Ethical Answers in an Unethical WorldWhat is Truth?

John Oakes, PhD

Nov. 20, 2009

Rutgers U. Is Anything True Anymore?

You are Invited!

2010 International Christian Evidence Conference

Concordia University Irvine, CA

June 12-14, 2010

Evolution: Four Views

Also…

Apologetics Research Society Presents

January 2010

Certificate Program in Christian Apologetics

Classes on DVDFor information: joakes01@san.rr.com

Jesus Christ: “I came to testify to the truth.”

Pontius Pilate: “What is truth?”

The Problem as I See ItThe Problem as I See It

The Secularization of CultureThe Secularization of Culture

The Loss of MoralityThe Loss of Morality

The Loss of GodThe Loss of God

The Loss of the Intellectual High Ground at The Loss of the Intellectual High Ground at the University to Non-Believers.the University to Non-Believers.

The Culprits: The Leading Philosophies of Our The Culprits: The Leading Philosophies of Our DayDay

Naturalism/Scientism/MaterialismNaturalism/Scientism/Materialism

Postmodernism: The Loss of TruthPostmodernism: The Loss of Truth

Delos B. McKown:“Christianity is scientifically unsupported

and probably insupportable, philosophically suspect at best and disreputable at worst, and historically fraudulent.”

World ViewWorld View

The perspective one uses to process and The perspective one uses to process and interpret information received about the interpret information received about the world. world.

James W. Sire “A world view is a set of James W. Sire “A world view is a set of presuppositions (ie. assumptions) which presuppositions (ie. assumptions) which we hold about the basic makeup of our we hold about the basic makeup of our world.” world.”

James W. Sire, James W. Sire, TheUniverse Next DoorTheUniverse Next Door

What Makes for a “Good” World ViewWhat Makes for a “Good” World View

1. 1. It is “true”It is “true”

2. It successfully answers the important 2. It successfully answers the important questions humans ask questions humans ask

3. Those who ascribe to it are better human 3. Those who ascribe to it are better human beings for having taken this as their world beings for having taken this as their world

view.view.

Questions That Need an AnswerQuestions That Need an Answer

1. 1. What is the prime reality? (What is the What is the prime reality? (What is the nature of God?)nature of God?)

2. What am I?2. What am I?

3. What happens to a person at death?3. What happens to a person at death?

4. Why is it possible for us to know anything 4. Why is it possible for us to know anything at all?at all?

5. How do we know what is right and wrong?5. How do we know what is right and wrong?

6. What is my purpose in life?6. What is my purpose in life?

7. What is the nature of my relationship, with 7. What is the nature of my relationship, with the “prime reality?”the “prime reality?”

Naturalism/Scientism/MaterialismNaturalism/Scientism/Materialism

The belief that the only reliable or valid The belief that the only reliable or valid instrument to deciding the truth or even instrument to deciding the truth or even the value of any proposition is the the value of any proposition is the scientific method.scientific method.

No basis for ethics or morality, no No basis for ethics or morality, no supernatural, no God, no truth (except supernatural, no God, no truth (except that found by science), no consciousness, that found by science), no consciousness, no “I.” Justice is a figment of our no “I.” Justice is a figment of our imagination.imagination.

Richard DawkinsRichard Dawkins

In the universe of blind physical forces and In the universe of blind physical forces and genetic replication, some people are going to genetic replication, some people are going to get hurt and other people are going to get get hurt and other people are going to get lucky: and you won’t find any rhyme or reason lucky: and you won’t find any rhyme or reason to it, nor any justice. The universe we observe to it, nor any justice. The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect has precisely the properties we should expect if there is at the bottom, no design, no if there is at the bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good. Nothing but purpose, no evil and no good. Nothing but blind, pitiless indifference. DNA neither knows blind, pitiless indifference. DNA neither knows nor cares. DNA just is, and we dance to its nor cares. DNA just is, and we dance to its music.music.

Thomas HuxleyThomas Huxley

We are as much the product of blind forces as is We are as much the product of blind forces as is the falling of a stone to earth, or the ebb and flow the falling of a stone to earth, or the ebb and flow of the tides. We have just happened, and man of the tides. We have just happened, and man was made flesh by a long series of singularly was made flesh by a long series of singularly beneficial accidents.beneficial accidents.

