Does God Exist?

On our total evidence theism is more probable than not.
RICHARD SWINBURNE

Some questions carry more weight than others. Such is the case with the question, “Does God exist?” People will often contend that God does exist (theism), or He may exist (agnosticism), or He doesn’t exist (atheism). If it can be shown that He does exist, the latter two options are irrelevant.

Think about it. God can’t exist and not exist, right? He either is or He isn’t. Even the agnostic would concede that God either exists or He doesn’t. The agnostic doesn’t refute that point. Rather the agnostic pleads the fifth when it comes to knowing how to settle the answer to the question of God’s existence. What can we say by means of support for theism?

First, the Bible presupposes God’s existence. It’s as if the Scriptures knew God’s existence would be brought into question. Therefore, from the very first verse of the Bible the rumor is dispelled as it opens with the phrase, “In the beginning, God” (Genesis 1:1).

Second, to deny God’s existence is to deny the obvious. When we fast-forward to the New Testament we learn that God’s not hiding out. No. He’s not playing hide-and-seek. Rather, He has made Himself known. In Romans 1:19-20 we read, “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.” Paul is stressing that the evidence for God’s existence is clear. It’s as if he’s saying, “No one can play curious in the midst of the obvious.” Creation shouts, “We’re not here by accident!” Even atheists will concede, “Yes, it looks as if the universe is designed, but it’s not.” What are they doing? Rejecting the obvious. Rejecting God’s existence.

Third, it’s foolish to deny God’s existence. So confident is David in the obviousness of God’s existence that he quips, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’ ” (Psalm 14:1). And yet, note the irony. Today, the mantra has been flipped. Ours is a culture that says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is a God.’ ” Well, is there? And if He does exist, are there any hints out there? Indeed. This leads to our final point.

Fourth, to deny God’s existence is to reject the evidence. For starters, the universe had a beginning. And the evidence for such a claim is robust. With Einstein’s universally embraced theory of general relativity and its claim that space, time, and matter all had a starting point, the argument for a beginning is powerfully complementary to scientific theories. Subsequent to Einstein’s discovery, the Hubble Space Telescope enabled us to see that the universe we live in is expanding. If the expansion process could be reversed, the universe would be brought back to a beginning point. Eureka.

So what does all this mean? It means the universe and everything in it had a cause, including you and including me. Something can’t come from nothing, right? But you say, “According to your logic, wouldn’t God need a cause too?” Nope. And that’s because God didn’t begin to exist. He is self-existent. He’s a necessary being, the uncreated Creator of all things. He’s in a league of His own. He is… the great I AM. The self-existent One.

Next, consider the intricate design all around us. So much so that, as I said, even the skeptics concede that the universe looks like someone’s been tinkering with it. Or better yet, has tailored it. Then there’s DNA, a code so information-rich that it’s hard to imagine how such intelligence could surface from non-intelligence.

Finally, consider our innate sense of right and wrong. Where does that come from? As humans, we come into this world with God’s moral code branded on us. According to Scripture, God’s moral law has been inscribed on each of our hearts (Romans 2:14-15). A moral law requires a moral lawgiver, and that giver is God. Sure, some contend that there’s no such thing as wrong. But wrong him and he will be the first to say, “Hey, what’s up with that? That wasn’t right!”

While some maintain that God doesn’t exist, they cannot with integrity claim that to believe in God is a mere fantasy and there is no warrant for such belief. The warrant is everywhere.

Thought to Ponder
Isn’t it ironic that so many people who pride themselves on being mindful believe that the universe is the product of mindlessness?

Memory Verse
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).

One-Minute Apologist Video: Ken Boa, “Does God Exist?”

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