Proving God's Existence

(By Pastor Mark Fontecchio)

Question: How can you use the Word of God and His existence to prove He is real if both of those are what is in question? Most unbelievers do not trust the Word (Bible) because it was written "by" men, and they just simply don't believe in the existence of God altogether.

Answer: Strictly speaking, the Bible doesn’t set out to prove that God exists. Let me show you what I mean. In the very opening words of the Creation account, we read in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Note that there is no effort given to prove the existence of God. Rather, the Bible starts with the statement God exists (the one true God) and this is what He did (created the heavens and earth).

We learn that God has given all of mankind a general knowledge of Him. This is why in Romans 1:18-20 it says:

18          For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

19          because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

20         For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.

This revelation of God that He has given to all mankind is often referred to as the general revelation of God. God’s wrath comes upon those who suppress this truth (verse 18). Verse 19 tells us the reason is because God has shown all of mankind some of His invisible attributes.

There is a very important theological statement in these verses. Mankind is holding down the knowledge of God as Creator and sustainer. What are the attributes of God in verse 20 that God’s creation displays? It’s His invisible attributes specifically defined later in the verse as His eternal power and Godhead. Every lost man can see God’s eternal power, and, in His creation, man can see that there is a God. By implication I believe man can also see that he is finite. That he is not God and there is a big gap between himself and God.

This makes me think of the words of David from Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” Creation reveals the existence of God. It is what God used to bring me to the awareness that there must be a God. It is also what God used to open my heart to the Gospel of Christ (Acts 16:14).

But let’s look again at verse 19 in Romans 1, “because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” The general revelation of God includes creation, and it includes our conscience. Paul said that God put this knowledge in man (within them) that there is a God.

When we talk theologically about special revelation, we are talking specifically about the Word of God. The general revelation of God is enough to bring a person to the knowledge that there is a God. It is enough to bring a person under the condemnation of God, but it is not enough to bring a person to saving faith. That requires the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul is saying no one has the excuse, “I did not know God existed.” To deny the Creator is to suppress His truth. God gives the evidence of His existence. Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”

Once a person is saved by faith in the Gospel of Christ, the Word of God continues to teach believers more about the God they have come to know in the Scriptures. This is why Paul told the Church of Corinth in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Unbelievers need the Gospel of Christ because only after they have received the indwelling of the Spirit of God will the teachings of Scripture begin to be discerned as God intends. Then believers will be able to learn more about the God they serve and, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).

God has also intentionally revealed Himself in His Son. In John 1:18 we read, “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” The historical evidence (even outside the Bible) of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has brought a number of people to faith.

Skeptics will always exist. Pray for them. Gently keep sharing the Gospel of Christ with them. Attempt to get them to read about Jesus in the Gospels (John is usually a good place to start) and pray that God would open their hearts to His truth.