1. Truth, the Existence of God, and the Problem of Evil
Defending the Faith
Truth, the Existence of God, and the Problem of Evil

2. So Many Religions So Little Time
According to the World Christian Encyclopedia there are over 10,000 distinct religions in the world
There are about 33,830 Christian denominations, which one is right?
150 religions have more than a million members
How do you know which one is right?

3. Five Life-Changing Questions
Is there Truth?
Does God Exist?
Is there Revelation?
Is Jesus God?
Did Jesus start the Catholic Church?

4. Is there Truth?

5. Truth is the mind’s correspondence to reality
What is Truth?
Truth is the mind’s correspondence to reality
When our mind perceives reality the way it really is
Objective vs. Subjective Truth
Objective Truth – something is true independent of whether I believe it
Subjective Truth – something is true if I believe it so

6. False theories of Truth
What is Truth?
False theories of Truth
Relativism
Agnosticism & Skepticism
Are Religious Truths Objective?
Yes
How can matters of faith be objective?
Faith is not believing something you can’t prove because its contrary to reason, but believing something that’s beyond reason

7. The truth doesn’t conform to us, we conform to the truth.
Finding the Truth
The truth doesn’t conform to us, we conform to the truth.
Seeking the truth is not about finding what “works for you” but finding the truth of how things really work
We shouldn’t be a member of a religion simply because it agrees with us, but because it is the truth.
Catholicism is not Burger King – it’s not our way right away

8. What is Faith?
Faith is a personal adherence of the whole man to God who reveals himself. It involves an assent of the intellect and will to the self- revelation God has made through his deeds and words.
"To believe" has thus a twofold reference: to the person, and to the truth: to the truth, by trust in the person who bears witness to it.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 176 & 177

9. Faith & Science do not conflict
“Methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God.” CCC 159
Creation vs. Evolution

11. Argument from Causality
Is There a God?
Argument from Causality
If everything that exists in the universe has a cause for its existence (a reason why it exists the way it does)
There must be a First Cause to start everything going
We call Him…GOD

12. Kalam Cosmological Argument
Is There a God?
Kalam Cosmological Argument
Whatever began to exist, has a cause for its coming into being
The universe & time began to exist
Therefore, both the universe & time have a cause for their existence
Outside of time
Outside of the universe
We call Him…God

13. Pascal's Wager Is There a God?
Not sure? What is the best bet? Only two options...either believe or not believe
If you believe in God
If He doesn't exist → live a good life & die
If He does exist → live a good life & heaven
If you don't believe in God
If He doesn't exist → live a sinful life & die
If He does exist → live a sinful life & hell

14. What about Evil? If God is good and All-Powerful, then how can evil exist?

15. The Problem of Evil
All from the Fall of Adam & Eve
Evils of Nature – only a problem because we are in the way
Never meant to be outside the Garden
Entropy: Material reality falls apart
Evils from Sin – whether ours or others
Free will
The preciousness of love is worth the risk of free will
Still Not Enough

17. The Final Word on Truth
"If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31-32

18. Catholic Cool Stuff – St. Padre Pio
Handbook of Catholic Apologetics by Peter Kreeft and Ronald Tacelli
The Journey by Peter Kreeft
Prove It! God by Amy Welborn
Because God is Real: Sixteen Questions, One Answer by Peter Kreeft

19. Truth, the Existence of God, and the Problem of Evil
Defending the Faith
Truth, the Existence of God, and the Problem of Evil