The Universe Declares What the Heart Already Knows
Every person lives inside an argument for God. The rising sun, the turning seasons, the stars on a clear night, and the quiet miracle of a newborn's first breath all say the same thing. Scripture says this witness is so plain that no one who sees it is left without excuse (Romans 1:20).
Knowledge can feed pride. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth (1 Corinthians 8:1). This study is not about becoming sharper in arguments or winning debates. The goal is that you would know what you believe and why, so that you can speak the truth in love with a settled heart, and point people to Jesus rather than to yourself.
This study looks at two classic ways of reasoning from creation to the Creator. The first begins with the fact that the universe exists and had a beginning. The second begins with the order, precision, and purpose we find everywhere we look.
The argument that because everything that begins to exist has a cause, the universe itself must have a cause beyond space, time, and matter: a powerful, eternal Creator.
From the Greek telos, end or purpose. The argument that the order, complexity, and fine-tuning of the universe resemble design rather than randomness, and so point to an intelligent Designer rather than blind chance.
Neither argument replaces Scripture. They do something more modest and still valuable. They show that faith in God is not a leap in the dark but a reasonable response to the world He has made. They can bring a person to the door of the Creator. Only the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ bring him through it.
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For Deeper Study
- I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an AtheistAmazon Norman L. Geisler and Frank TurekA popular, readable case for God from the beginning of the universe, design, and morality. We hold to a young earth and differ with Geisler and Turek on the age of the universe, but the book has much that is helpful.
- By Design: Evidence for Nature's Intelligent Designer, the God of the BibleAmazon Jonathan SarfatiExamples of design in living things, written from a young-earth creationist perspective.
- Taking Back AstronomyAmazon Jason LisleA short, illustrated look at the heavens as testimony to the Creator, from a young-earth astrophysicist.
- Reasonable FaithAmazon William Lane CraigA fuller, more academic treatment of the kalam cosmological argument and fine-tuning. We hold to a young earth and differ with Craig on the age of the universe, but his case for a Creator has much that is helpful.
- Just Six NumbersAmazon Martin ReesA non-Christian astronomer's own account of the fine-tuning of nature, useful for checking the figures this study cites.
- Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.
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The Existence of God: Conscience and Moral Law
Objective moral values require a transcendent moral Lawgiver, and the conscience confirms what creation reveals about God.
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