In this week’s class we are focusing on making a case for Christianity with the Moral Law Argument. We have been presenting evidence for the truth claims of Christianity over our last eight session class and we are continuing to do so through this one. If the evidence is compelling enough to make the “beyond a reasonable doubt” claim then we can take confidence that what we are judging is true. The evidence for God is so massive that when take all together it is like death by a thousand paper cuts. The Moral Law Argument for the existence of God will help us begin the discussion of the problem of evil (over the next few weeks), and it is yet one more piece of the big picture that we can share with skeptics and our atheist friends.

Watch J. Warner Wallace’s short presentation to introduce some thought on this topic:

After viewing Wallace’s presentation, you can view Part 2 of this week’s class session below from the 36 minute time mark to the end. Please note that the homework assignment there is from last week, the new class review and homework for next week is in the notes below.

All sessions include a time for prayer and reflection, an “apologetics” presentation, and a Bible study piece. You will also find the presentation notes, Bible study survey questions and homework below. Example answers to the Bible study questions will be posted the week following the homework for your review, and or to use as a future leader’s guide.

View our class presentation, part two, on this topic (notes below) from the 36 minute mark:

Presentation Notes

A Case for Christianity

Session Two, Part 2: The Moral Law Argument for the Existence of God

REVIEW AND DISCUSS

Prayer cards: Take a minute and write your name on the index card provided, and add any special prayer request you might have. Exchange cards at the end of the class this evening.

At your table groups, do the following:

1.What are the four important life skills for Christian growth, from our ministry statement, and which one did you focus on the most this week?

2.What are the categories for the 39 books of the Old Testament, and the books within each?

3.Recite the Memory Verse(s):

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.  

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

Apologetics Presentation

“Christianity has so much evidence, it is like death by a 1000 paper cuts!”
-J. Warner Wallace

The Christian Worldview has the best evidential answers, beyond a reasonable doubt, to life’s most important questions…

1. Why are you a Christian (and not of some other belief)?
2. What is a Christian Worldview (and does it affect your daily life)?
3. What is the importance of Truth in a worldview (versus relativism)?
4. Does God exist, and where did I come from? (The origin question)
5. If God exists, then why is there Evil and Suffering in the world? (The problem of evil)
6. Who am I, and what is my purpose in life? (The question of identity)
7. Are miracles possible (versus naturalistic explanations)?
8. How do we know the Bible is the Word of God? (Reliability and Transmission over time)
9. Who is Jesus (who do I say Jesus is)?
10. What is my destiny (what happens after we die)?

IF GOD EXISTS, WHY IS THERE EVIL AND SUFFERING?

As Christians we must first understand who is asking the question, and why, before we answer.

There are two basic places people are coming from with the question:

“If God, why evil?”

One is emotional

Know your questioner or challenger:

Is it someone who is suffering?

Be a good listener

Concerning the October 1^st, 2017
Las Vegas shooting tragedy, ABC news reported:

“Las Vegas native Jimmy Kimmel was both visibly shaken and determined to send a message during an emotional monologue Monday night about the shooting, Kimmel said, ”this is a terrible, inexplicable, shocking and painful tragedy. We wonder why,” (he said, holding back tears), “even though there’s probably no way to ever know why a human being would do something like this to other human beings who are at a concert having fun and listening to music. It feels like someone has opened a window into hell.””

The other is Intellectual

Know your questioner or challenger:

Is it a skeptic who is arguing?

Be ready to ask questions of them, and don’t be afraid to challenge them on their answer. Always be willing to return later for more conversation…

To answer the question: If God exists, why is there evil and suffering?

We must first break the question down: Does God exist?

The Moral Law Argument for the existence of God

Premise #1:

A universal moral law must have a moral lawgiver; any law must have a lawgiver.

*Premise #2:

There is a universal moral law evident in the universal behavior and expectations of all humans.

Premise #3:

Therefore, there must be a universal moral lawgiver – God.

(*Keep in mind that when premises are used, we must provide evidence in #2 for #3 to be true.)

Evidence for a universal moral law

God has placed a moral code in the conscience of all mankind:

“Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know His law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thought either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.”

Romans 2:14-15

“The first principle of value that we need to rediscover is this: that all reality hinges on moral foundations. In other words, that this is a moral universe, and that there are moral laws of the universe just as abiding as the physical laws.”  

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Do we have an immaterial transcendent Creator who has set in us the rules for morality?

Our founding fathers thought so…

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

 -THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

The Nuremberg Trial said YES!

“The Nuremberg Trial of the German war criminals was tacitly based on the recognition of the principle: criminal actions cannot be excused if. committed on government orders; conscience supersedes the authority of. the law of the state.”  -Albert Einstein

“The fundamental basis of this nation’s laws was given to Moses on the Mount…If we don’t have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except the State.” 

