Does God Exist?

Before we get to today’s article, I just want to mention that am writing from the perspective of a man that has experienced many of the challenges of which I write…. and those spiritual battles continue daily. The articles are implications of what it means to obey the commandment to raise your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. They require some reflection and are particularly for Christians who, as Peter would say, are diligently seeking to confirm their calling and are making every effort to supplement their faith. Said more succinctly, serious Christians. If you know other believers who desire to walk more faithfully with the Lord, please forward an article to them and tell them to sign up for future articles. Thanks so much!

Does God Exist?

This is part of a series that I am doing called, “Don’t Believe Christians And the Bible?” Please pass along to a friend or loved one who may be helped by thinking through this objection to Christianity.

That question- does God exist – and the possibility that he does, is more than an exercise in curiosity; it is downright scary. Why do I say that? Because if God exists, there is a being that is completely foreign to us and a being that has powers infinitely greater than us. And here is the only sane thought that follows: what does he want from me?

So, what have most people thought about this question in the past? Well, many people believe that God exists, but they don’t believe the same things about God. As you probably know, some people have believed that there are many gods battling out the affairs of men. Some believe that there are many gods, each having power over a particular thing in the universe, such as the god of fire, or the god of the sun, etc.. Another popular belief is that there is a god but he doesn’t get involved in the affairs of men; he just watches.  

But here is the interesting thing- while there is vast disagreement about who or what they think God is, most everyone believes there is something. It’s as if all of us have been hardwired to have some idea about the existence of God. So that begs another question: although most everyone believes in some kind of god or higher power, why do most people decide to avoid pursuing any additional knowledge on the subject? It is almost like they willingly decide to avoid thinking about it. I know that was the case for me; I just didn’t want to think about it because the possible implications were life changing.

So, how can we know the answer to this incredibly important question? I believe we can answer the question without reading books or speaking to people from different religions and belief systems. You see, I’m not trying to answer the question about which belief system is is true. No, I’m just trying to answer the question about the existence of God. And I believe we just need to look with our eyes and apply some good old fashioned common sense to get the answer.

When was the last time you went to the beach? Some people plan their entire year around their annual vacation at a favorite body of water and they do it because when they are there, they never tire of looking out at the water and marveling at its beauty. Others love the sound of the waves that roll in, while still others have their soul lifted up by the vastness of it all. I doubt there has ever been a person who, after gazing at the scene before them, did not lift up their eyes and give praise to the sky above (even if they don’t believe in god).

Or how about the mountains? Are you a camper or a hiker, a skier, or a hunter? Have you not stopped again and again at every vantage point where you could survey the mountains and hills around you and thought to yourself, “how amazing this is!” What this visual gem does to your senses is wonderful, yet inexplicable.

And then there are the stars. I have laughed at the scientific declarations over the last few decades of my life. I remember when scientists said they declared that the galaxy the earth lives in is vast and the number of stars in the galaxy was about 10 billion stars. Then, a few years later they declared that there were about 15 billion stars, and a few years after that they estimated 25 billion stars. Are you starting to see the trend of man’s inability to understand the size of our galaxy? Well, let’s fast forward to today’s scientific knowledge. According to NASA, there are 100-400 billion stars in our galaxy.

But wait, how many stars are there in all of the galaxies? According to the European Space Agency, “for the Universe, the galaxies are our small representative volumes, and there are something like 10¹¹ to 10¹² stars in our Galaxy, and there are perhaps something like 10¹¹ or 10¹² galaxies. With this simple calculation you get something like 10²² to 10²⁴ stars in the Universe. This is only a rough number, as obviously not all galaxies are the same, just like on a beach the depth of sand will not be the same in different places.” OK, I’m not even going to try to tell you what that number is because I am just staggered trying to even imagine the size of it all.

