By Fransisco Msonge (MD), 2022
Content
1. Introduction-world theory
2. Four Scriptural Elements on the existence of God.
- Natural knowledge of God
- Fact of Faith
- The Book of Nature
- The Scriptures
Introduction:
Even granting that there is a universal natural knowledge of God, there are unquestionably people who deny God’s existence and offer arguments in their defense. The Western tradition of philosophical discussion of the existence of God began with Plato and Aristotle, who argued that, would now be categorized as cosmological.
Other arguments for the existence of God have been proposed by St. Anselm, who formulated the first ontological argument; Ibn Rushd (Averroes) and Thomas Aquinas, who presented their own versions of the cosmological argument; and René Descartes, who said that the existence of a benevolent God is logically necessary for the evidence of the senses to be meaningful.
John Calvin argued for a sensus divinitatis, which gives each human a knowledge of God’s existence. Atheists view arguments for the existence of God as insufficient, mistaken, or outweighed by arguments against it, whereas some religions, such as Jainism, reject the possibility of a creator deity. Philosophers who have provided arguments against the existence of God include Friedrich Nietzsche and Bertrand Russell.
In philosophical terms, the question of the existence of God involves the disciplines of epistemology (the nature and scope of knowledge), ontology (study of the nature of being, existence, or reality), and the theory of value (since some definitions of God include “perfection”).
The existence of God is foundational to the study of theology, but the Bible does not seek to prove God’s existence. Scripture expresses a strong doctrine of natural revelation: the existence and attributes of God are evident from the creation itself. The dominant question in the Old and New Testaments is not whether God is, but rather who God is.
Philosophers, both Christian and non-Christian, have offered a wide range of arguments for God’s existence, and the discipline of natural theology (what can be known or proven about God from nature alone) is flourishing today. Some philosophers, however, have proposed that belief in God is rationally justified even without theistic arguments or evidence.
Meanwhile, professing atheists have offered arguments against God’s existence; the most popular is the argument from evil, which contends that the existence and extent of evil in the world gives us good reason not to believe in God. In response, Christian thinkers have developed various theodicies, which seek to explain why God is morally justified in permitting the evils we observe.
The Existence of God
The existence of God is a very serious matter. Every human being, every Christian, must be taught and understand well this pivotal element of Christianity. We were created by God. We have a responsibility to know Him, and He has revealed Himself to us in the Scriptures so that we can see His presence. We will review and discuss four key elements, all of which are based on the scriptures. Through these four scriptural elements and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to learn and understand the existence of God.
Four Scriptural Elements on the Existence of God
- Natural knowledge of God
- Fact of Faith
- The Book of Nature
- The Scriptures
These scriptural elements on the existence of God are interdependent. First of all, they are rooted in the word of God, and together they form an understanding of God. They form one biblical teaching about the existence of God. We need scriptures on natural knowledge of God, we need faith in God, and also evidence from creation (nature) and the Holy Scriptures to understand God and His existence.
Natural knowledge of God:
We should really ask ourselves, are any of these worldly and philosophical arguments actually needed? The answer is “No”. Does confidence in God’s existence have to be funded by philosophical proof? The answer is “No.” Since the enlightenment, it has often been held that belief in God is rationally justified only if it can be supported by philosophical proof or scientific evidence. But we also forget that denying God’s existence is the same as denying the existence of our own world or our own personal existence.
Romans 1:18–21 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened”.
These biblical verses of Romans 1:18–21, have sometimes been taken as a mandate for theistic arguments, Paul’s language in that passage suggests that our knowledge of God from natural revelation is far more immediate, intuitive, and universally accessible.
Apart from special revelation, with the presence of the Holy Spirit, we can know that God is. A natural knowledge has been universally implanted in mankind by the Creator: There is within the human mind, and indeed by natural instinct, an awareness of divinity. This internal awareness of the Creator “can never be effaced,” even though sinful men “struggle furiously” to escape it.
Our implanted natural knowledge of God can be likened in some respects to our natural knowledge of the moral law through the God-given faculty of conscience (Rom. 2:14-15). We read: “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another”.
We know instinctively that it’s wrong to lie, kill and steal; no philosophical argument is needed to prove such things. Similarly, we know instinctively that there is a God who made us and to whom we owe honor and thanks. Rejecting the Heavenly God’s existence is a deliberate act of deceiving ourselves and accepting the Devil as a ruler and a god.
The Holy Bible opens not with a proclamation of God’s existence but with a pronouncement of God’s works: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” This foundational assertion of Scripture assumes that the reader not only knows that God exists but also has a basic grasp of who this God is. Throughout the Old Testament, belief in a creator, God is treated as normal and natural for all human beings, even though the pagan nations have fallen into confusion about the true identity of this God.
