The Existence of God
Class Notes
I. Introduction
In the final five lessons of this class, we will examine specific objections to Christianity and how to respond to them.
Topics Remaining:
The existence of God
The problem of evil
The historicity of Jesus
Science and Christianity
Morality and Christianity
II. The Existence of God
Foundational Biblical Truth
The Existence of God is Self-Evident
Romans 1:18-23 teaches:
God has made Himself known.
His eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen in creation.
All people are “without excuse.”
Humanity suppresses the truth in unrighteousness.”
Key Takeaways:
God is evident.
Everyone perceives this evidence.
People suppress that knowledge
Does the Bible Argue for God’s Existence?
Genesis 1:1 begins with an assertion, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Scripture does not attempt to prove God exists. It assumes His existence.
Why use Arguments at All?
Simply saying, “God exists and you’re suppressing the truth” rarely persuades someone in conversation.
While Scripture is foundational, we also use reasoned arguments to show that belief in God is intellectually responsible.
III. Common Objections to God’s Existence
Argument from Divine Hiddenness
Claim: “If God were real, He would make Himself more obvious.”
Response:
Lack of overwhelming visibility does not equal nonexistence.
Many real things are not immediately visible.
The stronger version of this argument claims that a loving God would prevent unbelief—this version connects to the Problem of Evil and will be addressed later.
Argument from Widespread Unbelief
Claim: “Many people do not believe in God, so He must not exist.”
Response:
Popularity does not determine truth.
If this argument worked, the opposite could also work: “many people believe in God, therefore He exists.”
Truth is not established by majority vote.
Argument from Divine Multiplicity
Claim: “There are so many religions and views of God; therefore, God must not exist.”
Response:
Disagreement does not prove nonexistence.
e.g., multiple theories about evolution do not disprove evolution.
e.g., multiple views of atheism do not disprove atheism.
Variety of views means disagreement, not nonexistence.
Argument Against Divine Usefulness
Claim: “With modern science and technology, we no longer need God.”
Response:
Scientific advancement does not eliminate metaphysical questions.
We still cannot stop death.
We still cannot explain everything.
This objection assumes that God exists for us, but the reality is that we exist for God.
God is not a “gap filler.” He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
IV. Common Arguments for God’s Existence
These arguments are not replacements for Scripture but tools for conversation.
Cosmological Argument (from Contingency)
Basic Structure:
Everything that exists has an explanation:
Either it exists necessarily (like God)
Or it has an external cause
The universe exists.
Therefore, the universe requires an explanation.
That explanation must be something outside the universe.
That explanation is God.
God does not require a cause. Everything else does.
Moral Argument
Basic Idea:
Objective moral values exist
Humans across cultures recognize certain moral truths.
e.g., murder, theft, and unjust harm are universally condemned.
If objective moral values exist, they require an objective moral lawgiver.
Scripture affirms that God’s law is written on human hearts (Rom 1-2).
Alternative Explanation: morals developed socially, which will be explored later.
Teleological Argument (Design)
Telos means purpose or goal.
We observe:
Order in the universe
Fine-tuning in physical constants
Complex biological systems
Information encoded in life
Natural selection explains adaptation within life, but it does not explain:
Fine-tuning in the universe
The origin of information
The laws of nature themselves
Design points to a Designer
Ontological Argument
Basic Idea:
Humans have a concept of a perfect being.
We conceive of a maximally good, sovereign, and perfect God.
This concept suggests that such a being exists.
This argument is inspired by Plato’s idea of forms. For example:
We recognize imperfect chairs because we have a concept of “chairness.”
We recognize imperfect goodness because we understand perfect goodness.
Combination Arguments
Often, multiple arguments are combined in conversation (e.g., C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity).
V. Conclusion
The Bible assumes God’s existence.
Creation reveals God’s existence.
Human morality reflects God’s existence.
Reasoned arguments can help us:
Strengthen our own confidence
Engage unbelievers thoughtfully
Demonstrate that Christianity is intellectually responsible
