Download
1 / 17
170 likes | 173 Vues
Explore different perspectives on happiness and the role of God in achieving ultimate satisfaction. Consider whether a life without God is truly fulfilling and the consequences of our beliefs on morality and ethics.
E N D
What does it take to make a Person Happy… • Some say add to your Possessions—Materialism; 2. Some say achieve happiness by cultivating moral and intellectual excellence, practice moderation, & have the appropriate external goods-Character. • Some say take away from your passions—Buddhism. 4. Some say redistribution of wealth, share a common goal-Marxism. 5. Others say redirect your Passions to God— Christianity.
According to Geisler: An infinite thirst will never be satisfied with the finite. An eternal desire will never be content with the temporal. A quest for ultimate satisfaction will never be happy with anything less than the Ultimate.
God and Worldview Thinking: “Nothing can discourage the appetite for divinity in the heart of man”~ Albert Camus
Consider this quote: In his book, The Quest for God, historian and journalist Paul Johnson writes: “The existence or non-existence of God is the most important questions we humans are ever called to answer. If God does exist, and if in consequence we are called to another life when this one ends, a momentous set of consequences follows, which should affect every day, every moment almost, of our earthly existence. Our life then becomes a mere preparation for eternity and must be conducted throughout with our future in view.”
Consider this quote: If, on the other hand, God does not exist, another momentous set of consequences follows. This life then becomes the only one we have, we have no duties or obligation except to ourselves, and we need weigh no other considerations except our own interest and pleasures. There are no commands to follow except what society imposes upon us, and even these we may evade if we can get away with in it. In a Godless world, there is no obvious basis for altruism of any kind; moral anarchy takes over and the rule of the self prevails. ~ The Quest for God: A Personal Pilgrimage (New York: Harper Collins, 1996), 1.
Consider this following account: “In a frank interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, the famous atheist Will Durant admitted that the common man will fall to pieces morally if he thinks there is no God. ‘On the other hand,’ said Durant, ‘a man like me … I survive morally because I retain the moral code that was taught me along with the religion, while I have discarded the religion, which was Roman Catholicism.’
Consider this following account: Durant continued, ‘You and I are living on a shadow… because we are operating on the Christian ethical code which was given us, infused with the Christian faith…. But what will happen to our children…? We are not giving them an ethics warmed up with a religious faith. They are living on the shadow of a shadow.’ ~ Cited from Norman Geisler, Is Man the Measure, 170-71.
The Importance of Knowing God:consider the following statements from Dr. Geisler 1. The most important thing about us is what we think of God. 2. We can’t be like God unless we know what God is like. 3. We can’t know the true God unless we know the truth about God. 4. We can’t recognize false gods unless we know the true God. 5. Idols are idols whether they are mental or metal. 6. We tend to become like the object we worship. 7. An ultimate commitment to anything less than ultimate will not ultimately satisfy.
Well, consider your mindset… • When Scottish theologian John Baillie taught at Edinburgh University, he made it a practice to open his course on the doctrine of God with these words: “We must remember, in discussing God, that we cannot talk about Him without His hearing every word we say. We may be able to talk about others behind their backs, but God is everywhere, yes, even in this classroom. Therefore, in all our discussions we must be aware of His infinite presence, and talk about Him, as it were, before His face.”
Definition of God: Westminster Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches: “There is but one living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withal most just and terrible in his judgments; hating all sin, and who will be no means clear the guilty.”
Definition of God: Charles Hodge: "God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth." ~ Systematic Theology, 3 vols ( New York: Charles Scribner, 1871) 1:367.
Definition of God: Augustus H. Strong: "God is the infinite and perfect Spirit in whom all things have their source, support, and end." ~ Systematic Theology (1907) p. 52.
Definition of God: Robert Lightner “God is Spirit. He is a living and active divine Person who is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, truth, and love. He can enjoy fellowship with persons He has created in His own image and redeemed by His grace, and He always acts in harmony with His perfect nature.” ~ God of the Bible and other gods (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1998),35.
Doctrine of Last Things Doctrine of Christ Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Doctrine of Scripture Doctrine of the Church Doctrine of Demons Doctrine of Satan Doctrine of Salvation Doctrine of Humanity Doctrine of Angels
Conclusions: • Our life can rise no higher than our view of the Highest (God). • Our life can be no more stable than its ultimate Foundation (God). • Our life won’t be ultimately satisfied with anything less than the Ultimate.
