Christian Evidences
Sam Bartrug
In a perfect world, everyone would be a believer, and doubt would be a non-issue when it comes to the existence and work of God. We do not, however, live in a perfect world, and thus it is necessary for us who believe to be able to defend our faith in some reasonable fashion. This is not to say that faith ceases to be faith, for Paul observed that we “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). It is merely to say that the evidence for the existence of God and His handiwork in our universe is so overwhelming that, again, Paul observes, in a discussion about unbelief, “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” (Romans 1:20). There is enough evidence available to support the Christian belief system that, although we walk by faith, it is not a blind and unreasonable faith.
Three assertions of our faith are so vital that we need to address them briefly. They are, 1) There is a God, and man can know it; 2) Jesus Christ is the Divine Son of God; and 3) The Holy Spirit has given us the Word of God. It is upon the veracity of these three assertions that all of Christianity either stands or collapses.
The existence of God is assumed from the very beginning of the Bible. “In the beginning God created ...” (Genesis 1:1). Several lines of reasoning can be employed to substantiate Moses’ proclamation that there is a God who created us. Among them is the Cosmological Argument which says that every effect demands a cause greater than the effect. Nature is either eternal, or it is an effect created by a supernatural Cause (God). The Moral Argument states that within man is an innate sense of right and wrong, which demands a moral Creator, whose nature we share. The Teleological Argument is the one most commonly appealed to in Scripture. It asserts that we live in an orderly universe with a design and purpose too precise to be explained by mere natural means. Such design demands a Designer (God). A sampling of Scriptures that utilizes this line of reasoning includes Psalm 19:1-6, Psalm 139:14, Acts 14:17, and Hebrews 3:4. Based upon these and other arguments for God’s existence, faith becomes reasonable.
Jesus of Nazareth was a historical figure. He really lived! New Testament documents assert His historicity, but support can also be found in pagan and Jewish writings of His era. He, during His time here on earth, claimed to be the Son of God (John 8:28 & 56). Among the proofs of Jesus’ claim to Divinity are His miracles (sometimes slandered, but never denied), the precise nature of His death, and especially His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15). It has been said that if Jesus was not the Lord, then He was either a liar or a lunatic. Scripture contains ample evidence to sustain His being Lord; the other two are too ludicrous to consider!
The Bible claims to be God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Without this written revelation of God’s will, we would be in the dark about what our Creator wants from us, has in store for us, and why He sent Jesus to us. The Bible alone can answer the three vital questions every person must ask: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? The Bible does not contain the Word of God; it does not become the Word of God; it IS the Word of God (2 Peter 1:29-21). It makes no sense whatsoever that God would reveal Himself through nature and then leave us with no insight into issues of life and eternity.
Christianity is based upon reasonable foundational truths. There is a God; Jesus (His Son) came to this earth to save us; and the Holy Spirit has provided us with a written record of all this. We do not have to park our brains at the door of a church building, nor do we need to apologize for believing! Our faith is on solid ground! -141 E. Union Ave., McConnelsville, OH 43756. (740) 962-2321. trugsrus@1st.net