Does God Exist?

Sorry I missed my Sunday post, so here it is a day late and I hope not a dollar short. I am starting a series called "Life Questions." Of course the first thing to ask is, "Does God Exist?" I say yes and I will show you evidence why with this post. Now remember this is a basic not an in depth post; after all many books have been written on this subject.  This is a long paper so I am going to divide it up into two parts.

Part I

Acts 17

In February 2009 a group of scientists gathered at Chicago’s Fermilab to conduct experiments to discover the “God particle.” Also know as the Higgs boson, physicists believe that the God particle is a special subatomic particle that “allows all other particles in the universe” to bond together and have mass.

All atoms consist of protons, electrons, and neutrons. Beyond that, seventeen subatomic particles have been discovered [six uncharged leptons, six charged quarks and five force-carrying bosons].  

They believe that by smashing these particles into each other they can replicate the supposed “Big Bang.” What they can’t understand is how matter comes together and maintains its integrity. They theorize that the “God particle” is a charged particle that pulls matter together. They admit, however, that should they prove that the Higgs boson does not exist, they will have to create a new theory to explain “how atoms congeal into matter.”

The spokesman for Fermilab, a physicist, assessed their progress with an ongoing question from his mother, “Have you found God yet?” The answer is simply, no. Maybe they’re looking in the wrong place. [Parade, “The Race for the Secret of the Universe,” July 26, 2009, 4] 

Unfortunately, many have yet to find God. Some are even unsure if He is out there to be found. This, of course, is not a new development. The Apostle Paul encountered the same confusion and uncertainty when he walked among the idols at Mars Hill in Athens. As he walked across the hill, he passed a vacant altar [Acts 17:23] with the inscription, “To the unknown God.”

That monument illustrates humanity’s quest to answer the question, “Does God exist?” As we reflect on that question we should consider the options.

I. The choices before us.

Basically there are only three possible answers to the question.

1. The atheist says, “No” – (17:16, 29)

1. The atheist considers all concepts of god just human inventions, “idols” (vs. 29)
   
   
2. Paul contrasts the true God against anything conceived or created by man. (vs. 29)

2. The agnostic says, “Maybe” – (17:18a)

1. “Epicureans and Stoics,” these two philosophies believed that if a god or gods do exist, the deities were impersonal and removed from human experience.
   
   
2. Humans, according to them, could not know the gods, and the gods were not overly concerned with humans. 
    
3. Paul reasons with them, telling them they have it all wrong – (17:17)

3. The Christ follower says “YES” -- Paul declared with authority and certainty that God is real and that He has become a part of human existence to redeem fallen humanity by His Son, Christ Jesus. 
    
4. In reality there are only two answers you either believe God is or you believe God is not. Which one of these two answers will you base your eternal future on?
   
   
   Part II next Sunday