Does God Exist?
There is no greater subject for the human mind to ponder than the subject of God. Is there an infinite being, a God who rules over the natural world? Is God knowable? The atheist says, "There is no God." Probably the greatest, atheist philosopher of the last century, Bertrand Russell, said, "Unless you assume the existence of God, the question of life's meaning and purpose is irrelevant."
If there is no God, life is bleak and without meaningful purpose and direction. The agnostic hedges on the question, "No one knows if there is a God, but if there is a God, this God is unknowable."
In numerous surveys, over 90% of the population of the United States believes in some form of divine being. In addition, cultures and civilizations all over the world affirm this nearly universal belief that there is a supernatural mind and power behind the wonders of this created world. Children, in particular, have an intuitive belief in God. Like the child who asked his atheist parents, "Does God know we don't believe in Him?" One of the wisest men of all time wrote that God has "made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men;" (Eccl. 3:11 NIV). There is a yearning in the human heart for what transcends this life, something beyond the boundaries of time and space.
The wonders, complexity, and design of the universe argue for a cause sufficient to produce such grandeur and intricacies. Cosmological reasoning says that the initial cause must be sufficient to produce the effect. Therefore, everything existing must have an adequate cause. Is it possible that "nobody + nothing = everything" as the atheist maintains? Teleological reasoning furthers this line of thought by stating that intelligent order within the universe implies an intelligent source equal to or greater than the magnificent wonders of the universe.
The Psalmist said, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge" (Psalm 19:1-2 NIV).
Here is my premise: There is a God, and this God is knowable, perfect, holy, just, loving and concerned about the lives of men and women. Further, God desires intimacy with those who will seek Him: ". . . anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him" (Heb. 11:6 TMSG). God's blessing to you as you explore this great topic on "How to Know God."
Pastor Dave Beckwith
If there is no God, life is bleak and without meaningful purpose and direction. The agnostic hedges on the question, "No one knows if there is a God, but if there is a God, this God is unknowable."
In numerous surveys, over 90% of the population of the United States believes in some form of divine being. In addition, cultures and civilizations all over the world affirm this nearly universal belief that there is a supernatural mind and power behind the wonders of this created world. Children, in particular, have an intuitive belief in God. Like the child who asked his atheist parents, "Does God know we don't believe in Him?" One of the wisest men of all time wrote that God has "made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men;" (Eccl. 3:11 NIV). There is a yearning in the human heart for what transcends this life, something beyond the boundaries of time and space.
The wonders, complexity, and design of the universe argue for a cause sufficient to produce such grandeur and intricacies. Cosmological reasoning says that the initial cause must be sufficient to produce the effect. Therefore, everything existing must have an adequate cause. Is it possible that "nobody + nothing = everything" as the atheist maintains? Teleological reasoning furthers this line of thought by stating that intelligent order within the universe implies an intelligent source equal to or greater than the magnificent wonders of the universe.
- Major premise: "Order and useful arrangement imply an intelligent cause."
- Minor premise: "Order is the characteristic of the universe."
- Conclusion: "Therefore, the universe must have had an intelligent cause."
The Psalmist said, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge" (Psalm 19:1-2 NIV).
Here is my premise: There is a God, and this God is knowable, perfect, holy, just, loving and concerned about the lives of men and women. Further, God desires intimacy with those who will seek Him: ". . . anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him" (Heb. 11:6 TMSG). God's blessing to you as you explore this great topic on "How to Know God."
Pastor Dave Beckwith