Psalm 19 vividly expresses a doctrine of natural revelation: the entire created universe ‘declares’ and ‘proclaims’ the glorious works of God. Proverbs tells us that “the fear of the Lord” is the starting point for knowledge and wisdom (Prov. 1:7; 9:10). Denying God’s existence is therefore intellectually and morally perverse the word of God (Psa. 14:1; 53:1). Indeed, the dominant concern throughout the Old Testament is not whether God is, but who God is.
Psalm 111:10.KJV
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
Psalm 14:1.KJV
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. “
The New Testament builds on the foundation of the uncompromising monotheism of the old. In his epistle to the Romans, the apostle Paul insists that God’s “eternal power and divine nature” are clearly perceived from the created order itself. Objectively speaking, there can be no rational basis for doubt about the existence of a transcendent personal creator, and thus there can be no excuse for unbelief (Rom. 1:20).
Romans 1:19-22 KJV
“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools”
Endued with a natural knowledge of our creator we owe God respect and worship, and our failure to do so serves as the primary basis for the manifestation of God’s wrath and judgment. The apostle’s robust doctrine of natural revelation has raised the question of whether anyone can truly be an atheist.
The answer will depend, first, on how “atheist” is defined, and second, on what precisely Paul means when he speaks of people “knowing” God. If the idea is that all men retain some genuine knowledge of God, despite their sinful suppression of natural revelation, it’s hard to maintain that anyone could completely lack any cognitive awareness of God’s existence.
We are God’s creation, with cognitive awareness of God’s existence. God created us and built us for a relationship with him. We belong to him, and we owe him gratitude for every breath, every moment, and everything. Because humans were built to live for him (to worship) and for His glory, we will always try to worship something. If not God, our Creator, we will choose some other object of ultimate devotion to give our lives meaning. That is why some nations worship trees, snakes, cows, and idols.
Though it is true that men know certain things about God and who God is from the created order, it is also true that they have sinfully suppressed and distorted these revealed truths, turning instead to idolatrous worship of the creation (Rom. 1:22-25).
Human behavior also gives evidence for God’s existence. In the Athenian worship of the “unknown God,” Paul saw evidence of a belief in God. He said, “The One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:23). Paul also said the behavior of non-Christians revealed the witness of “their conscience” and showed that God’s law is written “in their hearts” (Rom. 2:14, 15). This intuition that God exists is found even among those who have no access to the Bible.
Facts of Faith
All Christians have staked their hopes for the present and the future on great facts that are mere assumptions to non-Christians but facts of faith to Christians. The greatest and most important fact is a belief in the existence of God. How do we know that God is? Can we go into the laboratory, take a test tube, and by manipulating certain chemicals and things like that, prove that God is? “No How then, would you go about proving that God is?
The fact is that most of us, as Christians, do not ask for proof. We just say, “Well, God is.” And that in itself is a manifestation of our implicit faith in Him. To us, belief in the existence of God is simple, but to non-Christians, to unbelievers, it is more difficult—it is at times a stumbling block. To us, God’s existence is a fact, but a fact of faith. To them, it is pure foolishness. They demand proof. They demand evidence.
Of course, we can use such evidence as the beautiful sunset, the planting of the seed, the growth of the trees, and the bearing of the fruit—all of that. We can easily prove that everything that exists must have a maker, and by inference, come to the conclusion that God is the Maker of the world and the universe. So, to me as a Christian, and to all Christians generally, there is no difficulty at all with this first great fact upon which Christianity is based—the fact that God is.
Because of our implicit and unbounded faith in God, we take it for granted that He is. We simply know that God “is in his holy temple.” Therefore, “let all the earth keep silence before him” (Habakkuk 2:20), “for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
We read in Job 22:21, “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee.” and in Job 22:26, “For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.” Without hesitation or a word of proof, Christ admonishes all who claim His name, “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22); most of us Christians from every corner of the earth declare, “Lord, we believe; help Thou our unbelief.”
Is it important that we know that God is? The significance of this is that only when I am aware that God exists, that God is in Heaven, that God is looking down on the earth, and that God sees and hears me, do I become more careful about what I do and say. My belief in God compels me to live in such a way that when I am in His presence, I will walk and talk in a way that pleases Him.
You and I, as Christians, must first believe that God is and that we are every moment in His presence. This is the first great fact of Christianity—that God exists, that God sees and hears, and judges everything. The first great fact of Christianity is a fact of faith—God is.
The Book of Nature
God is omniscient, omnipotent, and benevolent person that exists eternally completely outside of time and is the creator of the universe. Everyone can understand God through nature and human experience. John maintained that God’s revelation, including nature, enlightens everyone (John 1:9). The examination of the universe around us tells us about God and gives us evidence that God is.
