Does God Exist?
Does God Exist?
Is there any solid proof for God’s existence? The existence of God remains a basic, fundamental question, and the answer is of utmost importance.
According to the Bible, God has given mankind sufficient evidence of Himself, so belief in God doesn’t have to be a “blind leap of faith.” In fact, Romans 1:20 states “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
Where is this undeniable evidence that the God of the Bible really exists? It’s all around us in nature! God has revealed Himself, through nature, to everyone on earth. The natural world cries out for an explanation of how it exists, and the only adequate explanation is God.
In this section, the word “argument” is used frequently. Lawyers present “arguments” to support cases in court. In the same way, the word “argument” in this chapter means “a way of reasoning or logical deduction.”
The evidences for God that we find in nature are called, “Naturalistic Arguments for the Existence of God.” The four Naturalistic Arguments are the Cosmological Argument, the Teleological Argument, the Anthropological Argument, and the Ontological Argument. These might seem like complex concepts because of their technical-sounding names. However, once the basic law of “Cause and Effect” (or the Causal Argument) is understood, they’re easy to follow.
A. The Law of Cause and Effect
1. Step One: For every effect there must be a cause.
Nothing can exist or be produced without a cause. There must be a cause behind every single thing that exists and every event that happens. If something exists or happens (an effect), there must be an explanation for how it came into being or happened (a cause).
Example: A Cell Phone
When we see a cell phone (an effect), we know that something caused that effect. A phone manufacturer (the cause) designed and produced it. A very powerful piece of technology didn’t just materialize out of nothing or suddenly appear by chance.
Example: The Universe
Both scientific evidence and philosophical reasoning show that the universe came into existence at a certain point. Since the universe (an effect) exists, there must have been a cause that brought it into existence.
2. Step Two: The effect cannot be greater than its cause.
The cause must always be equal to—or greater than—the effect it causes. The cause must be greater in quantity. A strong black wall falling over (the effect) must have been caused by something that’s greater than a gentle breeze. And the cause must be greater in quality. A beautiful painting of a landscape must be caused by something greater than a few cans of paint spilling on a canvas.
Example: A Distress Sign
Suppose you see some large and accurately formed letters dug into the sand of a deserted island spelling out the word, “H-E-L-P.” Would you assume that this came about by chance? Did the water and wind somehow manage to assemble these letters, and in the correct order? No, you would realize there was intelligence behind these letters — an intelligent, greater cause created this sign (effect).
Example: The Universe
The universe (the effect) exists, so it must have had a cause that is both qualitatively and quantitatively greater than—superior to—the universe itself.
3. Step Three: There must be a first cause.
Behind every immediate cause there’s obviously a chain of prior causes. Take this web page, for example. Behind this page is a cause: a computer. But what caused the computer, and what caused the cause of the computer, etc.?
Example: A New Car
A new car comes from a very long chain of causes involving concepts, designers, computer programmers, factories, architects, builders of the automobile production plants, cement factories, steel mills, rubber and plastic fabricators, etc. We know that the chain of causes for cars doesn’t stretch back eternally. At some point, there was a beginning to that car’s chain of causes. A “first cause.”
Example: The Universe
In explaining the existence of the universe, it’s logical to conclude that there must either be a chain of causes stretching back into infinity, or there must have been a “first cause” that got everything started (including time). Scientific evidence indicates that the space-matter-time universe had a definite beginning, so there must have been a “first cause” that brought it into existence. If we think this through logically, the “First Cause” must itself be infinite and eternally uncaused and self existent.
4. The Bible
The Bible states that the First Cause of everything that exists is God. He’s greater than all the effects. Hebrews 3:4 says, “Every house [the effect] is built by someone [the cause], but he who built all things is God [the First Cause].” While this concept requires faith (Hebrews 11:3 and 6), it would also require faith to believe that the universe is eternal, and/or that it created itself!
B. “Cause and Effect” Arguments from Nature.
There are four lines of reasoning that present evidence from nature for the existence of God. All four arguments are based on the “Causal Argument," (the Law of Cause and Effect).