A Question for Huxley: If you believe in A Question for Huxley: If you believe in scientism, then in what sense is it scientism, then in what sense is it beneficialbeneficial that that we exist?we exist?

Postmodernism: The Loss of TruthPostmodernism: The Loss of Truth

Truth, if such a thing exists, is the property Truth, if such a thing exists, is the property of culture. There is no absolute truth. All of culture. There is no absolute truth. All truth is relative. It is created by societies. truth is relative. It is created by societies. There is no ultimate moral authority or There is no ultimate moral authority or moral absolute. moral absolute.

Roger Bacon Roger Bacon (1214-1292)(1214-1292)

Bacon’s advice:

To study Natural Philosophy, use; “External experience, aided by instruments, and made precise by mathematics.”

A (ridiculously) Brief History of Science:

Predictions Based on Christian Theology:

1. The universe will follow a single, unchanging set of laws.

2. The universe will be understandable to

human beings.

3.The universe will be describable by mathematics.

4.The universe will be designed so that we can observe it - (“The Priveleged Planet” Gonzalez and

Richards)

Assumptions of ScienceAssumptions of Science

There exists a single, unchanging set of There exists a single, unchanging set of laws which govern all events in the laws which govern all events in the physical universe.physical universe.

The Human mind are able to understand The Human mind are able to understand the workings of the physical universe.the workings of the physical universe.

The laws which govern the universe are The laws which govern the universe are describable by mathematics.describable by mathematics.

Basic Assumptions of Basic Assumptions of ScienceScience

Assumptions are accepted without proofAssumptions are accepted without proof

Form the basis of all scientific thinkingForm the basis of all scientific thinking

In other words, the basic assumptions of In other words, the basic assumptions of science are accepted science are accepted on faithon faith. .

Galileo

“For the Holy Scripture and the phenomenon of nature proceed alike from the divine Word, the former as the dictate of the Holy Spirit and the latter as the observant executor of God’s commands.”

Isaac Newton1642-17

The Universal Law of Gravity.

The Mechanical Universe

Is God the “PrimaryMover?”

1818thth Century Skepticism Century Skepticism

If the Universe works like a If the Universe works like a machine, why invoke God?machine, why invoke God?

Voltaire: Religious SkepticismVoltaire: Religious Skepticism

David Hume “Extraordinary David Hume “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof.”proof.”

Can we really know anything Can we really know anything absolutely?absolutely?

David Hume

1711-1776

1919thth Century Materialism/Naturalism Century Materialism/Naturalism

Pierre-Simone La Pierre-Simone La Place 1749-1827Place 1749-1827

About God:About God:

“ “I have no need of I have no need of that hypothesis” that hypothesis”

The 20The 20thth Century Century

Science appears triumphantScience appears triumphant

Scientism proposed. Beyond Morality. Scientism proposed. Beyond Morality. Eugenics.Eugenics.

Quantum Mechanics. Is determinism reality?Quantum Mechanics. Is determinism reality?

WWI WWII Hiroshima Modernity loses its WWI WWII Hiroshima Modernity loses its luster. Humans are not getting better and better.luster. Humans are not getting better and better.

Scientific Materialism cannot answer our deepest Scientific Materialism cannot answer our deepest questions. Scientism is hubris.questions. Scientism is hubris.

Enter, Postmodernism! Enter, Postmodernism!

A Response to Naturalism/Materialism/ScientismA Response to Naturalism/Materialism/Scientism

It is a faith/religious belief based on circular It is a faith/religious belief based on circular reasoning.reasoning.

It cannot answer the questions human beings It cannot answer the questions human beings care about.care about.

It is patently and demonstrably false.It is patently and demonstrably false.

As a world view it is does not tend to make its As a world view it is does not tend to make its followers “better.” If fact it is downright followers “better.” If fact it is downright dangerous.dangerous.

ScientificScientific MaterialismMaterialism

Only that which can be observed and Only that which can be observed and measured through the technique of measured through the technique of Scientific Scientific MethodMethod is real, and everything else is unreal. is real, and everything else is unreal.   