Nature is one of the ways in which God has revealed Himself to humanity. Nature can teach us nothing about God if we don’t believe in God. Only believers can understand the truth about God from nature. Nature can actually prove that God exists. Nature provides the truth about God. Nature provides everyone with knowledge of God’s existence.
God’s existence is evident in nature. The Bible asserts that the universe is a testimony to God’s existence and precision. The psalmist had this to say: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” (Psalm 19:1-3).
The Apostle Paul told the people of Lystra “And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:15-17).
To the church at Rome, the Apostle Paul wrote: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse”. (Romans 1:20). This passage reminds us that God’s creative work can be observed in nature. He created things to function in an orderly fashion and He continues to keep things in order. His handiwork is present everywhere for all to view. One need only to look around.
Only believers can understand the testimony of nature concerning the things of God. Those who have the benefit of God’s Word can clearly understand the physical world because of the testimony of Scripture. Without Scripture, nature tells unbelievers nothing. Though nature testifies that God does exist, in the final analysis, it is only God Himself who can give us knowledge of His own being. Nature is a witness to God’s might and power, but it does not supply all the knowledge a sinner needs to develop a personal relationship with God. That is the job of God’s written word, the Bible.
Although the earth was blighted with the curse, nature was still to be man’s lesson book. By beholding nature in its present fallen condition, one can recognize the overwhelming expressions of God’s creative power while overlooking the evidence of His redemptive power.
However, we should never forget that God is infinitely greater and far more majestic than the whole universe. In reality, from a cursed nature we can only gain an imperfect idea of the greatness and majesty of God, and, in its present condition, the natural world no longer reveals “a perfect knowledge of God.”
It now carries an ambiguous message, reflecting not only the character of God and the knowledge of good but also the character of Satan and the knowledge of evil. And the redemptive messages from nature are fairly limited—without any explicit reference to the plan of salvation through Christ’s atoning sacrifice and heavenly priesthood. Consequently, these transcendent realities can only be appreciated from God’s special revelation in Scripture.
The Scriptures
The Bible assumes that everyone knows that God is. Its opening text declares that (Gen. 1:1). The Bible describes God as the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of all creation. God’s revelation through creation is so powerful that there is no excuse for atheism, which arises from suppression of divine truth or from a mind that refuses to acknowledge the evidence that God exists (Ps. 14:1; Rom. 1:18-22, 28).
There is enough evidence for God’s existence to convince anyone who seriously tries to discover the truth about Him. Yet faith is a prerequisite, for “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” (Heb. 11:6).
Faith in God, however, is not blind. It is based on sufficient evidence found both in God’s revelations through the Scriptures and through nature. The Bible reveals God’s essential qualities which show that the biblical God exists.
Four main points(essential qualities) to discuss
- God`s Names
- God’s Activities
- God’s Attributes
- Biblical Prophecy fulfillment
God’s Names: At the time the Scriptures were written, names were important, as they still are in the Near East and Orient. Therefore, a name is considered to reveal the character of the bearer, his true nature, and his identity. The importance of God’s names, disclosing His nature, character, and qualities, is revealed in His command, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Ex. 20:7). David sang: “Praise to the name of the Lord Most High” (Ps. 7:17). “Holy and awesome is His name” (Ps. 111:9). “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted” (Ps. 148:13).
The Hebrew names El and Elohim (“God”) reveal God’s divine power. They depict God as the strong and mighty One, the God of Creation (Gen. 1:1; Ex. 20:2; Dan. 9:4). Elyon means “most high,” and El Elyon means “God Most High” (Gen. 14:18-20; Isa. 14:14). Adonai “Lord” pictures God as the Almighty Ruler (Isa. 6:1; Ps. 35:23). These names emphasize the majestic and transcendent character of God.
Other names reveal God’s willingness to enter into a relationship with people. Shaddai “Almighty” and El Shaddai “God Almighty” portray the Almighty God, the source of blessing and comfort (Ex. 6:3; Ps. 91:1). The name Yahweh, translated as Jehovah or LORD, stresses God’s covenant faithfulness and grace (Ex. 15:2, 3; Hosea 12:5, 6). In Exodus 3:14, Yahweh describes Himself as “I am who I am,” or “I shall be what I shall be,” indicating His unchangeable relationship with His people. On occasions, God even revealed Himself more intimately as “Father” (Deut. 32:6; Isa. 63:16; Jer. 31:9; Mal. 2:10), calling Israel “My Son, and My firstborn” (Ex. 4:22; cf. Deut. 32:19).
Except for Father, the New Testament names for God carry equivalent meanings to those of the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Jesus used the name Father to bring us into a close and personal relationship with God (Matt. 6:9; Mark 14:36; cf. Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6).
