Theological Term of the Week

In this series of theological terms, we have names of some traditional arguments used to justify belief in the existence of God. There is disagreement about the validity and usefulness of these proofs. 

 

Moral Argument

An argument for the existence of God drawn from the existence of human morality, either as objective moral obligation (moral law), or subjective moral standards (conscience).

• From C. S. Lewis, making a moral argument in Mere Christianity:

  If there was a controlling power outside the universe, it could not show itself to us as one of the facts inside the universe—no more than the architect of a house could actually be a wall or staircase of fireplace in that house. The only way in which we could expect it to show itself would be inside ourselves as an influence or a command trying to get us to behave in a certain way. And that is just what we do find inside ourselves. Surely this ought to arouse our suspicions? In the only case where you can expect to get an answer, that answer turns out to be Yes….
  
  Do not think I am going faster than I really am. I am not yet within a hundred miles of the God of Christian theology. All I have got to is a Something which is directing the universe, and which appears in me as a law urging me to do right and making me feel responsible and uncomfortable when I do wrong.
  

Learn more:

1. Greg Koukl: Evil as Evidence for God
2. Peter Kreeft: Twenty Arguments for the Existence of God
   

Related terms: 

• cosmological argument
• ontological argument
• teleological argument
• trancendental argument for the existence of God

Filed under Apologetics

This series of theological terms was suggested by Kim of Hiraeth. 

Have you come across a theological term that you don’t understand and you’d like to see featured here as a Theological Term of the Week? If you email it to me, I’ll seriously consider using it, giving you credit for the suggestion and linking back to your blog when I do.

For Your Weather Amusement

Wait, there’s more…. 

 

And still more…. 

 

If you view this web cam in the morning, you might see ice fog. 

Sunday's Hymn: God's Power

Isaac Watts wrote many of his hymns about God and who he is. Today’s hymn is one that features the power of God.

I Sing the Mighty Power of God

I sing the mighty power of God,
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command,
And all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord,
Who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word,
And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed,
Where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky.

There’s not a plant or flower below,
But makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
By order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee
Is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be,
Thou, God art present there.

You’ve two choices for listening: Pipe organ or Ball Brothers.

More on God’s power:

• God’s Power 

 Other hymns, worship songs, etc. posted today:

• What Wondrous Love is This? at joythruChrist
• The Collect for Sexagesima at Magic Statistics
• Jesu, Our Hope, Our Heart’s Desire at The Happy Wonderer
• Lord’s Day 4, 2008 at The Thirsty Theologian
  
• Here Is Love at Hiraeth
  
• Holy, Holy, Holy at Seasoning of the Heart
• O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing at Whatever Things…
• From All that Dwell Below the Skies at Fish and Cans
  

Have you posted a hymn this Sunday and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.