The Certainty Of God's Existence
Rom. 1:18-21.

A. If “faith” is inferior to “knowledge,” God’s existence cannot be “proven.” “We have but faith:
we cannot know; for knowledge is of things we see.” (Tennyson). That question simply asks Can our “knowledge” of God’s existence be certain — or must it always be doubtful?
What is the role of faith in human knowledge: Faith is one kind of knowledge. Faith is not unsubstantiated opinion, irrational anti-intellectualism, an existential “leap in the dark,” naive hope for credibility, or mere wishful thinking.
a. To understand what faith is, we must observe how human knowledge is acquired.
(A) Sense perception: Certainty depends on dependability of the senses and correct
interpretation of the sense data.
(1) Inference: Certainty here depends on truthfulness of the premises and validity
of the inference. Jno. 20:8; 2:11; 3:2,8.
(a) Acceptance of testimony: Certainty depends on strength of the evidence
and credibility of the witness. Lk. 1:1-4; Jno. 20:29-31; Rom. 10:17.
If the conditions for accuracy are met, knowledge gained through “faith”
is no less certain than that gained through “sight” (sense perception),
2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 11:1.
Sense perception only confirms and fills out the knowledge gained otherwise and that’s Job’s statement in Job 42:5.
The nature of faith: faith is a higher kind of knowledge. Faith is certainty of what cannot be verified by one’s own senses. Faith is not antithetical to knowledge, but to “sight” (sense). Heb. 11:1, “Now faith is the substance (Assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence (Conviction) of things not seen.”
(a) “Now faith is...the proof of things we do not see and the conviction of their
reality — faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.”
Faith always has to do with the unseen or future - Heb. 11:1-7, 13, 27 cf. Jno. 8:56. Cf. “hope” Rom. 8:24. Faith, therefore, allows us knowledge of what is inaccessible to the senses, and is for that reason a higher kind of knowledge - 2 Cor. 4:18.
The sufficiency of faith: faith is not insufficient merely because it is probable.
Distinction needs to be observed between “moral” and “demonstrative” reasoning.
A “demonstrative” proposition is one which can unequivocally be shown to be true, e.g. a proof in geometry. A “moral” (probable) proposition cannot be so demonstrated.
Unlike demonstrative propositions, moral propositions admit degrees of certainty. Possible, plausible, probable, certain. Moral propositions are proven by lines of evidence which are cumulative in effect. If the evidence is sufficiently strong to support it, a proposition that is “morally certain” is, for all practical purposes, no less sure that one that is “demonstrably certain.”
God’s existence being a moral proposition, evidence is crucial. “Proof” of the proposition is possible, not by unequivocal demonstration, but by furnishing the preponderance of the evidence.

Faith must be shown more reasonable than any alternative. It is unfair and unreasonable to require demonstrative proof for a moral proposition. Though God’s existence cannot be demonstrated beyond the possibility of any doubt, it can be proven beyond any reasonable doubt. Jury decisions in legal courts are accepted on that same basis. Therefore the acceptance of God on the same basis is not unreasonable.
Moral certainty of God’s existence is attainable. How important is faith? Faith is a practical necessity for every person. Your cannot always demand empirical proof. Consistent empiricism would mean the elimination of most of what every person knows, including the rotundity of the earth, etc. Historic Doubts. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, King Henry VIII, Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Napoleon Buonaparte, George Washington, etc.
The exercise of faith is a practical necessity in daily life. It is foolish to demand empirical data in order to accept what has already been assured by valid inference and the acceptance of credible testimony - Jno. 20:24-31.
2. Why the difficulty of believing in the existence of God? The evidence available in the universe alone is more than sufficient to produce assured faith and knowledge of God’s
existence in the mind of one who is willing and able to evaluate the evidence fairly.
(1) Together they become absolutely decisive. There are powerful reasons for man’s intuitive conviction that God is, Eccl. 4:12. Rom. 1:19-20, Paul says, “God’s existence may not only be seen, but clearly seen.”
(1) Why, then, do some doubt God’s existence, and why do others deny it?
(1) Some are unable to believe because of honestly-held theoretical objections. The invisibility of God can be rationally assumed from the existence of the universe, planet earth and our own existence. When you read the Bible and piece it all together. the conclusion is simple. It is in mans best interest to believe in God and the evidences for God.
(2) Why do people just stubornly refuse to believe? Some approach the issue with a disposition that keeps them from arriving at the truth. Their
background prejudices, presuppositions, preconceived ideas, biases. One
of the most powerful is Moral cowardice. The atheist cannot find God for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.” He doesn’t want to.
(2) Lack of willingness to love God and submit to Him if He does exist. Pascal said, “Divine things must first be loved, in order to be known.” Jesus said, in Jno. 7:17, “If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” What is needed is the attitude of Mk. 9:24.
(1) Man can possess certain knowledge of his Creator’s existence. This knowledge involves trust - 2 Tim. 1:12. This knowledge involves love and joy - 1 Pet. 1:8. You do not have to be unsure of God’s reality.
(2) Acts 20:32.

Spur - 04/21/2002 pm