Reasons for Believing in God

Big Idea: Faith in God is a reasoned response to evidence from creation, design, morality, and personal experience, leading to an invitation to trust Jesus Christ for forgiveness and eternal life.

In a court case, jurors are tasked with weighing evidence and reaching a verdict of guilty or not guilty. The judge does not require the prosecution to prove its case beyond a shadow of a doubt; rather, it must present enough evidence to persuade the jury beyond a reasonable doubt. This standard reflects how life operates—we rarely make decisions with absolute certainty but rely on reasonable probability.

For example, when boarding a plane, you trust it will land safely, though you can’t be absolutely certain. Similarly, you deposit your paycheck at the bank, trusting the system won’t fail. Life demands we weigh evidence, consider probabilities, and make decisions without absolute guarantees.

This principle applies to faith as well. Insisting on absolute proof of God’s existence is both unreasonable and unrealistic. The goal is to provide enough evidence to convince people that God exists beyond a reasonable doubt.

Today, I’ll briefly outline four classical arguments for God’s existence—arguments that have stood the test of time and debate. For those interested, resources like When Skeptics Ask by Norman Geisler and Ron Brooks provide additional insights.

Let’s begin.

The Cosmological Argument

Let’s begin with the cosmological argument for the existence of God, which is essentially an argument from creation. The term "cosmological" comes from two Greek words: logos, meaning reason, and cosmos, meaning world. Together, it refers to the reason or explanation for the world. While there are many variations of this argument, the version I’ll present rests on three key ideas.

The first is the principle of sufficient reason. Look around you—trees, grass, water, flowers, the sun. The question naturally arises: why do these things exist? What is their reason for being? Now, imagine for a moment that nothing existed. Would nothingness require an explanation? Of course not. But the moment something exists, the question inevitably follows: why does it exist? What is its sufficient reason?

The second idea is the principle of contingency. Careful observation reveals that everything we see depends on something else for its existence. Trees need air, grass needs water, both need the sun. Nothing in our universe appears to be self-caused or entirely independent. In fact, everything we observe had a beginning and will eventually cease to exist. The Second Law of Thermodynamics reminds us that everything is in a gradual state of entropy, including us. This leads to the realization that all things are contingent—dependent, fragile, and finite.

This leads us to the crucial question: if everything in the universe is contingent, what ultimately explains it all? If all things rely on one another, who or what is responsible for their existence as a whole? To illustrate, imagine stepping outside the universe and drawing a circle around everything that exists—all galaxies, planets, and beings. Everything inside that circle is contingent, dependent, and finite. The question is: what caused everything within the circle to exist?

The answer must lie in one of two places: either the cause is within the circle, or it is outside of it. But if everything within the circle is contingent and dependent, it cannot be the ultimate cause. It doesn’t make sense to locate the explanation for contingent things within the circle itself. A thinking person must conclude that the explanation lies outside the circle. And what lies outside must, by definition, be non-contingent, self-caused, independent, eternal, unlimited, and all-powerful. These attributes align closely with a working definition of God.

For centuries, people have wrestled with this argument. It has been studied, debated, and analyzed because it makes logical, rational sense. Many view it as strong evidence for the existence of an eternal, all-powerful, non-contingent Being. I encourage you to explore this argument further—there are many excellent resources that delve into it in greater depth. It remains a powerful and logically sound case for the existence of God.

The Teleological Argument

Now, let’s turn to the teleological argument, also known as the argument from design. This argument emphasizes the order and complexity in the world and questions who is responsible for it. One philosopher put it well: "There simply cannot be a design without a designer. There cannot be contrivance without a contriver. There cannot be order without choice."

The teleological argument challenges the idea that everything we see came into existence by sheer chance. For centuries, people have seen the beauty and complexity of creation and believed there must be a master designer. This perspective remained largely undisputed until the 18th century during the Age of Reason, when scientists started to suggest that the origins of the universe could be explained through science.

The Big Bang theory, taught today, suggests that a random collision of gases in space initiated a series of events that, over billions of years, led to our current complexity. But this theory raises its own questions. Where did those gases come from? What are the chances that a random collision could create even one molecule, much less something complex like photosynthesis or an eagle in flight? The odds of a single protein molecule forming by chance are incredibly low, estimated at 1 in 10 to the 243rd power. That’s a number so large it’s incomprehensible.

The teleological argument claims that the world's complexity, order, and design are too improbable to have arisen by chance. Wherever we see structure and purpose, we know there must be a designer. If you opened the back of a television and looked at its circuits and wires, you would see clear signs of intelligent design. Now, step outside and look at a tree. Is it reasonable to think that a complex tree happened by chance, while a television needed a designer? The evidence points to an intelligent, eternal, all-powerful designer—God.

