I was just watching a segment of Sam Harris’ debate with WLC.
Harris argued that the God of the Bible could not possibly serve as the basis
of moral law because:
1.
Thousands of young children die every day.
2.
Then they will be banished to hell if they’ve
failed to in believe exactly the right way.
Not only did Harris argue that this disqualified the God of
the Bible as the possible basis for moral truth; it also disqualified everyone
who believes in such a God as “morally reprehensible,” not just mistaken or
even logically ignorant.
Since I qualify as one of his moral reprehensibles, I thought
that it might be appropriate to defend myself.
Let’s first address point number one. Admittedly, we do not comprehensively
understand why God allows such evil and suffering. However, we might be able to
put together a modest attempt to explain what God has not explained. For one
thing, he might be allowing us to reap the consequences of both our sins and humanity’s
initial rebellion which had resulted in the Fall.
I am sure that Harris will not be satisfied with this
explanation. However, his argument depends upon the hidden premise that there
is no possible way to explain God’s passivity in the face of such widespread
suffering. I think that he will find this impossible to prove, especially in
light of the next consideration.
Our lives here are just a drop in the bucket compared to a
blissful eternity. In light of this possibility, Harris would have to prove
that our temporal suffering outweighs anything that eternity can offer.
However, he cannot do this. So let’s go on to point number two.
Will these little children be banished to hell because they
failed to believe in exactly the right things? I don’t think that Harris can
make this assertion about the Biblical faith. Once again, we are only given a
sketchy picture of heaven and hell, especially in regards to the outcome of
babies who die prematurely. For example, Jesus taught:
·
And that servant who knew his master’s will but
did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But
the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light
beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and
from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. (Luke
12:47-48; ESV)
Babies do not know much. Therefore, according to Jesus,
there remains only an uncertain basis for accountability, if any. Nor had they
been entrusted with much.
Yet, I am sure that Harris understands that this perplexing
question of evil does not constitute the basis of our faith let alone our
morality. Nevertheless, he will take this mud and smear it in our face and call
us “reprehensive” when we fail to turn this mud into diamonds.
However, Harris also lives on the same muddy road of death
and suffering. In The Moral Landscape,
Harris argues that reason and science show us that “human flourishing” is our absolute
and objective standard is good or bad. Anything that helps humans flourish is
good.
However, according to Harris, the daily death of thousands
of little children argues against any just and objective moral law. Therefore,
following Harris’ logic, it would be impossible to reason that this universe of
suffering and death contains any objective moral laws. Consequently, we are
left to merely make-believe that we are surrounded by moral universe and that “human
flourishing” is its motto, rather than “termite flourishing.”
Consequently, both Harris and we reprehensibles are left to
explain the problem of evil. However, for us, evil only has a very limited
shelf-life, and will be swallowed up by our Savior’s eternal and glorious
kingdom. Meanwhile, we have found many reasons to trust in His moral teachings
and even find great delight in them.
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