This section will explore the following ...
• How can we be sure God is real?
• What will you accept as evidence?
What evidence will convince you?
• What’s your best evidence for the non-existence of God?
• If you became convinced that God was real would you live differently?
• Evidence for God
• What’s your best evidence for the non-existence of God?
• If you became convinced that God was real would you live differently?
• Evidence for God
(Painting=Painter,Building=Builder, Creation=Creator)
• Evidence for God
• Evidence for God
(The Universe)
• The “Who Made God” Argument
• Where can I learn more about God?
• God (Evidence, Warning, The Gospel)
• How can we be sure God is real?
• The “Who Made God” Argument
• Where can I learn more about God?
• God (Evidence, Warning, The Gospel)
• How can we be sure God is real?
(Story by John D. Morris)
The other night at bedtime, after we had read a Bible story and prayed, my oldest daughter, Chara, aged 8, fired a series of questions at me, which came from her innermost being. “How do I know if creation is true? In fact, how do I know if there really is God I've never seen Him. The girl next doors' teacher believes in evolution. How am I supposed to know?” Appreciating her questioning spirit, I promised to do a set of creation “experiments” with her that weekend, and her excitement grew as the weekend approached. When the time came, I presented her with a series of four grocery sacks, each to be examined in turn. I explained that God no longer creates as He did during creation week (Gen. 2:1-4, Ex. 10:1 1, etc.), but that if He has created we ought to be able to tell it by observing the things He has made. By way of analogy we discussed how to tell if a person had “made” (i.e., created) something. She determined that a human “created” object would be designed, it would have some purpose, and it would require some intelligence to make it. The first sack contained a series of rocks, several from the driveway, and a piece of polished marble, a rounded turquoise, a stone arrowhead, and a concrete brick (i.e., man-made “rock”). She methodically examined each one, correctly identifying those with design, purpose (even though she didn't always know the specific purpose, she knew it must be there), and underlying intelligence. The next sack was a similar array of wood, several pieces quite rough, a twig, a tongue depressor, a wooden button, and a carving. Again, she could easily discern the evidence for “creation.” Next she examined a stack of paper. One page was blank; one had random blobs of paint on it, neither showing human intelligence. A page of scribbling was correctly identified as of human origin, for although it was a mess, it was not something that could “just happen.” Next were a page from a magazine and some of my own sloppy artwork. Then came a note from me expressing my love and support for her in her quest. She was getting the point. There is a difference between things that are purposefully made and things that just happen. Next, I showed her pictures of animals and plants from a biology book, and explained how each living thing is made up of many complex cells, which were also shown. At a smaller scale, I explained the DNA code, which was both pictured and sketched, which contains more information and design than is in all the books in San Diego put together. All of that information must be read and followed for each cell to continue living. She recognized that such marvelous design could only come about if designed by someone very intelligent-more intelligent than any of today's scientists. The last sack contained several more driveway rocks (granite, with no fossils), several rocks with fossils in them, a dried sea horse and sand dollar and a flower. Her questions were answered, all living things are the handiworks of a creator, and even nonliving rocks accomplish a wonderful purpose, for without them there would be no place to live. There may be other questions or times of doubt ahead for her, but I am sure she will never forget the conclusions she reached that day. No amount of “education” will convince her that order can naturally come from disorder.
(Source: How Do I Know There Really Is a God? ICR, John D. Morris, Ph.D., http://www.icr.org/article/1061/207)
Does God Exist? (00:54)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nekBjomVrLg
Vision Fudge
• What will you accept as evidence? What evidence will convince you? Many people want proof. Are you expecting God to visibly appear in front of you? Would you submit to Him (surrender to Him as Lord) if He did? Many people wanted proof from Jesus, too. He said that some people would not be convinced even if someone was raised from the dead (which He was). Did they believe? No. Maybe your unbelief is “willful” - not that you can’t but you won’t.
• What’s your best evidence for the non-existence of God? Many people are challenged over and over to present evidence for the existence of God. They are characterized as unthinking people - people who blindly believe. In fairness skeptical people (and Atheists) should be thinking persons too. Shouldn’t they have reasons (evidence, proof) for their un-belief in God? (Yes) So what’s your best evidence for the non-existence of God?
