Lesson One: The Reality of God
The question “Does God exist?” challenges every person. The reality of God, whether or not He exists, is the most significant subject anyone can consider. To deny God’s existence is, in essence, to deny the reality of the universe and life. To admit it, though, is to acknowledge Him as the greatest of all realities.
There are only two sources to which one can look for information which testify to the existence of God. One is the universe, His creation. The second is the Bible, His revelation.
The Universe
No sane person would dispute the reality of the universe. Without a shadow of a doubt, it exists. It is an accepted fact that “Nothing comes from nothing” or “Something cannot come from nothing.” Every effect must have a cause. All scientists, even those who are atheists, agree that this principle is true. Something, then, had to be in existence before the universe from which the universe came into being. Something has to be eternal.
Only two things could be eternal: matter or intelligence. Evolutionists and atheists believe matter is eternal and that life came from inanimate matter by spontaneous generation. Believers in God consider intelligence, in the form of an all-wise God, to be eternal. They claim that God originated, designed, and created the universe and all that lives in it. We must determine which view is correct.
That intelligence, not matter, is eternal can be demonstrated to be the more rational of the two views by an examination of the facts. By comparing mind, i.e. intelligence, to matter, mind is shown to be superior. Mind knows while matter is the object known. Mind moves, directs,
” The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firm am ent show s His handiw ork .”
Psalm 19:1
and modifies matter. Matter is not eternal but can be changed into energy and cease to exist as
matter. Consider also the signs of purpose and design in the universe. The great expanse of the universe, the smallest detail of the human body, the tiniest cell of a living organism, and even the minute atom all display purpose and design. Our question: “Could all of that purpose and design have happened by mere chance?” The atheist would have us believe that every thing that exists came into being by blind luck and mere chance. Another accepted principle, though, is applicable here: “Design demands a designer.” Purpose reflects planning. The universe speaks of the intelligent being which brought it into existence. “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1; cf. Romans 1:18-22). A “fool” denies the evidence (Psalm 14:1).
The Bible
Since the being and will of God are matters of divine revelation (1 Corinthians 1:21), the Bible does not argue for the existence of God. Rather, it presents it as fact in its very first verse (Genesis 1:1). Yet, one’s faith is not to be blind. For faith to have both meaning and validity, it must rest upon true and convincing evidence which has been honestly and fairly considered. Still, there are limitations to evidence and proof.
The existence of God cannot be proven empirically, i.e, He cannot be proven to exist by using the five senses. That should neithersurprise nor discourage you. As a matter of fact, a good deal of reality cannot be proven by empirical means. Such things as beauty, love, etc., are real but they, just like faith, cannot be proven by empirical methods. By its very definition faith is “the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). We may not be able to see God nor touch Him but we can know He exists by His creation and by His word, the Bible, in which He has revealed Himself and His will to mankind. We must believe in Him (Hebrews 11:6) and the truth of His word (John 17:17) to be pleasing to Him and to live with Him eternally.
To begin your study, you must honestly consider all of the evidence for the existence of God. When you do, we believe you will conclude that there is a God in whom “we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). If you will believe in Him and obey His will, He will grant you eternal life.