If God exists, everything changes. He, she, it, they, or whatever you think this divine being might be called, if God does exist, everything will change. Everything must change. If a divine being rules over the universe, then we might be wise to determine how that being wants us to live in that universe.
When I say that everything changes, I mean that literally everything must be called into account to that reality. How we view the world’s origin, the purpose of life, the final destination, the use of finances, the role of relationships, and everything in between will be changed if God exists.
Many are unsure of the reality of God’s existence, but mankind’s existence is irrefutable. In every culture and in every time, mankind has attempted to ascertain the existence of God and the accompanying implications.
If God exists, everything changes.
Since mankind exists, everything gets complicated. God would be much easier to understand if mankind would stop getting in the way. Disagreements concerning God create many problems.
1. First, mankind struggles with self-centered living. We are accustomed to think that no one in no way has the right to ever tell us how to live. Divine or mortal, we do not like someone telling us where we are wrong and where we are right.
The account of Adam and Eve’s rebellion contained in the Jewish scriptures (Genesis 3) gives great insight into this problem. Satan, in the form of a serpent, tempts the first couple with the possibility of being like God. He knew that the greatest desire of mankind even in the early days was not to follow God but to become God. Versus obeying someone else’s wishes, they wanted to set the standards for living.
2. Second, mankind differs in their perception of God. The precious ability to think and speak our minds is a gift where it is granted, but that same freedom also allows others to disagree with our beliefs. If one person claims that God exists and another claims he does not, can they both be correct? If one person claims that God will be merciful on all people on Judgment Day regardless of merit or religious convictions and another person claims that God will justly condemn those unrepentant people, can both of these people be correct?
This conflict doesn’t answer the question what God is like or even if God exists, it just reveals the fact that if we rely on each other’s opinions concerning the divine, we are only left with mere opinions. Opinions devoid of any apparent authority will continue to enable religious conflicts that have plagued history.
A. W. Tozer was a brilliant theologian and successful pastor of the mid-1900s. In his book, The Knowledge of the Holy, he presented a thesis statement that signifies the importance of answering the God question. He wrote, “What comes to your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.” On first read, that statement may seem a bit dramatic, but is he on to something here?
If someone thinks God is a lighting-bolt throwing angry titan in the sky, that person will carefully calculate how he or she lives his or her life.
If someone thinks God could care less about the chaotic condition of this planet, that person will probably not seek God for help amidst growing concerns.
If someone thinks that God does not exist, the only accountability that person can have is himself or herself.
“What comes to your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.”
3. Third, the postmodern philosophy attempts to squelch certain religious beliefs. Postmodernism, also referred to as relativism, is the notion that there is no absolute truth. What’s true for one does not mean it has necessarily to be true for another. Developed by the desire to see unity among mankind’s search for truth, it has attempted to silence exclusivist religions from maintaining certain doctrinal stances.
If a certain religion contains beliefs that are exclusive, postmodernism claims it does not have the right. Postmodernism claims absolutely that there can be no absolute truth. In this day and time, if a religion claims itself uniquely correct, it is dismissed as a system of intolerant beliefs.
So then, how does one answer the God Question? [More to come…]
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
How do you answer the question: "Does God exist?
He/She/It more than likely doesn't. By more than likely, I mean there's a 99.99% chance that a god, any god, doesn't exist. Not trying to be strident, just answering your que
Not to spark a debate, but on what do you base that theory,
Not enough evidence. First one must prove a god exists. By prove I mean supply enough evidence to make the existence of a god more than likely, which no one has done yet. And after that, then you must prove which god it is, or if that god is even knowable. Until that time there is no reason to believe a god, or any god, even ex
How do you answer the question: "Does God exist?"
The fool says there is n
Why am I a fool? Because I don't believe in a talking snake? Or is it that I believe that the owning of slaves, and the subjugation of women to be acts of evil? Please, if you wish to insult me, send me a message so we can correspond that way. I don't want to turn Travis' post into a warzone. If I have already, then Travis you have my ap
He/She/It more than likely doesn't. By more than likely, I mean there's a 99.99% chance that a god, any god, doesn't exist. Not trying to be strident, just answering your question.
Not to spark a debate, but on what do you base that theory, Andy?
Not enough evidence. First one must prove a god exists. By prove I mean supply enough evidence to make the existence of a god more than likely, which no one has done yet. And after that, then you must prove which god it is, or if that god is even knowable. Until that time there is no reason to believe a god, or any god, even exists.
The fool says there is no God.
Why am I a fool? Because I don't believe in a talking snake? Or is it that I believe that the owning of slaves, and the subjugation of women to be acts of evil? Please, if you wish to insult me, send me a message so we can correspond that way. I don't want to turn Travis' post into a warzone. If I have already, then Travis you have my apology.
There is a great song out that talks about the existance of God. It suggest that there are those who do not believe in his existance. Then the chorus goes on to say, "But what if your wrong? What he's real? What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?" I believe God exist, and for me everything did c
Well, that's really what it boils down to, folks. Belief. Faith.No one can shake my faith by simply saying "Prove God exists." Unfortunate that so many will never have the joy or peace that faith in Him pro
There is a great song out that talks about the existance of God. It suggest that there are those who do not believe in his existance. Then the chorus goes on to say, "But what if your wrong? What he's real? What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?" I believe God exist, and for me everything did change.
"We may not be able to see God, but when we love one another, He lives in us and His love is made complete in us." 1 Joh
Well, that's really what it boils down to, folks. Belief. Faith.No one can shake my faith by simply saying "Prove God exists." Unfortunate that so many will never have the joy or peace that faith in Him provides.
First of all God gave us free will and second faith is the susbstance of thing hoped for the evidence of things not seen so if God and his word is not true then everybodys is safe but if God and his word ‘the Bible’ is true then we will stand at judgement and give an account for the good as well as the bad that we have… done here on this earth and if saved Heaven will be our home and if not Hell will be do you really want to play the odds I choose to believe God and his word
"We may not be able to see God, but when we love one another, He lives in us and His love is made complete in us." 1 John 4:12
Great comments on here – love hearing how each of you came to your own conclusions.Andy, I don't think David was trying to be offensive. He's just quoting aBible verse that indicates that when you look at creation and the way stuff works in this world, it is hard to deny someone started it off. Iunderstand your desire for proof, but it all depends on who you are reading.I decided a couple years ago to read people beyond my worldviewperspective. What I found is that even the scientific community is more aptto the thought of a divine being. Take the Big Bang for example.Scientists think something monkeyed with physics to let the universe becreated and yet not implode upon itself. Atheist astronomers are "comingout of the closet" saying that the more they study, the more it seems tomatch up with biblical accounts."but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always *being *ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is inyou, yet with gentleness and reverence;" -1 Pete
Great comments on here – love hearing how each of you came to your own conclusions.Andy, I don't think David was trying to be offensive. He's just quoting aBible verse that indicates that when you look at creation and the way stuff works in this world, it is hard to deny someone started it off. Iunderstand your desire for proof, but it all depends on who you are reading.I decided a couple years ago to read people beyond my worldviewperspective. What I found is that even the scientific community is more aptto the thought of a divine being. Take the Big Bang for example.Scientists think something monkeyed with physics to let the universe becreated and yet not implode upon itself. Atheist astronomers are "comingout of the closet" saying that the more they study, the more it seems tomatch up with biblical accounts."but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always *being *ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is inyou, yet with gentleness and reverence;" -1 Peter 3:15