MaterialismMaterialism

““We exist as material beings in a material world, all We exist as material beings in a material world, all of whose phenomena are the consequences of of whose phenomena are the consequences of material relations among material entities." In a word, material relations among material entities." In a word, the public needs to accept materialism, which means the public needs to accept materialism, which means that they must put God in the trash can of history that they must put God in the trash can of history where such myths belong.”where such myths belong.”

Richard LewontinRichard Lewontin Retrospective essay on Carl Sagan in the January 9, 1997 Retrospective essay on Carl Sagan in the January 9, 1997 New York Review of BooksNew York Review of Books,,

Circular ReasoningCircular Reasoning

Unprovable assumptions of science.Unprovable assumptions of science.

The universe is ordered and essentially unchanging.The universe is ordered and essentially unchanging.

The universe is observable and understandable.The universe is observable and understandable.

The universe is governed by mathematically preciseThe universe is governed by mathematically preciselaws.laws.

None of these assumptions can be proved by None of these assumptions can be proved by experiment. Inexperiment. In

a sense, science is not scientific.a sense, science is not scientific.

Questions Science Can AnswerQuestions Science Can Answer

When?When? What?What? Where?Where? How many?How many? By what means?By what means?

Questions Science Cannot Answer:Questions Science Cannot Answer:(That Christianity Does Answer)(That Christianity Does Answer)

– Why am I here?Why am I here?– Is that the right thing to do?Is that the right thing to do?– How valuable am I?How valuable am I?– Does God exist? Does God act (theism)?Does God exist? Does God act (theism)?– Will that God respond if I pray?Will that God respond if I pray?– Do supernatural events (miracles) Do supernatural events (miracles)

happen?happen?

Materialism is Patently FalseMaterialism is Patently False

If Materialism/Naturalism is right then;If Materialism/Naturalism is right then;

““I” do not exist. Consciousness is just random I” do not exist. Consciousness is just random moving around of chemicals.moving around of chemicals.

No soul, no spirit, no non-physical reality.No soul, no spirit, no non-physical reality.

Belief in God is just a “meme” the unfortunate Belief in God is just a “meme” the unfortunate accidental result of brain evolution.accidental result of brain evolution.

Life has no value. Human beings have no value. Life has no value. Human beings have no value. What is value?What is value?

Love is chemicals moving around (vs. God is love)Love is chemicals moving around (vs. God is love)

If the Materialist is right, then…If the Materialist is right, then…

Religious thought is absolute nonsense. Religious thought is absolute nonsense. Prayer is chemical moving around in your Prayer is chemical moving around in your brain.brain.

Art, Literature, Music have no intrinsic Art, Literature, Music have no intrinsic value.value.

Justice is a meaningless word.Justice is a meaningless word.

Human rights have no basis.Human rights have no basis.

Etc….Etc….

Scientism is Patently False Because….Scientism is Patently False Because….

The universe was created.The universe was created.

Life was created.Life was created.

The Anthropic Principle. The universe is The Anthropic Principle. The universe is ridiculously well fine-tuned for us to exist.ridiculously well fine-tuned for us to exist.

No one in their right mind can deny the No one in their right mind can deny the existence of right and wrongexistence of right and wrong

The Bible is inspired by God. The Bible is inspired by God.

Naturalism does not tend to make its believers Naturalism does not tend to make its believers better people. Dangerous?better people. Dangerous?

If the naturalist is right then:If the naturalist is right then:

Good and evil are meaningless ideas.Good and evil are meaningless ideas.

Our purpose, if it exists at all, is to pass on Our purpose, if it exists at all, is to pass on our DNA.our DNA.

Any kind of sexual behavior is as right as Any kind of sexual behavior is as right as any other. Stealing is probably good.any other. Stealing is probably good.

There is nothing inherently evil about There is nothing inherently evil about genocide.genocide.

Racism, slavery etc can be defended.Racism, slavery etc can be defended.

If the Materialist is Right Then…If the Materialist is Right Then…

Violence selfishness greed are acceptable behavior.Violence selfishness greed are acceptable behavior.

Justice is a meaningless construct.Justice is a meaningless construct.

The words “ought and should” are meaningless.The words “ought and should” are meaningless.

There is no such thing as sin or wrong behavior.There is no such thing as sin or wrong behavior.

Consider the only societies in human history Consider the only societies in human history controlled by atheists. French Revolution, USSR, controlled by atheists. French Revolution, USSR, Communist China, Khmer Rouge, North Korea….Communist China, Khmer Rouge, North Korea….

