Although a person may claim that it is rational or justifiable not to believe in God, the apostle Paul tells us otherwise. In Romans 1:20 he writes that no one has an excuse for not believing in God because all creation declares His person. As well, King David expressed a similar statement in Psalm 19:1
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and God-head; so that they are without excuse…. (KJV Rom. 1:20)
The heavens declare the glory of God; and thefirmament showeth his handiwork. (KJV Ps. 19:1)
These verses tell us that all created things are a testament to a higher creator and superior designer since there is a complexity and a harmonized order in every aspect of nature. We have only to consider the incalculable diversity of life forms that inhabit the earth alone to formulate this conclusion. There is a vast number of species to consider not only the quantity of species on land and sea, but the intricate world of microorganisms as well. We are sometimes not even aware of the existence of these microorganisms because they are too small for the eye to see. Whether or not an organism is able to be viewed with the unaided human eye, all living things (from the microscopic to the largest) possess a complex structure that constitutes their form of being.
For example, the sophistication and precision of the human mind and body give us reason to marvel when examined in detail. Scientists tell us that there has yet to be a computer built that can rival the human brain. The most complicated computer in the world does not possess the imagination or creativity of the human mind.
In addition, our bodies are composed of complex microscopic cells that have unique functions. We have cells that maintain the rate and rhythm of the beating of the heart. The eyes have cells that perceive light. We have skin, muscle and nerve cells that carry out their respective functions within the framework of our bodies. Our organs are composed of cells as well, and each organ communicates with the other to maintain the body in a synchronized order without our conscious participation.
For example, let’s examine what occurs within our digestive system after a large meal is consumed. Because we need more blood to digest the food, our digestive system communicates with the cardiovascular system, resulting in the widening of blood vessels located in the digestive system (which then permits increased blood flow from the heart). Our digestive system then communicates with the nervous system, permitting the brain to receive impulses of nerves that communicate the increased workload. In return, the brain responds by registering a decrease in hunger and triggering an impulse to avoid energetic activities.
It should be evident that the central aim of this section is to affirm that the complex and ordered structure of all living organisms points to the existence of a master designer/creator. Whether it is the complexity of living organisms or the perfect orbital paths maintained by the planets in our solar system, everything about creation manifests a harmoniously designed order. In fact, Webster's dictionary defines the cosmos as "an orderly harmonious systematic universe." Webster’s definition is wholly accurate, as there is a supreme designer and creator who implemented an order within everything He has created.
Yet even with all of these signs declaring the existence of God, mankind theorizes that creation came into existence by chance through the process of evolution. The theory of evolution is based upon speculation, a theory which truly does require faith (albeit, faith that is misplaced). The probability that life occurred from a random set of circumstances is roughly equivalent to the probability that a pile of rocks and wood will evolve into a house of its own accord, or a pile of steel will spontaneously evolve into a car! In the same manner that we can look at a house or at a car and know that there was someone who designed and created that house or car, we can likewise look at all creation and know that there is a designer and creator responsible for everything created. Any scientist who is honest with himself will concede that the probability of life coming into existence by chance is a mathematical impossibility. Some scientists have indeed realized the impossibility of such an occurrence.
The inherent or inborn inclination of mankind to worship a supreme being is also a testimony to the existence of God (Rom. 1:21-25). All cultures existing in the world, no matter how isolated they may be from the rest of civilization, have some form of worship directed toward a “higher power.” This worship stems from mankind’s observation of creation, and the entire created realm has testified to a creator. Therefore, creation testifies to the invisible essence of God in all He has created whether an individual wants to acknowledge this manifest certainty or not.
The author of this article once had a person inquire as to how a person could be assured that God existed in spite of never having seen Him or even touched Him. The same question can be brought forth that asks how an individual can be certain that someone has designed and created any building that is standing. Any individual can safely conclude that there is a designer and builder for every building that is in existence today without having to ever see or touch whoever is responsible for designing and constructing any structure.
The question could be asked of any structure if the doors and the windows in that building had fallen into place by mere chance or if the shingles on the roof had grown together in a straight alignment by coincidence. In like manner, whether it is our computer at home or the cars that we drive, we do not have the slightest doubt that these items had somebody behind them who designed and created them. The keys on the computer keyboard or the wheels on a car did not join themselves together randomly to complete either of these items.
