Comments on: "Prove to me that God exists." http://ksmith.in/inmediasres/2009/02/17/prove-to-me-that-god-exists/ in the midst of things Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:12:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: David Strunk http://ksmith.in/inmediasres/2009/02/17/prove-to-me-that-god-exists/#comment-1110 David Strunk Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:22:09 +0000 http://blog.superkev.net/?p=1809#comment-1110 Kev, Don't downgrade yourself. It was an excellent post, and you were clear about whom you were referring to. I just thought I'd build on your thoughts. I know your metaphor wasn't intended to be postmodern, but I thought I'd head off that thought train altogether for some other unsuspecting person. Thanks for the response. Dave Kev,
Don’t downgrade yourself. It was an excellent post, and you were clear about whom you were referring to. I just thought I’d build on your thoughts. I know your metaphor wasn’t intended to be postmodern, but I thought I’d head off that thought train altogether for some other unsuspecting person.

Thanks for the response.

Dave

]]> By: Kev http://ksmith.in/inmediasres/2009/02/17/prove-to-me-that-god-exists/#comment-1109 Kev Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:20:30 +0000 http://blog.superkev.net/?p=1809#comment-1109 @<a href="#comment-1272" rel="nofollow">David Strunk</a>: Ah, Mr. Strunk! I was hoping to elicit a response from you. I should preface this by saying that my rambling seemed quite coherent at 12:39 in the am. This post was really a response to the argumentative type who seems intent on causing a stir, and though I thought I'd made that rather clear several times in the post, it appears that I have not. I was not attempting to give up hope of an explanation to a willing ear, just that I will not be bated by a person who merely wants an argument. That is what I meant by saying, "If he persists in causing a ruckus after a friendly explanation, my recommendation is to let him go about his rabid way." I also meant to provide hope to the discouraged Christian who hasn't a mastery of logic, reason, nor debate. I've seen more than a few become completely disheartened merely because some contrarian boxed them into an intellectual corner. It's not that facts don't matter. It's that a great sounding argument against a fact does not invalidate that fact. My metaphors always crumble under even the lightest of scrutiny. Perhaps I should stop using them. @David Strunk: Ah, Mr. Strunk! I was hoping to elicit a response from you. I should preface this by saying that my rambling seemed quite coherent at 12:39 in the am. This post was really a response to the argumentative type who seems intent on causing a stir, and though I thought I’d made that rather clear several times in the post, it appears that I have not.

I was not attempting to give up hope of an explanation to a willing ear, just that I will not be bated by a person who merely wants an argument. That is what I meant by saying, “If he persists in causing a ruckus after a friendly explanation, my recommendation is to let him go about his rabid way.”

I also meant to provide hope to the discouraged Christian who hasn’t a mastery of logic, reason, nor debate. I’ve seen more than a few become completely disheartened merely because some contrarian boxed them into an intellectual corner. It’s not that facts don’t matter. It’s that a great sounding argument against a fact does not invalidate that fact.

My metaphors always crumble under even the lightest of scrutiny. Perhaps I should stop using them.

]]> By: David Strunk http://ksmith.in/inmediasres/2009/02/17/prove-to-me-that-god-exists/#comment-1108 David Strunk Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:37:55 +0000 http://blog.superkev.net/?p=1809#comment-1108 Kevin, There's a good emotive sentiment here, but I wary that it sounds a bit much like the postmodern approach to truth. Here's what I mean: "Try out my truth bc it's my truth. I can't give you any good reasons why you should try it, but once you do you'll see what I'm talking about." I know that's not entirely what you said, but your metaphor tilted in that direction. The fact is, some semblence of natural theology can be constructed and there are historical, philosophical proofs for the existence of God. These should not be ignored. Even Paul asserts that if Christ didn't really rise from the dead, we are to be pitied among all people (1 Cor. 15). Even the disciples in Acts 2 didn't go around saying that they had the most incredible experience and so others should try it to. No, they appealed to fact: "We saw him again, he came back to live, and we are all witnesses to the FACT" (Acts 2:32). The factuality and truth of God should never be undersold. But you are indeed wise to note those who are merely contrarians- argumentative just to be annoying. For an excellent primer and almost exhaustive list on great arguments for God, read JP Moreland's, Scaling the Secular City. It's not an easy read but it's impossible either. Kevin,
There’s a good emotive sentiment here, but I wary that it sounds a bit much like the postmodern approach to truth. Here’s what I mean:

“Try out my truth bc it’s my truth. I can’t give you any good reasons why you should try it, but once you do you’ll see what I’m talking about.”

I know that’s not entirely what you said, but your metaphor tilted in that direction. The fact is, some semblence of natural theology can be constructed and there are historical, philosophical proofs for the existence of God. These should not be ignored. Even Paul asserts that if Christ didn’t really rise from the dead, we are to be pitied among all people (1 Cor. 15). Even the disciples in Acts 2 didn’t go around saying that they had the most incredible experience and so others should try it to. No, they appealed to fact: “We saw him again, he came back to live, and we are all witnesses to the FACT” (Acts 2:32).

The factuality and truth of God should never be undersold. But you are indeed wise to note those who are merely contrarians- argumentative just to be annoying.

For an excellent primer and almost exhaustive list on great arguments for God, read JP Moreland’s, Scaling the Secular City. It’s not an easy read but it’s impossible either.

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