God Exists
What The Bible Teaches
Unit 1
Who is God?
Lesson 2
How Can I Know That God Exists?
Life’s most important questions. The things we all ponder. The first of these is
Who is God?
Amazingly enough, over the past fifty years, surveys have consistently represented that America believes in God. During that time somewhere between 85% and 95% of Americans represent that God exists. If this is true, where is He in their actions?
At issue is the definition of God. Who is the God most American’s believe in? How does He help bring comfort and guidance into their lives?
Getting Attention
Psalm 14:1 (NKJV)
1 The fool has said in his heart,“There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.
The Bible takes a different direction. The Bible says that those who say there is no God is a fool, a person without understanding. But, since America believes in God, are there no fools in America?
Why should thoughtful people ask these questions?
- Who is God?
- How can I know that God exists?
Knowing and Understanding the Bible
Arguments for God’s Existence
Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
One of the practical problems a believer faces is that Christianity is a religion of faith. One must believe to be saved. One must believe in order to understand the teachings of Scripture. In other words, one must believe that God exists. It is, in the final analysis, a matter of faith.
On the other hand, according to the surveys most people do not deny the existence of God. As we indicated last week, most atheists are really agnostics, people who argue that God’s existence cannot be proven. In practical terms, the burden of proof for God’s existence should be on the minority, those who deny his existence. In practice, the burden seems to always fall upon the Christian. When faced with a situation in which the other party denies the existence of deity, the Christian feels duty bound to “prove” God exists. Unfortunately this is not actually possible.
Theologians have developed a number of possible arguments for God’s existence.
Cause and Effect
Every one understands that every cause has an effect. This is called cosmological argument. Therefore, if one is discussing creation, this means that someone caused Creation. That someone is God. Hebrews supports the general concept behind this argument.
Hebrews 3:4 (NKJV)
4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.
Romans 1:16-32 also supports this conclusion. Verse 20 is the best single verse for supporting this argument.
Romans 1:20 (NKJV)
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
Design
A closely related to this argument is the teleological argument. It is more properly known as the design argument. Science has shown us the universe is an orderly design, not a mass of confusion and chaos. This argument is based upon the results of our experience. The universe, the earth, the systems of earth, are all orderly and they function (more or less) systematically and orderly. Therefore, one should conclude the existence of a designer or creator of the universe. In other words, design assumes a designer. Just as finding a watch on the beach suggests a watch maker, so, too, the universes suggests a “universe maker.”
The lesson materials use the human body as the prime or special example of something developed by design. Scripture speaks to the design of the human body.
Psalm 94:9-10 (NKJV)
9 He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? 10 He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge?
Many feel that no single argument presses more strongly and intuitively upon the thoughts of individuals in pointing toward God’s existence than this argument. In the field of creationism versus evolution the movement is headed away from arguing for the teaching of creationism in schools and is now pushing to teach “intelligent design.” The view is that by teaching a designer more students will be pointed toward concluding the existence of God, without “violating” the laws about separation of church and state.
Morality
Man is an intelligent creature. He has a conscience which is based upon an innate moral code. This natural law requires a Law-Giver. Society, via its various forms of government, generally has recognized the concepts of right and wrong. Where does this uniform impulse come from, if not from God. Reason declares all of this to be true. The atheist is a fool, and must bow to the existence of God. Only one who blindly overlooks all of the evidence may conclude there is no God. Romans 2:15 implies that man has a sense of right and wrong.
Mankind has always possessed a code of laws. Where did they come from?
C.S. Lewis argues in Mere Christianity that this is the prime method of convincing people of God’s existence.
History
History shows the continual belief of a Supreme Being. Where did this belief arise and how did it continue for so many thousands of years if there is no God?
The ontological argument, sometimes called the religious or general argument, is based upon the premise that man naturally believes in a god. God is pictured as matching the dictionary definition of a supreme being, one who is perfect, independent, and infinite. This is viewed philosophically as a rational argument, for if man’s logic is incorrect, these concepts are not true, and our thinking would be futile. Who wants to believe man’s logic is empty?
This argument lies on a foundation of universalism. Even amongst the "backward" tribes of the world, those living apart from modern civilization, there is a belief in the supernatural God. Thus, since this belief is universal, it must come from within mankind. This belief is part of our nature. Since there is a thirst for God, there must be a God creating this thirst.
Value of Arguments
All of these arguments point to the existence of a Supreme Being, especially since God made us to recognize Him.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NKJV)
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
The arguments make people think about whether or not God exists. However, they do not point toward nor logically prove the existence of the Christian God of the Bible. This knowledge only comes via the special revelation of Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit which requires FAITH (special revelation). But, mankind . . .
