If I were given five minutes to tell you why you should believe in the existence of God, I would relate to you what has made sense in my own experience. First of all, I would limit our discussion to these two possibilities: theism ("He exists!”) and atheism ("He does not!"). In so doing, I would eliminate agnosticism ("I'm not sure!") as a viable option, simply because it cannot be true. If we knew all the facts about the existence of God, agnosticism would become extinct, leaving theism or atheism as the only logical choice.
Next, I would admit to you that any argument for or against God's existence will fall short of absolute proof. Nevertheless, I would assert that it is imperative for you to make a decision one way or the other based on the evidence at hand, for only at work in one of the "fields" (theism or atheism) can anything meaningful be accomplished.
After this brief introduction, I would share with you five arguments for God's existence:
1. Argument from Design – Everyone is aware that there is order and design in the universe. Just as the presence of design in a watch demands the existence of a watchmaker, the presence of design in the universe demands the existence of a Creator. To deny this, you must assert, in the face of scientific evidence to the contrary, that the universe is eternal and in no need of a Creator. Or you must claim, contrary to common sense, that the universe is an illusion and in no need of a Creator. Of course, you could point to all the disorder in the world as evidence against God, but that is evidence concerning God's character. It has nothing to do with whether or not He exists.
2. Argument from Fairness – Everyone has a sense that some things in life are unfair. It follows, therefore, that something called "fairness" must also exist. This standard of fairness—this belief that some things are just/right and others are unjust/wrong—could not have come from nature or from humans, because rules must always transcend the "playing field" and the "players." The existence of this Moral Law within us demands the existence of God. You could, like atheists, try to deny this by saying that there is no such thing as fair/unfair or right/wrong if the universe is 100% the product of chance. The next moment, however, you will proceed to act as if you are right and I am wrong. You will find yourself unable to live what you preach.
3. Argument from Supernatural Belief – As far back as history has been recorded, human beings have believed that something other than nature exists. This awareness of a supernatural world could not have entered our minds without God's help anymore the existence of Shakespeare could enter the minds of Romeo and Juliet without Shakespeare's help. The presence of supernatural belief, therefore, demands the existence of God. Without His assistance, no one could have ever conceived that He was possible. You may, like atheists, try to deny this by claiming supernatural belief to be a by-product of nature, but what you are claiming does not make sense. If nature is all there is, as atheists assert, why would it relate to humans the existence of something outside itself? God must be the source of our supernatural awareness.
4. Argument from Human Characteristics – To be consistent with the principle of cause and effect, you must believe your human traits to have originated from a source consistent with them. Just as apples come from apple trees, your reason and your sense of morality and purpose must come from a source that is rational, moral, and purposeful. Atheists may claim nature to be that source, but their view of nature—100% irrational, 100% amoral, and 100% without purpose—makes the effect unexplained by its cause. Or they may claim, as many atheists do, that human characteristics like morality and purpose do not really exist. The problem is that they proceed to act in their daily lives as if they do. Next, they may try to point to our negative traits as evidence against God, but this is just an attempt to change the subject. They know that their view of nature can explain why humans are sometimes irrational, immoral, and purposeless. But the question at hand is whether or not the atheists' worldview can account for the many times humans are rational, moral, and purposeful. The answer is: it cannot. You must conclude, therefore, that the presence of such human characteristics in us demands the existence of a source with similar characteristics. It demands the existence of God.
5. Argument from Personal Testimony – Belief in God has been the consensus testimony throughout history, even during the rise of cultural and scientific trends that have tended to undermine its credibility. The "roll call" of such theists today includes many former atheists who have embraced the existence of God as the most sensible explanation for what they know about the universe and experience in it. My personal testimony is the same. Although never an atheist, I have through the years had some doubts about God, only to see the vast majority of them vanish in the spotlight of truth.
These are my reasons for believing in God. The first four form an objective foundation upon which the fifth rests. They are an integral part of my faith. My hope is that they will be of some benefit to yours.
-5 Reasons: Why I Still Believe in God (Day 55)
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