Perhaps you already believe in God, but you have some doubts. Maybe you met someone who thinks it is naive to believe in God. It is healthy to remind ourselves why we hold on to certain beliefs.
“The Christian faith is the only belief system that truly reflects the nature of the world and truth as it is. All other belief systems are denials or distortions of the truth.”
Every Believer Confident: Apologetics for the Ordinary Christian by Mark J Farnham
When you engage in a conversation about the big questions of life, first realize on what authority others base their understanding. Christians trust in God’s revelation as a reliable source. Naturalists believe there is a natural cause for everything, therefore any explanation that involves a supernatural cause or event is automatically rejected. When they use the word “science” they may mean scientism, that science explains every aspect of human existence and only physical things exist. (Of course few people really live that way consistently, denying the existence of love or objective morality.) Once you are clear on your basic starting points, then you can begin to examine your belief systems. You can then correct mistaken ideas or contradictions. Be sure to examine the consequences and logical conclusions of those beliefs.
Logical Fallacies: Tricks and Traps that Interfere with a Search for Truth
Logic is the art and science of reasoning well. Here are some traps to watch our for in your search for what is real. These may come up in a discussion, in your reading, or in your culture.
The Big Questions of Life
Know? How do you know your birthdate, how old you are, or who your parents are? These things we accept based on documented evidence and the testimony of others. Although you experienced it, you don’t remember your birth. They may say they are your parents, but you could have been adopted. You could talk to witnesses of your birth, perhaps your grandparents, or the doctor who delivered you. That would increase your confidence. The point is, we are looking for clues, evidence. There is good evidence to believe that God does exist, but we still have the ability to ignore or disregard this evidence. Here are some reasons to believe in God based on science and logic:
- First cause. Everything that begins to exist has a cause; the universe began to exist, therefore it must have a cause. What could cause the universe except God?
- Design. The complexity and order in the universe (like biological systems or planetary motion) suggest an intelligent designer rather than random chance.
- Fine-tuning. Fundamental constants of the universe (such as gravity or electromagnetic force) are finely tuned for life, implying deliberate design. Scientists find many things that had to be exactly right to allow life on Earth, like our distance from the sun.
- Information. Our DNA has over 3 billion pairs of information in each of our cells. Messages don’t write themselves. Information has an author.
Finally, we know God exists because He has told us so. He has communicated to mankind over human history through various prophets and teachers, even preserving these words in written form. “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Only matter matters: You exist by chance and your purpose in life is survival
“The Cosmos is all that is or was or ever will be.” –Carl Sagan Naturalism says that only what can be tested and proven by science is real. When my biological functions cease, “I” cease to exist. Game over. Therefore, the goal is to increase biological life in quantity and …
Science defines reality: A hugely popular dumb idea
“We don’t believe in God, we believe in science”, said the couple. Many people today consider it uneducated to believe in God. This misunderstanding comes from two basic problems: not realizing the limits of science, and relegating the rest of human experience to superstition. “According to the scientific naturalist version of …
How to Overcome Extinction: Darwin and Genetics
“On the Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin in 1859 is considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology. It postulates that complex life forms began from primitive life forms due to mutation. This theory is deeply entrenched in modern academia and is even proclaimed as fact on Wikipedia and …
How to know whether God exists or not: Questions needing answers
There are many who deny that there is a God, others say it makes no difference, and others still don’t want a God who could interfere in their lives. But overwhelming evidence for God is everywhere we look. Ask yourself some hard questions. Are you satisfied with answers from “science” …
God of Covert Operations: How to See a Secret God
There is another aspect of the question of suffering and the existence of God. One might wonder why an all-powerful God does not make His existence more obvious. Where is God when you need Him? Is He really all-powerful? Is He really a God of love? Why doesn’t God intervene? …
This should be a serious question for all of us. We all die. Why shouldn’t we think about, even plan for, what comes next? What would be reliable sources of information on the afterlife? Perhaps people that have been there. Jesus. Or people who have had contact with him afterward. His disciples.
Naturalists tend to see all of history as progress and are optimistic about the future of man. Often they don’t consider the negative role science and technology has had in war, genocide, and human history. The Bible records a very different view, pointing to death as the result of rebellion. It says that the real problem is not physical but moral and relational. It states that the first man to be born (Cain) killed his younger brother (Able) out of envy.
Perhaps you have heard, “Modern scientific progress has done away with superstitious ideas like life after death.” How ironic! The Sadducees who crucified Jesus, led by the high priest, did not believe in life after death. Read about Jesus’ response to them in Luke 20:27-40, basing his argument on the writings of Moses which they accepted as authoritative. (See also Acts 23:1-8)
3 Popular Misconceptions About – What happens at death?
In our journey to life we really need to consider death. Ask those around you, and most assume they are going to heaven, if it exists. Let’s be clear about the importance of this topic. Whenever you talk about living forever somewhere, it would help to know for sure where …
Religion 101: How to make sense of all those religions?
