Posted: 01/20/08

Is Christianity Arrogant? -Part 3

by Israel Wayne

Imposing Our Values?

Most Americans believe there are two floors to a house called: "Reality."

The lower floor is called: FACT ((Science/Math)

The upper floor is called: VALUES (Anything in the Metaphysical Realm)

Most Westerners have bought into the belief that we can only know FACTS (such as math or certain aspects of science), and that VALUES are "personal" "to me" (i.e. "I like chocolate ice cream, I hate  Republicans, I like the Bible, I hate cats, etc.). So when we make a truth claim about something in the Metaphysical world (or the upper floor), they assume we are claiming that our "values" are "objectively true" (which is impossible) and that we want to impose our "values" on everybody else.

I have to agree with the majority on this one. That would be very arrogant indeed! It would especially be bad if we sought to make laws to impose our preferences, tastes or values on other people.

Can There Be Real Metaphysical Facts?
The real question is, "Can anything in the metaphysical realm be a real FACT?" The answer is a resounding YES! The skeptic denies this because he can't test anything in the upper floor using the tools of the lower floor (math and science). So he believes that the upper floor is useful for us to function in the world as we perceive it, but in reality it is a mirage or a dream. Nothing in the metaphysical realm is truly there. It is just a useful social construct to help us to cope with life as we perceive it to be.

To debunk this notion, let's look at a few things the skeptic uses in everyday life that are in the upper floor:

1.      Logic. Have you ever tested a "logic" in a test tube? Of course not, yet the skeptic of moral truth will always insist that you should be logical in your arguments.

2.      Math. Have you ever seen a "math" under a microscope? No, Math is a metaphysical concept.

3.      Science. Believe it or not, Science itself is a discipline, it is not matter or energy. You can't verify that Science exists by using the tools of science. You can't touch, taste, hear, see or smell a "science." You need to presuppose the metaphysical world is real to talk about science.

4.      Emotion. Most skeptics show emotion when they are trying to tell you that they are right and you are wrong. "The cosmos is all there is, was, or ever will be!" they argue. Is there emotion merely a chemical reaction in their body as their brain is responding to external stimuli?

5.      Thoughts. Are thoughts merely an illusion or are they real? If they are an illusion, then the very statements that there is "no such thing as objective morality" or that "God does not exist," are just illusions and you shouldn't listen to them.

Contrary to popular belief, we have to begin with the reality of the upper floor to prove the existence of the lower floor! It is true that you can't test metaphysical truths through scientific methods. However, you can't even talk about scientific methods unless you first presuppose the existence of metaphysical truths.

Gaining The Right Perspective

When you are in the lower floor, you have a hard time proving the existence of the upper floor. When you are in the upper floor (talking with a skeptic), you seem to get nowhere because he keeps telling you that he is on the lower floor. He must because the the upper floor doesn't exist, therefore, he can't be in it.

What you need is a change in perspective. You need the perspective of Someone who lives outside of the house (time and space). In Christianity, we have the existence of the Divine Creator who made the house and lives outside of it. He not only made it, but he has given us information about both floors that can be trusted.

"But you are presupposing the Deity!" the skeptic will accuse. My answer is, "Of course. Just as you presuppose logic and the reasonableness of your thoughts and ideas. I can't PROVE that this house had a designer by using the tools of the lower floor or the upper floor, but I can tell you that unless this house (which includes both levels), really, truly exists (and therefore had a designer), everything is meaningless and we might as well do like Ernest Hemingway and others who decided to end it all.

Thankfully, the God who lives outside of time and space, stepped into time and space in the person of Jesus Christ and revealed Ultimate Truth to those who truly seek Him. We can understand both the physical and non-physical world through the book of History God has given us, The Bible.

Copyright 2007, by Israel Wayne. All Rights Reserved.

Israel Wayne was home educated and currently serves as Marketing Director for the national publication Home School Digest, and the site editor for www.ChristianWorldview.net. He is the author of the book, Homeschooling From A Biblical Worldview, published by Wisdom's Gate. Israel and his wife Brook (also a homeschool graduate) have five young children. Write to: Wisdom's Gate, P.O. Box 374, Covert, MI 49043. 1-800-343-1943 or www.WisdomsGate.org

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