I AM Therefore Logic is

When considering the self-revelation of God as “I AM THAT I AM” (Ex.3:14) it is of no small significance that necessarily built into this revelation is the reality that logic is structured into the self-consciousness of God himself. Logic is expressed in God’s self-awareness and self-revelation. Thus, the laws of logic are necessarily grounded in God’s nature. Consciousness itself is expressed in logic.  

Consider for a moment atheist Bertrand Russell’s assessment of the traditional laws of thought “For no very good reason, three of these principles have been singled out by tradition under the name of 'Laws of Thought'. They are as follows: (1) The law of identity: 'Whatever is, is.' (2) The law of contradiction: 'Nothing can both be and not be.' (3) The law of excluded middle: 'Everything must either be or not be.' These three laws are samples of self-evident logical principles, but are not really more fundamental or more self-evident than various other similar principles: for instance, the one we considered just now, which states that what follows from a true premiss is true. The name 'laws of thought' is also misleading, for what is important is not the fact that we think in accordance with these laws, but the fact that things behave in accordance with them; in other words, the fact that when we think in accordance with them we think truly.”- (The Problems of Philosophy, Bertrand Russell pg.113)  When God expresses graciously to us in darkness that he himself is the light of life he says “I AM”. He is a person therefore; an ‘I’. If he is (Heb.11:6), then the law of identity is expressed. If he is then he cannot also not be, which is the law of contradiction. That these laws are expressed with God’s self-revelation shows he is the source. That we know ourselves logically (Either I exist or I do not. I exist; my non-existence is contradicted) is that we express our consciousness dependent upon God and his laws.  

Also, shown in God’s self-expression “I AM” is his self-originating existence. Everything depends upon him where he depends upon nothing. (Ac.17:24-9, Jn.1:3, 5:26, Ps.50:8-13, 104:27-30, Job 22:2-3, 12:10, 34:13-5, 35:5-8, Isa.42:5, Heb.1:3, Col.1:16-7, Rv.4:11) Likewise, if God is then his nature is immutable. (Mal.3:6, Ja.1:17, Heb.13:8, 1:11-12, 6:17-8, Ps.9:7,102:12.27, 1 Chr.16:34) And also, eternal. (Gen.21:33, Psa.102:24, Psa.41:13, 90:2, 93:2, 103:17, 106:48, Dt.33:27, Isa.40:28, 57:15, 63:16, Jer.31:3, Hab.1:12, 1 Tim.1:17) This dominion, immutability and eternality (his eternal power and Godhead- Rom.1:20) are known intuitively and immediately as well as rationally by all people every day and night. (Ps.19:1-4) And seen by the uniformity in nature (physical laws) and mathematical precision of the heavens. (Job.38:32-3, Psa.104:19,119:90-91, Gen.1:14, 8:22, Prv.8:27-31, Ecc.1:4-7, 1 Chr.16:30-1, Jer.31:35-6, 33:20-26, Lk.12:54-5). And the fact that these things are intentionally communicated to us shows his personhood and mercy. God the ultimate self-originating person communicates information about himself continually to us who are derivative and totally dependent persons, logically, scientifically and morally. All of our thoughts depend upon him. 

Although consciousness is not fully understood, roughly consciousness is defined as 1.a. Having an awareness of one's environment and one's own existence, sensations, and thoughts. b. Mentally perceptive or alert; awake: 2. Capable of thought, will, or perception: Logic by definition is 1. The study of the principles of reasoning, especially of the structure of propositions as distinguished from their content and of method and validity in deductive reasoning. Thus, the laws of logic are the principals of reasoning, the governors of thought. But not as though thought could be expressed in rebellion to their rule. Thoughts cannot exist except in logic. The laws of logic are employed automatically upon self-awareness and consciousness.   

The other notice of Russell was “the fact that things behave in accordance with them”. The material universe obeys or is subordinated to these laws. And when we follow proper reasoning, we arrive at true conclusions about the real world (truth). Because the Creator is inherently logical. If truth is logical then error is illogic. Truth is superior to error because error cannot exist without truth, and truth must exist whether error exists or not. In order to be in error one must have some truth, for no sensible statement can be totally in error. Some parts of the statement, namely the words identifying a topic, must be real. Otherwise, vain babble is being expressed. For error to be consistent it would have to cease to exist, for error is in some degree a departure from logic. Total error then, is non-existence, for truth is reality and error is a departure from reality, thus, to totally depart from all reality would be to not exist.   

