“He stretches out the North over the void
and hangs the earth upon nothing,” Job 26:7
Motion:
A bouncing basketball, a rolling skateboard --- both have at least on thing in common. Something set them in motion. The universe has been set in motion. The Bible offers the logical answer when it proclaims. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).
Logic:
If the brain of man is a product of chance, is it reliable? How could we have confidence in the conclusion, "There is no God", if that conclusion is reached by a brain that just, by chance, happened into existence?
Design:
A house is not built without a builder. Our environment gives ample evidence of design. This suggests that it was created. The Bible says "... by God's Word the heavens existed and the earth was formed ..." (2 Peter 3:5).
Statistics:
The statistical odds are in favor of creation by a supreme being. Think! It is statistically impossible that our complex universe happened by chance. Consider this illustration: Place ten pennies marked one to ten, into your pocket and shuffle them. Try drawing them out one at a time, The chance of drawing “number one” is one in ten. The chance of drawing “one” and “two” in succession is one in one hundred. The chance of continuing drawing “two” and “three” in succession is one in one thousand. The chance of drawing them all from number “one” to number “ten” in succession would be one in ten billion.
In order for all the complex combinations that make up our world to come together in the proper order simply as the result of chance requires that we assume something that is statistically impossible!
Right and Wrong:
All of mankind tends to have a sense of right and wrong. What is the source of this moral awareness? Does it not suggest that a Creator designed man with this?
Inner Being:
It is natural for man to believe in the existence of God. This would suggest that a creator designed man with this capacity. Mankind the world over tends to feel a spiritual need. Why? The apostle Paul said, "The God who made the world and everything in it .. did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him ..." (Acts 17:24-27).
God Has Spoken
God has spoken in order that we may know of Him and His purpose for us. "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son ..." (Hebrews 1:1-2). God revealed Himself personally to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When He spoke directly to Moses, He described Himself as the “I Am” (Exodus 3:14). The personal name of God (YAHWEY) incorporates the Hebrew verb translated “I Am.” Thus God revealed His eternal nature and the Hebrew people believed Moses because they knew the eternal God who sent Moses to them in Egypt. The unerring and consistent nature of this message indicates a divine source.
God cause Job to think by asking him questions Job could not answer. We perceive something of God’s infinite knowledge and power when we read those same questions today. We may suppose we know some of the answers. “The springs of the sea” (Job 38:16) may refer to great sources of fresh water beneath the oceans. However, the significance here is not the answers to the questions, but in the questions themselves. IF God does not exist, then who in Job’s time (4,000 years ago) possessed the knowledge to ask the questions? With this in mind please consider some of the questions God asked Job:
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” (Job 38:4a)
“Who enclosed the sea with doors ...?” (Job 38:8a)
“ Have you entered the springs of the sea?
Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep?” (Job 38:16)
“Where is the way to the dwelling of light?” (Job 38:19)
“Who has put wisdom in the innermost being,
or has given understanding tot he mind?” (Job 38:36)
Fulfilled Prophecy
A prophecy fulfilled centuries following the death of a prophet indicates a source of knowledge beyond man. For example, David lived about one thousand years before Christ and wrote of the suffering of the Messiah and the dividing of His garments and casting lots for His robe (Psalm 22:18). Isaiah foretold the suffering of Christ and the purpose of His death about seven hundred years before the crucifixion (Isaiah 53:1-12). Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled two hundred and fifty prophecies concerning the coming Messiah.
The Heavens:
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands" (Psalms 19:1). The intricate design of our universe with its precision movement suggests an infinite source of knowledge and power. To assume it all happened by chance requires as much “faith” as is required to believe that a precision watch could assemble itself by chance.
The Powerful Word:
Which of the writings of men could truly be described as perfect? "The law of the Lord is perfect..." (Psalm 19:7a). Which of the writings of men contain a message of such merit as to bring about such unprecedented reformation of lives, such aspiring to noble ideals, such knowledge of sin and understanding of God's plan for forgiveness in Christ? Truly, "The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul ..." (Psalm 19:7a).
A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.
If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please contact me at BibleTruths@hotmail.com or 253-396-0290 (cell). Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor.
No comments:
Post a Comment