Christopher James Gilbert, otherwise known as Criss Jami, an American author and musician once remarked: “For God to prove himself on demand, physically, would be a grave disappointment, and the strongest Christians should be considerably grateful that he chooses not to do so. The sceptic endlessly demands proof, yet God refuses to insult the true intelligence of man, the '6th sense', the chief quality, the acumen which distinguishes man from the rest of creation, faith.” Romans 1:20 confirms: “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
We, as humble mortals, are probably well aware that God in His infinite wisdom made the world in which we live. Colossians 1:16 reminds us: “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him.” However, many continue to ask the searching question: “Who or what created God?”
No matter how He is described or referred to, whether there is belief or not, this burning question remains unanswered to many that have doubts. One can argue the indisputable fact that everything created has to have a creator. It is impossible to say otherwise. One can’t be attained without the other. If a dinner party is held for friends and an exquisite meal is chosen to delight the palate, the meal can’t cook itself. Utensils that produce heat to cook have to be used to produce the final edible meal. Without this process, everything remains raw and formless, just as the universe was before God created it.
The Bible tells us: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1 refers. This sentence by itself indicates that God must have been in existence since the beginning of time to perform the creation, otherwise, how did it happen? Do the sceptics that doubt the existence of God believe that there is no reality to this world? Is it all a dream or in the imagination? John 1:3 reassures: "Through him, all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made.”
An element of trust and faith has to exist or we achieve nothing. Where would we be with nothing? We would be in a void. Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American philosopher once remarked: “All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.”
Some unbelievers would attest that the world was formed through a series of events called "The Big Bang Theory" that were combined with similar occurrences, but this is essentially irrational thinking and does not explain how mankind, animals, trees, plant life and the beauty of everything appertaining to God's universe could have been formed. Explosions create nothing but chaos, not beauty. Where does beauty come from? The world is too complex and intricate to assume such simplicity that it self-formed.
In Christianity, God is often referred to as "The Father" due to His active interest in humanity. He is considered as our Father in Heaven as opposed to an earthly father who is often considered as the fertility source for our existence. God in His role as our heavenly Father provides a purpose for each and every one of us throughout life. Our Earthly biological father usually assists in our upbringing throughout childhood and sometimes into adulthood, but the major responsibility ultimately rests with God. Psalm 57:2 confirms: "I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfils His purpose for me." It is God who defines the length of our stay in His Earthly world, however, every individual has the optional choice of acceptance or rejection. For some, it is difficult to comprehend how an invisible, but divine being can oversee their life, guide their path and ask them to fulfil certain wishes according to God’s purpose, without any real proof of His actual existence. This is where trust and faith become of paramount importance. Proverbs 3:5-6 states: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Paterology is concerned with the study of “God the Father” in Christian theology. It primarily relates to bible verses which specifically refer to God as the Father. Isaiah 63:16 states: “For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.”
Some people profess to believe in God in their everyday lives and yet take every opportunity to blame God personally for every disaster and badness in the world. Hurtful words may be uttered by the accuser to the effect that: “God wasn’t there for me, He let me down, He could have prevented that happening but He chose not to.” To shift blame is very easy and sometimes advantageous to cover one’s own shortcomings. However, there is no proof that God is directly to blame. The factor that could be said to blame is sin itself. Many of the consequences of disasters and the like can be directly attributed to the sin of mankind.
God never wanted us to seek sin and yet some chose to adopt it. If we consider our world not as perfect, then we only have ourselves to blame. Our bad deeds incur consequences. Isaiah 46:9-12 reminds us: “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. “Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness.”
It started with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and has continued ever since. God had created a perfect world without any necessity for sin, but mankind damaged it by introducing sin. That was man's choice. Genesis 3:17-19 confirms: To Adam, he said: "Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, "You must not eat from it." Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil, you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow, you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust, you will return."
It is an infelicitous fact that there is no absolute distinctive proof that God exists, other than what is written in the Bible. We have to accept that as a possibility, no matter what strengths our personal beliefs may hold. However, there is much to indicate that God is not fallacy, ideology or a copacetic figment of the imagination, but a divine and continual presence. God is known as the source of love and if we have love for or from another in our heart, then that in itself is a strong suggestion that He does exist and exists within us. 1 John 4:8 reminds us: “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
There will always be sceptics and non-believers amongst us, that is the way of the world. However, love between people is considered as one of the most essential and basic needs of every living person. Without God or love in our lives, there is nothing. Our existence becomes a futile experience. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 confirms: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”
Amen.
