A Proof of God from Reason

I enjoy taking snapshots of the glorious work of God. The one below is a snapshot of reason/logic. (All of these snapshots point back to the existence of their Creator.) Here’s how:

1.    REASON EXISTS.2.    REASON REQUIRES A TRANSCENDENT INTELLIGENCE.

  Conclusion: A TRANSCENDENT INTELLIGENCE MUST EXIST.

1.    REASON EXISTS.

This hardly requires any support. In fact, any argument against the existence of reason requires the use of reason.

2.    REASON REQUIRES A TRANSCENDENT INTELLIGENCE.

There are several reasons for this. Reason is absolute, universal, and immutable. It must be immutable. If it isn’t, it would be like measuring with maple syrup, a moving measure. Consequently, there could be no truth, learning, or science.

It must also be universal or it would change from region to region. Consequently, reason would work differently in Alaska from the way in works in South Africa or even from one household to the next. Again, this would make learning or even meaningful

communication impossible.

Also, there seems to be fortuitous fit between our reason and our world. Our world is amenable to reason. What if reason worked according to different principles? Could we then be able to wrap our minds around it in order to navigate it?

These qualities cannot be accounted for by a universe of molecules-in-motion. They can only be accounted for by an immutable and universal Cause – something that transcends this universe and makes it amenable to an immutable and universal set of logical laws.

Reason is like the operating systems of a computer, all of which had to be intelligently created. While humans created operating systems, humans could not have created reason, since reason predates humanity. Also, the operating system must be intelligently fine-tuned to the computer if it is to be functional. Amazingly, reason seems to have also been intelligently fine-tuned to this world.

Besides, the humanly created systems are always being improved, while reason remains as is and yet is adequate for all of our enterprises, whether in China or Alaska.

Conclusion: A TRANSCENDENT INTELLIGENCE MUST EXIST.

This Intelligence seems to have mentally created Him in His moral and mental likewise so that we can know and love Him for who He is (John 4:23-24).

This same proof can be constructed for every law of science. All are elegant, immutable, and universal. All reflect a Supreme Intelligence! All defy any natural explanation for their origin and operation.

THE LAWS OF PHYSICS POINT IRRESISTABLY BACK TO THEIR CREATOR

 

I have become increasingly interested in the formulas of physics. I am not a scientist, but you don't need to be one to appreciate their elegance and simplicity.

Let's take the formula to calculate the force of gravity anywhere in the universe. Just say you weigh 100 pounds on earth. Now go above the earth twice the distance from the center of the earth to its surface, and you will only weigh 25 pounds!

How did we arrive at this? Well, we doubled the radius, squared it, and divided this into your weight. Amazingly, few ask:

·       Why does it work the same way throughout the universe?

·       Why the simplicity and precision of the formula? Why must the radius be precisely squared? And why, when divided into our earth-bound poundage, do when derive the exact answer?

·       Would scientist have been able to discover this relationship if it had been complex? Certainly not if it was always changing!

Science is only possible if it rests on an unchanging and universal foundation. If our formulas changed from moment to moment, science would not be possible. What keeps them from changing in this world of molecules-in-motion? And what keeps them from changing as we travel to the next town?

Besides, what can account for their elegance and simplicity if they are not created and sustained by a super intelligent Being? If we answer, "natural forces," we simply push the same questions elsewhere to "forces," which then require even more explanations.

This brings us back to an eternal God, who requires no explanation but praise:

·       “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2)

THE TRANSCENDENTAL ARGUMENT FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

This is one of many theistic proofs for the existence of God:

1.     REASON EXISTS.

2.     REASON REQUIRES A TRANSCENDENT INTELLIGENCE.

3.     CONCLUSION: A TRANSCENDENT INTELLIGENCE MUST EXIST.

1.     REASON EXISTS.

This hardly requires any support. In fact, any argument against the existence of reason requires reason.

2.     REASON REQUIRES A TRANSCENDENT INTELLIGENCE.

There are several reasons for this. Reason is elegant (simple), universal, and immutable. It must be immutable. If it isn’t, it might give us a different answer every day or year. This would make knowledge, learning, and textbooks impossible. It would also have to be impervious to explosions, heat, tornadoes, and it its. However, there are no objects in this world that are imperious to change. This suggests that reason (and also the laws of science) is immutably maintained transcendently.

Reason must also be universal or it would be different from country to country. However, reason works the same way wherever we go. We cannot explain this by simply saying that reason is a property of matter, since matter changes. Meanwhile, forces like radio or TV waves are not universal. The further we travel away from a radio station, the weaker the impulse. What this is the source of reason that it can impact us the same way in any location?

Reason is also elegant. It is simple enough to be mastered and it is also great enough to embrace the entire physical world. This harmony of reason/cosmos has enabled us to understand our world and to master many of its aspects. It seems to be part of a grand design.

Reason is like the operating system of a computer, all of which had to be intelligently created. While humans created operating systems, humans could not have created reason, since reason predates humanity. Also, the operating system must be intelligently fine-tuned to the computer if it is to be functional. Amazingly, reason seems to have also been intelligently fine-tuned to understanding this world.

