A Case for the Existence of GodSome of the brightest scientific minds of our time, from Albert Einstein to Stephen Hawking, have made incredible insights into the earliest origins of the universe, but have failed to ultimately discover why there is something rather than nothing—why we exist. In A Case for the Existence of God, Dean L. Overman examines the latest theories about the origins of the universe and explains why even the most sophisticated science can only take us so far. Ultimately we must make a leap of faith to understand the world, and Overman argues that a leap into theism provides the most satisfying conclusions. Overman explores fundamental questions about why our world exists and how it functions, using principles of logic, physics, and theology. In a time when religion and science are often portrayed as diametrically opposed, A Case for the Existence of God presents a refreshing view of the interplay between science and religion and makes a compelling case for the existence of God and his role in our world. |
Contents
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MANY GENERATIONS OF PHILOSOPHERS HAVE MADE THE MISTAKE OF ASSUMING HUME AND KANTS OBJECTIONS DISPOSED OF ... | 33 |
A UNIVERSE WITH AN INFINITE PAST WOULD STILL REQUIRE A NECESSARY BEING TO SUSTAIN ITS EXISTENCE | 39 |
BECAUSE THE UNIVERSE OR MULTIVERSE HAD A BEGINNING IT IS CONTINGENT AND HAS A CAUSE FOR ITS COMING INTO EXIST... | 43 |
THE PHILOSOPHY OF NATURE SET FORTH IN THIS BOOK EMPHASIZES THE INTELLIGIBILITY OF THE UNIVERSE NOTED IN EINSTE... | 53 |
EVOLUTION IS NOT DISPOSITIVE OF THE QUESTION OF WHY THERE IS SOMETHING RATHER THAN NOTHING AND WHY THE UNI... | 67 |
THE MYSTERY OF INFORMATION CHALLENGES A STRICT MATERIALISM | 73 |
THESE NINE WITNESSES TESTIFY TO ANOTHER WAY OF KNOWING THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE EMPIRICAL AND THE METAP... | 147 |
CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS AND SUMMARY | 151 |
AFTERWORD | 161 |
THE NEW MATHEMATICS OF ALGORITHMIC INFORMATION THEORY IS RELEVANT TO THEORIES CONCERNING THE FORMATION ... | 163 |
THE LIMITS OF MATHEMATICS AND THE LIMITS OF REASON | 181 |
THE EVIDENCE FROM CONTEMPORARY PHYSICS SUPPORTS THE CONCEPTS OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FREE WILL | 185 |
NOTES | 189 |
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY | 211 |
THE EXISTENCE OF GOD GIVES AN ABSOLUTE THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE REAL EXISTENCE OF RIGHT AND WRONG | 89 |
EVIDENTIAL FORCE OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE | 101 |
Recorded Experiences of Encounters with the Divine Bear Witness to a Way of Knowing that Includes Kierkegaards KENDSKAB BUBERS IThou O... | 115 |
INDEX | 217 |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | 229 |
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Common terms and phrases
ability abstract Adler algorithmic information theory Aquinas argued atheism attempt Barr basic beauty beginning believe Big Bang Buber cause Chaitin Christian claim Clare Boothe Luce complexity components concept conscious consider contemporary contingent things continuing existence cosmological argument cosmological constant Dawkins definite outcome described divine Dostoevsky emphasized empirical encounter evidence evil existence of God explain fine-tuning finite God’s existence Henry Stapp human Hume Hume’s infinite infinity information content intelligibility istence John Polkinghorne Kant Kant’s Kierkegaard laws of physics leap of faith logical mind moral Mortimer Adler multiverse nature noted objects one’s person philosophers physical world physicist Planck Plantinga Polkinghorne possible presuppositions problem of evil quantum mechanics quantum physics radically contingent random rational reality reason relationship religion requires scientific sense sequence spiritual Stapp tence theory of knowledge thought tion transcendent transformation true truth ultimate meaning understanding University Press wave function words worldview writings