On the Existence of God
We don't ask 'does God exist?' until after we learn to speak, know our place in society and become familiar with many aspects of the physical Universe. Even with that background, we usually don't stop to think about God's existence until we need help. Then we ask this obvious question, more because we're worried or frustrated, have heard others ask it or because we don't know what God is like. This question is understandable in a society where we question everything, test everything and challenge all assumptions. We may even ask: "What is meant by God?" even though we have a pretty good idea of what is meant. Yet all this questioning doesn't seem to get us any closer to an answer or provide the consolation we seek. We use His name to bless or curse someone, commit ourselves, convict someone or even kill a person. The problem is that we already know who God is and have formed our own beliefs about Him. These beliefs are very personal and difficult to change (as they should be). This is an indication of the regard we have for God.
So why do we ask about something we already have an answer for and is so widely understood in society? Whatever the reason, at times we need assurance that God does exist.
Perhaps a good place to start is with the order and existence of the World and Ourselves in it. It isn't reasonable to assume a chance beginning because the chances of our not existing far outweigh the chance of our existence, and we do exist. Not only that, we continue to exist.
The existence and development of the Universe implies an origin and the existence of an intelligent creator. There is absolutely no reason for anything that we know to exist without this Creator. This Creator must be like us but much greater in every respect.
Can we know anything in detail about this Creator?
We can come to some understanding about the Creator by studying His works in nature. However, knowledge of the Creator as a person depends on revelation.
This revelation comes to us in only a few ways.
- Presence of Love
Such a complex emotion as this not reasonable as it goes against the laws of nature and of reason. Yet we all seek true love and are not happy until we find it. This is the most powerful indication of God's existence in us and is much of what makes us Human. Having the ability of love shows that we share int he divine nature.
- Our own minds and spirit
God reveals Himself through our own minds and spirit. This includes our intellect, emotions and soul which we know within ourselves by deduction, love and self-awareness.
- Scriptures
God is revealed through others. This would include various written sources, the spoken words of others and the existence of others. The only problem we have with these revelations from others is the one of dependability. How can we trust these revelations?
We come to trust revealed truth from others over time, the regard we have for them, the outcomes of such trust and the sense of our own spirit and truth within us.
- Real life
God can reveal Himself directly. It is very rare that God speaks to us directly, although I believe it does happen in our lives. More usually, the influence of God is more apparent through what happens or doesn't happen in our daily lives. This is the same as saying that 'God is in control' and 'there are no coincidences with God.'
Thus the belief we have in God is not easily or instantly won and is difficult to explain. An element of trust is always needed, guided by our own sense of spirit within us. This seems reasonable, since God is the one who planted this sense of spirit in us in the first place.
Why wouldn't someone believe in God? The reasons for not believing in God range from 'haven't really thought about it' to 'don't need God' to 'God has never helped me or made any difference in my life.'
If, however, you can accept the existence of God, then consider the following:
What is God like?
Is there anything God expects of me?
Some of these questions are discussed in the other links.