“All religions are basically the same.” Wow, that is a big oversimplification! I suppose you could also say that all people are basically the same. If by this you mean they are born, die, and breath, then yes, we are all the same. But if you look deeper some are …
Why does this matter? Well, the Bible teaches that sin and death entered the world through one man (Adam). (Romans 5:12) If both Jesus and Paul are wrong about this, then we don’t really need a savior. There is no solution to death.
- History. Although the Bible is seen as a religious book, it contains many historical references and genealogies. (Those long lists of names we tend to skip over.) There are references to Adam and his descendants in many books of the Bible written by various authors over a period of over 1400 years. He is always referred to as a real person, with real sons and daughters. He lived 930 years (Genesis 5:1-5). The New Testament speaks of Adam as a real person in 7 verses from multiple authors. Luke traces Jesus’ lineage back to Adam (Luke 3:38). Paul writes, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:22,45).
- Conscience. Animals don’t have one, but we do. Where did we get this morality? The Bible teaches that Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and as a result became aware of good and evil. We inherited this knowledge from them.
Apart from Adam being created in the image of God, it is difficult to argue for human dignity or ethics. If man is just an animal, then violence, disease, and calamity are just nature’s way. We should not intervene but encourage the survival of the fittest.
Apart from the fall of Adam it is not possible to understand the presence of evil. The motivation for Eve’s disobedience was not to try out a new fruit, but to become like God. The result of the fall is that man’s intellectual and spiritual functions operate wrongly, opposing God in rebellion and ignorance (Eph. 4:17-19).
The biblical view of man provides answers to our deepest questions such as: What is wrong with the world? Where did I come from? Where am I going? Why am I here? Who am I? What is my purpose?
Personal Reality: Belong to a lonely dream world
Have you ever heard “That’s only true for you”? The thinking goes like this… Since each of us came from different backgrounds with various experiences we each view reality from our own perspective. Like the blind men describing the elephant. The one who grabs the leg says, “it is like …
Awesome Answers to Killer Questions Related to Cain
Have you ever considered the life of Cain from the standpoint of genetics and evolution? Most people have heard the tragic account of Cain and Abel. In Genesis 4 we are told that Cain killed Abel, then moved to the land of Nod, where he and his wife had a …
How to Overcome Extinction: Darwin and Genetics
“On the Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin in 1859 is considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology. It postulates that complex life forms began from primitive life forms due to mutation. This theory is deeply entrenched in modern academia and is even proclaimed as fact on Wikipedia and …
No, they are not. Here are some posts that deal with that issue.
God Taboo: How to Be Dumb About Faith
You might have heard this viewpoint in various forms: “We don’t talk about religion.” “Religion is culturally determined.” “My life is just fine as it is.” “Faith is a personal matter.” (You are intruding by talking about it.) Of course, faith in God is a personal matter! Each person has …
Religion 101: How to make sense of all those religions?
“All religions are basically the same.” Wow, that is a big oversimplification! I suppose you could also say that all people are basically the same. If by this you mean they are born, die, and breath, then yes, we are all the same. But if you look deeper some are …
Beautiful Answers to 5 Questions Muslims Ask
Often people from an Islamic background or culture have very similar questions or objections when they consider Jesus and Christianity. We will help to address those questions with reasonable answers. Our goal is not to debate or criticize other beliefs but to provide useful information to help you in your …
How does the Quran compare to the Bible?
Is Allah the same as the God of the Bible? Isn’t the Quran a later revelation and Mohammed the last prophet? To answer these questions we will explore both the Quran and the Bible, their structure, history, and authors. If you are a follower of Islam, this analysis will provide …
Christians are often accused of being narrow minded or egotistical because they assert there is no other way to get to God. Well, we didn’t invent the idea. This is what the Bible says.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (John 14:6) Peter said the same, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Paul concurs, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 2:5)
It is the united testimony of the entire New Testament that no one can know God except through the person of Jesus Christ. It is not possible to be a true follower of Jesus and ignore his core teaching regarding his identity as the only solution for reconciling mankind to God.
Quest for the Historical Jesus: How to know if it’s true?
Over the years various “experts” have asserted that Jesus either did not exist or his story was embellished over the years to become supernatural. This lie is often presented as a question, a quest, or a search for evidence. The best advice we can offer is, check it out. Don’t …
How to watch the historic JESUS film (Now over 2068 languages)
Then Download the Bible and read the historical record in the Gospel of Luke.
What is a Christian? How to become one
Many people today don’t have a clear idea of what a Christian really is. Some consider themselves Christians but are not. Rather than explore all the wrong ideas of what various people think, let’s just start with a simple definition and work from there: A Christian is a follower of …
Bible FAQ: 6 Great Questions About This Best Seller
What is so great about the Bible? The Bible is the foundation for Christianity. It is God’s divine revelation to us letting us know how much He loves us and His intense desire to have a personal relationship with us. The Bible is an accurate historical record and it can …
There is no other really good explanation for the historical records. Why would skeptics like James and Paul be completely transformed and be willing to die asserting that Jesus rose from the dead. There is one reason that can explain 1) the empty tomb, 2) the post-death appearances of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:5–8), 3) the huge beginning of the church in Jerusalem just weeks later, and 4) the willingness of the apostles to die for their faith in Jesus. The reason? Hear it from the apostles themselves:
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:29–32)
These people had just seen their leader get crucified. That was the Roman Empire’s way of saying, “Game over. You lost.” Yet within days, with smiles on their faces, these same people were telling everybody how their leader had won. They saw him die, but then told everybody how he had beaten death. The cross should have been the end of the story, but instead it became a symbol of victory.