The Cosmological Argument - The Causal Argument applied to the matter and motion of the universe.
The Teleological Argument - The Causal Argument applied to the design and order found throughout the universe.
The Anthropological Argument - The Causal Argument applied to the immaterial aspects of man, such as the ability to think rationally, make moral judgments, and appreciate beauty.
The Ontological Argument - The Causal Argument applied to the concept of a “Supreme Being.”
1. The Cosmological Argument: the matter and motion of the universe.
a. Definition
The term “cosmological” comes from the Greek word “cosmos,” which refers to the universe as an orderly system.
b. The Argument
Matter:
The matter or material of the universe exists. It’s an effect. The Law of Cause and Effect demands a cause for the material of this universe. Why is there something rather than nothing? Where did all the original “stuff” come from? How did it all get started? There must be an adequate cause for all the stars and planets, as well as every single atom and subatomic particle. Did the universe create itself, or was there a Cause? Is there a First Cause? A Prime Maker?Motion:
Then motion of the universe is an effect. There must be an adequate explanation for all the intricate movements in this universe: orbiting electrons, reverse spinning moons, spiraling galaxies… and everything in between. Did the motion start by itself, or is there a First Cause — a Prime Mover, who began the complex motion of the universe?
c. The Bible
The Bible gives a completely adequate and rational answer to the question of “how it all got started.”
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible… All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16-17).
“For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible attributes - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made” (Romans 1:20).
See also Genesis 1:1; Psalm 33:6,9; Hebrews 11:3.
2. The Teleological Argument: design and purpose in the Universe.
a. Definition
From the Greek word, telos, which means “a purposeful end.” It refers to the design and “purpose” in nature.
b. The Argument
Design:
Is there design in our universe? Think of the structure of the atom, or the DNA molecule, or the marvelous design of the human eye. Consider the amazing variety of plant and animal life around us. Each one is a miracle in structure and function, specifically designed for the part it plays in the world. How did these design specifications arise? Is it possible that all this intricate design (the effect) came about by chance (without a cause)? No. The Law of Cause and Effect demands that each of these effects must have a greater cause.
Order:
Is there order in the universe? Think of the delicate balance of nature in our world. Even secular scientists admit that it appears everything was perfectly planned and fine-tuned for the existence of life on Earth. Consider the many natural laws that govern the universe – the law of gravity, for example, and the perfectly unique properties of water to sustain life. How did the “instructions” for the intricate design of the universe and the balance of life on earth get “programmed?” Could all the order, structure and design (the effect) we see in nature have happened without a Cause?
Example: The “Watchmaker Argument”
Imagine hiking through the middle of the desert and suddenly finding a beautifully designed and crafted watch — fully functioning and displaying the correct time. Would we conclude that this watch somehow came into existence just by chance? Of course not! We would logically conclude that the watch (the effect) was designed and created by a skillful watchmaker (the cause). In the same way, the incredible effect of order, structure, and design in the universe demands an intelligent Cause – a Designer.
Example: Spider’s Web
Have you ever watched a spider spin a web? Is it even conceivable that this highly complex creature with its amazing web-spinning abilities could have come about by chance?
Spider webs are so familiar that we rarely ponder its complexity or marvel at the spider’s ability to build their amazing structures. It takes a sequence of complex maneuvers of the spider’s body, legs, and spinnerets which produce different types of liquid silk thread. In most cases the legs must pull out precisely the right kind of thread from the appropriate spinneret at the right time to weave a geometric masterpiece. The whole job takes less than an hour and is finished with mind-boggling dexterity and speed.
