I’ll show you seven proofs God exists. That statement started me on the quest for evidence for God. Fifty-five years ago an agnostic boy became a believing man. Here’s the story.
Evidence for God. Is it possible to prove conclusively God really exists?
I spent hours pouring over literature and books, long before internet came along, studying evidence for God. I’d never opened a Bible to study it until then. Some proofs in the booklet, like answered prayer, made little sense to someone who had never prayed. Others, like the need for a Creator to launch the Universe sounded logical but how can you prove that?
One proof or evidence for God motivated me into deeper study, fulfilled prophecy. Events foretold hundreds, even thousands of years in advance. Of course, you could make hundreds of predictions and one or two could conceivably come to pass. But to do so consistently, is that evidence for God? Well, that supposition had the merit of plunging me seriously into Bible study.
What does this book say? Who wrote this book anyway? What were their credentials? How do we know we have the original writings from thousands of years ago? So many questions that have nothing to do with evidence for God. Or do they?
Yes they do, as I was going to find out in due time. I didn’t know what I was looking for, but reading the Bible was an education in itself. At the time, I lived in Belgium, in a small room, boarding with a widow. Other than my work, my chief entertainment was bowling. I had plenty of time to read and study. There were no computers, and I didn’t know what a concordance was.
I was unaware of verses like the following.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
I’d never heard any preaching, and I wasn’t looking for signs, miracles I didn’t believe in, or Greek wisdom. I just wanted to read and understand.
This blog post is being written 55 years later. After studying theology and exercising the Christian Ministry for some 25 years. Each person follows their path as God calls and works with them. Nobody can put evidence for God or proofs in front of you to convince you of God’s existence. Your personal quest reveals the answers. I offer you my path simply as an example.
Here are a few points I’ve garnered over the years that I’d like to share with you. They’ll help you evaluate whether evidence for God makes sense. People think God exists because they have an experience like a vision or a dream or a feeling of warmth or healing. It can be the emotion of singing or being caught up in the euphoria of an ecstatic crowd. I don’t deny the personal impact such events can play. But the reality and evidence for God is not in acts, emotions, or feelings.
The Physical World Around Us
I don’t like the word prove when it comes to God. He is not some scientific experiment or math formula. However, should natural events around us, in our reading, documentaries we watch, and news accounts awaken in us deeper questions? I hope so and the Apostle Paul thought so.
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them (Sam: people in general); for God has shown it to them.
20 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 Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Fifty-five years ago, I didn’t know about this verse either. If there’s one way to seek evidence for God, this is it. The things that are made, the physical world around us reveal the invisible and eternal power of God. This might surprise you, but there’s nothing spiritual in this verse. It says that anyone, by simply surveying their surroundings, can conclude there’s evidence for a higher power. Just watch and think.
Here’s just one example I heard about recently. It’s so flagrant I kicked myself for not realizing it years ago. Don’t be putoff by this next subtitle, it hides evidence for God.
Geochemical to Biochemical processes
This is one of those fundamental queries few talk about when it comes to evolution and the origin of life. It means, how do we turn a rock into a living creature. It has nothing to do with living creatures developing into higher beings like apes to humans. This is the transformation of a mineral into a living cell. The inorganic matter like sand, water, and sun into even the smallest form of life like a one-celled amoeba. There is absolutely no evidence for this. There is no known process for this. There are no skeletons or archaeological artifacts. Nothing, nada.
There are only maybes, could bes, suppositions and I think. This absence of evidence is NOT a proof of God. But it should prick your mind. This is a visible fact manifested to us by science that should tick a box, be a clue to the possibility there’s something invisible out there.
It’s impossible to develop such a subject here. Read this for a scientific search of transforming minerals into life. Always note the number of could have (3), may have (2), plausible (2), possible (1) in such articles like, myriad possible combinations of environmental conditions to find those that could initiate life.
