Belief, Truth, Logic, Reasoning, and God
Belief, Truth, Logic, Reasoning, and God
What is a belief?
Something you know to be true and show to be true
What is a properly basic belief?
Something that you know to be true and show to be true that doesn’t need to be justified or proven (like existence and past events)
Why do we study logic?
To have a reason for our beliefs
What are the two types of reasoning/logic?
Deductive and Inductive
What is deductive reasoning?
It follows the rules of logic
What are the rules of logic (logical inference)?
9 Rules
– Modus Ponens
– Modus Tollens
– Hypothetical Syllogism
– Conjunction
– Addition
– Simplification
– Absorption
– Disjunctive Syllogism
– Constructive Dilemma
How does a deductive argument work?
Premises lead to a conclusion, or a conclusion deductively follows from the premises with the rules of logical inference.
How do I know a deductive logical argument is valid?
It follows the rules of logic
How do I know a deductive logical argument is sound?
The premises are true
What is inductive reasoning/logic?
A collection of observational data that leads to a conclusion or truth claim or theory
How can I have assurance of my beliefs?
God is God and we are not
Biblical Basis of Truth
Experientially by the Power of the Holy Spirit
Logically through: Deductive Reasoning and/or Inductive Reasoning
How can I know God exists?
– Inner witness of the Holy Spirit
– Logically Deductive Arguments for God’s Existence
– Inductive reasoning using historicity of Biblical data and extra-biblical data of God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit
– Inductive Reasoning collected through observation of one’s own relationship with the Triune God through prayer, scripture, marriage, family, fellowship and the Church
How can I know the Bible is inerrant and true in what it teaches?
– Who Jesus claimed to be, and proved Himself to be (God’s only begotten not made Son and the second person of the Trinity), holding scriptures to be the inspired and inerrant word of God
– Prophetic nature of scriptures proven throughout history
– God’s self-revealing special revelation to humanity throughout history and today
Scripture is the plenary, verbal, and confluent special revelation of God