Is this where human beings want to head?Is this where human beings want to head?

No wonder intellectuals (over)reactedWith the result being postmodernism!

Now, let us discuss postmodernism.

Postmodernism/Cultural RelativismPostmodernism/Cultural Relativism

Positive ContributionsPositive Contributions– Importance of groups and relationships between Importance of groups and relationships between

groups.groups.– Gives honor to culture, beauty, wonder, Gives honor to culture, beauty, wonder,

imagination.imagination.– More accurate description of history (including More accurate description of history (including

the history of science).the history of science).– The Western mindset is not the only valid one.The Western mindset is not the only valid one.

ProblemsProblems– Very confusing. Very confusing. – No world view is preferred.No world view is preferred.– The idea of truth, for all practical purposes, The idea of truth, for all practical purposes,

disappearsdisappears..

Postmodernism: Cultural RelativismPostmodernism: Cultural Relativism

Reality is a social construction.Reality is a social construction.

Truth: It is true for you, but it is not Truth: It is true for you, but it is not true for me.true for me.

Meaning, if it exists, lies in a Meaning, if it exists, lies in a community of believers.community of believers.

Self is a construction of our society.Self is a construction of our society.

No rational way to discover which is No rational way to discover which is the best world view.the best world view.

Theories of TruthTheories of Truth

Correspondence Theory of Truth: A Correspondence Theory of Truth: A statement is true if reality corresponds to statement is true if reality corresponds to that which is predicted by the statement.that which is predicted by the statement.

Relativism (postmodernism): A claim is Relativism (postmodernism): A claim is made true for those who accept it by that made true for those who accept it by that very act (of accepting it).very act (of accepting it).

Truth is either discovered or created.Truth is either discovered or created. Truth is either absolute or relative.Truth is either absolute or relative.

If The Postmodernists are Right Then…If The Postmodernists are Right Then…

Reality is a social construction.Reality is a social construction. Language creates reality.Language creates reality. ““It is true for you, but it is not true for me.”It is true for you, but it is not true for me.” Truth is found in an accepted narrative.Truth is found in an accepted narrative. No universal trans-cultural standard of truth or No universal trans-cultural standard of truth or

value.value. No authorial prerogative. The truth of a text is No authorial prerogative. The truth of a text is

determined by the culture reading the text.determined by the culture reading the text. There is no such thing as the book of Romans.There is no such thing as the book of Romans.

– Methodist Romans, Lutheran Romans, Buddhist Romans, Methodist Romans, Lutheran Romans, Buddhist Romans, Atheist Romans.Atheist Romans.

Can You Accept This???Can You Accept This???

Consciousness is social, not individual. Self is a Consciousness is social, not individual. Self is a construction (mother, British, grad student…)construction (mother, British, grad student…)

No rational way to decide which is the best or No rational way to decide which is the best or true world view.true world view.

All truth is relative. All truth is cultural.All truth is relative. All truth is cultural.

Individual has no authority to determine what is Individual has no authority to determine what is true.true.

Problems With PostmodernismProblems With Postmodernism

Self-refuting.Self-refuting.– If nothing is true, then postmodernism is not true.If nothing is true, then postmodernism is not true.– Its authors insist on authorial privilege.Its authors insist on authorial privilege.

I do not care what they say, I do not care what they say, some things are some things are just truejust true..

Either God is real or he is not. Even if I cannot Either God is real or he is not. Even if I cannot prove it one way or another.prove it one way or another.

If you culture told you it was safe to jump off a If you culture told you it was safe to jump off a cliff, would you jump?cliff, would you jump?

Scientism is Bogus, But Science is NotScientism is Bogus, But Science is Not

The naturally convincing explanation of the The naturally convincing explanation of the success of science is that it is gaining a tightening success of science is that it is gaining a tightening grasp of an actual reality. The goal of scientific grasp of an actual reality. The goal of scientific endeavor is to gain an understanding of the endeavor is to gain an understanding of the structure of the physical world. The conclusions structure of the physical world. The conclusions are always tentative, but they are dictated by are always tentative, but they are dictated by the the way things actually are.way things actually are.

What is Wrong With Postmodernism?What is Wrong With Postmodernism?

