While the demand for empirical proof for God, I believe, is a cop-out for the person who does not want there to be a God – there are many reasons that belief in God is reasonable. One does not need to cling to “blind faith” to hold to the existence of a divine Creator.
Here I will present six of the logical arguments for the existence of God. Unlike many Christians, I do not claim they are “proofs,” but I do think one is pretty foolish to disregard them in their honest pursuit of the Question. As I often state, it takes more faith to believe in no god, than to believe in one.
Romans 1:20 states, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Whether you accept (or believe in) the Bible or not, it’s hard to dismiss the evidence in nature of intelligent design. By exploring various aspects of the natural world and the universe it is very clear to the honest observer (as it was the originators of the scientific practice) that there is a deliberate design rather than random occurrence in the world we inhabit. Let’s approach the topic by addressing common natural phenomena and scientific principles and I’d argue that these indicate the presence of a higher power.
1. The Perfect Conditions of Earth
First off, the precise conditions of Earth, which are conducive to sustaining life, make it difficult for an honest rational mind to accept it all happened by chance. For starters, the Earth’s distance from the sun is ideal; any closer and we would burn, any further and we would freeze. This perfect placement allows Earth to maintain an environment suitable for life, with seasons and biodiversity made possible by its rotation around the sun at 67,000 mph.
While moving around the Sun, the Earth is also rotating on its axis, allowing the entire surface of the Earth to be properly warmed and cooled every 24 hours, and also giving us both day and night.
All of this continues without disruption and with unchanging precision. The Earth itself is also exactly the right size. Its corresponding strength of gravity forms an atmosphere of mostly nitrogen and oxygen gases, suspended only fifty miles above the Earth’s surface, the right mixture of gases to sustain plant, animal, and human life.
Furthermore, Earth’s size and gravity are just right to support an atmosphere that can sustain life. If Earth were smaller, it couldn’t hold an atmosphere like Mercury, and if it were larger, it would have a thick, inhospitable atmosphere like Jupiter. The moon also plays a crucial role by creating tides that prevent ocean stagnation while maintaining oceanic balance. These precise conditions suggest, a deliberate and intentional design rather than random chance. The odds of all of these conditions coming together in one place, are beyond calculation.
2. The Unique Properties of Water
Water’s characteristics are another argument for the existence of God. Despite being colorless, odorless, and tasteless, water is essential for all living beings. Its properties are finely tuned for life: it has a broad range between boiling and freezing points, which supports various life forms, and it acts as a universal solvent, essential for nutrient transportation within organisms. Long before much of this was even understood – Jesus referred to Himself as the Living Water, as though He understood the power of water for life, and compared Himself to it.
Water’s high surface tension enables it to rise against gravity, nourishing even the tallest trees. Its freezing properties protect aquatic life in winter, and its transparency allows sunlight to penetrate deep waters, supporting photosynthesis. The natural water cycle, which purifies and distributes water across the planet, further underscores a complex design that the article attributes to God’s provision.
3. The Origin of the Universe
Many scientist hold to the “Big Bang theory,” noting that the universe had a definite beginning. This profound fact raises the question of what caused the universe to exist. Steven Weinberg, a Nobel laureate in Physics, said at the moment of this explosion, “the universe was about a hundred thousand million degrees Centigrade … and the universe was filled with light.” This eerily parallels the record, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…and God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” It came about not from matter, but from pronouncement. A spoken word. “Let there be light.” (Genesis 1:1-3)
The universe’s beginning and the precision of its laws point to a creator, as suggested by astrophysicist Robert Jastrow’s reflections on the convergence of scientific discovery and theological insight.
A self-described agnostic, he stated, “For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.”
“Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 40:28)
“…for he commanded and they were created.” (Psalm 148:5)
4. The Consistent Laws of Nature
Natural laws, such as gravity, thermodynamics, and the speed of light, are yet another attraction for the rational thinker due to their reliability and mathematical nature. These laws are consistent across the universe and provide a stable foundation for life and scientific exploration. The uniformity and measurability of these laws imply a deliberate design, allowing humanity to thrive and innovate. These orderly laws are best explained by the existence of a rational and benevolent creator.
5. The Complexity of Human Life
The human brain’s ability to process vast amounts of information simultaneously is even more evidence of intelligent design. The brain manages sensory input, emotions, and bodily functions, filtering out unimportant data to allow focused operation. I would contends that such complexity and efficiency cannot be attributed to chance. That is simple too much to accept on faith in chance – faith in a creator is far more reasonable.
Additionally, the human body’s intricate systems, such as the heart and respiratory system, demonstrate sophisticated design. Just as a car requires a designer, or a painting a painter or a computer a programmer, so too does the complex human organism, which is far more complicated, require a Designer.
6. The Intricacies of DNA
Finally, the more we learn about DNA, the more powerful of an argument for God’s existence it becomes. Each cell in the human body contains a detailed instruction code, similar to a computer program, composed of nucleotide bases. The precise arrangement of these bases in DNA directs the functioning of the body. The complexity and information contained in DNA imply the presence of an intelligent designer. I’m limiting to one paragraph what entire books have been devoted to.
Conclusion
While the Seeker may want “proof” that he or she can feel, touch or see with their eyes, what can be grasped with the mind is evidence that can’t be denied. The intricate and purposeful nature of the universe and life on Earth points to a higher power. The consistent laws of nature, the perfect conditions for life, and the complexity of biological systems all suggest intentional design. The existence of such a finely tuned world implies not only a creator but one who cares for humanity. The article encourages readers to consider these evidences and reflect on the possibility of a loving and intentional God behind the existence of the universe.
But I acknowledge, these arguments only offer evidence of a Creator, or Designer, not of the God of the Bible or that Jesus is who He claimed to be, or that God wants to know you, can answer prayer and desires a relationship with you.
If you want that kind of proof – it is available – but it requires you take the GOD CHALLENGE.