You have heard the reasoning. “I have no problem with believing in God, if there was sufficient evidence.” Or put another way, “If God exists, why has he not made Himself clearly known.” What if He has, and is being ignored or dismissed by sinful man? I think that to be clearly the case in this situation. In fact, God has spoken and continues to speak to us clearly and loudly! Let me explain:
God Clearly Speaks Through His Creation
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4). Notice what is affirmed by our text. Looking at the physical universe tells us something. There are things we learn. No matter what language we speak, these truths are loudly and clearly understood. This is called the teleological argument: [It] “asserts that the order, complexity, and purposeful design observed in the natural world are evidence of an intelligent creator, God. The term comes from the Greek word telos, meaning ‘end,’ ‘goal,’ or ‘purpose.’”
The question is how well do we listen to the voice? The fact it is roundly dismissed does not mean the argument is not legitimate. The alternate theory requires design to be the result of random forces. And the existence of these random forces themselves to not have a tenable natural explanation. The fact that scientific theorists have decided to explain the universe without supernatural intervention in no way proves the supernatural does not exist! “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:3-5).
God Clearly Speaks Through His Word
The Bible is dismissed because of its age, and its comparison to other “superstitious” explanations of the universe and its workings. We readily admit that ancient men were superstitious. Greek mythologies are an example. There are idolatrous views which were endemic in the world at one time. In some cultures they remain. However, it is a mistake to dismissively group the Bible with these works and views.
There are certain things that the Bible contains that need to be examined with an honest heart. For example, fulfilled prophecy is designed to produce faith in God. As the God of the Bible proclaimed in Isaiah 43:8-9, “I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Eyewitness testimony offers evidence of God’s work in humanity. In fact, one of the primary purposes of scripture is for those eyewitnesses to share their testimony. John wrote, “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:3-4). To deny the Bible is to deny consistent and numerous eyewitnesses of the miracles and works of God, culminating in Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Even the unanimity and number of the manuscript witnesses, if taken honestly, attest to the authenticity of the Bible. As the Bible declares about itself, “…no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).
Again, the question is not whether the voice is loud, but how attuned are we to its voice? As David said, “I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts” (Psalms 119:00). Not only has God created us, He has given us His wisdom and will. The voice is there, will we listen?
God Clearly Speaks Through His Son
The consistency of scripture is seen in the revelation of God’s scheme of redemption for man. A Messiah was promised and has been delivered by the Father in heaven. The necessity of that Savior has been explained. The nature of His work and office has been revealed. That scarlet thread runs throughout the Bible. Jesus’ life, teachings, death and resurrection have changed history, and affected the culture, government and lives of innumerable men in the last 2,000 years. As the Hebrew writer revealed, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1-2).
How in the world can we say such a voice is not clear or sufficient? It seems rather that men are simply unwilling, not unable to heed the voice of God. Jesus often said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Mark 4:9). Peter said to Him, “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
All of the moral longings of mankind, from the search for justice to the quest for spiritual meaning have their origins in the Almighty God of heaven. The wisdom which descends from above makes men better. In contrast, the anarchic impulses of rebellious men bring strife, wars and debauchery to the earth. “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7).
