PURPOSE:
I started with versions of this years ago in this forum—motivated by the reoccurring trajectory of individual discussions, inevitably spiraling towards contentions that Christianity is irrational, has no evidence, reducible to mere 'faith,' or attributed to conspiratorial schemes. Amidst such discussions, it is almost impossible to articulate the intricate web of ideas—comprising hundreds of beliefs and their multifaceted justifications. This presentation strives to bridge that gap by showing the cumulative nature of belief within Christianity, aiming to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding and more nuanced conversations.
There is a difference between having rational reasoning to support a worldview and what it means personally to assent to and live out specific beliefs themselves. At its core, Christianity is about an individual response, a personal restoration, and way to live an individual life. It's this message that remains compelling generation after generation and not the logical arguments presented below.
THE FORM
Inductive reasoning, distinct from deductive or abductive reasoning, constitutes a mode of reasoning wherein premises provide supporting evidence for the plausibility of a conclusion. While deduction arguments yield certain conclusions, inductive arguments offer conclusions that are likely, grounded in the evidence presented.
Premise 1: Instances of Miraculous Effects Attributed to God
Numerous instances in the New Testament attribute miraculous occurrences to a supernatural entity, specifically God. Consider the example of the paralytic healed by Jesus as recounted in Mark 2:10-12, where Jesus not only forgives sins (to which the attendees objected that he had the power to do)but also heals the man's paralysis in full view of others--to specifically illustrate the point that he had power to forgive sins. This and many other accounts underscore the presence of supernatural causation within specific contexts, enhancing the significance of the miracles described.
Premise 2: Resurrected Jesus Witnessed by Many
The resurrection of Jesus is attested to by the eyewitness accounts of as many as 500 individuals. This occurrence, whereby a recently crucified individual claims to have conquered death and paved the way for human redemption, inherently embodies a significant and evident supernatural claim. This claim is reinforced by:
a. External sources confirming Jesus' birth, baptism, and death within the claimed timeframe.
b. Firsthand eyewitnesses Peter, James, and John, who were deeply involved in both public and private events during Jesus' three-year ministry.
c. These three had subsequent leadership roles in the early church, as documented by Paul, Acts, and early-century records.
d. The early church's influence on Paul's teachings (from Paul, Acts)
e. Paul's letters reflecting beliefs outlined in the gospels prior to their actual written accounts. We can infer from this, the source of these beliefs contained a critical mass of people who believed these events really happened which actually prompted immediate and significant action on their part--to evangelize the Roman world.
f. Letters authored by Peter, James, and John (eyewitnesses) that catalog the gospel themes.
g. Luke's meticulous recording of Christ's life and the early church's journey in Luke and Acts.
h. Editors of Matthew, Mark, and John, though potentially not eyewitnesses themselves, were contemporaries of everyone mentioned here.
i. Recipients of the gospels would have been familiar with the editors, with the naming of each book denoting the apostolic influence.
j. Textual criticism indicating lost documents sharing similar themes.
k. Acceptance of the gospels by the early church, devoid of any questioning in their writings.
l. The alignment between the gospels and Paul's teachings, given his direct interactions with eyewitnesses.
m. The inadequacy of alternative theories concerning the origins of the New Testament and early church, in light of comprehensive evidence.
Premise 3: Central Promise of the New Testament
Establishing the veracity and historicity of the message is one thing. The message is another thing entirely. At the core of the New Testament lies a promise of profound transformation, encompassing spiritual healing, renewal, and a specific relationship with God.
Premise 4: Multitudes Report the Stated Effects
Millions upon millions of individuals have reported experiencing specific supernatural effects of a changed life, renewal, spiritual healing, and feelings of the presence of God while attributing the changes to his promises of the process outlined in the New Testament (P3).
Premise 5: Reports of Minor Miracles
Countless diverse accounts are continually recorded, detailing 'minor miracles' with narrow, person-centered aims (distinct from the broad applications of NT miracles). These minor miracles encompass healing, orchestrated events, profound encounters, opened pathways, augmented strength, tranquility, perseverance, and evangelistic success. These 'minor miracles' are promised in the New Testament and are evidence of God keeping very specific promises.
Premise 6: Unresolved Question of Existence
The fundamental query regarding the existence of anything lacks a naturalistic explanation, and such an explanation is unlikely to emerge, as elucidated in a number of Ontological Arguments.
