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Great compilation. Thank you for your post.

However...

A philosopher would instantly recognize the futility of using pure science to "prove" a philosophic value. But he seems blind about its own category:

Philosophers recognize many arguments for the existence of God…

If you can know it by philosophy (argument/reason), it ain't God. Just the same as saying: If you can measure it and quantify it (science) it ain't God either. Spirit transcends the limitations of both sense knowledge and reason/logic. In reality, and by definition.

Reason can take us part-way (even building upon science), but at some point, other means, spiritual in nature, must be used for further knowledge of spirit.

thanks again for your post...

If you can know it by philosophy (argument/reason), it ain't God.

You've got it half right.

One can deduce God's existence through reason.

One does not need faith to know that He exists.

However, one cannot deduce anything about God or His revealed Word through reason. That's a matter of faith.

I agree… but… there is ‘reason’ for, and in faith in God. Naturalism alone as a basis for a belief in science and philosophy is without ultimate ‘reason’. The Christian mind must not allow modern science to put it into a box that ‘must exist outside of science’ and once again engage in intellectual debates both within science and philosophy as is has in the past. It is naturalism that actually puts itself into a box and why should anyone allow this bankrupt philosophy to project this ‘box’ onto others while pretending to call the shots for all of science and mankind.

Anyway, again I do not disagree with you – when you state, “Reason can take us part-way (even building upon science), but at some point, other means, spiritual in nature, must be used for further knowledge of spirit.” I have unfortunately been on both sides of this debate and actually needed logic and reason which brought me back to justification and sanctification. I believe God said let there be light both in the Old Testament and the New Testament, once for outside and once for inside (law and gospel) – I believe God has intervened obviously more than once. I have faith like a child in the wonderment of all and this does not cease but I also believe in critical thinking with maturity.

I am a Christian, a husband, a father, a conservative, and a Lutheran. But as a father I believe it is important for me to instill both wonderment and logic into my son - That is to say, Truth outside naturalism and truth within nature – not an either/or situation.

Thank you for your response.