Existence of God J. Brian Tucker, Ph.D. Moody Theological Seminary–Michigan

The Existence of God Introduction: ‘Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfolded, as it were, with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you’ (Packer, Knowing God, 14-15). Knowing God allows us to know ourselves better. Knowing God is essential for personal holiness. Knowledge of facts and a personal relationship with God.

Knowledge of God is innate in humankind Psalm 14:1, ‘The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”’ (cf. Psalm 53:1).

Humanity Aware of the Godhead Romans 1:19-21 - 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Knowledge is Suppressed Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

True knowledge of God not possible by unaided Reason 1 Cor 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom…. [it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe].

God must disclose Himself However, questions concerning the existence of God are not discussed in scripture. Rather, his existence is everywhere assumed. So, from a biblical perspective the question is not, ‘Does God exist?’ but ‘Who is God?’.

Defining God: Biblical Definition From a biblical standpoint, a strict definition of God is not possible. God is unique and incomparable. Isaiah 40:25 To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. The Bible expresses aspects of God’s incomparable character, each falling short of a full definition:

Defining God: Biblical Definition God is Spirit. John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Defining God: Biblical Definition God is Light. 1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Defining God: Biblical Definition God is Love. 1 John 4:16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Defining God: Biblical Definition God is a Consuming Fire. Hebrews 12:29 for our God is a consuming fire.

An Attempt at a Theological Definition Memorize: God is the infinite, personal, perfect Spirit in whom all things have their source, support, and end.

An Attempt at a Theological Definition The Personal God Personal being revealed by his name esp. YHWH. Exod 3:13-15 14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" 15 God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The LORD, (YHWH) the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

An Attempt at a Theological Definition The Personal God Personal being revealed by his name esp. YHWH. Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD (YHWH); that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.

An Attempt at a Theological Definition The Personal God Personal being revealed by his name esp. YHWH. 1 Cor 2:10-11 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

An Attempt at a Theological Definition The Personal God Personal being revealed by his name esp. YHWH. Eph 1:11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.

An Attempt at a Theological Definition The Spiritual God God is invisible, incorporeal, and incorruptible. That is, as a Spirit, God cannot be seen, has no body, and is not subject to change. John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

An Attempt at a Theological Definition The Holy and Transcendent God He is the ‘Holy One’ who is completely separate from creaturely sin. Isaiah 40:25 To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Habakkuk 3:3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.

An Attempt at a Theological Definition The Holy and Transcendent God As the holy God he is transcendent above his creation. Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 1 Kings 8:17 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

Non-Christian Viewpoints of the Existence of God Atheistic An atheist is one who does not believe in the existence of God. Three kinds of atheists: Dogmatic – those who openly profess atheism. Practical – those who profess to believe there is a God but who live as though he did not exist. Virtual – those who define/describe God to mean something other than the biblical presentation.

Non-Christian Viewpoints of the Existence of God Agnostic An agnostic affirms the impossibility of any true knowledge. They are the ones who cannot prove or disprove the existence of God.

Non-Christian Viewpoints of the Existence of God Dualistic The dualist maintains that there are two distinct and irreducible substances in the universe. Keeps evil from being traced back to God.

Non-Christian Viewpoints of the Existence of God Deistic The deist holds to the transcendence of God to the exclusion of his immanence. This theory denies miracles, special revelation, and the overt intervention of God into his universe.

Non-Christian Viewpoints of the Existence of God Pantheistic Pantheism is the belief that God is everything and that everything is God. Pantheism holds to the immanence of God to the exclusion of his transcendence.

Non-Christian Viewpoints of the Existence of God Panentheism Panentheism (all in God or God in all) depicts the universe as God’s body. God is in the universe as a mind is in a body. God’s body is in constant change, so God himself is in constant change (e.g. process theology). The panentheistic god does not create the world out of nothing (ex nihilo) but out of his own eternal resources (ex Deo).

Non-Christian Viewpoints of the Existence of God Polytheistic This view holds to the plurality of gods in contrast to the monotheistic concept of God.

Classical Theism Classical theism is the traditional Christian view of God – the God of Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, the Reformers, the Puritans, and the majority of evangelicals.

Rational Arguments for God’s Existence Three ways to argue for the existence of God. The a priori approach God so perfect his nonexistence is inconceivable The a posteriori approach God is necessary to explain certain features of the cosmos The existential approach Direct experience of God by personal revelation

The A Priori Approach Ontological argument. The Ontological argument begins with a special definition of God as infinite, perfect, and necessary. Anselm (1033-1109) God cannot be conceived in any way other than ‘a being than which nothing greater can be conceived’. Therefore, concludes Anselm, ‘no one who understands what God is, can conceive that God does not exist’.

The A Priori Approach Ontological argument: Has had a long history: Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz.

The A Priori Approach Ontological argument: It fails to persuade people who seem to harbor the same suspicion as Kant that ‘the unconditioned necessity of a judgment does not form the absolute necessity of a thing’.

The A Posteriori Approach Popular mentality seems to appreciate the a posteriori approach better. Cosmological – focuses on the cause Teleological – stresses the design of the universe

The Cosmological Argument Thomas Aquinas used motion – everything that moves has to be moved by another thing. The first mover was God. Motion argument not convincing (principle of inertia). Aquinas’ ‘third way’, the argument from contingency Hence, for there to be anything at all contingent in the universe, there must be at least one thing that is not contingent It is not enough to say that infinite time will solve the problem of contingent being. Summary: The choice is simple: one chooses either a self-existent God or a self-existent universe and the universe is not behaving as if it is self-existent.

The Cosmological Argument Objections and limitations: ‘If God made the universe, then who made God?’ The proof is based on an uncritical acceptance of the ‘principle of sufficient reason’. Hume argued that causation is a psychological Kant argued that causation is a category built into our minds as one of the many ways in which we order our experience When one attacks causality, one attacks much of knowledge per se, for without this principle the rational connection in most of our learning falls to pieces.

The Teleological or Design Argument Voltaire put it in rather simplistic terms: ‘If a watch proves the existence of a watchmaker but the universe does not prove the existence of a great Architect, then I consent to [being] called a fool’. Either the universe was designed or it developed all its features by chance.

The Moral Argument Starts with the simple fact of ethical experience: man’s nature infers a Maker of corresponding characteristics. The human personality (mind, will, emotion) argues forcefully for a personal Creator.

Rational Arguments for God’s Existence Conclusion: Others could be cited that fit into the overall schema of these three. Ultimately, all of the theories fall short of proving God. The believer who knows that ‘God is’ can use these arguments in an apologetic manner.

End of the Existence of God Section