Premise 7: Necessity of a First Cause
The metaphysical necessity of a primordial cause to make sense of our physical realm mirrors properties akin to the concept of God, as articulated in several versions of Cosmological Arguments.
Premise 8: Precise Parameters of Our Universe
The absence of a naturalistic rationale for the tightly confined range of physical constants essential for matter formation and energy preservation is evident, echoing the principles of Teleological Arguments.
Premise 9: Nature of Human Minds
The apparent non-physical nature of human minds, coupled with their causal influence over the physical domain, undermines the tenets of hard naturalism. This aligns, to some extent, with the notion of the supernatural, as highlighted in the Argument from Consciousness.
Premise 10: Innate Moral Knowledge
The pervasive presence of basic morality in humanity, rooted in perceived objective principles (moral Platonism), defies derivation from an evolutionary process. This notion is expounded in the Moral Argument.
Conclusion 1: Physical Evidence for God's Existence; Exclusively Christian
Evidence from the New Testament accounts, eyewitness testimonies, and the extant documents from the first and second centuries substantiates the existence of the Christian conception of God (from P1, P2).
Conclusion 2: Unbroken Chain of Personal Evidence
Continual and ever expanding accounts of personal narratives attests to the presence of God at work in individual lives (from P4, P5).
Conclusion 3: Inadequacy of Naturalism
Naturalism as a comprehensive worldview is metaphysically, scientifically, and morally insufficient and the theistic worldview much more likely, underscored by the collective arguments spanning ontological, cosmological, teleological, conscious, and moral perspectives (from P6, P7, P8, P9, P10).
A CUMULATIVE, RATIONAL CASE:
The culmination of these cumulative arguments markedly enhances the plausibility of the assertion that Christianity holds truth—affirming the existence of God and the authenticity of the New Testament. Woven together are historical narratives, intimate personal experiences, profound metaphysical contemplations, and rigorous philosophical insights. While each premise (itself an argument) stands as an individual pieces of evidence, they collectively form a compelling inductive argument that leans toward a conclusion: that God's existence and the truth of Christianity extend beyond mere probability to a realm of strong likelihood. The process of ten separate arguments and the conclusions reached in this are, by very definition, rational beliefs.
The points above reflect centuries upon centuries of intellectual engagement and analysis. A vast library of texts spanning myriad disciplines has delved into these very topics, underscoring the depth of thought and inquiry they have engendered over time. Present-day objections, while relevant and valuable, echo age-old concerns that have long been subjected to critical scrutiny. In essence, this discourse stands as a testament to the enduring nature of these discussions and the collective endeavor to explore the profound questions they pose--a very rational process.
NOTE 1: What Place Does Faith Have?
Faith is not a way of knowing something. Faith is a way of trusting something. Christian faith is component of a relationship with God, characterized by trust, surrender, and a genuine connection of the heart. It involves believing in God's promises and relying on His character, goodness, and sovereignty. Faith is not a substitute for reasoning, but a recognition that there are aspects of the divine that transcend human comprehension. It is a journey of the heart, marked by a willingness to embrace the mysteries of the spiritual realm and to live in alignment with God's will. Faith is trusting in that which you have some reason(s) to believe is true. It does not preclude that once you have come to believe that something is true, using reliable epistemological means, you can become more certain something is true.
NOTE 2: Definition of Evidence
Any sort of positive epistemic considerations in favor of object O. "Evidence, broadly construed, is anything presented in support of an assertion. This support may be strong or weak. The strongest type of evidence is that which provides direct proof of the truth of an assertion. At the other extreme is evidence that is merely consistent with an assertion but does not rule out other, contradictory assertions, as in circumstantial evidence." (wikipedia)
Types of Evidence:
Digital evidence
Personal experience
Scientific evidence
Testimonial
Physical evidence
Trace evidence
Relationship evidence
NOTE 3: Relationship between Evidence and Proof
Evidence refers to pieces of information or facts that help us establish the truth of something. Proof is a conclusion about the truth of something after analyzing the evidence. Evidence is suggestive of a conclusion. Proof is concrete and conclusive.
NOTE 4: Definition of a Miracle
A miracle is an event within the natural world that originates from a supernatural cause, lying beyond the confines of the physical realm. Unlike a suspension of natural laws, a miracle involves introducing an external cause into the natural order. The distinction between a supernatural cause and a natural one lies in the properties of the efficient cause. Natural efficient causes possess traits like physicality, adherence to the laws of physics, observability, and repeatability. Conversely, supernatural efficient causes possess attributes such as non-physicality, exemption from the laws of physics, and the potency to influence the natural world. It is important to differentiate between what is naturally impossible and what is logically impossible.
