Guest Post: Who Needs Proof that God Exists?

Who Needs Proof that God Exists? 

 

Have you ever gotten into a debate with someone over the existence of God?  

This is a very tempting subject to get into a heated discussion with someone over. However, the Bible warns us about allowing those who deny the obvious to take control of our discussions. In other words, once we start to attempt to prove things which are clearly seen or self-evident (yet we engage in a conversation as though such things are legitimate, rather than responding as though the challenge is nonsense), the Bible says that we actually become just as reckless as the one challenging us about what is plainly apparent… 

 

Proverbs 26:4 (HCSB) 

Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness 

or you’ll be like him yourself. 

 

Getting into a debate over the obvious is a trap, especially regarding the existence of God.  

 

Does this mean that we should just ignore this type of a challenge? 

 

Hardly… 

 

The very next verse in Proverbs encourages us to respond properly, because if we do not, a response which does not take into account the foolishness of what is presumed will only give the challenger reason to gain a false confidence… 

 

Proverbs 26:5 (HCSB) 

Answer a fool according to his foolishness 

or he’ll become wise in his own eyes. 

 

Winning Arguments 

 

As Christians, however, it is not our job to win a debate. It is to help people grasp the reality of what lies before them. Look at what Paul, an apostle, said to the Corinthians in defense of why he was engaging them… 

 

2 Corinthians 5:10-11 (HCSB) 

For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless. Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, we seek to persuade people.  

 

The point is, we (just like Paul) are fully aware of what awaits us all… “the tribunal of Christ.” Therefore, we must make every effort to respond properly… or else we will only contribute to the fool’s journey to hell by furthering the hardening the fool’s heart; and also put ourselves on the path to becoming one ourselves (look back at Proverbs 26:4).  

 

Go to Scripture 

 

So, when this particular challenge comes up, what can we use to give us confidence in dealing with this very common challenge? 

 

The Bible… 

 

Psalms 97:6 (HCSB) 

The heavens proclaim His righteousness; 

all the peoples see His glory. 

 

According to sacred writ… ALL peoples see His glory. ALL peoples are without excuse when it comes to acknowledging the existence of God. Paul brought out this very same point when he wrote to the Christians in Rome, in order to encourage them in the faith… 

 

Romans 1:18-22 (HCSB) 

For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools… 

 

Who Needs Proof that God Exists? 

 

NO ONE needs proof that God exists, because EVERYONE has it. The Bible is straight forward and blunt in this regard. Those who deny His existence are considered to be fools… 

 

Psalms 14:1a, 53:1a (HCSB)
The fool says in his heart, “God does not exist.” 

Acts 17:30-31 (HCSB) 

…Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead. 

 

Never be satisfied in submitting to the fool’s game by answering them “according to his foolishness or you’ll be like him yourself.” Instead, “Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.”  

 

Do what the Bible says… 

 

Godspeed, to the brethren! 

 

*JC Rooney is a homeschool father of three, who has been married since 1991. His wife became a Christian in 2000, and then the Lord converted him in 2001. JC is currently a deacon at his church in Long Island, NY, who also teaches there regularly and fills the pulpit when needed. He has two blogs: theidolbabbler.com (“…where I babble about what I have learned since walking with Christ”), and thetennisbabbler.wordpress.com (“…where I babble about tennis”).