-Harry S. Truman

“Think of a country where people were admired for running away in battle, or where a man felt proud of double-crossing all the people who had been kindest to him. You might just as well try to imagine a country where two and two made five.”

-C.S. Lewis

If evolution for the origin of life is true, then there is no foundation for the existence of non-material things, yet…

Non-material things do exist!

Evolutionists must explain the origin of…

• Moral consciousness
• Intentionality
• Motives
• Freewill choice
• Ethics

The Bible does provide this foundation!

Why are humans the only ones that hold each other accountable for their actions?

Animals and other living things do not do this!

• They are not held accountable for killing each other.
• They do not have courts for enacting justice.

ONLY HUMANS DO!

Evolution does not provide a foundation for this, but the Bible does!

The difference is found in Genesis 1 because we are made in the image of God:

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!

Genesis 1:26-31 (NLT)

How do we feel when we hear the following statements? Is there a difference between them?

• Love and care for our babies
• Killing for fun
• Forgiveness and mercy
• Rape and torture
• Freedom and liberty
• Stealing from the poor
• Helping our community
• Purposeful injury to others
• Gratitude for a kind act
• Genocide

Do you get a little “squeeze” in your chest when you imagine some of these statements in action?

Is that because all humans instinctively know when something is wrong?

Romans 2 tells us:

“Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know His law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thought either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.” Romans 2:14-15

We know the Moral Law exists because…

1. It is undeniable: It is not always the standard by which we treat others, but it is nearly always the standard by which we expect others to treat us.
2. We know it by our reactions:Simply be rude to someone, or do something out of line, or put people in a position where you violate their right to express their opinions and they will scream “injustice, unfair!”
3. It is the basis of Human rights:After WWII Nazi war criminals were brought to trial and convicted of violating basic human rights. This is manifested in international law and found in our Declaration of Independence.
4. It is the unchanging standard of justice:S. Lewis said, “As an atheist my argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crocked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?”
5. It defines a real difference between moral positions:We use it when we evaluate the behavior of others, for example Mother Teresa against that of Hitler. If the moral law doesn’t exist then there is no real difference between them, their actions are just subjective. As atheist Richard Dawkins would say “they are just dancing to their DNA.”
6. Since we know what’s absolutely wrong, there must be an absolute standard of right:We all identify things that are wrong socially, politically, and personally—but often people will say that they don’t know what is right, but admitting things are not the way they are supposed to be (wrong) is an admission that there must be a universal right.
7. It is the grounds for political and social dissent: People take up causes for “rights” and we often agree on particular injustices—the problem is usually the means to the end. For example, we all agree peace is good but is it best accomplished with or without military intervention?
8. If it did not exist, then we would not make excuses for violating it:People make excuses all the time for their behavior and we legitimize bad behavior in many ways: Abuses become diseases, crimes become oppressed behavior, immorality becomes lifestyle choices, and laziness becomes a need for entitlement.

“A Bible that’s falling apart, usually belongs to someone who isn’t!” 

BIBLE STUDY

Bible Study Survey Format

Old Testament

Category:         Torah               

Book:               Numbers         

1. Author: Who wrote the book and when?(Include anything you can find about the author and when it was written)

2. Audience: Who was it written to?(Include anything you can find about the people, the culture or societal norms, of that time period)

3. Purpose: Why was it written?(Include anything you can find about their circumstances and what was, or had been, going on)

4. Content: What is in each chapter?Basic:  Write out chapter by chapter titles.Going Deeper: Add a short summary under your titles, 3-5 sentencesAdvanced: Look for these things to put in your summary notes:a.  Is there anything in this chapter that relates to one of the Covenants (Adamic, Abrahamic or Mosaic)?b.  Where’s Jesus? Is there anything in this chapter that foreshadows/pictures Jesus?c.  The Shelf: Note any questions or a’has you have about the chapter.

LET’S PRACTICE!

Review and Discuss your homework from this past week:

Discuss your study in the book of Numbers chapters 12-21, based on what level you worked from: This would continue #4 – Content from the Bible survey format…

• Basic: Write a title for each chapter (could include more than one depending on topics in that chapter).
• Going Deeper: Take notes to summarize the chapter (no more than three to five sentences). However, you can add to your summaries if you glean something important from your study partners.
• Advanced: Look for these things to put in your summary notes:

a. Is there anything in the chapter that relates to one of the Covenants (Adamic, Abrahamic or Mosaic)?

b. Where’s Jesus? Is there anything in the chapter that foreshadows/pictures Jesus?

c. The Shelf: Note any questions or a’has you have about the chapter.