NOTE 5: On Bayesian Probabilities
There are multiple lines of evidence/reasoning that infer the supernatural exists and that Christianity is the most evidenced of religions. Bayes showed us that that more data points that you have that infer a conclusion, the higher the probability the conclusion is true. For example, you don't just weigh the probability of the miraculous event against the witness reliability, but you weigh that probability given the background information against the probability of the event happening without the background information. Here is an example of the process:
1. Prior Probability: Begin with an initial belief or prior probability about the likelihood of miracles based on your personal beliefs, religious teachings, and cultural background.
2. Evidence: Consider any relevant evidence, such as historical accounts, eyewitness testimonies, and expert opinions, that relate to the specific miracle in question.
3. Likelihood: Evaluate the likelihood of observing the evidence if the miracle did occur versus if it did not occur. This involves assessing how well the evidence aligns with each hypothesis.
4. Bayes' Theorem: Use Bayes' theorem to update your belief in light of the new evidence. The theorem mathematically combines your prior probability, the likelihood of the evidence, and the likelihood of the evidence under alternative hypotheses.
5. Posterior Probability: The result of applying Bayes' theorem is a posterior probability, which represents your updated belief in the likelihood of the miracle occurring, given the new evidence.
NOTE 6: Extraordinary Claims require Extraordinary Evidence
The assertion that "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" carries an intuitive appeal, yet it lacks a solid foundation when examined closely. Firstly, the term "extraordinary" hinges on individual perspective, influenced by one's knowledge and beliefs. In an extreme scenario where one possesses no prior understanding, everything might appear extraordinary. Secondly, probability theory offers a method to assess the likelihood of a miracle's occurrence (see NOTE 5), thus allowing for a more nuanced evaluation. Thirdly, while there's justification to lean towards naturalistic explanations when all factors are equal, we cannot demand exclusive adherence to this principle (which would be circular reasoning). It's crucial to recognize that evidence, regardless of the claim's nature, adheres to a singular standard—plain evidence.
I started with versions of this years ago in this forum—motivated by the reoccurring trajectory of individual discussions, inevitably spiraling towards contentions that Christianity is irrational, has no evidence, reducible to mere 'faith,' or attributed to conspiratorial schemes. Amidst such discussions, it is almost impossible to articulate the intricate web of ideas—comprising hundreds of beliefs and their multifaceted justifications. This presentation strives to bridge that gap by showing the cumulative nature of belief within Christianity, aiming to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding and more nuanced conversations.
There is a difference between having rational reasoning to support a worldview and what it means personally to assent to and live out specific beliefs themselves. At its core, Christianity is about an individual response, a personal restoration, and way to live an individual life. It's this message that remains compelling generation after generation and not the logical arguments presented below.
THE FORM
Inductive reasoning, distinct from deductive or abductive reasoning, constitutes a mode of reasoning wherein premises provide supporting evidence for the plausibility of a conclusion. While deduction arguments yield certain conclusions, inductive arguments offer conclusions that are likely, grounded in the evidence presented.
Premise 1: Instances of Miraculous Effects Attributed to God
Numerous instances in the New Testament attribute miraculous occurrences to a supernatural entity, specifically God. Consider the example of the paralytic healed by Jesus as recounted in Mark 2:10-12, where Jesus not only forgives sins (to which the attendees objected that he had the power to do)but also heals the man's paralysis in full view of others--to specifically illustrate the point that he had power to forgive sins. This and many other accounts underscore the presence of supernatural causation within specific contexts, enhancing the significance of the miracles described.
Premise 2: Resurrected Jesus Witnessed by Many
The resurrection of Jesus is attested to by the eyewitness accounts of as many as 500 individuals. This occurrence, whereby a recently crucified individual claims to have conquered death and paved the way for human redemption, inherently embodies a significant and evident supernatural claim. This claim is reinforced by:
a. External sources confirming Jesus' birth, baptism, and death within the claimed timeframe.
b. Firsthand eyewitnesses Peter, James, and John, who were deeply involved in both public and private events during Jesus' three-year ministry.
c. These three had subsequent leadership roles in the early church, as documented by Paul, Acts, and early-century records.
d. The early church's influence on Paul's teachings (from Paul, Acts)
e. Paul's letters reflecting beliefs outlined in the gospels prior to their actual written accounts. We can infer from this, the source of these beliefs contained a critical mass of people who believed these events really happened which actually prompted immediate and significant action on their part--to evangelize the Roman world.