In a microcosm, us in our daily labor and function in the world having ‘dominion over the earth’ (Gen.1:26-8) is an expression of immaterial realities (abstract laws) dominating matter. We are operating expressing the image of the designer and creator. Our thoughts, expressed in rationality, seize upon the real material world and force it to comply or permit our navigation through it. Through observation and our sense data we also apprehend mathematical laws and abstract numbers. Being acquainted with the stars and the sand, we grasp multiplication into the unfathomable depth of eternality and the mind of God himself which is his intention. (Gen.9:1,7, 13:16, 15:5, 16:10, 22:17, 26:4, 32:12, Ex.32:13, Job 22:12, 29:18, Ps.8:2-3, 139:18, 147:4-5, Heb.11:12) 

If I know there are 2 stars or grains of sand, then I know that there can be 2 more. Therefore, there can be 4. And if there can be 4 then there can be 2 sets of 4, and so on. Does 16 come into existence only when I discover that there can be 4 sets of 4 (multiply)? 16 exists before I get to it, in my adding 2s and 4s. Numbers are conceptual entities and exist apart from our minds. You must have infinite numbers, or no numbers at all. You cannot have the concept of numbers apart from the concept of infinite numbers. Therefore, if one exists, then infinite ones must exist. One presupposes infinite ones, and laws of mathematics. You cannot have 1 begin to exist, without an infinite beginning to exist. And since this is contradictory and nonsense, it is not true. Can eternity or infinity begin to exist? For this cause also, if nothing ever existed then nothing could ever exist. For infinite numbers necessarily exist or no existence is possible. 

In summary, Logic and math are absolute, eternal, abstract, universal and unchanging; structured into God's nature and thinking, and how we must think to correctly think or apprehend reality (Isa.1:18, Job 38:36, Prv.2:6). One cannot know truth apart from logic. Logic within the correct worldview will always lead to the truth (Prv.8:6-9). He made us in his image to reason with him (Gen. 1:26-28, Psa.33:14-5, Zec.12:1). God puts wisdom in our hearts and minds and obligates us to be rational. Sin and pride cause men to err in their thinking (Eph.2:3,4:18, Tit.1:15, Prv.13:10). 

Science is based upon God upholding all things by the word of his power (Psa.119:90-1, Heb.1:3, Col.1:17, Neh.9:6, Gen.8:22, 2 Pt.3:7). This is for his purpose revealed in prophecy of the scripture and is the basis for expecting nature to be uniform (Jer.31:35-6, 33:20-26). Likewise, do we find design and order in nature as God reveals his wisdom in creation (Prv.3:19, Jer.10:12, Psa.19:1, Rom.1:19-21) as well as his invariableness (Jer.31:35-6, 33:25-6). This is seen as mathematics allows predictions and calculations, indicating wisdom/logic (Ex.35:31-5, 31:3-5) governs the creation (Job.38:32-3 Psa.104:19, Gen.1:14, Prv.8:27-31).

The laws of logic and math are axiomatic, meaning they are demonstrably true by thinking about them; they are self-evident. This is consistent with the nature of God himself. As well as the word of God. It is self-authenticating by what it teaches being the necessary preconditions of all intelligibility. Begging the Question is not what is occurring here. These are instances of transcendental reasoning. Like, using logic to prove logic. Or as when one assumes the law of contradiction even if you deny the law of contradiction (i.e. the denial is true and law isn’t). It is a self-authenticating circle, not a question begging circle. 

Annihilationism Contradicts the Atonement

The interpretive lens of scripture is Jesus Christ and him crucified. (Jn.5:39, Lk.24:27, Col.2:3) Thus, when the doctrine of hell and the deviation of that doctrine embodied in annihilationism is examined it must fit with the person and work of Jesus Christ which delivers men from damnation. Working from the foundation of the penal substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ (which is established here) we understand that the conscious suffering of Christ while in the body of his flesh on the cross and his death (Isa.53:5-6,8,10-12, Phil.2:8, 1Pt.2:24, 3:18, Gal.3:13, Rom.3:25,4:25, Mt.26:28, Heb.9:15-7,28,13:12, Col.1:19-22, Jn.19:30) made propitiation for us. (Rom.3:25, 1 Jn.2:2, 4:10) Thereby appeasing God’s justice and delivering us from his punishment for all our sins. God is exact or precise in his judgments- Ex. 21:23-5, Lev. 24:19-21, Lev. 19:34-6, Deut. 17:8, 19:21, 21:5, Deut. 25:14-16, Prov. 20:10,23, 11:1, 16:11, Micah 6:11. He demands righteousness Ezk.18:5, 45:9-10, Lv.19:36, Dt.25:15, Prv.11:1, 16:11, 17:15 So, our question here is how does annihilation propitiate God? God is not arbitrary in his justice (voluntarism error). If the penalty for sin is your eternal non-existence what exactly did Jesus do with regards to this? There must be a just weight & measure to fulfill all righteousness. Annihilationism creates a contradiction between the penalties of conscious suffering for sin and unconscious non-existence. Which is just and righteous? Is the penalty for sin both temporary conscious suffering and eternal unconscious non-existence? Temporal conscious existence in suffering and eternal unconscious non-existence without suffering are incompatible opposites, so how could both be equally just?  

