Proof for the Existence of God

Usually when we have to argue for the existence of God, it is with those who doubt or deny His existence. In such cases, using the Bible as our sole source of argumentation may not be effective. If they do not believe in God, why would they believe the Bible? However, we are still going to be using the Bible to discuss this topic. The arguments for God’s existence will stand apart from the Bible, yet the Bible also includes them. This can be a powerful argument for the veracity of the Scriptures while also reinforcing the arguments for the existence of God.

The Existence of the Universe

• This is known as the COSMOLOGICAL argument – everything that exists has a CAUSE; the second law of thermodynamics states that things go from order to disorder, they wear down; so the universe had a beginning and must have had something to CAUSE it to come to be; the most reasonable explanation is God (came before time; all-powerful)
• The Hebrew writer made this argument (Hebrews 3:4) – comparing Jesus to Moses, Moses was servant IN the house while Jesus was Son OVER the house; but he used this fundamental principle as the basis for the illustration
• The existence of the universe (which is undeniable) is proof of the existence of God

The Heavens Tell the Glory of God

• This is known as the TELEOLOGICAL argument – the universe is highly complex; design demands a designer (ex: a watch implies the existence of a watchmaker); the universe could not have come about by blind chance
• The psalmist made this argument (Psalm 19:1-6) – the perpetual working of the universe is proof of God’s existence; it was carefully crafted (Genesis 8:22); ex: the relationship between the sun and earth (a change in orbit of 0.1″ every 18 miles would cause us to freeze or burn up
• The universe shows evidence of design – this is proof of a designer (God)

The World Shows God’s Divine Attributes

• This is an extension of the TELEOLOGICAL argument – design demands a designer
• But Paul went one step further (Romans 1:20) – the world does not just show that God exists, it tells us certain things about God; eternal power and divine nature; God is the only explanation; only He could do this
• Those who deny the existence of God are suppressing the truth that is evident to them (Romans 1:18-19)

We Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

• This is the TELEOLOGICAL argument focused on MAN as the proof
• The psalmist declared that he was “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God (Psalm 139:14) – the way we have been made is proof of God’s existence; ex: each human cell contains ≈4 billion base pairs of DNA which are perfectly reproduced when cells divide; ex: regarding the function and intricaties of the human eye, Charles Darwin said that the idea that it “could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest sense”
• We were made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), which is why we can have discussions like this one

Mankind Has a Universal Desire for What Is Eternal

• Throughout history in civilizations around the world, man has worshiped someone/something – even if the object of worship was not God, why would the desire to worship be universal? why do we have a sense of a higher purpose? why do we long for what is beyond this life?
• The wise man gave an answer to these questions (Ecclesiastes 3:11) – the Athenians were an example of this (Acts 17:16, 22-23); they did this while God was “unknown” to them; God put in us an intuitive sense that there is something “more”; this leads us to Him (Acts 17:26-28)

Conclusion

• God created all things and they provide us with evidence for His existence
• This should lead us to seek for Him (Acts 17:25-27) – we can find Him; and we must follow Him