Likewise, for someone to observe all of the testimony provided by creation (evidence that points to the existence of a creator) and simply ignore this profound truth is itself a testament that the individual is divorced from reality. The Bible declares such person to be a fool (Ps 53:1):
The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: There is none that doeth good. (KJV Ps. 53:1)
Indeed, we can know this all powerful and supreme God (the author of all creation) on a personal basis through what He has imparted to us in the completed Bible.
Now the Bible is very clear on a number of topics, including the subject of hell and that Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved from the condemnation to hell. The critical issue, though, is whether the claims of the Bible are true or not. We can reason that if the Bible is truly the Word of God, then the information conveyed concerning hell and Jesus Christ is factual; otherwise this revered book is just a series of fairy tales that we can summarily dismiss.
Let us consider some facts about the Bible that make this book distinct from any other book written in the history of mankind. It was composed during a 1,600-year span of time, throughout some forty or so generations. There is a sum of sixty-six separate books within the Bible, written by over forty authors. These individuals were amassed from virtually every social class spawned by society, and included peasants, kings, fishermen, and tax collectors.
Obviously many of these authors were never personally acquainted with one another (arising from different generations), and they wrote from three different continents during the 1,600-year timeframe. However, regardless of all the variations in social, geographical and temporal characteristics, each one of these writers had harmonious concurrence regarding all of the subjects covered in the Bible. The consistent, main message throughout the entire Bible is one concerning the salvation of mankind, with Jesus Christ specified as the only means to that salvation.
In the same way that creation did not come about by chance, neither did this harmonious consistency of the Bible. It did not come about by chance because God guided and directed these human writers to expound His exact message to humanity without distorting each writer's unique personality or writing style. This is why the Bible can make the following claim that no other book in the world can make: the Bible is truly the Word of God. This momentous assertion is expressed in the following passages:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness… (KJV 2 Tim. 3:16)
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (KJV 2 Pet. 1:20-21)
Indeed, there are other books considered to be sacred texts. However, unlike the Holy Bible these works have been authored by only one individual. In such cases where there is only one writer involved, the problem of dissimilarities among multiple contributors does not arise. For example, it is said that the Prophet Muhammad alone received revelations from God in the book of Islam, which is known as the Qur'an (Koran). There is no occasion for discord because there is only one writer involved.
In contrast, the Bible had over forty writers and did not have a problem with uniformity. To have uniformity among forty disassociated writers about such divisive subjects as God, heaven, hell, the purpose of life, and salvation would be impossible unless God is, in fact, the true author. (It would be difficult to find agreement on such profound subjects with only six, five, four or even two people who know each other, and much more unlikely with forty people, many of whom have never met one another and/or have not even lived during the same time span.) But since God utilized human authors as His writing instruments, consistent agreement or uniformity was certainly not an impediment for the one who is perfect.
Uniformity among writers aside, is there historical and archaeological evidence that would prove the veracity of the Bible? The answer is “yes”; there is overwhelming corroboration. For someone to dismiss the historical and archaeological evidence of the Bible's accuracy simply demonstrates neglect in personally researching this area. The historical and archaeological evidence with regard to the Bible, when examined in great detail, absolutely confirms the veracity of the Bible. The proofs are irrefutable because God is truly the author of the Bible, and ultimately the Bible always proves to be accurate because God is perfect and He does not make mistakes.
One last subject to consider that attests to the Bible being the authentic Word of God is prophecy. Consider that no other religious leader’s existence has ever been foretold before his actual birth. This is what sets the Bible and Jesus Christ apart from any other book and person in human history. The Bible predicted precisely the future birth of Jesus Christ. One prophecy about the future birth of Jesus Christ is given in Isaiah 7:14, which was written circa 700 B.C.
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (KJV Isa. 7:14)
As we have reiterated in this article, all of creation testifies to the existence of God, and God has revealed Himself to us through the Holy Bible. One of the central and critical themes of the Bible is how we can be saved from the place commonly referred to as hell.
We can deny the reality of hell (and we can ultimately deny the existence of God as well), but our denial of His existence will not nullify the reality of God any more than we can cancel out the existence of gravity by merely stating that it does not exist. The person who denies the existence of God and the authority of the Bible does not have a basis for such a denial because the evidence for both is overwhelming. Such a person will not have anyone to blame but himself (or herself) for spending eternity in the lake of fire because that individual chose from his or her own freewill to reject the vast evidence the Lord has provided to all of us.
This treatise has covered a mere fraction of the evidence supporting the existence of God and the authenticity of the Bible. To encompass more evidence is a massive study in and of itself. We have only briefly touched upon the subject of substantiation.
Comments