Proof that God exists (4:17)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRY-QSPAn7M
Wretched - Todd Friel
• If you became convinced that God was real would you live differently? If you were presented evidence for God would it make any difference in your life? Or, am I wasting your time trying to present evidence to someone who has already made up their mind no matter what evidence is presented?
• Evidence for God
• Evidence for God
(Painting = Painter, Building = Builder, Creation = Creator)
When we see a painting we know there is a painter. When we see a building we know there is a builder. The evidence for a Creator God is in the Creation. But more than all this we have the testimony of the “Painter”, “Builder”, and “Creator” - so why do some people refuse to consider His testimony?•
When we see a painting we know there is a painter. When we see a building we know there is a builder. The evidence for a Creator God is in the Creation. But more than all this we have the testimony of the “Painter”, “Builder”, and “Creator” - so why do some people refuse to consider His testimony?•
Evidence for God (The Universe)
Anyone wanting evidence of Design/a Designer or Creation/a Creator need look no further than the example of the Universe. Logically there are only three options to explain the existence of the Universe. They are… One - it has always been. Two - it came into existence by itself. Three - it was created. The first option, that the Universe is eternal, has been utterly rejected by the scientific community. The motion of the galaxies, the background radiation echo, and the red shift are several facts that science has discovered indicating that that the Universe is expanding, and that it sprang into existence at a particular point in the past. Option two, that the Universe created itself, is logically impossible. A non-existent Universe could not have done anything. It did not exist. Illustration. Imagine an empty room. No furniture no lights, only the bare walls and floor. Now close the door and windows and seal them shut. Then remove the air from the room along with any microscopic particles. What’s left? A dark empty room - with nothing in it. Wait a week. What’s in the room? Nothing. Wait a month, a year, several years. What’s in the room? Still nothing. If we wait a million years what’s in the room? Still nothing. Now make this “room” a little bigger, say the size of the Universe. There’s nothing in it. If we were to wait a million years would there be anything in this “empty room?” No. Option one and two can be dismissed on scientific and logical grounds. Option three - a “Cause” outside of the Universe created the Universe, is the only reasonable option. Illustration. When we see a painting, what evidence do we need to establish that a “cause” - in this case a painter exists? Nothing else besides the painting itself. The painting is evidence that there is a “cause” - in this case a painter. We do not need to see the painter to know that he or she exists. The painting is all the evidence we need. The same is true with the Universe. The existence of the Universe itself provides us evidence of a “Cause.” This “Cause” could not be the Universe itself. This “Cause” must be powerful enough to bring into existence everything that makes up the Universe. There is only one “Cause” that powerful - God. It’s like we read in the Psalms, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1, NKJV)
Proving God - Part 3 - Science (5:45)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YaWWl4TNo8
Eric Hovind & Sye TenBruggencate
The Heavens - The Glory of God (6:41)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItU9d1g4IUU
Dr. Jason Lisle
Prove to me that God exists (7:32)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6shI62vcrI
Dr. Jason Lisle
Anyone wanting evidence of Design/a Designer or Creation/a Creator need look no further than the example of the Universe. Logically there are only three options to explain the existence of the Universe. They are… One - it has always been. Two - it came into existence by itself. Three - it was created. The first option, that the Universe is eternal, has been utterly rejected by the scientific community. The motion of the galaxies, the background radiation echo, and the red shift are several facts that science has discovered indicating that that the Universe is expanding, and that it sprang into existence at a particular point in the past. Option two, that the Universe created itself, is logically impossible. A non-existent Universe could not have done anything. It did not exist. Illustration. Imagine an empty room. No furniture no lights, only the bare walls and floor. Now close the door and windows and seal them shut. Then remove the air from the room along with any microscopic particles. What’s left? A dark empty room - with nothing in it. Wait a week. What’s in the room? Nothing. Wait a month, a year, several years. What’s in the room? Still nothing. If we wait a million years what’s in the room? Still nothing. Now make this “room” a little bigger, say the size of the Universe. There’s nothing in it. If we were to wait a million years would there be anything in this “empty room?” No. Option one and two can be dismissed on scientific and logical grounds. Option three - a “Cause” outside of the Universe created the Universe, is the only reasonable option. Illustration. When we see a painting, what evidence do we need to establish that a “cause” - in this case a painter exists? Nothing else besides the painting itself. The painting is evidence that there is a “cause” - in this case a painter. We do not need to see the painter to know that he or she exists. The painting is all the evidence we need. The same is true with the Universe. The existence of the Universe itself provides us evidence of a “Cause.” This “Cause” could not be the Universe itself. This “Cause” must be powerful enough to bring into existence everything that makes up the Universe. There is only one “Cause” that powerful - God. It’s like we read in the Psalms, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1, NKJV)
Proving God - Part 3 - Science (5:45)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YaWWl4TNo8
Eric Hovind & Sye TenBruggencate
The Heavens - The Glory of God (6:41)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItU9d1g4IUU
Dr. Jason Lisle
Prove to me that God exists (7:32)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6shI62vcrI
Dr. Jason Lisle
• The “Who Made God” Argument (00:48)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J8Pp1tlrsM
Dr. Frank Turek
• Where can I learn more about God?