After we allow pondering the size and beauty that we can see in the universe, I have two questions about the existence of the oceans and mountains and the universe. First, how did they get there and second, how is all of this holding together? In other words, why does the sun keep warming our planet so life can exist? Why doesn’t it burn out or explode? What makes those waves on the sea continue to move through the oceans and lap against the seashores everywhere on the planet? Why isn’t there another planet that has life? There isn’t any other planet that has what we have. The fact is that if our planet were located anywhere else in our galaxy, we would not survive. Any further away from the sun, we would freeze and any closer to the sun, we would burn up. And how does our planet keep spinning and for that matter, why doesn’t it slow down or speed up?

All of these things you can see unassisted with your eyes but there is another universe of incredible things that will stagger you with wonder and that is what you can see with a microscope. I’m not going to go full nerd on you but the world is made up of microscopic particles that are bonded together with other particles circling around them or emitting from them. How did this happen and why does it continue to hold together?

Well, all of those things that we see and are amazed by are nothing compared to this one last thing- us! Yes, construction and design of human beings are the greatest examples of complexity, beauty, and mystery. Nothing in the universe can compare to the body and mind of a human being. Each human being has a unique personality, has the capacity to make intelligent choices, experience a multitude of emotions such as love, and have a desire to worship.

Can we answer the question of the existence of God? Yes. With all that we can easily see and experience everyday, there is an overwhelming amount of evidence that there must be a God! If we consider the mind that it would take to design what we see, and the power and wisdom that would be required to hold it all together, we cannot conclude otherwise.

But wait, what about all of those who don’t believe in God and have constructed arguments for an alternative reason for the creation and maintenance of the universe as well as the complexity of a human being?

It is true- there are many theories that argue for other ways that the universe was created and how human beings came to be what they are today. Of course, the most well known theory for the creation of the universe comes from, “The Big Bang Theory.” The Big Bang Theory believes that the universe’s creation began with one gigantic explosion and life began afterwards with some random chemical interactions. To answer the question as to whether this could be true or not does not require any education. All that is required is an answer to this question: is it possible for anything, such as a huge explosion of materials or big bang, come out of nothing, which was what existed before creation? And the answer is no. It is impossible for material to explode if there was no material to explode from. Simply put, from nothing, nothing comes.

The other argument regarding the creation of the universe has to do with how creation began with The Big Bang Theory and eventually produced human beings, is Darwin’s theory of evolution. That is, over billions of years, the primordial sludge that formed from chemical reactions evolved to become all sorts of plants and animals and eventually, human beings.

Here again, you would think that you need many years of higher education to intelligently enter into a conversation about evolution, but you don’t. You just need to consider the evidence that you can plainly see. The fact is that even though many thoughtful scientists have produced many wonderful renderings and videos filled with computer enhanced graphics, there is no evidence that our ancestors were monkeys and there is no missing link that shows there were ever human beings that were less human than we are today. None.

Let’s wrap this up with one more common objection to the existence of God and that is, “I can’t see him.” There are many things in our lives that we can’t see but we know they exist because we see what they do. This reminds me of my fascination with trains as a young boy. My friends and I loved to hang out on the railroad tracks at the end of our street. The train ran through two times each day and we would place all sorts of things on the tracks to see what the train might to do to them. We knew if we got caught, we would be in big trouble so we would put our ears down to the rail to listen for the train in the distance. We couldn’t see it, but we could pick up the vibrations in the rail.

When the vibrations grew loud enough, we made sure that we had everything on the rails, such as coins, tree branches, soda cans, and frogs (yes, I said frogs), and hightailed it into the woods. As the train arrived, we could feel the power of the train through the ground and hear the sounds of its massive engines and its blaring horn, but we couldn’t see it. Shortly after it passed, we ran to the tracks to see what the giant steel wheels had done to our coins and such.

We never saw the train itself, but we did see day after day, it’s handiwork. Based on what we could see with our eyes (the coins), hear with our ears (the horn) and touch with our hands (the vibrations through the rails), there was no doubt the train existed. So it is with God. We have so much evidence that He exists that it seems even inanimate objects like the seas, mountains, and sky are shouting to our hearts, “God exists, and He is amazing in every way!” And when we experience these wonders of creation, there is that something that lifts our spirits and moves to praise. That, dear friend, is the foreshadow of what we were created to do- worship God.

