Tyler Ward
spiritual formation pastor
This past weekend we continued our Q series by exploring a variety of evidences for the existence of God.
Dr. Chad Meister talked with us about God as the creator and the grand designer of the universe. He pointed out that our faith in God should not be a belief in something irrational. Rather it is a belief that is bolstered by evidences and good reasons. He explained that the biblical word for faith is the Greek word – pistis. It implies a trust and confidence that is based on the evidence.
He shared with us the story of Abraham in Genesis 22 and pointed out his tremendous faith in God. Abraham obeyed God because of his faith, trust, and confidence in him. This was not a blind faith though…rather, it was faith that was based on what he had already seen and had come to know about God. Dr. Meister shared that it can be the same for us as well. Our faith, trust, and confidence in God can be based on what we have seen, experienced, and come to know about him, too.
To illustrate this, Dr. Meister gave the example of looking for a new family dentist. When he and his wife moved to a new town several years ago – they were looking for a dentist. As a result of some traumatic (and comical) experiences as a kid, he was very doubtful that he’d be able to find one that he was comfortable with. Not knowing where to start, he began asking other friends and family members who they would recommend. It was based on their evidences and reasons that he had confidence in the dentist he chose. In addition to this, as he starting going to this dentist – he developed a sense of trust in him over time as the dentist proved that he could be trusted. Eventually, Dr. Meister had no problem believing in what his dentist told him he needed to do – because his dentist had given him reason to do so.
It’s the same when it comes to our faith in God. He has provided us with incredible evidences for his existence in the creation that he has made. In addition to this, he has given us incredible reasons to believe in him through the stories of the Scriptures and through the lives of others. This is why it’s so important to read the Bible and to do life together in community with others. It is through this that our faith, trust and confidence in God (both in his existence and in his reliability) can be strengthened.
In addition to this, Dr. Meister reiterated for us that science and faith do not need to be at odds – and in fact good science and good faith should not be at odds. All truth is God’s truth – so good science actually reveals to us tremendous things about our God.
Even though this is the case, the final thought that Dr. Meister shared is that the evidences themselves still will not bring us into a relationship with God. They can build our confidence, but they can’t lead us into eternal life. We are thankful for the ways that they point us to God and build our trust in him, but we still must decide to surrender our lives to him – and to allow him (the creator of this vast and amazing universe) to have his proper place in our lives.
- What are some of the most compelling evidences for God that you see in creation?
- What are some of the greatest doubts that you have regarding the existence of God?
- What are some the things that God has revealed to you, about his existence and about who he is, that have deepened your faith, trust, and confidence in him?
- In light of God’s greatness, that has been revealed through the creation that he has made, what are some things that are preventing him from having his proper place in your life?
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