM

Moral Relativism is the worldview that there are no universal moral principles. That is, what’s right or wrong is different people, groups, or cultures.

But if Moral Relativism is true…

1. We can not use words like right or wrong to describe someone or someone’s behaviors

   A. We can’t say it’s wrong to steal, murder, or commit genocide

   B. We can’t say it’s right to tell the truth, show honor, or sacrifice for someone else

2. People who try to make society better would be immoral for going against the morality of their society

   A. Social reformers like M.L.K Jr. and Mother Teresa would have been wrong for trying to change their society’s view towards African Americans and the poor of India

Therefore, Moral Relativism as worldview is not true to our experience.

Religious Plurality

Do all religions lead to God? Major religions of the world have contradicting claims, so they cannot all be right.

Problem of pain and suffering

If God is good and powerful, why does He allow evil?

God created us to be in a loving relationship with Him, and genuine love requires free will-the ability to love or hate, to do good or do evil.

Therefore, evil is a consequence of people choosing to reject God.

What does God do about evil?

Because of God’s love for man, he sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be with us, and then to take on the punishment of sin by dying on the cross.

Through faith in Jesus, we can be reconciled to God.

We may still suffer in this world, but we can have an eternity with God, where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (Rev. 21:4)

How do I help my friend when they ask this question?

When your friend comes to you with real pain and hurt in their life, chances are, an intellectual answer isn’t going to help process that pain.

Be present, be compassionate, listen, and empathize with them. Try to love them in their time of need. (Galatians 6:2)

jesus’ existence

Early Christian texts talk about Jesus

• The 4 Gospels

• Letters written by Apostle Paul (the epistles)

Secular historical texts also mention Jesus

• Antiquities of the Jews - Josephus

• Annals of Imperial Rome - Tacitus

• Lives of the 12 Caesars - Suetonius

• Letter from Pliny the Younger to Emperor Trajan

Other non-Christian religious texts mention Jesus

• Jewish Rabbinic sources

• The Qu’ran