Web Site - Proof That God Exists
http://www.proofthatgodexists.org
http://www.proofthatgodexists.org
Questions about God - Got Questions
http://www.gotquestions.org/questions_God.html
How Do We Know God is Really There (Children's Book)
http://www.christianbook.com/how-know-god-is-really-there/melissa-travis/9781935495963/pd/437775?event=ESRCN
Melissa Cain Travis, Apologia Educational Ministries
CBD Stock No: WW437775, Christian Book Distributors (CBD)
140 Summit St., Peabody, MA 01960, 800-247-4784
How Do We Know God Created Life (Children's Book)
http://www.gotquestions.org/questions_God.html
How Do We Know God is Really There (Children's Book)
http://www.christianbook.com/how-know-god-is-really-there/melissa-travis/9781935495963/pd/437775?event=ESRCN
Melissa Cain Travis, Apologia Educational Ministries
CBD Stock No: WW437775, Christian Book Distributors (CBD)
140 Summit St., Peabody, MA 01960, 800-247-4784
How Do We Know God Created Life (Children's Book)
http://www.christianbook.com/how-we-know-god-created-life/melissa-travis/9781940110233/pd/124812?event=ESRCG
Melissa Cain Travis, Apologia Educational Ministries
CBD Stock No: WW124812, Christian Book Distributors (CBD)
140 Summit St., Peabody, MA 01960, 800-247-4784
Please Nana - Who is God (Children's Book)
http://usstore.creation.com/catalog/please-nana-p-887.html
Audience: Preschool–Primary/Elementary
Product Code: 10-1-559, Creation Ministries International (US)
PO Box 350, Powder Springs, GA 30127, 800-616-1264
God Is Really Real (Children's Book)
https://answersingenesis.org/store/product/god-really-really-real/?sku=90-3-257
SKU: 10-1-628, Ages: 5 through 12
Answers in Genesis, PO Box 510, Hebron, KY 41048, 800-778-3390
Melissa Cain Travis, Apologia Educational Ministries
CBD Stock No: WW124812, Christian Book Distributors (CBD)
140 Summit St., Peabody, MA 01960, 800-247-4784
Please Nana - Who is God (Children's Book)
http://usstore.creation.com/catalog/please-nana-p-887.html
Audience: Preschool–Primary/Elementary
Product Code: 10-1-559, Creation Ministries International (US)
PO Box 350, Powder Springs, GA 30127, 800-616-1264
God Is Really Real (Children's Book)
https://answersingenesis.org/store/product/god-really-really-real/?sku=90-3-257
SKU: 10-1-628, Ages: 5 through 12
Answers in Genesis, PO Box 510, Hebron, KY 41048, 800-778-3390
• God (Evidence, Warning, The Gospel)
There is evidence that God exists. Starting with the scriptures (the Bible) we have God's testimony ... “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1) According to God everyone knows that He exists. They may not know about Jesus, or the Bible, or have heard the "Gospel" - that's why there are missionaries. More Testimony. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:18-22) “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God ...” (Psalm 14:1)
So, Why do some people claim there is no God, and keep asking for more evidence? Perhaps they believe that by doing away with God they can do away with the Judgment to come. They will not. “Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, “You will not require an account.” (Psalm 10:13) “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things, which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15) “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8) So what is our responsibility to those that refuse to consider God, and His warnings about the Day of Judgment? Perhaps ask them questions about the consequences of their convictions, present the "big picture" of God-The Bible-Jesus to them, Warn them, and present the Gospel.
