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-5-
God Hath Spoken
Chapter 1
THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
Hebrews chapter 11 is known as the Faith Chapter in Scripture, God's Holy Word. In this Holy Book, or "Bible," there are many usages of the word "faith." Sometimes it refers to a creed. Sometimes it means "trust" or "confidence." Here it can be defined as "conviction."
Note Heb. 11:6: "But without faith [i.e. without conviction] it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is..." But this is not sufficient. Scripture says he must also believe that "he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Consequently, the person who prays wondering if God is going to pay attention to his prayer does not pray with conviction: it is not of faith.
Note again, that "Without faith [without conviction] it is impossible to please him." Reader, we are living in a convictionless age. Moral principles and Biblical precepts that our parents and grandparents long cherished have been trashed. We are living in a day when people have their preferences, but lack convictions; and "...without faith [convictions] it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." But, how do we know "God Is"?
The Biblical Argument
Genesis chapter l, verse l is the most important verse in the Bible because it is by God's wise design that His Word should begin with these words, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." And, these five words, "In the beginning God created" are the five most important words in the Bible. This is the reason they are given first.
Note first, that if "In the beginning God created," the verse teaches the existence of God. It does not argue His existence but simply states the fact that God is. Like it or not, the fact remains. There is no argument for God.
Note second, that by these words, "in the beginning God created," the verse also teaches that God is eternal, for "in the beginning" God already was. He was before there was time. Therefore, time has no bearing on God. During the Middle Ages when artists tried to depict God as "The Ancient of Days," they painted Him as an old man with white hair. They failed to comprehend the fact that God dwells in the eternal present.
Time means nothing to God. He is the "I AM." There never was a time when He was not and there will never be a time when He is not. So when a child asks, "Where did God come from?" the correct response is that God did not come from anywhere. He always was. He had no beginning, and for this reason He will never have an end. Note third, the word "create" means "out of nothing." This is true of the Hebrew word "bara" and of the Latin words "ex nihilo."
Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 3 reads: "Through faith [i.e. conviction] we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." This is the historic position of the Church. Augustine held this view in the 4th century and taught that God created the heaven and the earth out of absolutely nothing. God did not use gases or atoms. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed"—framed like a building is framed—framed "by the Word of God."
It is interesting that scientists have delved so deeply into the study of the atom, they say the atom is held together by a mysterious force that strangely resembles that which is produced when one speaks a word. This admission does not come only from scientists who are Christian. Thus the testimony serves to corroborate the testimony of Scripture.
By the Word of God were the heavens made "so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." As the word "create" means "out of nothing," so the words "to make" mean to use things that are available. We "make" a cake. We start with flour and eggs, vanilla, and some milk. We do not "create" a cake. The work of creation is a work only God can do.
If "in the beginning God created" is true as it reads in Genesis chapter 1, verse 1, then God is Almighty. In order to bring something out of absolutely nothing, God would have to be omnipotent.
Note fourth, that God had to have absolute freedom to do what He did. "In the beginning God created." He did what He wanted to do. He did not have to do it: He chose to do it.
Note fifth, that in order for God to take nothing and to bring forth something, demands infinite wisdom. All knowledge is at His disposal. He is the great repository of wisdom. For God to use neither atoms, nor molecules —nothing, He would have to possess infinite wisdom.
Note sixth, the verse teaches that God is essentially good, for there is no other reason for God to create except to show His goodness. In fact, the word "God" comes from the Anglo Saxon root word "good" because to the English of old, God is the Author of all that is good. The German word for "God" is "Gott" and "Godt" and comes from the German root meaning "good." And, the Arabic word for "God" is "goda" and comes from the Arabic root meaning "good." God is great and God is good; He is great in His goodness, and He is good in His greatness.
Note seventh that "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Consequently, God is beyond the limits of space. This is the reason why Christians, like Jews, do not allow an image of God, for as soon as He is reduced to an image, He is confined, and we must not limit the Holy One of Israel.
In the first five words in the first chapter in the first book of the Bible, we are taught that God is, and that He is eternal and almighty, that He has absolute freedom and infinite wisdom, that He is essentially good, and that He is not limited by space.
The Scriptures declare the existence of God, but now let us turn our attention to the arguments advanced by philosophy that corroborate what we know to be true, namely, that God is.