I was astounded this week to hear another preacher say that no one can prove that God exists. His exact words were, "There are no proofs for the existence of God." While my blood was boiling, I listened as he fumbled for a defense of his belief in God. He explained that he tried to convince men that this is the best thing for men to believe, since believing in God grants hope and a reason for our existence. I have read the same in works by William James and other philosophers, where men are urged to act "as if" God exists--though, they say, one can never be sure whether He really does exist. I am also unsure why any person would take such a position, except that there may be a desire to hold on to God and at the same time be perceived as a rational thinker by the atheistic community. Atheists are adamant that proof for God does not exist, so how can a Christian assume the same position? Is there proof for God's existence? If there is proof, what type of proofs do Christians have to show that God is real?   

     When atheists say there is no proof, they mean that God cannot be verified by the Scientific Method. They labor under an assumption that there is no knowledge outside of the Scientific Method. For example, Bertrand Russell claimed "whatever knowledge is attainable, must be attained by scientific methods; and what science cannot discover, mankind cannot know." Because of this, they believe faith in God is irrational--that faith in the religious sense is unfounded by any actual knowledge. However, when we say that God is real, our claim is not based on scientific methods. This is because the Scientific Method is limited only to what is available to the senses, limited only to the present, limited only to how something works (not why), and limited to events that repeat. The Bible identifies God as spirit (Jn. 4:24), and a spirit being does not have flesh and bones (Lk. 24:39). God is not a corporeal being, so He cannot be subjected to the Scientific Method. Maybe this is why some preachers say there is no proof, but they are wrong for saying it. There is proof, but a different type of proof. 

     Paul says that God's existence is deduced from the created world (Rom. 1:20). The heavens declare God's glory and the firmament shows His handiwork (Psa. 19:1). Even though God is not observed through the Scientific Method, He is observed through His works. How do we explain the universe? From whence does it originate? The universe is finite, so it did not created itself. Matter is not eternal. An eternal mind (a mind preexistent to time and space) created all things. There is no other explanation, and this is certainly a valid form of proof. So is the design of the universe. Every house is built by someone, and God built all things (Heb. 3:4). The intelligent design of the universe speaks to our great intelligent designer. God's wisdom is illustrated in the harmony and intricacy of creation. These logical deductions are proofs. Atheists may not like the conclusions, but the evidence for the existence of God is sound and irrefutable. 

     We are never asked to believe anything without sufficient evidence (Heb. 11:1). We do not believe in God because it is the better of two valid options. God exists, and this is the only option. We do not act as if God is real. God is real, and we gladly say to the world that we know that God is real. When you hear someone say there is no proof for God, remind that person that there is proof. We may not use scientific methods, but logical deductions that lead to God are proofs that our God is real.