The Big Picture. You will meet the God you refuse to acknowledge one day. The Bible you won't read warns us about that day, the day when you life will be judged by God's law and found guilty. It should be clear that guilty people do not go to Heaven, but the forgiven can. And finally the Jesus you mock is God's only means of rescue from the Day of Judgment. You refuse God and His mercy to your own peril.
Question. Should God force anyone into Heaven against his or her will? No. (Or have a relationship with Him who doesn't want one? No)
We all like the John 3:16 kind of God. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) But if would read further down in the same chapter (John 3:36) we find the God of wrath. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36) Now some may say that warning people is an unkind, unloving thing to do. Consider the following illustration - The Volunteer Firefighter ... Let’s imagine I am walking by your house one day and I notice that you have some sort of family gathering going on. There are sounds of grandchildren playing and grandparents laughing. Everyone is having a good time. As I get closer to the house I notice something that those inside the house are not aware of - smoke coming from the roof - the house is on fire. Now you would expect me to run to the door, knock on it, and do my best to get everyone out - right? Even though I don’t know your family, if I didn’t stop and try to help - something would be wrong with me. In the same way we might see ourselves like a volunteer firefighter in this illustration. Hopefully we can convince those as yet unsaved that their house might be on fire (spiritually speaking), and convince them to get out. We can discuss the side issues of how the fire started, etc. once they are out of the house.
The Gospel. Has anyone shared the Gospel in a simple way with you? Let's consider the Warning and the Promise in this one verse. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) In case the verse is not clear it says we will either receive the wage for breaking God's law (sin) and that wage is death, and eternal separation from God in Hell. Or we can accept the gift of eternal life, which includes forgiveness of sin, and Heaven. If we refuse the gift - we will receive the wage. Which do you want?
All text New King James Version (NKJV)
There is evidence that God exists. Starting with the scriptures (the Bible) we have God's testimony ... “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1) According to God everyone knows that He exists. They may not know about Jesus, or the Bible, or have heard the "Gospel" - that's why there are missionaries. More Testimony. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:18-22) “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God ...” (Psalm 14:1)
So, Why do some people claim there is no God, and keep asking for more evidence? Perhaps they believe that by doing away with God they can do away with the Judgment to come. They will not. “Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, “You will not require an account.” (Psalm 10:13) “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things, which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15) “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8) So what is our responsibility to those that refuse to consider God, and His warnings about the Day of Judgment? Perhaps ask them questions about the consequences of their convictions, present the "big picture" of God-The Bible-Jesus to them, Warn them, and present the Gospel.
The Big Picture. You will meet the God you refuse to acknowledge one day. The Bible you won't read warns us about that day, the day when you life will be judged by God's law and found guilty. It should be clear that guilty people do not go to Heaven, but the forgiven can. And finally the Jesus you mock is God's only means of rescue from the Day of Judgment. You refuse God and His mercy to your own peril.
Question. Should God force anyone into Heaven against his or her will? No. (Or have a relationship with Him who doesn't want one? No)
We all like the John 3:16 kind of God. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) But if would read further down in the same chapter (John 3:36) we find the God of wrath. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36) Now some may say that warning people is an unkind, unloving thing to do. Consider the following illustration - The Volunteer Firefighter ... Let’s imagine I am walking by your house one day and I notice that you have some sort of family gathering going on. There are sounds of grandchildren playing and grandparents laughing. Everyone is having a good time. As I get closer to the house I notice something that those inside the house are not aware of - smoke coming from the roof - the house is on fire. Now you would expect me to run to the door, knock on it, and do my best to get everyone out - right? Even though I don’t know your family, if I didn’t stop and try to help - something would be wrong with me. In the same way we might see ourselves like a volunteer firefighter in this illustration. Hopefully we can convince those as yet unsaved that their house might be on fire (spiritually speaking), and convince them to get out. We can discuss the side issues of how the fire started, etc. once they are out of the house.
The Gospel. Has anyone shared the Gospel in a simple way with you? Let's consider the Warning and the Promise in this one verse. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) In case the verse is not clear it says we will either receive the wage for breaking God's law (sin) and that wage is death, and eternal separation from God in Hell. Or we can accept the gift of eternal life, which includes forgiveness of sin, and Heaven. If we refuse the gift - we will receive the wage. Which do you want?
All text New King James Version (NKJV)