In this lesson, we arrive at 1 of the most important questions of the course for Christians: Do we have good reasons to believe that God exists? Today, many are claiming that there is no evidence for Gods existence and those who believe in God are just deluding themselves. However, this lesson will show that some very interesting arguments have been developed throughout the history of philosophy that demonstrate that the theist is within his epistemic rights in believing in God. While the case is not 100% certain (few things are in philosophy), it is certainly reasonable in the absence of any contrary evidence to hold that God exists as the best explanation for certain effects we observe in creation.View and take notes of the presentation: Arguments for Gods Existence.Read The Absurdity of Life without God by William Lane Craig.This reading by Christian philosopher William Lane Craig is titled the The Absurdity of Life without God. In this powerful argument, Craig seriously considers the ramifications for us if in fact there really is no God. I assign it to my students on campus and they always tell me it is their favorite reading of the semester. I think you will really enjoy it. It is not a difficult reading and is very powerful on a personal level. While it does not prove Gods existence, it does add positive epistemic evidence for the cumulative case for God as the best explanation. As you read, make sure you understand the following points and questions: What are the 3 specific areas in which Craig argues life is absurd if there is no God or Immortality? What is the atheist response to each of these areas and why does that response ultimately fail according to Craig? What is the dilemma for modern man as a result of denying Gods existence? Explain the Noble Lie.Read Chapter 3 of , Classical Arguments for the Existence of God. As you do, make sure you understand the following points and questions: The Ontological Argumento Anselms Version of the Argument: God is the greatest possible being.o Anselms answer to Gaunilios objection.o Know Kants objection to it.o Malcolms Version: God as a necessary being.o How can the Ontological argument be used to prove atheism?o Evans evaluation of the argument: If not rationally compelling, then what is its value? What is the moral for all the arguments? The Cosmological Argumento Distinctions between part/whole versions and temporal/non-temporal versions.o The non-temporal contingency version of the argument.o Three irrelevant objections to the argument.o Evans reply to the matter is the necessary being objection.o Evans reply to the infinite series of causes objection.o Evans final evaluation of the rationality of the argument. The Teleological Argumento Aquinas version of the argument.o The argument as a probable argument.o The simple version of the argument.o The analogical version of the argument.o Humes 2 analogical objections to the argument and Evans responses.o The Evolutionary objection and Evans responses.o Explain the fine tuning argument, criticisms of it and responses to the criticisms.o Humes religious objections to the argument and Swinburnes response.o How the cosmological and teleological arguments balance each other out.o Concluding comment about the nature of proof and philosophy. The Moral Argumento Kants version of the argument.o The inference to the best explanation form of the argument.o The cultural and individual relativist objections and Evans responses.o The emotivist objection and Evans responses.o Naturalisms three attempts to ground morality apart from God and their accompanying problems.o The heart of the moral argument.o Two ways Gods existence grounds morality (DCT and HNT) and how moral obligations make more sense in a world with God then without it.o Explain 2 versions of divine command theory. Evans balanced evaluation of the value of the arguments for Gods existence.Make sure you fully understand the following terms and concepts: Ontological Argument Cosmological Argument Necessary Being Contingent Being Principle of Sufficient Reason Teleological Argument Telos Beneficial Order Inference to the Best Explanation Analogical Argument Fine Tuning Argument Moral Argument Cultural Relativism Individual Relativism Naturalistic Humanism Divine Command Theory Human Nature Theory