Question
What is the evidence for the existence of God?
Response
The existence of God cannot be ‘proven’ (by proven I mean by scientific proof, which involves conducting investigations that repeat, observe and measure). However, this also means that the non-existence of God cannot be ‘proven’. Therefore answering the question, “Does God exist?” always comes down to a matter of belief – you either believe that God exists, or you believe he does not.
Here are three key pieces of evidence for the existence of God.
God’s Words: The Bible
The Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) From that point on the Bible reveals God to us. But it doesn’t just provide us with ‘arguments’ for his existence, it shows us what he is like, how he is intrinsically involved in human history and how he wants a relationship with us. The Bible tells us that God doesn’t simply want us to know him through evidence – he wants us to know him through experience.
The vast majority of people believe in some form of ‘higher power’ – atheists (people who belief that there is no God) make up a very small percentage of the world’s population. (This fact can also be used to argue the existence of God.) For many, the key question isn’t whether or not God exists but whether or not what the Bible says about him is true.
God’s Work: Nature
Isaac Newton (the well known 17th Century English physicist and mathematician) built a model of the solar system to help him with his studies. A friend who was a fellow scientist and an atheist came to see him and asked who had made the model. Newton’s reply was, “Nobody”! His friend said it was ridiculous to say that, but Newton responded by saying that if it was accepted that a model needed a maker, why should it be such a problem for people to accept that the real universe needed a maker.
The enormity of the universe, the finely tuned balance needed for life to survive, the variety and beauty of plants and creatures that live on our planet, and the amazing complexity of human life all ‘shout at us’ that there must be a designer, a creator, a God. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” And Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
We can see God at work all around us. There is a lot of truth in the statement that I was taught at Sunday school – “You can’t see the wind, but you can see the effects of the wind.” We may not be able to see God, but we can certainly see what he is doing.
God in Us: Inner sense of God
Scripture indicates that all humans have an inner sense of God. Romans 1:18-25 implies that the unbelieving Gentiles chose to ignore the inner sense of the ‘one true God’ (they “exchanged the truth of God for a lie”) and instead of worshiping the creator they began to worship the things he had made. Romans 2:14-15 goes on to speak of our God given consciences – more evidence for our ‘inner sense of God’. Genesis 1: 27 explains that we are made in the image of God, so us having an ‘inner sense’ of not only his existence, but also his will, should not be too much of a surprise.
You may cringe every time you hear the illustration, “We’ve all got a God-shaped hole…”, because you’ve probably heard it so often. However, it’s actually a very good way of explaining things!
Key Bible Passages
Genesis 1:1
Psalm 19:1
Romans 1:18-25
Genesis 1:27
"The Bible tells us that God doesn't simply want
us to know him through evidence - he wants us to know him through experience."
This response was written by Phil Green (*essential Project Director). Copyright © September 2006.
The following ideas may help you discuss this question as a group. You may need to approach these questions differently depending on whether or not those in your group believe there is a God.
- Write two lists – one containing evidence FOR the existence of God and the other containing evidence AGAINST his existence.
- Why do you believe there is/isn’t a God?
- Why do you think that people reject God? Is it because they don’t believe he exists or is it for some other reason? Do you ever doubt that God exists?
- What causes you to doubt? How does doubt make you feel? How have you overcome doubt in the past? Is experiencing doubt a good or bad experience? How can we support each other when we go through times of doubt?
FAQ Disclaimer:
FAQ responses are designed to promote clear biblical thinking about subjects that are often difficult and confusing. The responses are all considered to be compatible with the Evangelical Alliance’s basis of faith but beyond that should not be assumed to represent the Evangelical Alliance’s ‘official standpoint’ on any particular doctrine or issue.
