When you start asking questions of this nature, you are in the realm of "apologetics." Apologetics is defined by many people in different ways. But there are two basic approaches to apologetics: 1) evidentialist/verificationalist and 2) presuppositionalist.
Some people try to mix the two together to form some hybrids, but most fall mostly in one or the other of the two groups mentioned above. I am sharing with you some of what I emphasized in my Master's degree study while in seminary. Apologetics is one of my stronger suits. There are differing approaches, even among America Online teachers of the Academic Assistance Center (AAC). I am sharing with you the two views above and my preferences.
Ultimately, you will not be able to "prove" the existence of God. God cannot be put into a test tube. There is no known scientific evidence that "proves" God with 100% accuracy.
I. Evidentialist/Verificationalist Approaches
Those that stand in the first group above say that you can, however, put forth several arguments which appear persuasive before others. These arguments include things like 1) Teleological Arguments 2) Cosmological Arguments 3) Aesthetic Arguments 4) Moral Arguments. There are others.
The teleological argument argues from the design of the universe. It essentially says that the design of the universe speaks of a designer. When you see a watch on someone's wrist, you assume someone created it. It didn't just happen to come into existence. So also, the order and design in the universe speaks of a Creator.
The cosmological argument stresses that every effect can be traced to an ultimate cause. The cause of anything infinite must be infinite. Since the universe is limitless in many aspects, it speaks of something limitless that created it.
Aesthetic arguments rely on the beauty and truth of the world to imply that there is a foundational standard of beauty and truth.
Moral arguments says that since we know the difference between right and wrong, that means there is ultimately someone who sets that standard.
II. Presuppositionalist Approach
The second group, the presuppositionalists say that you cannot "arm wrestle" a person into believing in God. What is required is an act of God through His Word in the Bible upon the heart of the individual. Faith is the result. They stress that the Bible does not ever stoop to prove God exists or try to prove the Bible's truthfulness. The Bible assumes God exists. It simply starts out, "In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth..." (Genesis 1:1). Then in Psalm 14:1ff. it says, "The fool has said in his heart there is no God."
Nowhere does the Bible say, "You must believe God exists because of a teleological argument..... look at the cosmological argument..... come and reason your way to God..." The main problem between man and God is not a "lack of evidences" that would demand a verdict. The problem is sin (Isaiah 59:2). It is man's heart (Jeremiah 17:9). The Word of God is the powerful instrument in the hands of the Spirit of God that is used to convert a person's heart to believe. You don't have to "prove" the Bible before you can use it. It is already a powerful weapon.
That is the essence of the presuppositional approach--share the Word of God from the Bible. I personally rely on the this last approach because I believe it to be God's methodology in Scripture.
Article by:
Jim McGuire, M Div.
E-Mail: AACPrfBib@aol.com
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