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Christian Apologetics - Lesson 21

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David Hume

David Hume's rational arguments against miracles and responses to those arguments.

Ronald Nash
Ronald Nash
Christian Apologetics
Lesson 21
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David Hume

Miracles

Part 2
 

II.  David Hume

A.  Two Interpretations

1.  The Metaphysical Interpretation

a.  A miracle is a violation of a law of nature.

b.  Nothing can violate the laws of nature.

c.  Metaphysical interpretation would introduce a contradiction.

d.  Hume's greatest discovery - analysis of a law of science.

e.  No certitude that what has happened in the past will happen in the future.

f.  You cannot then teach that miracles are impossible.

2.  The Epistemological Interpretation

a.  Nobody can prove that miracles are impossible.

b.  No human could ever know that a miracle did occur.

c.  Hume's argument deals in probabilities.

d.  Miracle must be the least likely event possible.

B.  Responses to Hume

1.  A person may be an eyewitness to a miracle.

2.  Some important natural laws would not have been discovered following Hume's skepticism.

C.  Hume's Subsidiary Arguments

D.  Answer to Hume's Subsidiary Argument


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About
  • 1. Introduction to Apologetics

    Introduction to Apologetics.

  • 2. What is Apologetics?

    Apologetics involves finding evidence and presenting arguments to defend the Christian faith.

  • 3. Worldviews in Conflict

    Two prominent worldviews are Christian theism and naturalism.

  • 4. The Law of Non-contradiction

    The law of non-contradiction states that A cannot be B and non-B at the same time and in the same sense.

  • 5. Invalid Worldviews

    Explanations and responses to different worldviews.

  • 6. The Problem of Evil

    If God is good and all powerful, then why does evil exist?

  • 7. Divine Omnipotence

    Discussion about how the existence of evil is consistent with God's character.

  • 8. Noetic Structure

    Your noetic structure, presuppositions and view of epistemology are important elements in the formation of your worldview.

  • 9. Methodology

    Discussion of deductive presuppositionalism vs. inductive presuppositionalism.

  • 10. Objection

    Objections to inductive presuppositionalism.

  • 11. Evidentialism

    Arguments for and against evidentialism.

  • 12. Foundationalism

    Arguments for and against foundationalism.

  • 13. Natural Theology

    Discussion of natural theology.

  • 14. Background

    There are valid, sound and cogent arguments for the existence of God, but no coercive proofs.

  • 15. Arguments

    Discussion of different arguments for God's existence.

  • 16. Cosmological Argument

    One version of the cosmological argument for God's existence emphasizes God as first in time, another emphasizes God as first in importance.

  • 17. Possible Worlds (part 1)

    A possible world is a way the real world could have been. Modal logic, propositions, state of affairs and eternal entities are some of the considerations when discussing a possible world.

  • 18. Possible Worlds (Part 2)

    Something is logically possible if its description does not include a logical contradiction. The existence of the laws of knowledge refute the system of naturalism.

  • 19. Middle Knowledge

    Middle knowledge is a form of knowledge attributed to God by Molina.

  • 20. Introduction to Miracles

    Miracles are a dividing line and central to Christianity.

  • 21. David Hume

    David Hume's rational arguments against miracles and responses to those arguments.

  • 22. Two Central Miracles

    Two miracles central to Christianity are the incarnation and resurrection.

  • 23. Introduction

    The question of whether or not Jesus is the only savior touches on pluralism, inclusivism and exclusivism.

  • 24. Pluralism

    Pluralism is the view that all religions have salvific value.

  • 25. Inclusivism

    Inclusivism is the view that even though the work of Christ is the only means of salvation, it does not follow that explicit knowledge of Christ is necessary in order for a person to be saved.

  • 26. When a Baby Dies

    Salvation is totally the work of God and all children who die in infancy are elect of God.

  • 27. The Concept of God

    Discussion from a biblical perspective of God's character and attributes.

  • 28. Open Theism

    Open theists believe that God does not have a perfect knowledge of the future.

  • 29. Attributes of God

    Divine omnipotence and divine omniscience are two attributes of God.

  • 30. Final Thoughts

    When contemplating life after death, remember, Jesus has been there and come back. Will you commit your life to him or reject him?

These lectures were given at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida during the fall of 2001.