Does God Really Exist?
Is there truly a God? How can anyone be sure such a being exists? We believe that the existence of God, and questions such as these relating to it, can be intelligently answered. However, the existence of God cannot be demonstrated to the five senses of man. God’s existence must be accepted by faith just as the writer said, “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible” (Heb 11:3). This faith is not blind. The same writer said, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). Therefore, faith is a conviction founded upon evidence, and we believe the evidence for God’s existence is overwhelming.
When the Psalmist said, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Ps 19:1) he was using the argument of adequate cause to effect. David could not deny the existence of the universe any more than we can. He knew that something does not come from nothing; but something is; therefore, something always has been. The two things that now exist are mind and matter. Either matter (that which is dead, lifeless, has no feeling) created mind (that which is alive, can think, and has feeling) or mind created matter. The Bible opens with the words, “In the beginning God (Mind) created the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1). There had to be a first cause and since mind is superior to matter then it is more reasonable to believe that mind is eternal and created matter. The eternal Mind is God (Gen. 1:1).
The writer to the Hebrews used this same sort of reasoning when he said, “For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God” (Heb 3:4). A house is something that shows design and planning. His argument is that men are involved in the design, planning and building of a house. A house does not come into being by accident. Yet, we are expected to believe that this wonderful and beautiful universe came into being without a designer—without the Supreme Being—God.
Paul’s argument in his letter to the church at Rome approaches this matter in much the same way. He shows that the Gentile is without excuse in ignoring the existence of God. “Because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Rom 1:19-20). Paul is saying, there is no way they could ignore the fact of a Creator when there is a creation. They had no excuse for rejecting the truth about God because His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen in the universe He created.
Not only does the universe establish the existence of God, the Bible also bears witness that God exists, because only divine inspiration can explain the existence of this most remarkable of books. The characteristics that point to divine authorship are:
- The Bible’s amazing unity
- The Bible’s amazing preservation
- The Bible’s historical accuracy
- The Bible’s scientific accuracy
- The Bible’s prophetic accuracy
- The Bible’s civilizing influence
- The Bible’s absolute honesty
- The Bible’s life-transforming message
Space does not permit a discussion of these characteristics but you may turn to the series of lessons dealing with an Introduction To The Bible on this web site to continue your study of these matters.
Do you have a question about the Bible or Christianity? Send it to us and the answer may be posted as a Question of the Week.
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