I hope you would like to learn more about the one true God and His creation. If so, I suggest you begin the journey by reading the very first book of the Bible, the book of Genesis. Having a Christian friend who can help guide you through the book may be very helpful. If you are wondering if the Bible is true, please listen to the audio in this playlist called, “Is the Bible True?”

Listen to this and other recordings addressing objections to Christianity on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TSyy8BhXMRY

Think deeply about life, and I’ll see you next time.

THIS WEEK’S SPOTLIGHT:

Title: All Things For Good Written By Thomas Watson And Read By Michael Lee

Description: One of the great Puritans, Watson writes based on the great promise from God that all things work together for good to those that love God. The book will expand your faith in God’s promises and His attributes and give a great comfort to your soul.

Apple Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-things-for-good-by-thomas-watson-and-read-by-michael-lee/id1703108941)

YouTube (https://youtu.be/cCMPuNsv6dE).

Read it online at www.ModernPuritans.com

Title: Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God, By Jonathan Edwards And Read By Michael Lee

Description: This famous sermon by Jonathan Edwards will sober you up to the awesomeness of God. It is updated in modern English by Modern Puritans.com

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-sinners-in-the-hands/id1695783947

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjGDaS1xyeRC8vUJFwsxxaX

Title: The Duties Of Parents From The Booklet By J.C. Ryle. Read By Michael Lee

Description: From the famous booklet written by Pastor J.C. Ryle. Pastor Ryle gives us 17 points of Christian parenting on which to focus our attention. His words are timeless and apply to parenting today as much as it did 100 years ago.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-the-duties-of/id1676664853

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQgfoZGiRgzptFs7g07vkwU5

“Why Should I Believe Anything About Jesus Christ?” Written By Various Authors And Read By Michael Lee

Description: This Podcast features three famous recordings of booklets written by John Blanchard that will strengthen your own understanding on the death and resurrection of Christ and also serve as a great evangelistic tool for a friend or family member. The first booklet is called, “Ultimate Questions.” The second booklet is called, “Why The Cross?” And the third booklet is called, “Jesus, Dead Or Alive?”

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-why-should-i-believe/id1692832161

YouTube: Each of the John Blanchard booklets has its own recording. See below.

Ultimate Questions.  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQggMxnbCbkLux2C6QB1W0VG

Jesus- Dead Or Alive? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjeqfP9L1olkHULFCNHVDDF

Why The Cross? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQgJEuKxJL0dgjCDM85tyqrQ

Christian Behavior, written by John Bunyan. This is a wonderful fairly short book written by the great John Bunyan to help Christians understand that their lives should be full of good works! Bunyan takes us to Titus 3:7-8 and brings practical application to all areas of the Christian life. You will be blessed by this great saint!

Apple Podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-christian-behavior-by/id1716196912

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjUQ_MpGbnqwrBVi7TgRKi3

Choose Your Master: God Or Money. The links are immediately below-

Description: This is one of the most written about topics in the Bible because it is one of the most dangerous to the Christian. Listen in on the good and bad experiences of the author and strongly consider the Bible’s teaching on stewardship.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-choose-your-master-god/id1683382182

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQiHoB3-tBm1qDDbxxpQAvTl

Title: All Things For Good Written By Thomas Watson And Read By Michael Lee

Description: One of the great Puritans, Watson writes based on the great promise from God that all things work together for good to those that love God. The book will expand your faith in God’s promises and His attributes and give a great comfort to your soul.

Apple Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-things-for-good-by-thomas-watson-and-read-by-michael-lee/id1703108941)

YouTube (https://youtu.be/cCMPuNsv6dE).

