1. October 2010 Saint Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church of Ottawa We believe in One God DOGMA-01

2. We believe in One God 1. God vs. no God (against Atheism) 2. One vs. Multi-gods (against Polytheism) 3. The One God of Christianity (the Holy Trinity)

3. IS THERE A GOD ?

4. Is there a God?

5. the fish & the sea? Who made the trees & mountains? JUST LOOK AROUND YOU!

6. … the animals? … the flowers? Who made the butterflies?

7. Beautiful ! Is this created from a colour explosion? NO! The ARTIST carefully drew every line!

8. Did someone make us? WHO? Did we all just appear?

9. Some scientists believe … there was a BIG … EXPLOSION billions of years ago, and that’s how the world came into being!

10. That GOD did not plan the WORLD … it was just an ACCIDENT! LIKE A PAINT EXPLOSION REALLY MESSY !!!

11. But we believe that such beautiful things must have been created by someone AWESOME GOD GOD!

12. 1) God vs. no God Proofs of God’s Existence are all around us a) Human body b) Nature c) The Universe “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.” (Psalm 19:1-3)

13. a) God is manifest in the Human Body Circulatory System Immune System Skeletal System Excretory System Muscular System Endocrine System Digestive System Nervous System Respiratory System Our BODY + Our SOUL + Our SPIRIT Created by Our Awesome God

14. b) God is manifest in Nature Plants Animals Matter and Energy Atmosphere, Climate, Weather Systems Physical Laws and Phenomenon

15. c) God is manifest in the Universe Earth & other planets rotate around the Sun... Our Solar System More than one solar system forms a Galaxy... The Milky Way Billions of Galaxies exist within the observable universe

16. Earth... the home we all share

17. Earth seems pretty big, right?

18. Earth compared to other planets...

19. Earth is about 150 000 000 km from the Sun (or 1 “Astronomical Unit”)

20. Now, let’s go beyond our Solar System...

21. Antares is more than 600 Light Years away from Earth 1 LY ~ 63,000 AU ~ about 13 Trillion Km From Earth to Antares 7,800,000,000,000,000 km

22. Now, let’s go beyond the Milky Way... 100,000 Light Years The Milky Way (our Galaxy)

23. Red Regions correspond to Galaxies Billions of Galaxies are estimated in the Observable Universe

24. What about the Non-Observable Galaxies that are not yet discovered? WHO IS MANAGING ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS? GOD ALMIGHTY!

25. “The fool has said in his heart, there is no God." (Psalm 14:1)

26. 1) God Exists (our response to Atheism) God, the Almighty Creator... Created our Human Body Created Nature Created the Universe “We believe in one God, God the Father, the Pantocrator, who created all things seen and unseen.” (Orthodox Creed)

27. 2) God is One (our response to polyeism) Christian belief: God has to be One Some other religions believe in polyeism (multi-gods) Hinduism, Buddhism, Ancient Greek religions The Holy Bible clearly emphasizes the One God “O You, who art, who were, and who abides forever... It is fitting indeed, and right, that we praise You, bless You, serve You, worship You, and glorify You; the one, only, true God, the Lover of Mankind, Unutterable, invisible, infinite, without beginning; everlasting, timeless, immeasurable, incomprehensible, unchangeable Creator of all; Saviour of everyone.” (St. Gregory’s Liturgy)

28. 3) The One God of Christianity God is Spirit God is Infinitely Perfect God and His Perfections are one God is the source of all goodness God is Love, Light, Truth, Righteousness,... God is Personal God is Trinitarian (we worship the Holy Trinity) “The love of God the Father and the grace of His only-begotten Son, our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the communion and the gift of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” (St. Gregory’s Liturgy)