I. Genuine Faith= a calculated riskA. Neither perfect certitude nor a

"blind leap in the dark."B. Rationalism/ calculated

risk/relativismC. Faith= belief= trust= opinion=>

without the evidence we need the calculation in order to provide a reasonable leap.

II. The Limits Of Logic

"The essential is always invisible." Antoine de Saint Exupery

A. The human brain1. Left brain= logic, analysis,

coherent order2. Right brain= imagination,

synthesis, hunches (risk) (Pages 153-158)III. Rationalism: the Tyranny of logic

A. René Descartes (1596 to 1650)= Cartesian reasoning= the only way to know that something is true is to have absolute evidence. The emphasis of thought is based on proof in mathematical/empirical certitude.

B. Cartesian certitude begs unquestioning proof with no doubts. It must work inside the limits of science and never outside the realm of scientific method. See statements on page 154.C. Rationalism or scientism believes that the research methods are equally applicable to all areas of life including theology, humanities, etc.

IV. The Principle of Uncertainty

A. Examples in science1. Measuring devices can change the

data they are designed to measure.2. When measuring two related

quantities, it is impossible to determine both variables accurately.

3. Some items do not always behave the same way at all times.B. Principle of Indeterminacy -Werner Heisenberg (right) -no definitive model or position of the atom, only probability and mathematical relationship.

(Pages 159 -- 162)V. The Limitations of Rationalism

A. Cartesian reasoning and rationalism leave out too much pertinent data in many cases. i.e. -- The SAT exam and a complete picture of a college applicantB. Ideally, we work best with the combination of left brain logic and reasoning coupled together with creativity, imagination and intuition (right brain nuances)

Intelligence> IntellectC. Lie detector tests = indicative but not probative

VI. Relativism: The Abdication of LogicA. Edmund Husserl (1859 -- 1938) (Left) and the Greek Heraclitus on account of the dynamism and uniqueness of humanity there can be no classes or labels or categories.B. Rejection of all logic and philosophical systemsC. As rationalism depends exclusively on objectivity, relativism depends exclusively on subjectivity. –D. "Morality is up to the individual." "Morality changes from age to age and from culture to culture and from situation to situation.

VII. The limitations of relativismA. Relativism is anti-human in the sense that it denies our ability to gather, sift and categorize. It takes away what makes us distinct from other levels of existence in this world.B. It denies the objective nature of things in primary reality and it indicates that nothing is constant. Without consistency, we lose our ability to connect which is fundamental to humanity. Our existence is more than a random series of accidents.

(Pages 163 -- 168)Faith: A Calculated risk"Hundreds may believe, but each has to believe by himself." -- WH Auden I. Friendship -- see diagram of concentric circles page 164 A. Acquaintances: the experience of noticing the other person (no longer

anonymous) and the two of you converge.B. Friends (time/talk): given time and talk we move to the next step although most of it is superficial. A combination of distance and comfort coexist.C. Close friends (sacrifice): this level of friendship does not just happen/you “presume” one another/you've chosen the other person.D. Best friends (self disclosure): this level includes the open exposure of difficulty and hurts to/from one another and you as friends still return for more.

(Pages 168 -- 172)I. Trust

A. Each step of trust breaks through the “force fields” and self-protective defenses we establish against others and for ourselves.B. Proportionately, as the relationship deepens, the trust must intensify and become more profound, otherwise death will occur for the relationship.

II. God

A. On account of human nature, existence, and the world, it is most probable that in looking for God we are looking for a “personality” with preferences and dislikes rather than some “impersonal force of creation.”B. The study therefore is not about God, but rather how we can come to know God in more than an academic (logical/reasoning) way.

III. The circles of friendship and GodA. In order to get the friendship started, we need to trust God.B. Like any friendship, it begins with slow trust, then some spending of quality time and will continue to grow and intensify over time. Stagnation can occur when we assume that we have God figures out just as a couple in a fatigued marriage.C. A relationship with God demands tremendous faith as do all relationships and we have to sometimes accept that "no" is the answer and it doesn't indicate a lack of concern or love (just like parental or marital love).

