This article is an excerpt from Unvarnished Truth, a six-week study in Bible Studies for Life for Fall 2016. Learn more about this curriculum and preview one month for free at biblestudiesforlife.com.
One question is universal to every culture and every location. How did we get here?
In trying to sort out the various answers to this question, some people have created two categories as though they stand in opposition to each other: Science and Religion.
Science does not oppose faith; indeed, 72 percent of Americans think the universe points to some intelligent design and a Creator—and that includes 46 percent of non-religious Americans, those who do not necessarily hold to a specific faith! Many scientists hold to neither evolution nor a specific faith, but they also contend there was an Intelligent Designer.
Simply believing in intelligent design isn’t enough. The theory of intelligent design doesn’t tell us much; it just presents a strong argument against the random purposelessness found in evolution. The Bible goes beyond talking about an Intelligent Designer; it introduces us to the Creator.
The heavens were made by the word of the Lord,
and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into a heap;
He puts the depths into storehouses.
Let the whole earth tremble before the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
For He spoke, and it came into being;
He commanded, and it came into existence. (Ps. 33:6-9)
These verses emphasize the power of God as Creator. The heavens and all they contain were made by the mere spoken “word of the Lord.” God is so powerful He created the universe out of nothing (Heb. 11:3). His command resulted in its vastness and majesty. When we observe the beauty of God’s creation, we marvel at His handiwork.
What thoughts or emotions surface when you read these verses?
God also created you. God formed you in your mother’s womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:13-14). God created you for a purpose, and you can only realize and fulfill that purpose as you follow your Creator. Creation is to bow daily in submission to its Creator.
Obviously, some people do challenge the reality of God’s existence. Atheists deny God’s existence, while agnostics are unsure. Can we be sure God exists? Absolutely!
Look at just the complexities of the human body. Biology itself points to divine design. And divine design, in turn, points to a divine Creator. Paul wrote, “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” (Rom. 1:20).
Objective morality exists no matter where you go in the world. Objective standards of morality exist throughout history and the world. In general, we find that murdering of an innocent man is deemed immoral in all places throughout history. Even an atheist who agrees these two things are evil holds to an objective morality. Objective morality points to a moral standard, which in turn points to a moral Lawgiver, God. God has placed within the makeup of humanity a moral compass. God has made Himself known through our inner conscience, but humanity has chosen to suppress that truth, thus searing the conscience (Rom. 1:18-19).
What are the implications of accepting the reality of a Creator?
The creation around us and our own consciences within us scream, “There is a God.”
God’s creation includes us! God created us even though He knew we’d sin. God, motivated by His infinite love, created us with moral freedom, the ability to choose between right and wrong. True love does not force itself upon someone. Freedom is a divine gift bestowed on us by a loving God. Unfortunately, we responded to this act of divine love by rebelling. God could have forced us to obey Him, but such obedience would neither be done by choice nor grounded in love.
Excerpted from Blake Gideon, Bible Studies for Life: Unvarnished Truth © 2016 Lifeway Press®. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
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