Read it online at www.ModernPuritans.com

Title: Critical Considerations For Christian Parents About Your Child’s Education, By Michael Lee

Description: As we search the Bible for answers to the question: How shall we raise our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord,” we can see that the system for educating children was done primary by the parents in the home. However, the world in which we live now is quite different and the vast majority of parents use an educational system that is outside of the home and is that system is called the public schools, or the government schools.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-critical-considerations/id1678162250

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjnvjc7QuytT2V3lVr53oqa

Title: From Religion To Christ, Written By Peter Jeffery And Read By Michael Lee

Description:  Tired of the many systems of religion that you have observed or been part of in the past? Are you ready to say goodbye to religion? The author Peter Jeffery, agrees! Doing “religion” is empty and will not get you to heaven. There is something more-something much greater. Take a careful listen through this podcast and discover what a real relationship with God actually looks like.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-from-religion-to-christ/id1687134464

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQg_lCngBTcjs_dXT1VYvYWA

Title: Rediscovering The Lost Treasure Of Family Worship. Written By Jerry Marcellino And Read By Michael Lee

Description: Family Worship was once the normal practice that most Christian parents led in their homes. Led by either parent, the children would be taught daily from the word of God, pray and sing songs. It was considered to be a vital part of the Christian life.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-rediscovering-the-lost/id1692401602

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQgNq7asslVBsKyq0FC3arMs

Title: Thoughts For Young Men From The Book By J.C. Ryle. Read By Michael Lee

Description: A wonderful book of Biblical truth and advice for young men. Helpful to parents as well as the young men themselves. Full of wisdom for a life filled with Christ. J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) served God in England as a pastor and teacher for more than 40 years. His words are still being used by the Lord today and are applicable to all Christians in all times.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-thoughts-for-young-men/id1673847428

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQixZIaBE95_JRojVSkzq1nl

Title: Stand Firm Written By Peter Jeffery and Read By Michael Lee

Description: So you just became a Christian and now what? Get ready for a life of walking with the Lord and experiencing the joy of knowing you have peace with God. However, you also have an enemy- the devil. Peter Jeffery wants to help by teaching you about the battle with the wicked one and how you can STAND FIRM against his attacks!

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-stand-firm-written-by/id1681861976

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjhDFeGYG5Tt5EWjeuz-e1p

Title: The Duties Of Parents From The Booklet By J.C. Ryle. Read By Michael Lee

Description: From the famous booklet written by Pastor J.C. Ryle. Pastor Ryle gives us 17 points of Christian parenting on which to focus our attention. His words are timeless and apply to parenting today as much as it did 100 years ago.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-the-duties-of/id1676664853

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQgfoZGiRgzptFs7g07vkwU5

Title: Choose Your Master: God Or Money. Written And Read By Michael Lee

Description: This is one of the most written about topics in the Bible because it is one of the most dangerous to the Christian. Listen in on the good and bad experiences of the author and strongly consider the Bible’s teaching on stewardship.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-choose-your-master-god/id1683382182

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQiHoB3-tBm1qDDbxxpQAvTl

Title: A Call To Prayer By J.C. Ryle. Read By Michael Lee

Description: This is a passionate plea from the famous preacher and teacher, J.C. Ryle. Although these words were penned more than 100 years ago, the need and application for today’s Christian is greater than ever.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-a-call-to-prayer-by/id167288080

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjaXXgO8P1U-bBFkEMCwdYR

Title: Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices From The Book By Thomas Brooks. Read By Michael Lee

Description: (This is one that you can listen to a “precious remedy” each day). Thomas Brooks, born in 1608, was a Puritan preacher who wrote a number of essays during his time with possibly the foremost entitled, “Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices.” In writing the book’s dedication, he wrote, “Christ, the scripture, your own hearts, and Satan’s devices, are the four prime things that should be first and most studied and searched. If any cast off the study of these they cannot be safe here, nor happy hereafter.” Brooks believed that all Christians have particular weaknesses in their faith and those weaknesses would be exploited in some way by Satan.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-precious-remedies-against/id1671364198

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Last modified: June 13, 2024