Science and religion especially God do not go together. The existence of God, for some, is highly polemic. This planet's existence speaks volumes about how it came into being. In this essay, the existence of God is based on what is revealed in the Scriptures.
The Bible does not seek to prove God’s existence but rather takes it for something as given and that which is already there. Scripture expresses a strong doctrine of natural revelation: the existence and attributes of God are evident from the creation itself, even though human beings suppress and distort their natural knowledge of God. The dominant question in the Old and New Testaments is not whether God is but who God is. Philosophers both Christian and non-Christian have offered a wide range of arguments. 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.
Often, the question of the existence of God is posed as a challenge “Can you prove God exists?” The problem is that, while truth itself is absolute, it is outside pure logic and mathematics. Demanding “proof” of God that no one could ever reject is unreasonable. Neither evidence nor people function that way in the real world. “Encountering” facts and “accepting” them are profoundly different. Any kind of argument will remain unconvincing to those determined to disbelieve. For the resolute sceptic, it’s not “proof,” even if it would convince almost anyone else. A person’s intent is more influential than any evidence encountered.
This means a certain amount of “faith” is necessary to believe that there is a God and that He exists. Since we have limited knowledge and understanding, absolute and perfect knowledge is beyond our ability. Bias and prejudice always cloud our views. There will always be a gap between what we can “know” and what we “believe.” This applies equally to sceptics and believers. We cannot possibly know every detail as it is beyond our ability and comprehension. Such actions which involve the existence of God express a measure of faith. We act, despite what we don’t know, because of what we do know. That’s the essence of biblical faith, including faith in the existence of God. Hebrews 11:1&6 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” And verse 6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Whether or not we acknowledge God, the decision involves faith. Belief in God does not require blind faith. John 20:29 “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” At the same time, it cannot overcome malicious resistance. John 5:39–40 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” Bolstering faith is human experience, logic, and empirical evidence, also contributes to this vexed question.
Dr Ashwin Drummond
laddertoheaven.co.in