Annihilationism & its Corollary Errors  

If annihilation atonement occurred, then Jesus as a temporal man propitiated and not as an eternal person for, he could not have ceased existing as an eternal person. So, how is the eternality measure to be filled in God’s just weights and measures? Strike one.  

The annihilation interpretation of the cross would mean that as a man Jesus ceased to exist for 3 days and 3 nights. (Mt.12:40, Jon.1:17) While in fact Christ did not cease to exist when his soul left his body on the cross- Mt.12:40, Lk.23:43,46, Eph.4:8-10, Act.2:31,27, Psa.16:10, 1 Pt.3:18-20 . Strike two. 

If annihilation or non-existence is the just meteyard then Christ’s conscious suffering on the cross and drinking the wrath of the Almighty was a fiction and unneeded. All that was needed was his temporal unconscious non-existence. But Christ drank the cup of the wine of the wrath of God for us- Matt.26:39, 42, Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42, Psa.75:8, Isa.51:17, 22, Jer.25:15, 17, 28, Rev.14:10, 16:19. Strike three.  

When you commit your first knowing sin of either omission or commission, you are instantly under God’s judgment. If non-existence is the just response to one sin, then the accumulation of sins thereafter would change nothing. Whether one sin or infinite sins, the punishment is the identical same; non-existence. How pray tell will God punish every and all sins? But God will judge every sin because he is just: Prv.24:12, Ecc.12:14, Mt.16:27, Rv.2:23, 20:13, 22:12, 2 Chr.6:23, Psa.9:4, Dt.21:5, Jer.11:20, 25:14, Jd.15, Rom.2:6-10, 3:5-6, 12:19, Ex.34:7, Num.14:18, Heb.2:2, 10:30, 12:23, Mt.12:36, 2 Cor.10:5, Gen.6:5, Ecc.3:17, Dt.21:5, Jer.32:19, 2 Chr. 6:30, 1 Ki.8:39, Nah.1:2, Rom.13:4, Dt.32:35,41,43, Psa.94:1, Isa.35:4, Jer.51:6, 5:9,29, 46:10, Ezk.25:17, Lk.18:7-8, 1 Thes.4:6, Acts 17:31. Strike four. 

If burning extended periods of time is unjust as justice demands non-existence, then those dead for longer (e.g. Cain) whose souls are in hell fire suffer injustice compared to those who burn for a few years or so before the judgment (e.g. Hitler). So, the answer to this dilemma is that there is no consciousness ‘out of the body’. In other words, annihilationism is consistent with ‘soul-sleep’. But soul sleep is contradicted all over the bible (2 Cor.12:2-3, 5:6-8- there would be no ‘out of the body’). If P, then Q; not Q; therefore, not P. Strike five. 

Jesus quoting from Isaiah warns that the smoke of their torment ascends up forever for they shall be tormented forever as their fire shall not be quenched, and their worm shall not die. (Mk.9:43-4,45-6, 48, Isa.66:23-4) Their carcases are burning month to month. If they are annihilated, the fire is in fact quenched. Strike six. 

Why fear God any more than you would fear men? (Mt.10:28, Lk.12:5) Both can only burn up the body until non-existence. Strike seven. 

 

Question for Annihilationists 

How can you avoid the injustice of everyone getting the same penalty? 

How can you avoid the injustice of not all sins being judged? Perhaps you may respond that you are annihilated forever for what you are but burned for varying lengths for your works? But this would entail the belief that everyone is the same or that some are more evil but receive the same punishment. (Matt.23:15) 

If you say the unjust burn up at different rates, then is the just penalty conscious suffering or unsconscious non-existence? 

If the longer rate of burning up is the just measure, then they pay for their own sins, so why aren’t they qualified for heaven at that point? 

Is God’s wrath expressed only in the moment of your destruction and no longer after you don’t exist? If so, then God’s wrath is appeased at your non-existence and therefore there is no more any wrath nor any reminder to creation of his justice nor (therefore) of his grace.