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Rational Belief in God and the Soul

Evidence from Natural and Revealed Religion

Loren Meierding

After investigating the relevant evidence, what should a rational person believe about the existence of God and his nature? The first task is to examine evidence from natural religion, that is, from science and human observation. The inductive evidence indicates overwhelming probability intelligent beings caused the Universe and life to exist. Rational beings should hold the Principle of Sufficient Reason, and if they do, traditional deductive arguments for God’s existence seem compelling. There is a possibility given the evil in the world that the intelligent causes are benevolently disposed to human beings. There is definitive evidence human souls can separate from their bodies while perceiving and understanding surrounding events. Also the consensus gentium evidence provides some confirmation for theism. So the evidence from natural theology shows a rational person should believe the first causes are intelligent, powerful, and perhaps benevolent, but tell us little more.

Rational persons seeking any further knowledge of God must seek communications from God himself through revealed religion. Miracles can provide key evidence for communications coming from God. An argument for the occurrence of miracles is offered with some insightful examples. The Bible makes important predictions or prophecies that came true. Such events are only explained by intervention of a powerful, intelligent being acting with a purpose. Evidence about historical events from the Second Millennium onward show the reliability of the Bible. Thus there are good grounds for concluding the Bible offers us communications from God. It shows actions by him and provides information about his nature and purposes. So given that the Old and New Testaments provide evidence about God, we can draw conclusions about his nature and purposes and how human beings should live in response. A number of Biblical passages emphasizing Jesus’ parables are cited. They give readers an opportunity to decide for themselves.

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Hamilton Books
Pages: 230 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼
978-0-7618-7440-9 • Hardback • April 2024 • $90.00 • (£69.00)
978-0-7618-7441-6 • eBook • April 2024 • $45.00 • (£35.00)
Subjects: Philosophy / Epistemology, Religion / Philosophy, Religion / Spirituality

Loren Meierding has a B.A. from Yale and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin. He worked as a systems engineer in aerospace on air traffic control, air defense, and missile defense projects, and has published twelve books on religious and economic topics.

Part 1:Natural Religion

Chapter 1: A Framework for Justified Belief and Knowledge

Chapter 2: Possible Limitations on Knowledge and Truth

Chapter 3: The Mind, Soul, and Materialism

Chapter 4: The Relation between the Physical Constants

Chapter 5: The First Cell

Chapter 6: Evolution Examined

Chapter 7: Traditional Arguments for God

Chapter 8: A Benevolent Creator Being?

Chapter 9: Evidence from Human Opinion

Chapter 10: Moral and Societal Norms

Part 2: Revealed Religion

Chapter 11: Would Creator Beings Communicate?

Chapter 12: Evidence for Miracles

Chapter 13:Creation and Prophecies of Christ

Chapter 14: More Fulfilled Prophecies

Chapter 15: Reliability of the Bible I

Chapter 16: Reliability of the Bible II

Chapter 17: God in the Old Testament

Chapter 18: God in the New Testament

Chapter 19: Two Destinies

Chapter 20: Principles for Living

Bibliography

Index

About the Author

Rational Belief in God and the Soul

Evidence from Natural and Revealed Religion

Cover Image
Hardback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • After investigating the relevant evidence, what should a rational person believe about the existence of God and his nature? The first task is to examine evidence from natural religion, that is, from science and human observation. The inductive evidence indicates overwhelming probability intelligent beings caused the Universe and life to exist. Rational beings should hold the Principle of Sufficient Reason, and if they do, traditional deductive arguments for God’s existence seem compelling. There is a possibility given the evil in the world that the intelligent causes are benevolently disposed to human beings. There is definitive evidence human souls can separate from their bodies while perceiving and understanding surrounding events. Also the consensus gentium evidence provides some confirmation for theism. So the evidence from natural theology shows a rational person should believe the first causes are intelligent, powerful, and perhaps benevolent, but tell us little more.

    Rational persons seeking any further knowledge of God must seek communications from God himself through revealed religion. Miracles can provide key evidence for communications coming from God. An argument for the occurrence of miracles is offered with some insightful examples. The Bible makes important predictions or prophecies that came true. Such events are only explained by intervention of a powerful, intelligent being acting with a purpose. Evidence about historical events from the Second Millennium onward show the reliability of the Bible. Thus there are good grounds for concluding the Bible offers us communications from God. It shows actions by him and provides information about his nature and purposes. So given that the Old and New Testaments provide evidence about God, we can draw conclusions about his nature and purposes and how human beings should live in response. A number of Biblical passages emphasizing Jesus’ parables are cited. They give readers an opportunity to decide for themselves.

Details
Details
  • Hamilton Books
    Pages: 230 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼
    978-0-7618-7440-9 • Hardback • April 2024 • $90.00 • (£69.00)
    978-0-7618-7441-6 • eBook • April 2024 • $45.00 • (£35.00)
    Subjects: Philosophy / Epistemology, Religion / Philosophy, Religion / Spirituality
Author
Author
  • Loren Meierding has a B.A. from Yale and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin. He worked as a systems engineer in aerospace on air traffic control, air defense, and missile defense projects, and has published twelve books on religious and economic topics.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Part 1:Natural Religion

    Chapter 1: A Framework for Justified Belief and Knowledge

    Chapter 2: Possible Limitations on Knowledge and Truth

    Chapter 3: The Mind, Soul, and Materialism

    Chapter 4: The Relation between the Physical Constants

    Chapter 5: The First Cell

    Chapter 6: Evolution Examined

    Chapter 7: Traditional Arguments for God

    Chapter 8: A Benevolent Creator Being?

    Chapter 9: Evidence from Human Opinion

    Chapter 10: Moral and Societal Norms

    Part 2: Revealed Religion

    Chapter 11: Would Creator Beings Communicate?

    Chapter 12: Evidence for Miracles

    Chapter 13:Creation and Prophecies of Christ

    Chapter 14: More Fulfilled Prophecies

    Chapter 15: Reliability of the Bible I

    Chapter 16: Reliability of the Bible II

    Chapter 17: God in the Old Testament

    Chapter 18: God in the New Testament

    Chapter 19: Two Destinies

    Chapter 20: Principles for Living

    Bibliography

    Index

    About the Author

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