True, the above proves nothing. That’s where we have to be extremely careful because of info-gap. We know we don’t have all the knowledge BUT it could be discovered in the future. The widespread mythological idea, also spread by religion, that Earth is the center of the Universe is one example. Until science proved otherwise. Science is very useful, but it has its limits that science should recognize. As an aside In Matthew 3:9 Christ said, “God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.” In other words, God can transform the geochemical into biochemical. See the contrast?
There are many other visible testimonies for the evidence of power, intelligence and design. The first book of The Explanation series, Inventory of the Universe, is devoted to just this subject. You can read accounts of chronobiology (synchronization of biological processes like just-in-time arrival of hundreds of amino acids to form a protein), apoptosis (the programmed death of cells to form a baby’s hand or brain), stem cells (one type of cell transforms into the myriad types of body cells), protein folding (split second folding of long protein strands to form motors that power your body).
Inventory of the Universe does not mention God, not even once. But it makes the invisible things of him from the creation of the world clearly seen. From Big Bang to the human mind there are wonders after wonders, amazement after amazement, impossibilities after impossibilities.
Scientists themselves are dumbfounded by the why questions. Individually none of these unanswerable questions or these natural and biological scientific phenomena prove anything. But, combine them and think, how many clues do you need? How much evidence is necessary for you to cross the line of UNbelief to belief in the realization there’s an invisible something much bigger than the human hand, coincidence or hazard?
Many have opened their minds to these facts. This is reality. What are you waiting for?
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shews his handywork.
Watch a video and hear the famous astrophysicist Stephen Hawking talking about the Big Bang. He refers to incredible universal events as, “thankfully it was imperfect,” and “lucky for us,” etc. We needed many improbable detailed events for the Universe and humankind to exist. These are the invisible things, clearly seen, that he and so many other scientists simply refuse to see.
Two Separate Worlds: Physical and Spiritual
This is belief, this is the beginning of your personal evidence for God. Yes, I say the beginning, because it can waver and disappear or it can grow and flourish. It can be turned up or down, come and go. It can depend on your hearing and the preaching. It will be tried and tested, It’s not a constant, but it can and should become your underlying motivation and purpose.
The Bible talks about the origin of this physical knowledge, the beginning of evidence for God.
For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?
Only humans can understand this evidence for God because they have a mind. I watched a TV program, Le Monde de Jamy (Jamy’s World, a science lesson) where they displayed animal intelligence. Amazing. How a monkey retrieves a peanut from the bottom of a long vertical tube. I knew how, because I’d seen it before. It pours water in and the peanut floats to the top. They find this solution faster than humans! They even have a solution when there’s no water available. They urinate in the tube. Astonishing, I hadn’t thought of that one. Yes, they are intelligent.
But do you think a monkey could write about its exploit as I did in the preceding paragraph? Not in a light year of light years. If you’re reading this, be assured you’re more intelligent than a urinating monkey!
Why?
Because you have the spirit of man. Please read about the spirit as related to the mind for more details. Humans grasp science, philosophy, religion and we express ourselves regarding our observations. The human mind allows us to intelligently (hopefully) analyze our world and come to conclusions. Like realizing there’s something bigger than us, an invisible power.
Second phase in Evidence for God
But to know that power—God—is a different matter. You need an additional ingredient coupled with your mind as well as proper guidance and teaching. It has nothing to do with feeling or emotion. Show me where that is involved, if you believe it does. You must have God’s Holy Spirit.
God’s Holy Spirit
This is the second ingredient to understand the evidence for God.
9 But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.
10 But God has revealed them to us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
The kind of evidence for God of the invisible things that can be clearly seen by those who want to see them tell you about His Power. But they do NOT tell you about God and WHO HE IS, NOR HIS PLAN. The above Biblical context explains humans need the Spirit (with a capital S) of God, a spiritual connection with God to move forward. You can read more about God’s Holy Spirit and how It works with humans here. Whereas the human spirit opens our mind to understanding the physical world and the evidence of the need for something larger, God’s Spirit opens our mind to spiritual understanding that the something larger is God.
