正文
Cameron to ‘prove God exists’
By Tommy Heyboer
Staff Writer
Supposedly with a plethora of concrete evidence, Kirk Cameron (who you may remember from “Growing Pains”) and Ray Comfort, author of “God Doesn’t Believe in Atheists,” have challenged two atheists to an intellectual duel to be hosted on ABC. Comfort alleged, “I will present undeniable scientific proof that God exists.”
Not only that, Comfort asserts that he will not argue based on the Bible or Faith.
Don’t worry: it gets even better. Cameron plans to refute evolution because, “evolution is unscientific.”
“In reality, it is a blind faith that’s preached with religious zeal as the gospel truth,” said Cameron. In addition, he claims that since kids are taught that they “evolved from animals,” we shouldn’t be surprised that there are school shootings.
Are we really supposed to believe that evolution being taught in the public schools causes a student to maliciously murder his fellow classmates? This is a non-sequitor logical fallacy, meaning that it doesn’t follow that teaching evolution causes murderous rampages. Secondly, can a rational human being really trust a former child star to give the final answer to the question between intelligent design and evolution?
This logical fallacy is only the beginning for these two supremely confident men. Throughout the history of Christianity, many theologians and philosophers have tried to prove the existence of God logically. For instance, St. Anselm constructed his ontological argument for the existence of God, which has since gone the way of irrationality. Descartes’ argument for the existence of God succumbed to a similar fate.
Is it possible to logically and/or scientifically prove the existence of God? In short, no.
Inevitably, some quick-witted philosopher or scientist will eventually poke a hole, if not several, through an argument for the existence of God.
I contend that the primary reason for human inability to logically prove the existence of God is that God chooses to remain hidden. To borrow language from Martin Luther, God can best be seen as revealed through the suffering of Christ on the cross. Here we find God in the most unexpected place, suffering the weight of human depravity. We do not find the God in his Glory (i.e. his works in creation, which include human wisdom), where we would expect to find him. The creator and master of the universe is seen most clearly on the rugged cross of Calvary.
Furthermore, several other theologians admit the inherent irrationality of God’s existence. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian, writes about “the unfathomable mystery” of God’s love for the world. Jurgen Moltmann, a 20th century reformed theologian, contends that suffering is the open wound of history; therefore, suffering is also the open wound of theology. Moltmann is speaking here about the point that many atheists continually raise: “How can an all-powerful and all-loving God allow such terrible suffering in the world?” Neither theology, science, or logic can say anything undeniably concrete about this.
By viewing God irrespective of faith, Comfort and Cameron are missing a fundamental point of the Christian worldview. I do not believe I need to go into detail regarding the plethora of references to faith in the Bible; this should be self-evident upon reading a few chapters. However, it is quite clear that Christ cites faith as the only way to be certain of the existence of God.
I fear that these elaborate stunts by over-zealous Christians will do more to harm Christianity than benefit it. By attempting to do something that is impossible, Comfort and Cameron effectively trivialize millions of Christians who champion faith as the bedrock for their worldview. If you are looking to watch something entertaining, as it certainly will be amidst the logical and scientific contradictions, watch the debate. However, if you are looking for truthful discussion about God, don’t bother.
http://www-stu.calvin.edu/chimes/article.php?id=2395
By Tommy Heyboer
Staff Writer
Supposedly with a plethora of concrete evidence, Kirk Cameron (who you may remember from “Growing Pains”) and Ray Comfort, author of “God Doesn’t Believe in Atheists,” have challenged two atheists to an intellectual duel to be hosted on ABC. Comfort alleged, “I will present undeniable scientific proof that God exists.”
Not only that, Comfort asserts that he will not argue based on the Bible or Faith.
Don’t worry: it gets even better. Cameron plans to refute evolution because, “evolution is unscientific.”
“In reality, it is a blind faith that’s preached with religious zeal as the gospel truth,” said Cameron. In addition, he claims that since kids are taught that they “evolved from animals,” we shouldn’t be surprised that there are school shootings.
Are we really supposed to believe that evolution being taught in the public schools causes a student to maliciously murder his fellow classmates? This is a non-sequitor logical fallacy, meaning that it doesn’t follow that teaching evolution causes murderous rampages. Secondly, can a rational human being really trust a former child star to give the final answer to the question between intelligent design and evolution?
This logical fallacy is only the beginning for these two supremely confident men. Throughout the history of Christianity, many theologians and philosophers have tried to prove the existence of God logically. For instance, St. Anselm constructed his ontological argument for the existence of God, which has since gone the way of irrationality. Descartes’ argument for the existence of God succumbed to a similar fate.
Is it possible to logically and/or scientifically prove the existence of God? In short, no.
Inevitably, some quick-witted philosopher or scientist will eventually poke a hole, if not several, through an argument for the existence of God.
I contend that the primary reason for human inability to logically prove the existence of God is that God chooses to remain hidden. To borrow language from Martin Luther, God can best be seen as revealed through the suffering of Christ on the cross. Here we find God in the most unexpected place, suffering the weight of human depravity. We do not find the God in his Glory (i.e. his works in creation, which include human wisdom), where we would expect to find him. The creator and master of the universe is seen most clearly on the rugged cross of Calvary.
Furthermore, several other theologians admit the inherent irrationality of God’s existence. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian, writes about “the unfathomable mystery” of God’s love for the world. Jurgen Moltmann, a 20th century reformed theologian, contends that suffering is the open wound of history; therefore, suffering is also the open wound of theology. Moltmann is speaking here about the point that many atheists continually raise: “How can an all-powerful and all-loving God allow such terrible suffering in the world?” Neither theology, science, or logic can say anything undeniably concrete about this.
By viewing God irrespective of faith, Comfort and Cameron are missing a fundamental point of the Christian worldview. I do not believe I need to go into detail regarding the plethora of references to faith in the Bible; this should be self-evident upon reading a few chapters. However, it is quite clear that Christ cites faith as the only way to be certain of the existence of God.
I fear that these elaborate stunts by over-zealous Christians will do more to harm Christianity than benefit it. By attempting to do something that is impossible, Comfort and Cameron effectively trivialize millions of Christians who champion faith as the bedrock for their worldview. If you are looking to watch something entertaining, as it certainly will be amidst the logical and scientific contradictions, watch the debate. However, if you are looking for truthful discussion about God, don’t bother.
http://www-stu.calvin.edu/chimes/article.php?id=2395
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