One question that virtually every human has struggled with at one time or another is, “Does God exist?” Any number of life events can prompt us to raise this most important question and ponder its possible responses. Most commonly, our own pain and suffering or that of a close friend or family member can trigger even those strongest in their faith to consider this question. These same life experiences often force atheists to explore these issues of eternal significance as well.
Suffering and death have a way of shaking us out of our comfort zones to face the most basic of human yearnings. Like a building in an earthquake, these difficult times shatter our complacent lives and send us searching for something secure and immovable.
There is actually considerable evidence to support God’s existence so that our faith is well informed and we owe it to ourselves, our families, and our own eternities to examine it, know it, and be able to explain it. Although Jesus does invite us to trust Him implicitly, there were also times when He challenged doubters like Thomas to inspect the proof in order that they might have foundations beneath their faith.
Is there life after death? If so, what do we need to do now to prepare for it? If not, why does anything other than my immediate personal happiness matter? As Leo Tolstoy put it, “Is there any meaning in my life that the inevitable death awaiting me does not destroy?” These searching questions cry out for good answers.
Scottish evangelist and writer, Henry Drummond once remarked, “Doubt is looking for light. Unbelief is content with darkness.” His words accurately describe the stark difference between two divergent perspectives. There is nothing wrong with sincere questioning that seeks the truth but there is much wrong with intentionally rejecting what evidence is revealed or in avoiding whatever confirmations do exist in order to persist in ignorance and self-satisfaction.
Next Saturday, March 2, two speakers from Ravi Zacharias International Ministries will be at Antioch Church of the Brethren to help youth and adults find solid answers to the most challenging questions regarding life, death, God, and eternity. The event is free and all are welcome. Nathan Rittenhouse and Michael Suderman will be making presentations on these topics, but they will also respond to questions from the crowd.
In addition, they will take the answers to these difficult questions to their logical conclusions. If the evidence indicates there is a god of some type, how should that impact our lives now? How should it inform our lifestyles, prejudices, attitudes, sexuality, and stewardship? Unfortunately, many today claim to believe in the God of the Bible and yet live in willful disobedience to Him in many ways. What does this God expect from us and how should we respond to Him?
Even if we ourselves are secure in our faith, it behooves us as Christians to attend in order that we might do as I Peter 3:15 tells us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” That hope and the proofs of the Gospel are being attacked today from all sides. Christian parents, students, and employees need to know how to respond when a child, classmate, or co-worker asks us important life questions like those above. While we don’t have specific answers for every situation, God has provided very solid responses that all believers should know and be able to explain.
Good sturdy foundations for our faith do exist and are actually being reinforced today by science, archaeology, sociology, and history. If you are secure in your faith or if you have no faith at all, bring your friends to Antioch Church located at 23502 Senedo Road just outside of Woodstock on March 2 at 9:30am to ask your questions or to explore those of others. All of our foundations could use some shoring up. More information can be found at www.faithandreasonapologetics.com. Blessings, George