Friday, May 13, 2016

Using Math & Logic Skills To Argue God Exists & Other Classic Issues


Truth & Consequences
Ralph E. Carlson, iUniverse, Bloomington, IN, 2015

One does not have to be a metallurgist or be a Ph.D. in mathematics as the author, Ralph E. Carlson, is to understand this book. But one needs to accept how logic, “a science that deals with the rules and processes used in sound thinking and reasoning” (Merriam-Webster), works.
While the book is promoted as answering the question, “Does God Exist?”, Carlson goes much further and deeper, both to arrive at the answer (‘truth’) and to outline the ‘consequences’. And he does so using logic.
The book begins with a thorough explanation and examination of three major approaches (Creationism, Intelligent Design, and Evolution) typically used in answering questions like does God exist? what is the origin of life? and in particular what is the origin of human life? His basic approach to each of the questions under discussion is to turn each question into a proposition, and then to examine what are the consequences of each of the propositions if they were false and if they were true, as well as the impact of one proposition being true or false on a second, and third, etc., proposition. Finally, once he arrives at the most likely outcome, he delves into the consequences that such an outcome implies.
From there he addresses the issue of what are the consequences of there being life after death? A most interesting and valuable chapter. He next deals with the proposition that God does exist and is in fact active in the world today.
From there, the author turns to the topic of the past and present “Threats to Christianity”.  In this chapter he deals with the American Constitution and its relationship to the issue of separation of Church and State, as well as what the Supreme Court and other lower jurisdictions have been doing in that regard. This is a great historical account of many key decisions and their explanations and impacts. [A must read for anyone interested in how we got to this point in society.]
His second last chapter deals with the issue of “Is God Speaking to America?” in the form of warnings as He did to ancient Israel.  He lands, as we would expect, on the side of those who would say “yes”.  Finally, Carlson concludes with a mind- and soul-searching question for the reader. If we agree, as he has attempted to show, that an Infinite Intelligent Entity (IIE) exists, and that this IIE created life on earth, including human life; and that there is life after death; and that Jesus, the Son of God, as described in the New Testament, was a living being who came to earth – then, he asks us to consider a life-threating medical circumstance with two possible options. He asks us which one we would take? The answer for most of us would be obvious. He then asks us to consider a similar situation only this time says we have to make a decision regarding possible options where this IIE is involved at the time of our death. His point is well-made.
If I fault this book at all, it would be for the breadth of very serious and controversial topics it tackled in one relatively short volume. On the other hand, I highly recommend it as an excellent and quick read (close to 100 pages) for anyone interested in one or more of the issues the author has covered. I also would not want readers to miss the importance of what Carlson proposes to us. One way or another, the questions he deals with, have to be addressed by each of us. Ignoring them ultimately leads to default non-decision in the negative.

--   By Ken B. Godevenos, President, Accord Resolutions Services Inc., Toronto, Ontario, May 13, 2016. www.accordconsulting.com

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