Today I want to share my apologetic efforts that have been unfolding for the past few days. I am hoping that any christian readers may gain something from my efforts, and that any atheist readers may begin to understand the Christian world-view a bit better.

The question of the day is, does human morality point to God?

Source

On April 12, 2019 I posted a video to YouTube, which I titled, "The Illogic of Atheism", and in that video I argued two things:

1. Objective morality exists
2. Because it exists there must be a metaphysical creator of that law (God).

And in that video I challenged non-believers to justify their atheistic world-view, and it's subjective morality. Pointing out that, the typical "evolutionary moralism" which most often is espoused by non-believers is insufficient and lacks coherence.

One critic of my views came forward, and for a week we have been in conversation. His entire argument can be found in the comments section of the linked video, but for brevity I will summarize his contention as follows:

The Atheist Assertion

Source

Logical problem of evil, Wiki

Originating with Greek philosopher Epicurus, the logical argument from evil is as follows:

1. If an omnipotent, omnibenevolent and omniscient god exists, then evil does not.
2. There is evil in the world.
3. Therefore, an omnipotent, omnibenevolent and omniscient god does not exist.

Which is simply a variant upon the famous Epicurus quote:

“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?"

But my opponent goes one step further and says: God himself demands certain sacrifices, and judges us, commanding the death of some people, how can this God be good? So again, why call him God?

The Theist Response

Now I will share my most recent response to my atheist friend, in the hopes it may empower my christian brothers, and inform my atheist friends. Here is what I said...

You are making, in my view, several poorly founded assumptions:

1. That God does not exist
2. That if God does exist, he didn't create us
3. That if he exists, he cant be both good and our judge.
4. That if you are unable to perceive a logical justification for ending the life of a human, this means no logical justification is possible.
5. That if God kills a child in this life, he cant supply them with an eternal salvation after.

My Argument is Complex, but Cogent & Coherent:

If God exists, and if he created us, and if he is all wise, and powerful, he clearly can make judgement beyond our ability to logically reason, and that doesn't mean he is wrong, it just means we don't understand. I believe this God exists, and therefore I trust his judgement. PLUS, context matters, and again, the citation you used Deuteronomy 7:2-4, was from a passage where it seems God's order was NOT literal, but in fact hyperbolic.

Nevertheless, if God did want all them dead, including Kids, two things:

1. Why cant he say so, since he created us?
2. What's wrong with that by an evolutionary, "the strong feast on the weak" moral perspective?

All your language and arguments point to a belief in the abhorrence of killing babies, but there is simply no grounds for such a conclusion, UNLESS you concede an objective morality, which seems to necessitate a metaphysical cause (God).

Great talk. Thank you.

Conclusion:

Obviously I believe I am correct, and my opponent disagrees. I have tried to, by God's gift of intellect and reasoning, offer a compelling proof for God, namely the "Argument from Morality", Wiki.

And I believe this position is coherent, cogent and consistent, and I am certainly among good company, after all famous Christian apologist, C.S. Lewis said:

"conscience reveals to us a moral law whose source cannot be found in the natural world, thus pointing to a supernatural Lawgiver."

And even the on the other end of the spectrum, noted atheist Fyodor Dostoevsky agreed, saying:

"Without god anything is permissible."

Yet unfortunately, it appears I have not convinced my opponent of God's goodness, nor his existence. Fortunately, and praise to the Lord, that this fight isn't won or lost upon my words, actions or example, and with God's good grace, maybe one day I will stand in new life with this opponent, seeker, turned brother. Furthermore, praise God its not upon me to save souls, for as God's word says:

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 (ESV)

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

I have no particular strength, save for what He gives. I have no insight or wisdom apart from His own, working in me. And rightly so, we echo Paul's humble acknowledgement from 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, we do what we are called to do, and nothing more, and its God who does the rest.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV)

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Comments & Questions?

If you have any comments or questions feel free to leave them below, or in the YouTube comments section. I will do my best to respond, but in truth it can be difficult to keep up.

Thank you for your time and attention, I hope you have an amazing day and God bless.