The following are example answers you can use to add to your own work, or use as a leader’s guide:

Chapter 12: Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses

Here we read about Moses’ brother and sister speaking out against him, using the fact that he married a Cushite woman, which was only a cover for their real problem – jealousy (v. 2). God straightened them out real quick by calling them in and confirming the special relationship He had with Moses only. The consequence was that Miriam because leprous, and this example was known before the whole congregation because she was required to be out of the camp 7 days, and in the LORD’s hesed, He responded to Moses plea to heal her.

C = The Mosaic Covenant was given to the whole nation under Moses’ leadership. There is protection and blessing when followed, and consequences for disobedience as model here with Miriam.

JF = There are many ways Moses gives a picture of Jesus, though Moses himself was not perfect, here we see a level of humility that no other person had at that time. (From the Jesus Bible): “Jesus humility was demonstrated by his willingness to leave the glories of heaven, take on the form of a servant, and suffer and die at the hands of the very ones he came to save (Php. 2:5-11).” Moses often took on the sins of the people (here Miriam and Aaron) and intervened with God on their behalf.

Chapter 13: Spies Sent Into Canaan; Report from the Spies

In this chapter we read about the first time Moses sends some spies into to explore the Promised Land, and we get the names of the twelve men sent out, one from each tribe. They went up into the Land and returned with some of the fruit of the Land, however, they were fearful of the people and gave a bad report saying the people who live there are too big and strong for us. Caleb (and later we know Joshua too) was the only one who spoke up and said that they could overcome them and that they should go, but the report of the others was too strong against him and the people will rebel.

C (Seed Promise) JF = We want to pay special attention to the names of two men who will be important down the road in the story of conquering the Promised Land: Hoshea (he saves) son of Nun from the tribe of Ephraim, who is later called Joshua (YHWH saves), and his name is also translated Jesus in the Greek and Latin later on; and Caleb, son of Jephunneh, from the tribe of Judah (lineage of Jesus).

Chapter 14: The People Rebel; Moses Intercedes for the People; God Promises Judgment; Israel Defeated in Battle

Because of the bad report, the people cried out against Moses, and more importantly God. Even though Joshua and Caleb tried to encourage them, and told them God would protect them, they cried out for a new leader to take them back to Egypt, and then attempted to stone them, but God’s glory appeared before them to destroy them and make Moses the great nation, but Moses interceded for the people. God then judged this generation by telling them they would not go into the Promised Land, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua, but their children would be the ones to enter that they said would become the prey. God sentenced them to forty years of wandering in the wilderness (but some tried to go up against the people in the Promised Land and they died doing it because the LORD was not with them).

C = We see the Mosaic Covenant play out here – because it is a conditional covenant God’s protection is only available if they followed His Law and guidance, but because of their disobedience God’s protection left them in their attempt to enter the Promised Land on their own after God’s judgment.

JF = We again see Moses as a picture of Jesus when he intercedes with God for the people’s sin.

Chapter 15: Laws About Sacrifices; Laws About Unintentional Sins; A Sabbath-breaker is Executed; Tassels on Garments

In the first part of this chapter God gives specific directions for sacrificial offerings that should happen when they eventually enter the Promised Land. It also includes a section on how to handle unintentional sins, whether individually or as a community, including sojourners. To show how serious God is about the people following His commands and Laws, there is a story about the execution of a man intentionally gathering sticks on the Sabbath. God also gave a command to have the people make tassels they would wear on their garments to remind them of the importance of following God’s Law (so they would not just follow after their own hearts eyes which God says He know they are inclined to do.

C = One of the most important things about the Mosaic Covenant was that the people were to remember what God had done for them (His hesed), they should show respect and honor for God, as well as understand the holiness of God that is uncompromisable.

Chapter 16: Korah’s Rebellion

This chapter continues the problem of rebellion from chapter 14 as we see an example set by God through the story of the sin of Korah, and the subsequent judgment of him and those that followed him. Twice the people rebelled, first with Korah and then again after the death of Korah and 250 followers. Twice Moses and Aaron had to intercede, pleading with the LORD not to kill them all, and God heard the voice of Moses, yet there were thousands who died by the wrath of God through a plague.

C = This story was to serve as an example for the people, especially over the next forty years, as they needed to understand that there are consequences for sin and rebellion against God and His Law. The Mosaic Law is conditional: Obedience = protection and blessing; disobedience = judgment and loss of protection.

JF = It is so important to again see the picture of Jesus through Moses, and also Aaron the high Priest, as they intercede for the people whose actions and attitudes were worthy of death. God, who is all-knowing and perfectly holy, allowed Moses and Aaron to intercede for the people, knowing that ultimately His Son Jesus would intercede for the whole world, once and for all.

