Where Is the Evidence That God Exists

There are two ways to consider the question. The first approach involves seeking a tangible manifestation of God in this present material reality. However, God is transcendent, so He exists outside and apart from the material universe that He created. Consequently, to search for evidence using the first approach would be illogical. The second approach involves a more practical evaluation of the evidence that allows for observation to consider design, philosophy to examine consciousness, and reason to contemplate morality that inevitably points towards His existence.

I. Design

Romans 1:20 declares, “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse”. It stands to reason that if one was to examine creation with an open mind, the evidence would be so clear that every person would be left “without excuse”, and undoubtedly that is the case. There are many layers that can be discovered when one investigates the subject of intelligent design. For the sake of brevity, this post will focus on the fields of Astronomy, Biology, and Biochemistry.

Astronomy is the study of celestial objects, space, and the physical universe in an effort to explain the origin of such objects and phenomena utilizing physics, mathematics, and chemistry. Astronomy has proven that our planet is intricately calibrated to support life, and the solar system surrounding it is just as inspiring. Dr. Hugh Ross has published a list of 154 parameters with narrowly defined ranges essential for physical life to exist on Earth. The parameters are also called Anthropic Principles, which basically means observations of the Universe that are compatible with the conscious and sapient life that observes it. The following are just a few points to consider (see the full list here).

· If the galaxy size was larger, the infusion of gas and stars would disturb the Sun’s orbit and ignite too many galactic eruptions. If the galaxy size was smaller, there would be an insufficient infusion of gas to sustain star formation for a long enough time.

· If the Earth’s rotation period was longer, daily temperature differences would be too great. If the Earth’s rotation period was shorter, atmospheric wind velocities would be too great.

· If Jupiter’s distance was greater, too many asteroid and comet collisions would occur on Earth. If Jupiter’s distance was less, Earth’s orbit would become unstable.

The odds of over 150 elements being precisely as they are to make life possible has been calculated to be 1 in 10^173, which is one chance in 10 with 173 zeroes behind it. To help put this number in perspective, statistical zero, which is where scientists consider something impossible, is 1 in 10^50. The probability for all anthropic principles listed by Dr. Ross to have happened by chance might as well be one chance in infinity.

Moreover, the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics which is commonly known as the law of increased entropy, proves that the universe is not eternal and had a beginning. The term entropy is synonymous with decay and can be understood as a measure of disorder within a macroscopic system. Basically, the law states that as energy is transferred or transformed more is wasted and the natural tendency for the quality of matter and energy deteriorates over time. The macroscopic universe is constantly losing energy and never gaining as order moves towards disorder. The genesis would have been a singularity of infinite density containing all the time, space, and mass of the universe with zero entropy. Albert Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity was published in 1915 and predicted that time, space, and matter were correlative and came into existence together from a specific point. Edwin Hubble later used the Doppler Shift in 1929 to show that galaxies are drifting apart as the universe expands, which is an observation that became known as Hubble’s Law. The motion of astronomical objects and the more recent 1964 discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation as a remnant from an early stage of the universe validates Einstein’s theory and the Big Bang model. The evidence confirms that only something beyond the universe that is timeless, spaceless, and immaterial could have been the cause.

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).

Biology is the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, and growth. All living things have remarkably intricate features at all levels (molecular, cellular, and anatomic) that would not be able to function if they were any less complex. The term irreducible complexity is used to describe a concept that applies to any system of interacting parts in which the removal of any one part destroys the function of the entire system. Basically, an irreducibly complex system would need each component to be in place and functioning at the same time to support the system from the beginning. The ATP (adenosine triphosphate) synthase molecule, blood clotting, and the eye are just a few models of irreducible complexity.

ATP synthase is the basis of energy transport for all living organisms. It serves as a miniature power generator capturing the chemical energy released by the combustion of nutrients and transfers it to reactions that require energy. Each of the human body’s 14 trillion cells staggeringly performs this reaction about 1 million times per minute. The ATP synthase molecule is integral to the building of cell components, muscle contractions, transmission of nerve messages, and many other functions. Scientists have discovered that the molecule consists of 2 main portions: the stem and the cap. The cap contains 3 identical areas arranged like a coil, and within each area ATP resides at a different stage of production. As the stem rotates, it creates a powerful internal shifting in each of the 3 coiled sections providing the energy to cause the chemical changes needed. The ingredients for ATP come together at one site, they are assembled as ATP at another site, and the fully formed ATP is readied to be used at the third site. ATP synthase could not have “evolved” from something if it needed ATP synthase to function in the first place.