You reach a new level. But your needs are not complete yet. You need two other vital elements joined with God’s Spirit.
God’s Word and God’s teachers
Christ came for a number of purposes. To teach God’s Word and to prepare others, namely the Apostles and disciples, to go and teach the nations, to propagate evidence for God.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Some preach verse 13 and stop there. Just call on God and you’re saved. No, you must continue to the next verses. We need to hear and believe in God. For this we need a preacher, teacher. Someone to explain the Word of God. I hope you realize you cannot imagine, think up or know God by yourself. The knowledge of God that builds belief, called faith, can only come from God’s Word and from a teacher who is versed in it. Here’s a verse about faith and evidence for God, for things not seen, but understandable by those with the Spirit of God.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence (G1650) of things not seen.
Look at the meaning of evidence. Strong’s Concordance helps us out.
ἔλεγχος elegchos el’-eng-khos; From G1651; proof conviction:
KJV – evidence reproof.
Interesting, Strong uses the word proof. Faith, belief, hope is the proof of God’s future plan for humankind. Read the only other context where we find this Greek word.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof (G1650), for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
All scripture, the Word of God, alone, tells us Who, What God is all about. There’s no surmising imagining, deciding, debating, brainstorming, conceptualizing, inner feeling about what God is. God’s Word defines precisely all the parameters regarding God, His Mind and Plans. You’re on board with His Word, or you’re not. There’s no in-between.
Note in those two verses the meaning of spiritual evidence for God. It’s the relationship between evidence and reproof. There’s a two-sided approach.
- One hears the scriptures, the Word of God, the spiritual evidence for God and Who He is.
- This hearing influences the hearer. It impacts the mind and heart.
The conviction operates a change, it reproves, it gives us doctrine, teaching, nurturing, reexamination, rectification of who we are as humans in relation to God our Creator. The hearer takes it to heart. It’s followed by action. Our Godview is turned right side up, It’s based on God’s Word and the Holy Spirit revealing the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:10, above). Here’s the schema of spiritual evidence for God.
Evidence for God develops through a respect for God based on the knowledge of His Word.
When God’s Word filled me with evidence for God, I remember exchanging with my parents, especially my mother who lived in Canada. I was excited, unfortunately, my parents weren’t. People talk about God, but when it comes to evidence for God, getting into God’s Word and listening to proper teaching, that’s a different kettle of fish.
I lived in Belgium at the time and recall inviting an English religious friend over and going through some prophetical passages in Daniel 11. We were in agreement until we reached verse 32, which refers to the Coming of Christ. He refused allusions to the New Testament.
Because of my ignorance I had never looked into the Bible, but because of my ancestry I had a natural aversion to the New Testament. I remember the story of a little girl who was scolded for jumping on a bed with her arms held out. She looked like a cross, and that was bad. Silly, but those events leave an indelible mark in your mind. Negative attitude towards Christ.
Maybe because I had practically no religious background, I started my journey at 20 years old with a clean slate, so to speak. I had a lot less baggage of false teaching to shed. In fact, once I progressed in the Bible I began to see the foundation and believe that it was making sense. I remember reading Isaiah 53 for the umpteenth time and finally being convicted that it predicted the First Coming of Christ.
Here are both the negative and positive results of our reaction to the spiritual evidence for God.
4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that had ears to hear, let him hear.
9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
10 And he said, to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Note Christ’s Words, to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. That is the spiritual evidence for God. It can only come from God’s Word and its influence on our minds and actions. The devil hates the Words that enhance evidence for God; it pulls out all stops to sidetrack you. We have to nurture this evidence for God to grow spiritually. Be focused, this isn’t a onetime thing; it’s a lifetime adventure. The benefits are a hundredfold, and that’s an under-estimated manner of speaking.
Over the next couple of weeks, The Explanation will give you some deep insight into the mysteries of His Masterplan for humankind that enhance evidence for God.
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