Quest for the Historical Jesus: How to know if it’s true?
Over the years various “experts” have asserted that Jesus either did not exist or his story was embellished over the years to become supernatural. This lie is often presented as a question, a quest, or a search for evidence. The best advice we can offer is, check it out. Don’t …
Bible FAQ: 6 Great Questions About This Best Seller
What is so great about the Bible? The Bible is the foundation for Christianity. It is God’s divine revelation to us letting us know how much He loves us and His intense desire to have a personal relationship with us. The Bible is an accurate historical record and it can …
“What is truth?” That was actually a question that Pilate asked Jesus before ordering his execution. Unfortunately, he didn’t want or wait for an answer. (John 18:38) At another time Jesus stated, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
Freedom: A shrewd trap to sabotage love, happiness, and truth
“Doing what you want” is the definition of freedom in the dictionary. The problem is that when we pursue complete liberty and the pursuit of our desires, it does not lead to happiness or to love. The correct order is for the mind to direct the will to achieve certain …
Personal Reality: Belong to a lonely dream world
Have you ever heard “That’s only true for you”? The thinking goes like this… Since each of us came from different backgrounds with various experiences we each view reality from our own perspective. Like the blind men describing the elephant. The one who grabs the leg says, “it is like …
Absolutely. That is our human experience and is stated clearly in the lives of many people in the Bible. The question is: “Why?” We don’t always know. The book of Job deals with this issue. Job’s friends provide a lot of standard (and incorrect) assumptions about suffering. God held these men guilty for their saying untrue things about God and for judging Job. We know that in Job’s case Satan accused God of buying Job’s friendship by protecting him and asked for the right to test him. In John 9:1-3 Jesus made it clear that a man’s blindness was not a result of sin or karma, as others assumed. Would you follow Job’s example? Would you still worship and serve God even when life is extremely difficult?
How to Make Sense of Suffering? 3 Ways
Many people are convinced that God does not care about us. This view is usually presented as a question: “If God exists why is there so much suffering in the world?” This is a question, but often it is given as a proof, as convincing evidence that no God exists. …
How to see Pain, Suffering, Karma, according to Jesus
What did He say about pain, suffering, and birth defects? How did He answer those questions? There is a fascinating account of when his disciples asked this very question. Read the whole story first in the Bible in the Gospel of John 9:1-41 then read on below. “Who sinned this …
An excellent question! There are at least two aspects to consider. First is a moment of spiritual birth. This would be when you recognized your need for Jesus and your commitment to follow him. It might have been a quick decision or a longer process. It is one thing to know the gospel, it is another to surrender your life to God and let Him lead. Have you done this?
- Have you ever asked God to forgive your sins and make you His child? If not, what is preventing you from doing this?
- Spiritual birth is not based on our words but God’s. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Rom. 10:17 God opens blind eyes and deaf ears. Has He opened yours?
- Read out loud: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12) Who was given that right? Those who believed in Jesus. What were they given? The right to become children of God.
Second is the fruit of a changed life. All living things grow. Have their been any signs of transformation in your life that would show your heart has changed and God is at work? Peter writes that we have a responsibility to respond and work at our salvation in response to God purifying us (2 Peter 1:1-12) The order here is key! We don’t achieve salvation or purity by works, but when God forgives our sins it should result in our desire to obey and please Him as a result.
Your problem? Evil. How to cure spiritual cancer
Not just your problem, our problem as humans. I’m hoping that you have already looked at our post about joy, peace, purpose, and have read one of our journeys to life. Maybe you looked through some of the posts about reality, empty worldviews, and good reasons to believe in God. …
Good Enough for Heaven? 3 Truths to Worry About
If you are one of those people who think you are good enough to go to heaven, here are a few things to consider: (1) If heaven is a place of perfection how can anyone be sure they are good enough? Most of us have regrets, mistakes we have made …
Believe in God? So what? The Truth About Christians
Many people think it is enough to just believe in God. Somehow, they got this idea that God wants more people to believe in Him. That isn’t it. God isn’t insecure and He does not need to be popular. The Bible points out: “You say you have faith, for you …
What is a Christian? How to become one
Many people today don’t have a clear idea of what a Christian really is. Some consider themselves Christians but are not. Rather than explore all the wrong ideas of what various people think, let’s just start with a simple definition and work from there: A Christian is a follower of …
Born of the Spirit, the Ultimate Secret
We don’t think much about the spiritual world in our post-modern age. Perhaps there are parts of the world where people worship spirits, but that does not concern us here in Europe. We believe in science. Actually, we have been deceived into thinking there is a contradiction between science and …
Many of the above points mention Bible references. You can look them up easily with this online Bible software and learn more about their context.
How to download the Bible
The Bible is full of stories of how God dealt with men and women in ancient times. We can learn a lot from their experiences with an infinite personal being. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the …