Chapter 17: Aaron’s Staff Buds

In this chapter the LORD puts to rest once and for all the grumbling of who God had chosen to be His High Priest. God had each of the twelve tribes put their leader’s staffs in the tent of meeting overnight, and in the morning, it was only Aarons staff that had budded. This was to be a perpetual reminder to the people.

C = In the Mosaic Covenant the tribe of Levi were the only ones to act as priests for the LORD, and the house of Aaron were the only ones who could be High Priest.

Chapter 18: Duties of Priests and Levites

This chapter continues the result of chapter 17 by outlining the duties and responsibilities of the Priests. The Levites were to receive the tithe of the people to live on so that they could do the work of the LORD and take care of the Tabernacle, and they were to give a tithe of the tithe back to the LORD, but they were not to receive an inheritance of land in the Promised Land.

C = This chapter continues to show the conditional aspect of God’s Covenant with the people, and specifically with the tribe of Levi for the duties of the Priests. Obedience would equal blessing and protection; disobedience would be met with consequences, often death.

JF = The role of Priest is fulfilled perfectly by Jesus, once and for all.

Chapter 19: Laws for Purification

In this chapter we read about the sacrifice of a red heifer. This heifer’s ashes shall be used in water as a source of purification for being unclean. This seems to be mainly used for purification for a person who has been in contact with a dead body. If a man who is unclean does not cleanse himself shall be cut off from the assembly.

JF = (From the Jesus Bible) “The death of the red heifer merely prefigured a much greater substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ. His death did not simply cover the sins of his people; he bore the wrath of the curse forever. The author of Hebrews. Used this image to contrast the external cleansing brought about by the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean, and the internal transformation wrought by the blood of Christ (Heb. 9:13-14). He bore the wrath of God in order to purge his people from the consequences of sin and empower them to throw off sin and pursue obedience with a clear conscience.”

Chapter 20: The Death of Miriam; The Waters of Meribah; Moses Strikes the Rock; Edom Refuses Passage; The Death of Aaron

In this chapter we read about the death of Miriam, and later Aaron. We also read about the people grumbling again about the lack of water and quarreling with Moses and Aaron, so God tells Moses to take his staff, assemble the people and tell the rock to bring forth water. But then, we read about Moses’ disobedience in striking the rock twice in anger, which God did not tell him to do, that causes him, and Aaron, to lose the opportunity to enter the Promised Land. We also read about the nation of Edom refusing Israel’s passage through their territory and they came out against Israel with a strong force, turning them away. Before Aaron’s death he and Moses were told by God to strip Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar (who would assume the role of High Priest), and the people mourned Aaron’s death.

C = We see the curse of the “Fall” in Genesis 3 play out in that all die physically. Here we read about the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, but God promised an end to the curse beginning with the Adamic Covenant and the Genesis 3:15 Seed Promise and unfolding throughout the Old Testament culminating in Jesus.

JF = Jesus is the rock (Rm. 9:33, 1 Cor. 10:4, 1 Pt. 2:8); and He is the living water (Jn. 4).

Chapter 21: Arad Destroyed; The Bronze Serpent; The Song of the Well; King Sihon Defeated; King Og Defeated

In this chapter we learn about Israel’s defeat of Arad after they prayed to God and made a vow. We again read about the people speaking out against God and Moses, so God sends fiery serpents against the people and many died, but the people pleaded with Moses to pray for them, and God made a way: Moses was to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole, so that everyone who would look at the bronze serpent would live. Then the people continued their travels and God provided for them, and they defeated their enemies along the way who would not let them pass through, including King Sihon of the Amorites and King Og of Bashan, and then the Israelites lived in the land of the Amorites.

JF = In John chapter 3 of the New Testament, we read about Jesus and Nicodemus, and Jesus tells him in verses 14-15 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”

HOMEWORK:

Read Numbers chapters 22-36 and do the following: This would complete #4 – Content from the Bible survey format…

• Basic: Write a title for each chapter (could include more than one depending on topics in that chapter).
• Going Deeper: Take notes to summarize the chapter (no more than three to five sentences). However, you can add to your summaries if you glean something important from your study partners.
• Advanced: Look for these things to put in your summary notes:

a.Is there anything in the chapter that relates to one of the Covenants (Adamic, Abrahamic or Mosaic)?

b.Where’s Jesus? Is there anything in the chapter that foreshadows/pictures Jesus?

c.The Shelf: Note any questions or a’has you have about the chapter.

APPLICATION:  Now that we’ve finished this book, discuss how Numbers can apply to us today, either personally or culturally: Are there lessons learned; are there reasons we should know this history; does it help us understand God’s character and love for His people and His foreshadowing the promise of His Son; etc.?