It does not agree with reality—with the It does not agree with reality—with the world as it is. Our understanding of truth world as it is. Our understanding of truth may be relative, but truth is not.may be relative, but truth is not.

It can be dangerous.It can be dangerous.– Which is better, the Nazi culture or Which is better, the Nazi culture or

Christianity? On what basis?Christianity? On what basis?– Sin is a cultural creation. Why prefer one Sin is a cultural creation. Why prefer one

moral system to another?moral system to another?– Why listen to reformers like Jesus Christ or Why listen to reformers like Jesus Christ or

Siddhartha Buddha? By definition, our culture Siddhartha Buddha? By definition, our culture is always right!is always right!

The Christian World ViewThe Christian World View1. 1. The physical world is: (Genesis 1)The physical world is: (Genesis 1)

a. real b. created and c. essentially good.a. real b. created and c. essentially good.

2. There exists a parallel unseen spiritual reality which is not 2. There exists a parallel unseen spiritual reality which is not limited to or defined by the physical reality. limited to or defined by the physical reality.

3. The creator of both the physical and spiritual realm is the 3. The creator of both the physical and spiritual realm is the God who is revealed and who reveals himself in the Bible.God who is revealed and who reveals himself in the Bible.

4. Human beings have both a physical and a spiritual nature, 4. Human beings have both a physical and a spiritual nature, but the spiritual nature is more essential as it is eternal.but the spiritual nature is more essential as it is eternal.

5. Although the physical world is good, evil does exist. Such 5. Although the physical world is good, evil does exist. Such evil is the result of freedom of will given to created beings evil is the result of freedom of will given to created beings and their subsequent decision to use that freedom to “sin” and their subsequent decision to use that freedom to “sin” (defined as transgressing the will of God).(defined as transgressing the will of God).

6. There is a definite right and wrong for human behavior 6. There is a definite right and wrong for human behavior which is determined by God.which is determined by God.

Christian Theology Answers the Big QuestionsChristian Theology Answers the Big Questions

How did I get here?How did I get here?

Why am I here?Why am I here?

Where am I going?Where am I going?

Why are human beings able to comprehend the Why are human beings able to comprehend the universe?universe?

Why is there pain and suffering and evil in the Why is there pain and suffering and evil in the world?world?

Christianity Offers Solutions to the Big Problems of Christianity Offers Solutions to the Big Problems of Human BeingsHuman Beings

The Problem of Sin (the substitutionary death of The Problem of Sin (the substitutionary death of Jesus)Jesus)– Romans 7:24,25Romans 7:24,25

The Problem of Suffering (compassion)The Problem of Suffering (compassion)– Matthew 9:35-36 Matthew 9:35-36

The Problem of DeathThe Problem of Death– 1 Corinthians 15:54-561 Corinthians 15:54-56

The Christian World View Has Given Us:The Christian World View Has Given Us:

ScienceScience

Abolition of Slavery (Wilberforce)Abolition of Slavery (Wilberforce)

Civil RightsCivil Rights

Women’s RightsWomen’s Rights

Christian groups do a majority of all benevolent Christian groups do a majority of all benevolent work in the world (James 1:27, Micah 6:8)work in the world (James 1:27, Micah 6:8)

So, What is Truth?So, What is Truth?

John 14:6 I AM the way the TRUTH and the life. John 14:6 I AM the way the TRUTH and the life. no one comes to the Father, except by me.no one comes to the Father, except by me.

Why are Postmodernism, Scientism, Animism, Why are Postmodernism, Scientism, Animism, Polytheism, Pantheism, Dualism and every other Polytheism, Pantheism, Dualism and every other ism wrong?ism wrong?

Genesis Chapter OneGenesis Chapter One

Because Jesus is truth.Because Jesus is truth.

Two Possibilities: Either Jesus is truth or he is Two Possibilities: Either Jesus is truth or he is not…..not…..

How Do I Know Jesus is Truth?How Do I Know Jesus is Truth?

Fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah.Fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah.

John 6:48 I am the bread of life.John 6:48 I am the bread of life.

John 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life.John 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life.

John 2:19 Destroy this temple and I will raise it in John 2:19 Destroy this temple and I will raise it in three days. Jesus was resurrected from the three days. Jesus was resurrected from the dead.dead.