It is often argued that God is there because of the
beauty and complexity of the universe - ie. such a design must have a
designer in much the same way that a wrist watch suggests that there
must be a watchmaker.
We are now being presented with suggestions from the
advances in science that there must be a great mind or power behind it
all.
Arguments like this, however, can take us no further
than the idea that there is an impersonal force, or creative mind that
has set the universe in motion. While it is a long way from the
Christian view of reality it is an interesting change in direction
from the theory of the origins of the universe that have prevailed in
recent generations.
New scientific theory will speak of 'design' rather
than 'chance', and 'purpose' rather than 'random' or 'accident'.
However, the main argument for knowing that God is there is the
reality of the person of Jesus.
Christians believe that God has revealed himself so
that we can know him. This makes perfect sense. If God wants to make
himself known, only he can choose to do that. No amount of human
effort could find God if he didn't want to be known. God wants to be
known. He has revealed himself completely in the person of Jesus.
This truth means that we can not only know that God
is there, but also what God is like. We can know his character. We can
know how to respond and relate to him. Jesus claimed to be God. He
backed up those claims by his actions. He calmed storms. He healed
sick people, and brought dead people back to life. He cast out evil
spirits and demonstrated his power over the devil. He declared people
to be forgiven, and when he was put to death, he rose again.
In other words he demonstrated that he had the sort
of power you would only associate with the creator of the universe,
and the author of life itself. If Jesus is not God when he claims to
be, he is either a lunatic or a liar. A lunatic because he wasn't God
but thought and said he was. Or a liar because he knew he wasn't, but
set out to deceive people. (You cannot say he is merely a 'good
person'.)
But his life and actions prove that he is God - God
the Son, who reveals God's character, and the only way back into
relationship with God the Father. We can be sure that God is there
because of the historical reliability of the person of Jesus. We can
be sure that he is personal, that he is just and loving because of the
character of Jesus; that we can be forgiven and receive mercy because
of the death and resurrection of Jesus as we turn back to him,
surrender our lives to his authority and trust in his death for that
mercy.
by David Mansfield
© 2002 Christianity.net.au
used with permission