Besides, the humanly created systems are always being improved, while reason remains as is and yet is adequate for all of our enterprises, whether in China or Alaska.

These qualities cannot be accounted for by a universe of molecules-in-motion or a Big Bang explosion. They can only be accounted for by an intelligent, immutable and universal Cause – something that transcends the conditions of this universe.

CONCLUSION: A TRANSCENDENT INTELLIGENCE MUST EXIST. Praise His glory, all you His creations!

This same proof can be constructed for every law of science. All are elegant, immutable, universal, and apparently transcend this universe. All reflect a Supreme Intelligence!

A PROOF OF GOD FROM THE LAWS OF PHYSICS

There are many weighty proofs for the existence and character of God. This is just one of the many:

1. The laws of physics are immutable, universal, and elegant.

2. ID (supernaturalism) is a better explanation for these observations than is naturalism.

3. An Intelligent Designer must exist.

PREMISE #1  The laws of physics are immutable, universal, and elegant.

THE LAWS OF PHYSICS ARE IMMUTABLE. This should be obvious. If they were in flux, any scientific conclusion or description would be impossible, along with replication of findings. Textbooks would have to be changed every so often. Predictions could not be made. Any form of science would be impossible.

THE LAWS OF PHYSICS ARE UNIVERSAL. This too should be obvious. It is only because they are universal can we say anything about other galaxies, planets, stars, light, or anything else within the domain of science. Universality also ensures that the findings in China would match those in California.

THE LAWS OF PHYSICS ARE ELEGANT. This is equally obvious. Just observe their elegance and simplicity:

• Einstein field equation: The cornerstone of Einstein's general theory of relativity, relating the gravitational tensor G to the stress-energy tensor T by the simple equation- G = 8 pi T.

Many such formula’s exist. Perhaps the most famous is E=MC². Notice how the speed of light must be precisely squared. Without such elegance and simplicity, science laws would have been undiscoverable and incomprehensible.

PREMISE #2  ID (supernaturalism) is a better explanation for these observations than is naturalism.

IMMUTABILITY. In a universe of molecules-in-motion, it is hard or impossible to account for the unchanging-ness and origin of these laws. Explosions (the Big Bang) do not create laws, let alone immutability. It is therefore more likely that these laws have a Transcendent origin in the Mind of God. This immutable Mind can account for immutable laws and their stability in the midst of change. They affect everything, but nothing affects them.

UNIVERSALITY. Causation within our universe is all localized. The further that we travel away from a radio station, the weaker the signal and reception. The further away from a bonfire, the less the warmth. However, the laws of physics operate uniformly (universally) throughout the universe. It is easier to account for this phenomenon supernaturally and naturally.

ELEGANCE. There is absolutely no natural mechanism that can account for the elegant design of the laws of physics. Explosions do not create immutable elegance.

Of course, it can be argued that presently we are simply unaware of natural forces that might account for these laws. While this is true, such pleading faces major obstacles:

1. There is absolutely no evidence that anything happens because of natural, undesigned laws.

2. Postulating a collection of natural laws is less parsimonious that postulating one God.

3. Even if a natural mechanism could be identified that creates and maintains natural laws, it too would require its own explanation or causes. However, this leads to the problem of an infinite regress.

4. Causes are always greater than their effects. If a cause is less than its effects, then it means that some aspects of the effect are uncaused – a science stopper. An intelligent and eternal Designer/Creator is greater than any series of mindless causes. Therefore, ID can better account for phenomena like the laws of physics, the fine-tuning of the universe, life, intelligence, and consciousness.

CONCLUSION: An intelligent Designer most probably exists.

A Proof of God from Reason

I enjoy taking snapshots of the glorious work of God. The one below is a snapshot of reason/logic. (All of these snapshots point back to the existence of their Creator.) Here’s how:

1. REASON EXISTS.
2. REASON REQUIRES A TRANSCENDENT INTELLIGENCE.

Conclusion: A TRANSCENDENT INTELLIGENCE MUST EXIST.

1.     REASON EXISTS.

This hardly requires any support. In fact, any argument against the existence of reason requires reason.

2.     REASON REQUIRES A TRANSCENDENT INTELLIGENCE.

There are several reasons for this. Reason is absolute, universal, and immutable. It must be immutable. If it isn’t, it would be like measuring with maple syrup. It must also be universal or it should change from state to country.

These qualities cannot be accounted for by a universe of molecules-in-motion. They can only be accounted for by an immutable and universal Cause – something that transcends this universe.

Reason is like the operating systems of a computer, all of which had to be intelligently created. While humans created operating systems, humans could not have created reason, since reason predates humanity. Also, the operating system must be intelligently fine-tuned to the computer if it is to be functional. Amazingly, reason seems to have also been intelligently fine-tuned to this world.

Besides, the humanly created systems are always being improved, while reason remains as is and yet is adequate for all of our enterprises, whether in China or Alaska.

Conclusion: A TRANSCENDENT INTELLIGENCE MUST EXIST.

Praise His glory, all you His creations!

This same proof can be constructed for every law of science. All are elegant, immutable, and universal. All reflect a Supreme Intelligence!