Suppression of Belief in God
History and the Bible both demonstrate that mankind ignores all of the arguments for the existence of the one true God.
Romans 1:16-32 (NKJV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
How can most people believe in god but reject the true God of Scriptures? How can those who do not believe in God maintain this position?
No portion of Scripture more clearly defines the state of mankind than this section of Romans.
Rejection of God
The evidence for God’s existence appears to be overwhelming, yet, people believe there is a god and reject creationism. The Bible teaches that mankind willingly rejects that which he already knows to be true.
Paul recognizes the Gospel is the power of God at work. This power leads to salvation for those who are open minded and recognize God exists and is at work in the world. This is stated as being those who believe (v16). This is faith. There is a lot of material in these verses. It will be easy to become bogged down on finite points and not complete the entire lesson. This may not be bad, but make certain you are in control of the lesson. Do not allow a useless discussion that does not lead to a benefit for the class.
v17 – salvation arises from the revelation of God’s righteousness. To reject this righteousness is to reject God and to follow man’s sinful heart. This is faith.
v18 – God has revealed Himself to all of creation. This revelation is stated in the negative here, focusing not on salvation but upon God’s wrath, a wrath that is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. This is because men suppress the truth in unrighteousness. God’s wrath is His punishment of sin.
v19 – God has revealed Himself to men. This is stated in the positive here, “because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” This is an inner understanding of God. This helps to explain the moral and historical proofs of God’s existence. Men are born knowing God, they just ignore this knowledge. As Solomon writes, men have “He has put eternity in their hearts” (Ecc 3:11 (NKJV)). This should come as no surprise. Man is created in God’s image (Gen 1:26-28) so man should expect that God has placed His knowledge within them. All men naturally know God.
Not only do all men naturally know God, but this verse and verse 20 makes it plain that God has revealed Himself to men as well. Verse 19 plainly says that God has shown Himself to men. This is the concept behind the cause and effect argument for God’s existence.
v20 – God’s powers are both known and seen. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” God’s invisible attributes are marked out in the creation, being understood by the things that are made. If there is a watch, there is a watchmaker. God is understood by all of His creation, so that when men reject God, they are without excuse when His wrath appears.
Mankind has no defense against his failure to recognize the one true God. Indeed, man has chosen to “not like to retain God in their knowledge” (v28). This is a voluntary decision on man’s part, this failure to recognize God.
v21 – this verse states the conclusion of v28 and makes it plain why mankind has chosen to worship empty idols. Mankind “did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Several of the following verses indicate the types of foolishness devised by their hearts. They worshiped the things of creation rather than the creator (vv22, 23, 25). This has grown worse as their hearts become darker.
Reprobation of men
“God also gave them up to”
This passage is repeated three times in the verses which follow – v24, 26, 28. There is a sequence to be followed. God punishes men on earth by turning them over to the power of sin. What mankind fails to recognize is that the farther into sin they fall, the worse their condition.
v24 – unto uncleanness
v26 – unto vile passions
v28 – unto a debased (reprobate) mind, to do those things which are not fitting. Debased or reprobate means a mind that is worthless, one that has not stood the test or is not approved. It is a mind unfit for, unproved, spurious, or reprobate. This is a mind that has been rejected or castaway. This mind is undiscerning, not distinguishing, and void of judgment, a mind to be abhorred by God and man.
Look around your world. Compare the world with the list of sins found in this passage. Don’t the two closely resemble each other? God turned sinners over to their own natures and allowed them to fall into the consequences of their own sins.
The only remedy to a debased, reprobate mind is Paul’s discussion at the beginning of this passage. The power of the Gospel is the only thing that saves someone wallowing in sin. The Holy Spirit must draw that person to God and pull the blinders from their eyes so that they may find God. Man must come to recognize who he is and who God is in order to be saved. Man must see God as He really is, the one true God of the Bible.
The arguments for the existence of God can bring a person to the cover of the Scriptures, but it is only the power of the Gospel which allows a person to realize the God of the Bible is the one true God described in all of man’s arguments which attempt to prove God’s existence. This step requires faith.
Applying /Practicing the Bible
Do you believe in God’s existence? If not, what would make you change your mind? If yes, do you believe in the God of the Bible? If not, why not? What would make you change your mind?
If you believe in the God of the Bible, what effect does this have upon your daily life? If God is the Creator, shouldn’t you want to study and grow closer to Him so that you may better live a life that pleases Him?