the truths of the Bible, nor does He argue with the human family. HE AFFIRMS.
“In the beginning God…“ (Genesis 1:1). The opening words of the Bible announces the existence of God. Scripture does not attempt to prove the existence of God; it asserts, assumes, and declares that the knowledge of God is universal. Scripture recognizes that men not only know of the existence of God, but have also a certain understanding as to who God is.
“For God hath shewed it unto them. 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.” (Romans 1:19-20).
B. THE BEGINNING OF FAITH: Man everywhere believes in the existence of a supreme Being to whom he is morally responsible. The heathen recognize the existence of a supreme Being. This belief is innate in man and comes from rational intuition.
It is this fact that Satan challenges and it is on this point that we find the greatest battle in the world today, the struggle between faith and unbelief.
It is here that man’s faith begins. He must accept this inherent recognition of Deity and declare it that it might become an active force in his life.
“For he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6).
C. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS:
1. INFIDEL - One who disbelieves in some religion, especially Christianity.
2. SCEPTIC - One who takes a questioning attitude towards religion.
3. AGNOSTIC - One who neither affirms nor denies the existence of God.
4. ATHEIST - One who denies the existence of God.
5. PANTHEIST - One who identifies the universe with God which denies the personality of God.
D. THE BIBLE’S DESCRIPTION OF AN ATHEIST:
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1).
Here is the Bible’s description of a professed atheist. No one but a fool will deny the fact of God. Whether or not there are any true atheists is questionable. Even professed atheist such as Kruschev have been heard to refer to God in their conversation. Nevertheless every atheist is a fool. To deny that there is a God is to state that the very root of man’s nature is a lie. God has wrought this truth of Himself in the very “Warp and Woof” of every man’s nature.
E. THE RESULT OF A DENIAL OF GOD: The knowledge of God uplifts, cleanses, and sanctifies man. The greater the revelation that man has of God, the holier he will be. The contrary is true. When man rejects the knowledge of God he opens the gates wide for a flood of immorality and uncleanliness. We see this happening in America today. With the removing of God from our schools we see a generation of agnostics and skeptics being raised and the result is a complete breakdown in standards and morals. Romans, chapter one very clearly states this fact.
ARGUMENTS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
A. UNIVERSALITY OF BELIEF IN THE EXISTENCE OF GOD: The fact that every- where men believe in God is a strong argument in favor of its truth. This universal belief comes from within man being born with it.
B. ARGUMENT FROM CAUSE-COSMOLOGICAL: There is a cause for everything. How did it come about? Man and the universe are effects; there must be a cause. The world did not come into existence by itself any more than this set of Bible notes. It would be more sensible to walk into a library with thousands of books on the shelves and to claim there were no authors than to state this world did not have a creator. Man exists; but he owes his existence to some cause. Man is an effect; he has not always existed. He was created.
C. ARGUMENT FROM DESIGN-TELEOLOGICAL: The structure of a watch proves not only a maker but also a designer. The universe and nature prove a superintending and originating intelligence and will.
D. ARGUMENT FROM BEING-ONTOLOGICAL: Man has an idea of an infinite and perfect Being. This idea did not come from us. Therefore such a Being must exist and it cannot be just a mere thought.
E. MORAL ARGUMENT-ANTHROPOLOGICAL: Morality is obligatory, not optional. Man has an intellectual and a moral nature, a conscience, an emotional nature, and only a Being of goodness, power, love, wisdom and holiness can satisfy such a nature. As a result there must be a creator who is an intellectual, moral Being, a Judge and a Lawgiver.
F. ARGUMENT FROM CONGRUITY: If we have a key that fits the lock, we have the right key. Belief in a self-existent, personal God is in harmony with our mental and moral nature, and the entire world around us. If God exists, all questions regarding creation, religion, nature and human history are answered. Atheism leaves all these matters without explanation.
G. ARGUMENT FROM SCRIPTURE: The history of the Jews and fulfilled prophecy would not be explainable without God.
The above arguments are arguments of logic and are all quite sound. However, it is the writer’s opinion that the following argument is far more effective.
H. ARGUMENT FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: Every Christian can testify of many experiences that he has had with a personal, living God. This alone is sufficient proof that God lives. These experiences may be divided under four main headings:
1. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER. The fact that man prays and prayers are answered is proof of the existence of God.
2. GOD SAVES THE SOUL OF A SINNER. This is not just a little religious emotion but the power of God is experienced in having sins remitted, sinful habits broken, and in being born again.
3. GOD HEALS SICK BODIES. Each time a miracle takes place in the healing of a sick body we have proof of the existence of God.
4. MAN HAS FELLOWSHIP WITH HIS GOD. This undoubtedly is the strongest argument of all and all the proof that is needed. That man is able to experience the real presence of God in his soul leaves no room for further argument. In answering an atheist the best approach is to ask him what atheism has done for him. It is an easy matter to testify of what a living faith has done for us and what unbelief has cost him.
THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD
A. ONE TRUE GOD: There are over fifty passages of Scripture that teach that God is one and that there is no other. No other truth of Scripture receives more prominence than that of the Oneness of God.
“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord.” (Deuteronomy 6:4).
“Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.” (Isaiah 44:8). “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (I Timothy 2:5).
“Thou believest, that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19).
More References: Isaiah 45:5; Isaiah 46:9; Mark 12:32; I Corinthians 8:4; and Revelation 4:2.
A multiplication of Gods is a contradiction. There can be but one Supreme Being: one God. Such a Being cannot be multiplied, nor pluralized. There can be but one ultimate all-inclusive God.
The Oneness of God is the great truth and message of the Old Testament. The Jews sought to stone Jesus because He laid claim to Deity; and said, “For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy and because that thou being a man, makest thyself God” (John 10:33). The truth taught in the Old Testament is never contradicted