Platelets are a type of blood cell that combines with proteins to stop bleeding by forming a clot over the injury. When a container of liquid springs a leak, the fluid naturally drains out. The rate of flow is dependent on the thickness of the liquid, but eventually the container will completely empty. In contrast, when a person suffers a cut, it normally bleeds for only a short period of time before a blood clot stops it. Typically, the body will dissolve the blood clot after the injury has healed. Platelets must interact with over a dozen protein molecules, that are also complex components, in sequential order, to produce a clot at the right place and at the right time. Remove any one factor (as in the case of hemophilia), and the entire system fails.

The human eye consists of many interacting components that synergistically work together to give a person sight. The eye receives physical stimuli in the form of light rays and transduces them into electrical and chemical signals that can be interpreted by the brain to construct physical images. The 3 main layers of the eye includes the sclera where the cornea is located; the choroid where the pupil, iris, and lens are located; and the retina where receptor cells called rods or cones are located that initiate color perception. The optic nerve is connected to the sclera as a continuation of the ganglion cells connected to the retina. There are approximately 1.1 million nerve cells in each optic nerve. The optic nerve acts as a cable connecting the eye with the brain. Complex equations are then used by the brain to translate what a person sees onto the curved screen of the retina in the eye. Additionally, the vestibo-ocular reflex stabilizes everything we see by making tiny, imperceptible eye movements in the opposite direction of the head. The entire system is basically a self-adjusting camera, lens, and programming that all works together to enable a colorful, 3-dimensional view of the world in incredible clarity. The human eye is an absolute marvel of engineering and organization.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13).

Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms. Studies of the cell reveals vast quantities of biochemical information stored in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the sequence of molecular subunits called nucleotides, that correspond to the four base units of adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). The two DNA strands coiled around each other in a ladder-like arrangement called a double helix, is the material that transfers genetic characteristics in all life forms to each successive generation. The structure of DNA allows it to store information in the form of a 4-character digital code utilizing the four nucleotide bases (A, C, G and T) arranged in base pairs. Basically, the chemical constituents of DNA function like letters in a written language or symbols in a computer code to dictate all genetic traits such as hair color, body type, predispositions for certain diseases, etc. Amazingly, within the tiny space of every cell in the human body this code is 3 billion letters long and it has been determined that 99.9% of DNA is similar in every person. Only a fractional difference in how the 3 billion letters are sequenced determines the uniqueness of each person. Furthermore, no physical or chemical law dictates the order of the nucleotide bases and the sequences are highly improbable and complex. It cannot be disputed that a written language requires an author. It’s inconceivable that letters would just appear on a grouping of pages to form the sentences and paragraphs of a book and it’s just as inconceivable that the composition of DNA did not have an originator.

“Your eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect; and in your book, all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned when yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:16).

If the universe had a specific point of origin and is complexly designed, then the most reasonable conclusion is that there must be a supreme designer and "by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible” (Colossians 1:16).

II. Consciousness

We occupy a reality where our physical existence is governed by the laws of chemistry and physics, but human consciousness is fundamentally different from all that is purely physical because human consciousness has no physical presence in this world. The immaterial thoughts of our mind inexplicably guide our material bodies and enables us to think abstractly, make rational choices, and contemplate our role in the universe. Abstract thinking, rationality, and contemplation are traits that only humans appear to possess, as well as the ability to express our intangible thoughts and emotions through the tangible written word, thus creating an outward expression of the inward process. To achieve a clear understanding, it is important to understand the distinction between the physical human brain and the nonphysical mind or consciousness.

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system and brain functions. Research in the various fields of neuroscience has flourished in the last century, yet we are essentially no closer to explaining the mind than the ancient Greeks. We do know that the neuron is the basic working unit of the brain responsible for transmitting information and it has been postulated that neurons fire the mind, but the evidence indicates that the mind fires neurons. It’s obvious that although they are inseparably linked, the physical properties of the brain are not identical to the mental properties of the mind. Essentially, the images and thoughts of our mind are purely subjective, immeasurable, and directive.

If a person was asked to imagine a painting without referencing any other physical painting and then asked to envision every detail of that painting, the resulting picture would exist only in that person’s mind. The imagined shapes, colors, and textures would only exist as a subjective conscious thought. Although neuroscientists could locate the area of the brain where neurological activity correlates to the thought, they could not look inside the physical brain and locate the painting or it’s properties. The incorporeal property of the mind is not shared with the brain because they are not the same.