f. Letters authored by Peter, James, and John (eyewitnesses) that catalog the gospel themes.
g. Luke's meticulous recording of Christ's life and the early church's journey in Luke and Acts.
h. Editors of Matthew, Mark, and John, though potentially not eyewitnesses themselves, were contemporaries of everyone mentioned here.
i. Recipients of the gospels would have been familiar with the editors, with the naming of each book denoting the apostolic influence.
j. Textual criticism indicating lost documents sharing similar themes.
k. Acceptance of the gospels by the early church, devoid of any questioning in their writings.
l. The alignment between the gospels and Paul's teachings, given his direct interactions with eyewitnesses.
m. The inadequacy of alternative theories concerning the origins of the New Testament and early church, in light of comprehensive evidence.
Premise 3: Central Promise of the New Testament
Establishing the veracity and historicity of the message is one thing. The message is another thing entirely. At the core of the New Testament lies a promise of profound transformation, encompassing spiritual healing, renewal, and a specific relationship with God.
Premise 4: Multitudes Report the Stated Effects
Millions upon millions of individuals have reported experiencing specific supernatural effects of a changed life, renewal, spiritual healing, and feelings of the presence of God while attributing the changes to his promises of the process outlined in the New Testament (P3).
Premise 5: Reports of Minor Miracles
Countless diverse accounts are continually recorded, detailing 'minor miracles' with narrow, person-centered aims (distinct from the broad applications of NT miracles). These minor miracles encompass healing, orchestrated events, profound encounters, opened pathways, augmented strength, tranquility, perseverance, and evangelistic success. These 'minor miracles' are promised in the New Testament and are evidence of God keeping very specific promises.
Premise 6: Unresolved Question of Existence
The fundamental query regarding the existence of anything lacks a naturalistic explanation, and such an explanation is unlikely to emerge, as elucidated in a number of Ontological Arguments.
Premise 7: Necessity of a First Cause
The metaphysical necessity of a primordial cause to make sense of our physical realm mirrors properties akin to the concept of God, as articulated in several versions of Cosmological Arguments.
Premise 8: Precise Parameters of Our Universe
The absence of a naturalistic rationale for the tightly confined range of physical constants essential for matter formation and energy preservation is evident, echoing the principles of Teleological Arguments.
Premise 9: Nature of Human Minds
The apparent non-physical nature of human minds, coupled with their causal influence over the physical domain, undermines the tenets of hard naturalism. This aligns, to some extent, with the notion of the supernatural, as highlighted in the Argument from Consciousness.
Premise 10: Innate Moral Knowledge
The pervasive presence of basic morality in humanity, rooted in perceived objective principles (moral Platonism), defies derivation from an evolutionary process. This notion is expounded in the Moral Argument.
Conclusion 1: Physical Evidence for God's Existence; Exclusively Christian
Evidence from the New Testament accounts, eyewitness testimonies, and the extant documents from the first and second centuries substantiates the existence of the Christian conception of God (from P1, P2).
Conclusion 2: Unbroken Chain of Personal Evidence
Continual and ever expanding accounts of personal narratives attests to the presence of God at work in individual lives (from P4, P5).
Conclusion 3: Inadequacy of Naturalism
Naturalism as a comprehensive worldview is metaphysically, scientifically, and morally insufficient and the theistic worldview much more likely, underscored by the collective arguments spanning ontological, cosmological, teleological, conscious, and moral perspectives (from P6, P7, P8, P9, P10).
A CUMULATIVE, RATIONAL CASE:
The culmination of these cumulative arguments markedly enhances the plausibility of the assertion that Christianity holds truth—affirming the existence of God and the authenticity of the New Testament. Woven together are historical narratives, intimate personal experiences, profound metaphysical contemplations, and rigorous philosophical insights. While each premise (itself an argument) stands as an individual pieces of evidence, they collectively form a compelling inductive argument that leans toward a conclusion: that God's existence and the truth of Christianity extend beyond mere probability to a realm of strong likelihood. The process of ten separate arguments and the conclusions reached in this are, by very definition, rational beliefs.
The points above reflect centuries upon centuries of intellectual engagement and analysis. A vast library of texts spanning myriad disciplines has delved into these very topics, underscoring the depth of thought and inquiry they have engendered over time. Present-day objections, while relevant and valuable, echo age-old concerns that have long been subjected to critical scrutiny. In essence, this discourse stands as a testament to the enduring nature of these discussions and the collective endeavor to explore the profound questions they pose--a very rational process.