Even Charles Darwin, in The Origin of Species, admitted, "To suppose that the eye, with so many parts working together, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree." And he was right. The eye, the homing abilities of a pigeon, the spinning of a spider’s web—these marvels defy explanation by random chance. Only an intelligent designer can account for them.

It requires more faith to think that the wonders of our world are due to a cosmic accident than to believe in an intelligent Creator. So, I urge you to weigh the evidence honestly. The next time you hold a baby in your arms, consider the magnificence, purpose, and complexity of that life. Does it really make sense to attribute something so extraordinary to a random collision of gases? Or does it point to the handiwork of a Creator? The evidence is there—let’s not ignore it.

The Axiological Argument

We’ve explored the cosmological argument, rooted in creation, and the teleological argument, based on design. Now let’s turn to the moral evidence for God’s existence, formally known as the axiological argument. This argument raises an important question: how do we explain the universal moral code, or sense of “oughtness,” found in people across different cultures?

If humans evolved from primeval gases, like advanced apes or germs, how do we account for the universal values that people share? Why do people across the globe value truth over deceit, kindness over cruelty, and loyalty over betrayal? Can gases, germs, or genes create and implant such a moral code in billions of hearts and minds? Could this consistency arise by chance, accident, or coincidence?

Consider this irony: atheists often campaign for causes like saving whales or helping the homeless. They deny being made in God's image or having an inherent moral law. Yet, on the other hand, they appeal to a universal sense of morality to argue for justice and compassion. Where does this sense of “oughtness” come from?

I encourage you to reflect on this. Sit under a tree in your backyard—the one where you thought about the argument from design—and ask yourself, "If this sense of morality doesn't come from a supreme being, how can I explain it?" What’s your theory?

C.S. Lewis masterfully unpacks this argument in Mere Christianity. His clarity and logic have led thousands to faith, including Charles Colson, whose conversion was profoundly shaped by this book. The moral argument is compelling because it reflects a universal truth, suggesting the existence of a supreme moral lawgiver.

Religious Experience

We’ve explored the cosmological, teleological, and axiological arguments. Now, let’s briefly consider the argument from religious experience. Philosopher William Alston argues that experiences such as sensing God's presence, receiving guidance, or feeling empowered by him enhance confidence in God's existence, though they are not conclusive on their own.

Author Ron Nash argues that religious experiences must be taken seriously, provided the person sharing them is trustworthy. Consider this: hundreds of millions of intelligent, well-adjusted people—presidents, professors, economists, and everyday individuals—testify to experiencing a relationship with God. They speak of feeling loved, forgiven, and transformed. These testimonies, Nash insists, cannot be lightly dismissed.

While there may be rare instances of delusion or deceit, these do not disprove the many credible accounts of people who have experienced God, especially during times of deep tragedy or need. Many Christians can point to unforgettable experiences of answered prayer, divine guidance, or peace that defies understanding. These moments are real, and they shape lives.

So how do we account for this? Are millions of Christians hallucinating? Are they lying? Is it a grand conspiracy? The argument from religious experience adds weight to the cumulative case for God’s existence. The cosmological, teleological, and moral arguments, combined with the testimonies of millions who say they know God personally, create strong evidence for his existence.

Every jury must eventually reach a verdict. And one day, so will you. You will be held responsible for how you respond to the evidence of creation, design, morality, and your experiences, as well as to the revelation of God through Jesus Christ. The conclusion is undeniable: there is a God—eternal, powerful, and personal—who is calling out to you even now.

This God is not distant or indifferent. He is the Creator of everything, the author of the moral law in your heart, and the One who designed you with purpose and love. But more than that, he is the God who entered into his creation, taking on flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. He lived the life we could not live, died the death we deserved, and rose again to offer us forgiveness, hope, and eternal life.

So, stop running. Stop pretending you don’t need Him. Stop pretending he doesn’t exist. Open your heart to him, even just a little. He is not asking for perfection; he is asking for surrender. He is asking you to trust him, to believe in him, and to receive the gift of grace he offers through Jesus Christ.

If you’ve never taken that step, why not now? Why not today? The evidence is compelling, but faith is not just about evidence—it’s about relationship. God is inviting you into a relationship with Him, one that will transform your life and give you the peace and purpose you’ve been searching for. Simply come to him and say, “Lord, I believe. Forgive me, change me, and make me yours.”

And for those of you who already believe, let this strengthen your confidence. You have no reason to shrink back or feel embarrassed about your faith. It is built on a solid, logical foundation, but more importantly, it relies on the living God who has revealed himself to you. Stand firm. Proclaim boldly. And when God reaches out to you again in love, respond with renewed faith and gratitude: “I believe.”

God, the creator of the universe and the one who instills moral values in us, is calling you. Don’t ignore him. Don’t delay. Open your heart and discover the life he offers through Jesus Christ. It’s the most important decision you’ll ever make.

Adapted from a message by Bill Hybels