Date

9-9-2022

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics (MA)

Chair

Anthony Thornhill

Keywords

Apologetics, Supernatural, Evidence, Existence, God, Evil, Demon, Satan, Voodoo, Vodou, Parapsychology

Disciplines

Christianity | Practical Theology | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

This study challenges widely held beliefs about the supernatural realm. Those who believe the supernatural realm exists tend to accept there is a personable higher power at work in our world. The naturalistic worldview denies the existence of anything or anyone beyond our physical universe. This paper will first inform the reader of a history of beliefs in the supernatural. Next, an innovative approach will be taken to provide evidence for the supernatural world. Finally, the evidence will be examined to determine its reliability and identify common themes found throughout the research. The information provided is not intended to be a proponent of a specific religion. However, the evidence presented does demand a verdict. The verdict will draw one of the following three conclusions. First, the reader may walk away unconvinced of the existence of the supernatural realm. Secondly, the reader, having already possessed a belief in the supernatural, may take his/her belief more seriously and be challenged to act on its implications. Lastly, a reader who did not previously possess a belief in the supernatural world will have their beliefs altered or at least find themselves motivated to learn more about the subject. The demonstration of supernatural events has traditionally been argued for using cases of attractive miraculous occurrences. C.S. Lewis, Craig Keener, and Gary Habermas are just a few of the highly credentialed authors who have written on the substantial evidence for the miraculous. The cliché, benevolent miracle is certainly evidence of an unseen realm. Similarly, an event thought to have been carried out by evil spirits (demons, Satan, or other spirits) would support the case for the supernatural realm just as well. There is a vast body of evidence to support the existence of a supernatural realm. This evidence points to the work of demons, Satan, and other unseen spiritual forces at work in a very real, tangible way.

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