NOTE 1: What Place Does Faith Have?
Faith is not a way of knowing something. Faith is a way of trusting something. Christian faith is component of a relationship with God, characterized by trust, surrender, and a genuine connection of the heart. It involves believing in God's promises and relying on His character, goodness, and sovereignty. Faith is not a substitute for reasoning, but a recognition that there are aspects of the divine that transcend human comprehension. It is a journey of the heart, marked by a willingness to embrace the mysteries of the spiritual realm and to live in alignment with God's will. Faith is trusting in that which you have some reason(s) to believe is true. It does not preclude that once you have come to believe that something is true, using reliable epistemological means, you can become more certain something is true.
NOTE 2: Definition of Evidence
Any sort of positive epistemic considerations in favor of object O. "Evidence, broadly construed, is anything presented in support of an assertion. This support may be strong or weak. The strongest type of evidence is that which provides direct proof of the truth of an assertion. At the other extreme is evidence that is merely consistent with an assertion but does not rule out other, contradictory assertions, as in circumstantial evidence." (wikipedia)
Types of Evidence:
Digital evidence
Personal experience
Scientific evidence
Testimonial
Physical evidence
Trace evidence
Relationship evidence
NOTE 3: Relationship between Evidence and Proof
Evidence refers to pieces of information or facts that help us establish the truth of something. Proof is a conclusion about the truth of something after analyzing the evidence. Evidence is suggestive of a conclusion. Proof is concrete and conclusive.
NOTE 4: Definition of a Miracle
A miracle is an event within the natural world that originates from a supernatural cause, lying beyond the confines of the physical realm. Unlike a suspension of natural laws, a miracle involves introducing an external cause into the natural order. The distinction between a supernatural cause and a natural one lies in the properties of the efficient cause. Natural efficient causes possess traits like physicality, adherence to the laws of physics, observability, and repeatability. Conversely, supernatural efficient causes possess attributes such as non-physicality, exemption from the laws of physics, and the potency to influence the natural world. It is important to differentiate between what is naturally impossible and what is logically impossible.
NOTE 5: On Bayesian Probabilities
There are multiple lines of evidence/reasoning that infer the supernatural exists and that Christianity is the most evidenced of religions. Bayes showed us that that more data points that you have that infer a conclusion, the higher the probability the conclusion is true. For example, you don't just weigh the probability of the miraculous event against the witness reliability, but you weigh that probability given the background information against the probability of the event happening without the background information. Here is an example of the process:
1. Prior Probability: Begin with an initial belief or prior probability about the likelihood of miracles based on your personal beliefs, religious teachings, and cultural background.
2. Evidence: Consider any relevant evidence, such as historical accounts, eyewitness testimonies, and expert opinions, that relate to the specific miracle in question.
3. Likelihood: Evaluate the likelihood of observing the evidence if the miracle did occur versus if it did not occur. This involves assessing how well the evidence aligns with each hypothesis.
4. Bayes' Theorem: Use Bayes' theorem to update your belief in light of the new evidence. The theorem mathematically combines your prior probability, the likelihood of the evidence, and the likelihood of the evidence under alternative hypotheses.
5. Posterior Probability: The result of applying Bayes' theorem is a posterior probability, which represents your updated belief in the likelihood of the miracle occurring, given the new evidence.
NOTE 6: Extraordinary Claims require Extraordinary Evidence
The assertion that "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" carries an intuitive appeal, yet it lacks a solid foundation when examined closely. Firstly, the term "extraordinary" hinges on individual perspective, influenced by one's knowledge and beliefs. In an extreme scenario where one possesses no prior understanding, everything might appear extraordinary. Secondly, probability theory offers a method to assess the likelihood of a miracle's occurrence (see NOTE 5), thus allowing for a more nuanced evaluation. Thirdly, while there's justification to lean towards naturalistic explanations when all factors are equal, we cannot demand exclusive adherence to this principle (which would be circular reasoning). It's crucial to recognize that evidence, regardless of the claim's nature, adheres to a singular standard—plain evidence.
![[Image: oma-4-copy2.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/0NM9wtvN/oma-4-copy2.png)
![[Image: Graph-of-NT-manuscripts.jpg]](https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/253/2013/11/Graph-of-NT-manuscripts.jpg)
