Does God exist?

The Supreme Court recently agreed to decide the fate of a cross shaped Maryland monument honoring WWI veterans. The monument was erected in 1925 honoring 49 men from the local county who died in the war. Since 1985 $100,000 in public funds has been spent maintaining the statue.

The American Humanist Association representing atheists, agnostics and other secular groups says that the monument violates the separation of church and state. Their motto is, “Good Without God.” They want the edges of the cross lopped off making it into an obelisk- a phallic symbol.

Can we be certain God exists? Has God provided enough evidence to prove that He is real? Is there evidence for theism? There is more than enough evidence to prove that God exists! Our God has proven far beyond a reasonable doubt that He is real. God has provided three lines of evidence for His existence.

The first line of evidence is creation. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” Romans 1 one says that when we look at the world around us we can know two things. We can know that God exists and that He is very, very powerful.

Verse 2 says, “Day to day pours forth speech and night to night reveals knowledge.” God the Father is preaching a powerful sermon every day through creation. “There is no speech nor are there words whose voice is not heard” (verse 3). Every person is without excuse. If there is a building, there must be a builder. If there is a painting, there must be a painter. If there is a creation there must be a Creator!

God illustrates this by pointing to the sun in verses 4 and 5. The sky and space are compared to a tent. The sun is like a lamp reflecting God’s glory. “In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.” One commentator said that the sun is like a bridegroom “radiant, glowing, beaming and bright.” The sun is strong, tireless and enduring. God is the Creator.

The second line of evidence for God’s existence is providence. In Acts 17:25 God does not need anything “since He himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” Our daily provision is evidence God exists. Our God demonstrates His goodness by providing for us.

Recently, my neighbor and I had a road kill in Cantwell. We left at 2:30 AM and traveled to Cantwell. A semi truck hit three caribou. Caribou are amazing animals. Caribou have two layers of fur. They have a tough, outer layer and a soft, woolly underlayer. Their hair contains air pockets to keep them warm and to enable them to swim. When a caribou is born it is very small (less than 10 pounds). However, they can walk within 30 minutes of birth.

That night as we butchered the caribou in the cold we couldn’t help thinking, “God is good. He has provided food for us.” All of this is evidence of God’s goodness and existence. As an earthly father provides for his children, our heavenly Father provides for His children.

Matthew 5:45 says, “For God makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.” Our God is good to every person.

The third line of evidence is Scripture. The Bible is a supernatural Book. It was written over 1,500 years by 40 different authors on 3 different continents. There are no errors and no contradictions. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is living and active…” Martin Luther said, “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me. It has feet, it runs after me. It has hands, it lays holds of me.” God has made Himself known through the Bible. One quarter of the Bible is prophecy. The Bible is more up to date than tomorrow’s newspaper!

The cross in Maryland is known as the “Peace Cross.” Where do we find peace? We find peace at the cross of our Lord Jesus. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He propitiated or appeased the Father’s wrath. He suffered in our place. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” The proper foundation for any life or nation is the knowledge of God. God exists. He is powerful. We must honor Him. He has spoken through the Bible. He sent His Son to give us life. It is an honor to worship Him.

Ethan Hansen is a pastor for Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.