Doctrine of Triune God

Drama

God’s Existence

Lexham Survey of Theology (God’s Existence)

The doctrine of God’s existence describes who and what he is in himself, and how his being can be known by us.

God Exists…

Genesis 1:1 ESV

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

He never attempts to prove His own existence but the Bible simply assumes it.

Doctrine

How can we better understand God’s existence then?

4 Main Approaches:

A posteriori demonstration (When something considered to be true based on knowledge, experience, or observation) - think about this view connects to the doctrine of general revelation...

Romans 1:19–20 ESV

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

The Five Ways (Aquinas) - Basically observations that lead to the inference that God exists

The Kalam Cosmological Argument (Craig) - In the simplest terms means that anything that began has a cause, the universe began to exist therefore the universe has a cause other than itself.

The Design and Order Argument - The universe appears to have a clear design or order to it, therefore if something has order or design there must be a designer that exists outside of the design.

A priori demonstration (knowledge gained by theoretical reasoning instead of observation or experience)

Reductio ad absurdum arguments (A method by proving the falsity of a premise by showing that it is absurd or contradictory)

Argument to the best explanation (a combination of several ideas that do not prove that God exists but which lead to a probability that God exists)

The First approach is the most widely accepted almost completely across the board by academic theologians but the other three views are useful in providing ways to think about God. These verses all point to the first argument for the existence of God

Lexham Survey of Theology (Proofs of God’s Existence)

Psalm 19:1–5 ESV

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

Acts 14:16–17 ESV

In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”

Acts 17:23–27 ESV

For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

Doxology: Praise

What is our response to God’s existence

We should turn towards learning how to get into relationship with our Creator God

We should learn how to get to know Him better. What is He like?

We should frame our worldview around Him. How now do we live in humility to God?

Discipleship

Now it is time for you to be a theologian...

How have you tried to defend the existence of God?

Have you ever been challenged on your belief of God existing?

After learning the four main approaches today, which is the strongest to you and why?