The Argument from Conscience for the Existence of God (Reasons to Believe #65)

The Reasons to Believe #65

Our Reasons to Believe Scripture verse for today is Acts 16:31. It reads, "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." 

Our Reasons to Believe quote for today is from E. Paul Hovey. He said, "Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them."

Our Reason to Believe powerpoint today is titled "The Argument from Conscience for the Existence of God" from "The Handbook of Christian Apologetics" by Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli:

Since moral subjectivism is very popular today, the following version of, or twist to, the moral argument should be effective, since it does not presuppose moral objectivism. Modern people often say they believe that there are no universally binding moral obligations, that we must all follow our own private conscience. But that very admission is enough of a premise to prove the existence of God.

Isn't it remarkable that no one, even the most consistent subjectivist, believes that it is ever good for anyone to deliberately and knowingly disobey his or her own conscience? Even if different people's consciences tell them to do or avoid totally different things, there remains one moral absolute for everyone: never disobey your own conscience.

Now where did conscience get such an absolute authority --- an authority admitted even by the moral subjectivist and relativist? There are only four possibilities:

1. From something less than me (nature)
2. From me (individual)
3. From others equal to me (society)
4. From something above me (God)

Let's consider each of these possibilities in order.

1. How can I be absolutely obligated by something less than me --- for example, by animal instinct or practical need for material survival?

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