Posted by alexandra_k on April 2, 2005, at 16:55:28
In reply to Re: God » alexandra_k, posted by rayww on April 2, 2005, at 9:46:57
> Now that we have that established......
Well... I am not sure that it is 'established'. But it strikes me as compelling... More compelling than it ever has before. The crucial bits (IMO) are that cause and effect chains can't be infinitely long. And then in the independent argument for that the premise that a cause and effect chain that is infinitely long does not have a first member. I think all the rest hangs on the truth of those...
> Does God love?
Is he omni-benevolent?
> Does God inspect?
> Does God expect?
> Does God continue to create?Or did he just set up the natural laws and let nature run its course?
> Does God command the elements?
> Do the elements obey God?Is God subject to the natural laws or did he create them himself?
What about the logical laws?> Why isn't man compelled to obey?
Is it better to have free will?
> Can the answer to all of the above be found in one simple phrase?I am not sure what you mean. Each one is a major question and there are a lot of factors to consider...
>And can that one simple phrase be proven with logic and science?
I don't know. But if we don't think logic or science will help us then we have given up before we have even begun.
> [Aquinas] didn't think one could find God in his totality by following deductive arguments. But he thought it was a way to see an aspect of God.
He thought it might be a way to show the sceptic.
People differ in their opinions...
We usually start the first tutorial on this section of the course with the question 'if god exists then is it impertinent to try to prove or disprove this fact by using argument / reason?'.Some people think it is impertinent.
Other people think that reason is a gift from god. He gave it to us so that we could use it. In using it in this way (to try to show the sceptic) we are using this tool that god has given us to further glorify him.
Something to think about...
poster:alexandra_k
thread:478812
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20050312/msgs/479038.html