Seminars: High School Seminars

First Principles, Truth and Mortality

Aristotle first noted that every field of knowledge begins with certain truths that are referred to as first principles. They are axioms, givens, or self-evident truths. They are so obviously reasonable that they neither demand nor admit proof. First principles are beyond direct proof because they are known to be true based upon their self-evident and inescapable nature. Aristotle also explained how these first principles form the unshakable foundations upon which all thought and knowledge rests.

This presentation is based on the book titled, Unshakable Foundations: Contemporary Answers to Crucial Questions about the Christian Faith. This work focuses on the fundamental truths all believers should know to help them be more effective in sharing the Gospel. The goal of this seminar is to show the direct correspondence between these foundational truths and the nature and attributes of the God of the Bible. Believers can use these principles to explain why all knowledge ultimately depends upon God (Romans 1:18-20; 2:12-15).


LOGIC - LAW OF NONCONTRADICTION
The first principle of all knowledge is the law of noncontradiction. This foundational first principle of logic states that opposite claims cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense.


SCIENCE - CAUSALITY SECOND LAW
Objective reason (the laws of logic) and the philosophical principles of causality & analogy are necessary preconditioins for science. The Second Law of Thermodynamics is the foremost law of science. Together they lead to the conclusion that an infinitely powerful and intelligent being exists.


LAW / JUSTICE / MORALS / MORES - FREE WILL & UNIVERSAL MORAL LAWS
Humans have intellect and free will. Free will is a necessary precondition for true love, but people abuse their freedom and use it for evil.


ETHICS - GOD'S MERCY AND POWER
The essential problem in ethics is not the lack of knowledge of a standard, but the lack of power to keep it! Jesus correctly identified the locus of evil as being found within every human heart which is in rebellion against a holy and just GOd.