God’s Activities: Bible writers spend more time describing God’s activities than His being. He is introduced as Creator (Gen. 1:1; Ps. 24:1, 2), Upholder of the world (Heb. 1:3), and Redeemer and Saviour (Deut. 5:6; 2 Cor. 5:19), carrying the burden for humanity’s ultimate destiny. He makes plans (Isa. 46:11), predictions (Isa. 46:10), and promises (Deut. 15:6; 2 Peter 3:9). He forgives sins (Ex. 34:7) and consequently deserves our worship (Rev. 14:6, 7).
Ultimately, the Scriptures reveal God as Ruler as “the King eternal, immortal, invisible to sinners, the only God” (1 Tim. 1:17). His actions confirm that God exists and that He is a personal God.
God’s Attributes: The writers of Scripture provide additional information on the essence of God through testimonies about His divine attributes.
God’s incommunicable attributes comprise aspects of His divine nature not given to created beings. God is self-existent, for He has “life in Himself” (John 5:26). He is independent in will (Eph. 1:5) and in power (Ps. 115:3). He is omniscient, knowing everything (Job 37:16; Ps. 139:1-18; Ps. 147:5; 1 John 3:20), He is Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8), He knows the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:9-11).
God is omnipresent (Ps. 139:7-12; Heb. 4:13), transcending all space. Yet He is fully present in every part of space. He is eternal (Ps. 90:2; Rev. 1:8), exceeding the limits of time yet fully present in every moment of time.
God is all-powerful and omnipotent. Nothing is impossible for Him, so we can be confident that he will achieve his objectives (Dan. 4:17, 25, 35; Matt. 19:26; Rev. 19:6). He is immutable—or unchangeable—because he is perfect. He says, “I am the Lord; I do not change” (Mal. 3:6; see Ps. 33:11; James 1:17). Since, in a sense, these attributes define God, they are incommunicable.
God’s communicable attributes flow from His loving concern for humanity. They include love (Rom. 5:8), grace (Rom. 3:24), mercy (Ps. 145:9), patience (2 Peter 3:15), holiness (Ps. 99:9), righteousness (Ezra 9:15; John 17:25), justice (Rev. 22:12), and truth (1 John 5:20). These gifts come only with the Giver Himself.
Biblical Prophecy fulfillment; Inspiration and God’s existence: I came across a test that the Bible itself laid down to prove its inspiration and to prove God’s existence: You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD’?” If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message that the LORD has not spoken.
The reasoning is that if God exists, he knows the future. Although people can make some educated or planned guesses, we can’t predict the future with consistent accuracy, and false gods know nothing about the future. Thus, a message from God can be differentiated from those of people or false gods on the basis of its predictive abilities. If the messages do predict the future, then they must come from God. He must exist.
We read through the scripture. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:20-21). “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7). And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” (Numbers 12:6).
In 1 Samuel 9:9, prophets are called a seer. In Luke 1:70, God speaks through prophets. “As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began.” The precise fulfillment of the 490-year biblical prophecy of Daniel 9:24–27, the 1260-year biblical prophecy of (Dan 7:25–26, 12:7, Rev 11:3, 12:14, 13:5), and the 2,300-year prophecy of Daniel 8:14 is sufficient evidence that God knows the future, is in control of everything, and He exists.
The New Testament centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ. What is fascinating is that he claimed that the Old Testament also anticipated his person and work. Isaiah Prophecies of the Servant: (Isaiah 52:13–15): “Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. “
Isaiah’s prophecy of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds, we are healed .. the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted. .. he was led like a lamb to the slaughter.. by oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living. For the transgression of my people he was stricken .. After the suffering of his soul he will see the light of life and be satisfied. By his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many. (See Isaiah 53: 5-11.)
Birthplace of Jesus prophesied: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. “(Micah 5:20)
In short, we’ve had time to look at just a few prophecies in the Old Testament that seem to be fulfilled in the person and life of Jesus Christ. The only explanation is that God exists. When we consider that there are several direct and indirect prophecies and allusions in the Old Testament that are fulfilled in Jesus, of which we have looked at just a few, it would be seemed ignorant to say these converging sets of predictions and prophecies are coincidences. It is only through the inspiration of the existing and lovely God that people who did not know each other, living hundreds of years apart, wrote these prophecies. Yet their writings independently converge on Jesus.
The Bible’s argument for God’s existence is pretty straightforward: “God exists.” In this view, believing that God exists is comparable to believing that the world of our experience really exists; it’s entirely rational, even if we can’t philosophically demonstrate it. Indeed, it would be quite dysfunctional to believe otherwise.
Amen