Furthermore, our physical existence is subject to principles that can be used to measure and predict the behavior of our physical components. The human brain can be measured for length, width, and height, weighed for mass, and certain regions can be predicted to activate with particular thoughts. However, it is not possible to measure mental properties such as sensations, emotions, or will. Physical measurements are subject to the laws of mathematics and physics, while thoughts are subject to the laws of logic that cannot be quantified.

Most mental states (love, hope, fear, etc.) are directed by free-will, which philosophers call “intentionality”. Our thoughts and concerns are often regarding the world around us and dependent upon something outside ourselves. For example, if I was in a cabin and heard a bear outside, I might become worried about the bear getting through the door. The worrisome mental state is dependent upon the physical state of the door. Directedness and dependency cannot be true for physical entities, such as the door, because they are undirected and self-existent. In other words, the directedness and dependency of the mind is different than the undirected and self-existence of the brain.

It is apparent that consciousness cannot be confined to the material features of the brain. If human consciousness exists, then the most reasonable conclusion is that there must be an absolute being that bestows consciousness. Genesis 2:7 states, “the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul”.

III. Morality

Moral law is a system of guidelines for behavior and refers to personal obligations to oneself and to others. There are two types of moral virtues: objective and subjective. Objective morality exists independently of personal beliefs, interpretations, or prejudices. For example, to commit premeditated murder would be unacceptable regardless of the beliefs of the murderer or the circumstances involved. Likewise, there are some values that are genuinely always right, such as selflessness and virtuous reciprocity. Essentially, as Jesus Christ said, “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Subjective morality is dependent upon an individual or group perspective and is subject to change. For example, modern society has been desensitized to a level violence in the entertainment industry that would have been unacceptable 50 years ago. The only valid conception of morality is an objective one because all subjective conceptions of morality eventually lead to debasement. However, there are arguments against objective morality, such as nihilism, relativism, and naturalism that should be evaluated in the effort to prove objectivism.

Moral nihilism is a belief that moral claims are an illusion, so they cannot be true or false. The problem with the nihilist position is that it evades the concept of morality altogether. Moral truth cannot be ignored or redefined because every person has an innate desire to make moral decisions, even those who might believe that morality is illusory. Additionally, the logical positivist view rejects all moral claims because such features of the universe cannot be verified through observation. The issue with the logical positivist position is that it inappropriately elevates empirical observation. Every person has countless thoughts on a daily basis that cannot be observed, but they are as real as the words on this page.

The belief that societies or cultures are the source of moral truth and that morality varies from culture to culture is called moral relativism. The relativist perspective views morality as a culturally flexible social construct designed by the majority to help the group maintain harmony or survival. One of the problems with moral relativism is that it silences cross cultural criticism. Fundamentally, no culture would be in a position to reprove another culture for behaviors such as torture. Another difficulty for relativism is that it would encourage immoral behavior because groups are often influenced by their own selfish motives. For instance, a group enslaving a neighboring group in the effort to gain an economic advantage. Contrarily, when a group of nations comes together at the United Nations to discuss the morality of a specific issue, the appeal is to a standard that transcends all cultures and groups for the purpose of making a sound judgement.

Moral naturalism is the belief that human biology dictates morality in order to promote physiological and psychological well-being, also called flourishing, but fails to adequately define what it means to flourish. If mere survival is considered flourishing, then it presents a logical inconsistency because some behaviors are both beneficial and detrimental to survival, such as stealing resources from another person or group. The implication is that there is a right way and a wrong way to survive, in which case it must already be infused with some level of moral truth. Furthermore, the naturalist view fails to address whose well-being is most important. Humans are more inclined to take care of themselves and those closest to them, even when it might disadvantage or harm the larger group. If the well-being of the group is placed higher than that of the individual, then it leads to the possible problem of discrimination. The focus would be upon those who are more beneficial to the group, such as those who are more physically capable, more intelligent, or better educated.

All explanations for morality prove unreasonable except that there is an objective standard that transcends all individual and collective beliefs. People that do not believe in God are capable of moral decisions, but the reason they are considered moral decisions is because of the transcendent standard. If objective moral laws exist, then the most reasonable conclusion is that there must be a supreme moral lawgiver and He promised, “I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them" (Hebrews 10:16).

It is absolutely inspiring to consider creation, with all of the complex intricacies and synergistic systems designed specifically to support many different levels of life. It should naturally cause one to contemplate the origin of all things and search for the evidence. The design of the macro-universe down to the micro-universe, the existence of consciousness, and the immutability of morality overwhelmingly confirms the existence of an omnipotent Creator who brilliantly organized everything in a preeminent expression of His glory and love.

“But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; and the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; and the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”

Job 12:7-10