Natural Evidence For Gods Existence
Ps. 19:1-4.
A. Any debatable proposition ought to be decided on the preponderance
of the evidence, an
honest and unbiased attempt to evaluate the pros and cons of the
subject discussed. If we ask
Does God exist? You must candidly also ask What is the evidence?
Two types of evidence are available: natural and supernatural
. In this lesson, we are considering the natural evidence that
God exists. Start with questions about our environment.
a. The Cosmos: What reasonable inferences can be drawn from the
existence and nature
of the universe? You can make a cosmological argument.
Thats the argument you
make from the existence of the universe.
(A) The law of causality demands a personal Creator of the universe.
Everyone agrees
that the universe exists, and that, in its present form, it had
a beginning. Everyone
agrees that something had to have caused the beginning of the
universe.
(1) The law of causality states that everything begun, and every
change or event,
must have a sufficient cause. It is not existence, as such,
that demands a
cause, but the coming into existence of what did not exist before
Heb. 3:4,
Every house is built by someone, but He who built all things
is God.
Therefore, the existence of the universe must be attributed to
something,
which previously existed. The argument is whether that which caused
the
creation was personal or impersonal? It renders down to the fact
that you
have to chose one or the other. You cant have both.
One belief is that the universe is the result of spontaneous self-generation.
That simply means, at some point in time matter appeared out of
nothing.
The only other possibility is that the universe is the product
of Personal Mind. Everything about the universe suggests an ordered,
planned, purposeful existence. The very existence of the universe,
then, implies creation by a personal Mind sufficient to produce
it. The universe is inexplicable in any other way.
(3) The Bible affirms that the universe did have a beginning.
And it was made out of that which did not previously exist, Gen.
1:1; Jno. 1:3-10; Heb. 11:3.
(4) Rom. 1:19-20, tells us that Man can infer Gods existence
from the existence of ...the things that are made.
Natural phenomena are complex, yet intricately harmonious. The
human body is the greatest argument for the existence of God.
Ps. 139:14, We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
The same is true of animal life and the complex ecological system.
The exact suitability of earth for biological life. What about
the complex order and movement of the moons, planets, stars and
galaxies.
The majority of scientists agree that order, harmony and systematic
arrangement pervade the universe. That means that physical and
natural phenomena are recurrent (They follow an orderly pattern),
predictable (They can be measured), and governed by natural law
(They can be studied and understood by Scientific methods).
What is the natural and logical conclusion of that? There has
to be a power adequate to the production of the order and arrangement
of the
universe. Repetitious design and purpose, are not expressed by
blind
chance. It is obvious that all things are the product of an intelligence
beyond our own.
In fact, the Bible affirms that man can infer Gods existence
from the marvelous design of the universe, Ps. 19:1-4; Acts 14:17;
Rom. 1:19-20.
In addition, the nature of man proclaims the existence of God.
From the beginning of his existence man has believed in a Supreme
Being and has been possessed of a religious impulse. Man is incurably
religious.
(1) David expressed that truth in these words, Ps. 42:1, As
the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you,
O God. We are created in the image of God. Therefore, it
is only natural that we long for Him and would seek Him as a child
seeks a father.
(2) Religious faith and practice is a worldwide phenomena, not
just occasionally, but, at all points in history. The Bible affirms
mans propensity for worship of a god. Ps 14:1,
One of the worlds great kings proclaimed, The fool
says in his heart, "There is no God." Acts 17:22-23.
(3) When men refuse to believe in God it is because they make
a decided and determined effort not to believe in Him, Rom. 1:19?20,
...what may be known about God is plain to man , because
God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world
God's invisible qualities?his eternal power and divine nature?have
been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so
that men are without excuse.
b Apart from God, the following are facts, with no plausible explanation:
(1) The existence of the universe. (2) The mind-boggling intricacy
and order of the universe. (3) Mans unique rational and
moral nature. (4) Mans innate tendency to acknowledge a
Supreme Being.
(1) The evidence of the Creator seen in the cosmos itself is ample,
impressive, and conclusive to the honest searcher for truth. Ps.
19:1, The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim
the work of his hands.
(2) Rom 1:19?20, Since the creation of the world God's invisible
qualities?his eternal power and divine nature?have been clearly
seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are
without excuse.
(1) Truly, by a faith based on compelling evidence, we can say,
Our God, He is alive!.
(2) Acts 20:32.
Spur - 04/14/2002 pm
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