By Eric D. Gardner
There exist several reasons why one would not believe in God; such as lack of respect for authority, pride, immorality, hypocrisy or misconduct of believers in God, and the existence of evil and human suffering. Many times people fail to believe in what they cannot experience with the five senses; sight, hearing, smelling, tasting, or touching.
Have you ever been fortunate enough to watch a bird build a nest? Should you be so blessed to witness this magnificent feat, pay attention to the preciseness of the bird as it labors for its temporary abode. One will notice that the bird has no arms for heavy lifting. The bird does not possess fingers to assist in complexity of the design of the nest. The tiny creature, relative to the size of humans, has no tools to utilize regarding his work. It has no hammer, nails, ladders, or wheelbarrows. The minuscule marvel does not hire a construction company to erect its peaceful pad. This writer was privileged to be in the right place at the right time and observe a bird assemble its nest. While gazing in awe at the ability of this miniature manufacturer, Psalm 14:1 came to mind, “The fool has said in his heart, there is no God …”
By the pen of inspiration, the psalmist describes the very foundation of atheism. Atheism is defined as a disbelief in the existence of deity. Basically, atheism is the belief that there is no God. There exist several reasons why one would not believe in God; such as lack of respect for authority, pride, immorality, hypocrisy or misconduct of believers in God, and the existence of evil and human suffering. Many times people fail to believe in what they cannot experience with the five senses: sight, hearing, smelling, tasting, or touching. One of the major arguments used to endorse and defend atheism is the theory of evolution. Evolution is the hypothesis (theory) that millions of years ago, lifeless matter was acted upon by natural forces and gave origin to one or more minute living organisms which have since evolved into all living and extinct plants and animals including man. Has your brain exploded yet? Simply speaking, evolution says that a small speck of matter had always existed and one day that matter exploded, hurling the universe into its proper order and from this non-living matter came living creatures. Wayne Jackson stated, “Here is a most interesting problem. How does something come from nothing? Some years ago I debated an atheist, Professor Paul O. Ricci, in southern California on the question of the existence of God. One of the arguments I pursued was this. Something cannot come from nothing. But something is. Thus, something always has been” (Jackson). Evolution denies the following facts: that creation took place (Genesis 1:1, 21, 27), that creative work has ceased (Genesis 2:2; Hebrews 4:3-4), that God created male and female (Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 19:4), that man is a unique creature (Genesis 1:26), and fixity of “kind”––meaning man cannot reproduce with animals (Genesis 1; 2:20; Matthew 19:1-6). Thankfully, the God of heaven and Creator of all things have given us the proof we need in order to know that He indeed exists.
God’s Revelation
In Acts 14 Paul and Barnabas went to the city of Lystra in the region of Lycaonia; speaking of God in verse 7, they said, “Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” In 1 John 2:3, the blessed apostle wrote, “And hereby we do now that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.”
Jehovah God has revealed Himself to us in two ways––natural and special revelation. Bert Thompson stated that, “Natural revelation comes to man through nature. The first six verses of Psalm 19 declare that God has given a revelation of Himself in nature that constantly is testifying to the existence of the Creator…special revelation is found only in the Bible. It has become inscripturated; it is of word and of fact, and is historical in nature” (Thompson). In natural revelation, we can learn something of God by observing His creation and its design. Consider the wonder of nature in its entire splendor. Nature shows us that there is a Designer. Psalm 19:1-6 addresses the natural aspect in which God has revealed Himself to man.
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 is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run a race. Its rising is from the end of the heaven, and its circuit to other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
“To declare” means to intentionally make known and “uttereth speech” is the view of the wonders of His creations. Paul stated that man can see the invisible things of God by observing the “things that are made” or God’s creation (Romans 1:20).
Psalm 19:7-11 addresses the special aspect in which God has revealed Himself to man.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is Your servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Special revelation originates from and is only given through God’s inspired Word. The Holy Scriptures––the Bible––are the only way we can know of God, His Son Jesus the Christ, and the salvation that they offer. Jesus made known the Father to us (John 1:18), Jesus revealed the Father to us (John 14:7-9), the Holy Scriptures declare God to us (John 20:30-31), the Gospel is the power of God, and without it, man cannot know of salvation (Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:15).
The beauty of nature should prompt one to seek for the Cause of such a marvelous effect. Mankind should desire know the Designer of such a glorious design. Even if man is ignorant of the Bible, he is still without excuse for his failure to seek God from observing nature (Romans 1:18-22). Thus, by creation and inspiration we have God’s two great books: nature and the Bible. No one should be ignorant to the presence of the invisible hand of God, if so, it is from willful ignorance (2 Peter 3:8).
About the Author
Eric D Garner holds his M.Ed. from Lee University in Cleveland, TN. He is currently employed with Cleveland City Schools as a 7th grade math/science teacher. He graduated with his Bible degree from the Online Academy of Biblical Studies in 2011. Eric attends the Avondale church of Christ in Chattanooga, TN, where he serves as the pulpit minister since 2009. He resides in Cleveland, TN with his lovely wife and daughter.