Example: The Brain
Think of the human brain. How can we explain the development of such a complex computer - especially when no one ever utilizes its full capacity? The theory of evolution can’t explain the fact that the human brain is developed beyond “what’s needed to survive.” Many, many more examples could be given. The signature of the Designer is stamped all over this orderly universe! It’s evidence for the existence of the God of the Bible.
c. The Bible
Psalm 94:9 gives the Teleological Argument from Scripture: “Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?” Romans 1:20 states that God’s divine nature is stamped in many ways on the design and structure of His creation. For example, think of how the care provided by our Heavenly Father is imaged in the parental care we see in the animal kingdom. Think of how God’s revelation of Himself as a triune God is reflected in the space-matter-time universe He created. God is one in substance or essence, yet He is three in Persons—a trinity or “tri-unity.” The universe, as a tri-unity of space-matter-time mirrors the divine nature of its Designer.
3. The Anthropological Argument: the “Human” Qualities of Mankind.
a. Definition
From the Greek word, “anthropos,” which means man or mankind. This argument covers the rational, moral, aesthetic, volitional, and spiritual qualities of humans. These non-material aspects of mankind are considered to be the “effects.”
b. The Argument
Rational Qualities:
Mankind is moral. Cultures all over the world have moral regulations. In every culture, certain things are designated as “right” and certain things are designated as “wrong.” Morality in mankind is an effect, so the cause must also be moral. Could the moral quality in mankind have evolved by chance?Aesthetic Qualities:
The fact that people can appreciate beauty, truth, and goodness is an effect. Therefore, the cause of this effect must be able to appreciate beauty, truth, and goodness. Could these human qualities have evolved by chance?Volitional Qualities:
The fact that people have the capacity to make decisions and choices is an effect. You can’t find willpower in a stone or a tree! The cause of volitional capacity must have a will. The cause must also be volitional.Spiritual Qualities:
The fact that human beings are spiritual beings, with the ability and capacity to love and worship, demands that the cause be spiritual as well. Could the human ability to love and worship have just “happened” by chance? There must be a cause, and the Cause must also be spiritual.
c. The Bible
“So God created man in His own image” (Genesis 1:27).
“For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made…” (Romans 1:20).
d. Conclusion
Romans 1:20 declares that God's nature can be seen in what He has made. As we think through the ultimate cause of the many different non-material aspects (effects) that we see in humans, we’re led to a character description of the God of the Bible! The First Cause must be rational, aesthetic, volitional, and spiritual — just as the Bible indicates.
To say that all these effects in mankind have somehow come into being on their own is to deny the Causal Argument. It also means that these effects came about through a chance-guided rearrangement of molecules in matter. But morals, for example, are not molecular structures. Even if it could be shown that the non-material aspects of mankind came about by chance, there would be no ultimate meaning to any of these aspects. There’s no ultimate meaning to anything that comes about by chance. A critic may say it’s “wrong” to steal someone’s wallet - but morality that happens by “chance” has no standards and no meaning. Rational thought, morality, and the other non-material aspects of man are irrefutable arguments for the existence of God.
4. The Ontological Argument: The Concept of a “Supreme Being.”
a. Definition
From the Greek word, “ontos,” which means “to be,” or to “exist.” This is the most philosophical of the four arguments, and the most difficult to grasp. In fact, it can get so deep that it’s probably not the best argument to use for general Christian Evidences. Since it’s based on esoteric logical concepts alone, it can be very subjective and easily argued / dismissed by the casual critic.
b. The Argument
Around the world, mankind has a concept of a “most perfect being.” This idea or concept is an “effect.” The fact that our minds can conceive of a “most perfect being” demands that the cause must be greater than our ideas. Carrying the concept further, the fact that people can conceive of a most perfect Being is evidence that a most perfect Being exists.
c. The Bible
“For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone” (Acts 17:28-29).
In these verses, Paul appears to be touching on the ontological argument as he debated with the philosophers in Athens. If humans live and move and even think about God, then it stands to reason that the Cause of these effects in humans must be greater than an idol of silver or stone.
d. Conclusion
Although difficult to follow, the Ontological Argument is a valid philosophical argument for the existence of God. Some of the greatest unbelieving minds in human history have acknowledged that this is a powerful argument for the existence of God.