(Pages 175 -- 180)Death, The Crucial Mystery"If Cinderella says, ‘How is it that I must

leave the ball at twelve?’ Her godmother might answer, ‘How is it that you are going there till twelve?"

I. The Value of Death

A. Three indisputable truths about death:1. Death is inevitable: death is one

of the few Cartesian certitudes, yet we can avoid awareness of death.

2. Death is unpredictable: we neither know the hour nor the place.

3. Death renders everything that went before it unchangeable

II. PerspectiveRoman tradition with successful

commanders: "Memento mori!"

A. Time1. Time is precious

because there is a limited supply for us and we do not know how large the supply is.

2. Each day is a precious gift and we should learn how to treat each one as such since we never know which one will be the last.

(Pages 180 -- 187)Atheism: NoThe Godless worldA. Denying the existence of God affects the human position in the order of things.

Without God how do we find meaning for our existence?B. We have effectively replaced God as the arbiter of value and purpose, therefore

our goals and determinations become the means for measuring “success” and “accomplishment” and “meaning.”

C. Three norms of human life:

1.Time: our lifetimes are fleeting moments in the scope of the existence of the solar system (page 183)

2. Space: relative to the solar system our existence and size is negligible

3. Human Accomplishment: our accomplishments, when compared to all the other sources of competence and even more so when compared to the unfolding power of the universe are temporary, difficult to quantify, and much of what and who we become will end with our physical death.

I. The atheists need for a “Redeemer "A. “If God does not exist, I am God." – Dostoevsky (right)B. Such a system eliminates all ought’s and morality in accordance with God.C. A Redeemer= a person or thing who makes up for and compensates for the unfairness, injustice and suffering of human existence.

(Pages 187 -- 192)Three Possible Atheism'sI. Meaning From Power

A. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 -- 1900): we manufacture our own meaning in order to transcend suffering and death; meaning will not be provided for us, nor will it come from externally imposed values like morality. Nihilism (nothing-ism)-"nothing is sacred,” “there is no truth but my truth.” Superman= hard, strong and courageous they will be morally and intellectually independent; their only morality will be to affirm life: to be powerful, creative, joyous and free.

B. Karl Marx (right) (1818 -- 1883): he believed that the root of all human suffering is greed and therefore, he sought to eliminate greed by eliminating private ownership, capitalism and inherited financial advantages.

the individual now focuses on his/her work and concerns himself/herself with contributing to this revolution in helping to bring about the "paradise of equality."

C. Albert Camus (1913 -- 1960): in an honest approach, Camus recognizes human misery and he does not offer false hope for meaning. He believes that a person is only truly meaningful to himself/herself.

Myth of Sisyphus = example of the futile and hopeless labor in life that we all lead.

Pages 192 – 196 Theism: Yes "Let us weigh the gain and loss in

wagering that God is. Consider these alternatives: if you win, you win all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Do not hesitate, then, to wager that he is." -- Blaise Pascal

A. Real/notional: a combination of notional (logic) knowledge and real (experiential) knowledge; both reasoning and friendship

B. Probability: no Cartesian certitude, only a high degree of probability.

C. God is a mind: since God must be a superior entity, he must accordingly also have intelligence.

D. A real-life question: the answers have profound meaning to your life.

E. No one single argument: no one part of the argument is absolutely convincing, it is the entirety of the argument.

F. Either/or: One answer is correct, the other is not.

I. Why I believe God exists A. Notional knowledgeReason: My Intelligence

1. My intelligence is an effect of some cause: human intelligence must have come from some source/entity higher on the Porphyrean tree than humanity.2. The universe looks remarkably ordered. (Pages 196 -- 201)3. The theory of evolution: this great plan must have had a Mind Behind It All

Hungers/Curses

1. The Hunger for Answers: without God we are then born human into a condition for which we seek answers, but none exist because it is all a random series of accidents. In other words, the very intelligence that distinguishes me as uniquely human is a curse by its very nature. (An Easter egg hunt with no eggs)

2. The Hunger for Permanence: inside of us is a hunger for permanence where death and loss of friends do not occur. If the hunger for permanence creates in us the illusion of an afterlife, then it is also a natural curse of humanity.

