Our Call to Evangelize - Unit 2: Natural Apologetics

Natural Apologetics

The level of apologetics that focuses on the existence and nature of God. It primarily uses reason/philosophy for its arguments and is directed primarily at atheists/agnostics

God

The self-existent, necessary being who can also be defined as that which no greater can be thought.

Knowledge of the Attributes of God

These characteristics of God can be known from reason and Sacred Scripture

1) One, 2) Omniscient, 3) Omnibenevolent, 4) True

1) God's undivided being, 2) God's all-knowing intellect, and 3) God's all-loving will, 4) In God there is no falsehood

1) Omnipotent, 2) Omnipresent, 3) Eternal, 4) Immutable, 5) Immaterial

1) God's infinite power, 2) God's power over space to be present to all things, 3) God's power to exist beyond time, 4) God's unchanging perfection, and 5) God's power beyond matter (i.e. pure spirit)

Deism

The belief in a remote, creator God. This viewpoint rejects all miracles, revealed religion, afterlife, etc. One can argue it downplays God's omnibenevolence by making God too hidden/remote.

Pantheism

The belief that God is creation. This limits the infinite power of God to finite, created things.

Polytheism

The belief in multiple gods. This view limits God by dividing his infinite power and unity.

Atheism

The denial of the existence of God or a higher power.

Agnosticism (definition)

To not take any position on whether or not God exists. This view is worse when accompanied by indifferentism on the question.

Agnosticism (problems of)

1) This position is illogical according to the principle of non-contradiction (an infinite God either exists or does not). 2) The question of God's existence is too important to remain neutral. 3) There is no practical benefit to this position. 4) There is evidence to make a decision for God.

Atheistic Arguments against God

1) God of the Gaps, 2) Divine Incoherence, 3) Wishful Thinking, 4) Religious Hypocrisy, 5) the Problem of Evil 6) Burden of Proof

God of the Gaps Argument (and response)

The view that one day science will fill in all of our knowledge and thus God will be disproven. This errs in assuming that science can answer a supernatural question since it is limited to exploring the natural world.

Problem of Evil (summary)

Logical Version: If God is all good and all powerful, why does evil exist? Probability Version: The high amount of evil and suffering in the world make the existence of an all-good and all-powerful God unlikely.

Evil (definition)

A lack of good which ought to be. There are two types: moral - which results from sin and misuse of free will and physical - which results from imperfections in the natural world

Catholic response to the Problem of Evil

God can bring forth a greater good from evil. Examples: 1) Giving us free will out of love, 2) suffering can help us grow in virtue to appreciate the good, and 3) giving us eternal bliss in heaven to outweigh evils suffered

Theory of Evolution

This explanation for the origin of the human species by natural selection is not incompatible with God's creation since it can be part of God's plan/design and not an ultimate cause or explanation.

Divine Incoherence (summary)

The atheistic argument that the omni-God is a logical contradiction. For instance, if God can't make a square circle, he's not omnipotent. If God can't know fear, he's not omniscient.

Divine Incoherence (response)

God can do any real or possibly real thing. A logical contradiction is an absurdity and not a reality/thing.

Burden of Proof

An atheist argument that b/c only theism makes extraordinary claims and therefore requires extraordinary evidence. This makes atheism the default position. However, 1) both make claims that can be considered extraordinary and 2) assuming atheism as a default shows an inherent bias. 3) Theism does have evidence for God.

Mental Demonstrations for God

These kinds of demonstrations for God analyze the nature of the human person. Examples include the mind, desire, and the conscience arguments.

Historical Demonstrations for God

This approach to God looks at events from the past to demonstrate his existence. Examples include the Argument from Miracles and Common Consent.

Physical Demonstrations for God

These kinds of demonstrations for God analyze the nature of the created world. Examples include the kalam, contingency, and design.

Argument from Desire

Since our natural appetites (food, thirst, sleep, sex, etc) have a natural means that can satisfy them, our supernatural appetite for happiness must be able to be fulfilled (in God alone). "Our hearts are restless, until they rest in you (God)."

The Argument Conscience

1. We should absolutely follow a well-formed conscience.

2. Such absolute authority can only come from an absolute source.

3. This absolute source is God.

Argument from the Mind

Our limited intellects can grasp eternal truths. Thus, there must be an eternal being (God) in which these truths originate.

Common Consent

Since most have believed in God throughout human history, it is more likely to believe they are right.

Argument from Miracles

An event beyond natural causes that is only adequately explained by the intervention of God. Since there are a good number of these events that are well attested, they serve as evidence for God's existence.

Kalam

1) Everything that begins to exist has a cause. 2) The universe began to exist. 3) The universe has a cause. 4) The cause of the universe must transcend the universe. 5) Therefore, God created the universe.

Contingency

1) Whatever exists that does not have to exist requires an explanation for its existence. 2) The universe does not have to exist and thus requires an explanation for its existence. 3) The explanation for the universe must transcend it. 4) Therefore, God created the universe.

Design

1. Matter does not behave intelligently. 2. Yet matter in the natural world behaves incredibly orderly (from the cell to planetary orbits). 3. Thus, such orderliness implies that someone ordered it i.e. (God) rather than chance or necessity.

Argument from Pragmatism (Pascal's Wager)

The use of practical reasoning to show that belief in God, due to the prospect of eternal life, is more beneficial than atheism which - even if right - provides no ultimate benefit.

Objections to Pascal's Wager

1) Doesn't prove God's existence or Christianity, and 2) It is selfish to believe for such reasons

Responses to Pascal's Wager Objections

1) The Wager does not intend to prove God/Christianity rather it shows the value of belief. Yet it applies to religions w/o belief in an eternal afterlife. 2) It calls us to act out of self-interest which is different from selfishness