God Must Necessarily Exist

The existence of God does not depend on Biblical revelation. One can know certainly that a Supreme Being must necessarily exist. There are basically three "families" of logical arguments, any one of which proves the necessary existence of a Supreme Being. The Bible tells us who this Supreme Being is, but we do not need the Bible to know that this Supreme Being must exist.

First, cosmological arguments are based on cause and effect-for every contingent effect, there must be an adequate and sufficient cause. For example, if the tree is contingent (i.e., depends on other forces for its existence), then there must be an adequate and sufficient cause. Pick any tree, and we can see that it depends on other factors for its present existence (sunlight, nutrients, etc.). From where did the tree come? A seed, one might say, and correctly so. A seed, however, may be a cause, but it is not an adequate and sufficient cause because it also is contingent. From where did the seed come? On and on one could give the "tree…seed" answer, but it must stop somewhere with an adequate and sufficient cause. An infinite set of finite causes cannot explain the origin of the tree. Therefore, a supreme, uncaused cause must necessarily exist!

Second, teleological arguments are based on design and designer-for every design there must be a designer. For example, if the human body shows purpose and design, then it must have had a designer. The human body does show design in every detail. If we were to just consider the "pinky" finger (with its skin tissue, muscle, nerve endings, fingernail system, etc.), we would find that it shows more purpose and design than today's most advanced computer system. How many rational people would seriously think the less complicated (compared to the "pinky" finger) computer could have come into existence without a designer? Then why in the world would some say that mere time and chance brought about the human body?

Third, moral arguments deal with human behavior. For example, if the moral code of any individual or society can be the subject of just criticism, then there must be a moral law that is above any individual or society. The moral code of individuals and societies are the subject of just criticism. The classic example would be Nazi Germany. Many of the people involved in those atrocities plead that they were merely following orders, but even atheistic international courts found them guilty of violating inherent moral principles. Therefore, there is a moral law that transcends every individual and/or society, which in turn implies a moral lawgiver above any individual and/or society.

The Folly Of Rejecting God

We recognize and accept the three arguments above, especially the first two, in everyday life. They are self-evident. We would think a person foolish if he denied the principle of cause and effect. Imagine someone thinking that nothing caused the tree to exist! Yet, many deny a Supreme Being. We would think a person foolish if he denied the principle of design and designer. Imagine someone thinking that something as intricate as a computer was not purposefully designed, but raw materials went "poof!" and out popped a computer! Yet, that is exactly what the evolutionist must uphold. Only when it comes to religious matters do people think so irrationally.

The evidence is all around us. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork…. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard" (Ps. 19:1-3). Is it any wonder, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Ps. 14:1; 53:1)?

©Brian Kenyon