3. The Hunger for Justice: as humans we have come to the conviction that every human being (not just me) has certain rights. We also see the injustice of the young who are born deformed or die long before their time

++++ Expert Testimony1. Many atheists struggle to be happy because even happiness is futile. The reality of the human condition can be overwhelming.

(201 -- 203)Real Knowledge I. First-hand experience

A. Prayer= opening the innermost part of yourself for God to manipulate your soul. An experiment to test God.

II. Testing the conclusion

A. Comparison of life before the “conversion” to after.

III. Common senseBlaise Pascal (right) – The Wager

(pages 207 -- 216)The God of the Philosophers"You have an altar inscribed: to an unknown God.

Well, the God whom I proclaim is in fact the one whom you already worship without knowing it." -- St. Paul at Athens

I. Immanence/transcendence

A. Immanent= close at hand; within, dwelling nearbyB. Transcendent= beyond, apart, at a distance

II. God’s fondness for paradoxes

A. Science: our view of reality is greatly limited by our self-centeredness. For God there may be no reference for past and future.B. The Fish: Analogy of the fish aware of only the water in the tank which happens to be in the Pacific Ocean. Is our reality similar as we exist in God's metaphysical reality?C. Atoms: is God like the atoms which form and unite the bodies around us? Does He saturate all of existence?D. The Cave: Analogy of the Cave by Plato. The experience of Jesus can be likened to the prisoner who has escaped from the shadows of the cave.E. Helen Keller: Just like Helen Keller, we get tantalizing suspicions of more to the world that we can perceive. By taking the calculated risk of belief and by praying in accordance, we can begin to experience and understand new ways of existing.

Pages 224 -- 230)I. The God of Israel

A. Yahweh’s nature: God reveals His nature on Mount Sinai. "I am who I am." a Hebrew's name gave insights into the person's function within the

communityB. Levels of meaning in "I am who am"

1. "I am existence" God = being, the source of all reality. He is not locked within these entities, but He gives rise to their existence.

2. “I am with you” in Hebrew "to be" automatically meant "to be with" the community. "Emmanuel"= God with us= immanent

3. "I am beyond your definition" as God was with the Jews, He was also transcendent since they were not able to grasp him by means of a name.

C. Yahweh’s personality-- Many faces and personality traits of God in the Old Testament -- wrathful, fond, threatening, promising, wooing, lawgiver, judge, savior, lover

II. The Masculine GodGod has no sex (sexuality). Gender is a question of qualities and traits found most commonly in either

the male or the female gender. Males can incorporate and have many female qualities and vice versa. God, being God, would likewise incorporate all these qualities -- He created them.

(Pages 230 -- 235)I. Jesus’ physical appearance II. Jesus’ attitudes He was executed because He was unnerving, dynamic, outspoken, potentially dangerous to be

around, compassionate to the social outcast, defiant of the leaders and teachings of His Jewish faith, and He violated the Sabbath to assist these outcasts.

(Pages 235 -- 239)I. The doctrine of Jesus

A. In order to enter the kingdom of heaven one must convert 180° from self-seeking values to self-forgetful values.

B. Jesus does not want us to be sheep, but shepherds instead.C. Being a Christian costs. The crucifix shows us what it means to be Christian.

II. Jesus' consciousness of his divinity

A. Jesus never stopped being God, rather he forfeited His access to the power of God so as to experience human nature as a human being.B. At his death, the privileges of God returned to Jesus.C. Jesus did grow and evolve. He did come to new understandings as all humans do. At his baptism, He realized part of His role and when He remained in the temple teaching as a young teenager.