Does God Exist? Following the Evidence…Part 2 :: By James Pannafino

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Three Logical Arguments for God’s Existence…

#1. The Teleological Argument:

The Teleological Argument asserts that since the universe displays such an amazing design, there must have been a divine Designer.

The Teleological Argument is stated as:

1. All designs imply a designer.
2. There is great design in the universe.
3. Therefore, there must be a Great Designer of the universe.

Examples of Teleology…

• If the Earth were significantly closer or farther away from the sun, it would not be capable of supporting much of the life it currently does. This has been termed “The Goldilocks Syndrome.”
• If the basic elements in our atmosphere were even a few degrees different, nearly every living thing on earth would die.
• The odds of a single protein molecule forming by chance is 1 in 10 243x (that is a 1 followed by 243 zeros)… and a single cell is comprised of millions of protein molecules!

#2. The Cosmological Argument:

• Every effect must have a cause, and this universe, everything in it, is an effect. There must be something that caused everything to come into existence (a finite time ago).
• Ultimately, there must be something “un-caused” in order to cause everything else to come into existence. That “un-caused” cause is God!

The Cosmological Argument is stated as:

1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause.
2. The universe began to exist.
3. Therefore, the universe has a cause.

#3. The Moral Argument:

• Every culture throughout history has had some form of moral law.
• Everyone has a sense of right and wrong. Murder, lying, stealing, and immorality are almost universally rejected.

The Moral Argument is stated as:

1. If God does not exist, ‘objective’ moral values and duties do not exist.
2. Objective moral values do exist.
3. Therefore, God exists.

Where did this sense of right and wrong come from, if not from a holy God?

Hebrews 11:6“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Mere evidence is not enough… Despite the logical evidence, the Bible tells us that people will reject the clear and undeniable knowledge of God.

Romans 1:25 “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator— who is forever praised. Amen.”

The Bible proclaims that people are without excuse for not believing in God!

Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities— His eternal power and divine nature— have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

Many reject God’s existence, claiming it is not scientific or there is insufficient proof…

• The true reason for skepticism is that once someone admits that there is a God, they realize that they are responsible to this God (cf. Romans 3:23, 6:23).
• Perhaps this is why many of those who deny the existence of God cling strongly to the theory of naturalistic evolution— it gives them an ‘alternative’ reality, one which conveniently provides a needful moral salve for their consciousness.

Considering the preponderance of evidence…

• God’s existence is clearly self-evidential, and ultimately everyone knows that He exists (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
• The very fact that some attempt so aggressively to disprove His existence is in fact an argument for His existence (rational people don’t seek to disprove something not real).

How can we ‘know’ God exists? Some final thoughts…

• As Christians, we know God exists from many rational evidences, and through the experiences of everyday life.
• Even if we do not audibly hear Him speaking to us, we are ever conscious of His presence, discerning His leading, knowing His love, experiencing His grace.
• There are simply no arguments that can persuade anyone who refuses to acknowledge what is already obvious and self-evident.

In the end, God’s existence must be accepted by faith in accordance with the revealed evidence…

Faith in God is not a blind leap into the dark, but a safe step into a well-lit room where reason, beauty, and truth already await.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 “’Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the LORD.”

Check out the School of Bible Prophecy that equips believers to know and teach this subject in their own churches and Bible study groups @ PerspectiveInProphecy.com.

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