Monthly Archives: February 2024

Reasons to Believe

Can You Prove God Exists? Part 2-Hard Evidence

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In Part 1, nine barriers to belief were described.  There are more, but those probably cover almost all the excuses to believe in a Creator God.  I, personally, used several of them (if not all) when I was an atheist.  If you haven’t read Part 1, please stop here and go back to our first discussion.

In Part 1, the logical question was asked:

“What do you need to believe in a Creator God? 

Most unbelievers hardly ever consider this question.  Since they can’t see a physical form or hear a literal voice, belief in God takes a backseat to the things of earth that can be seen.  The catchphrase, “If I can see it, I won’t believe it” is the rule. 

Generally, this is not a bad rule to live by, but it can’t be all-encompassing because we believe things we can’t see every day.   Here are a couple of simple examples:

We can’t see wind, but that doesn’t keep us from believing there is wind and using it to our advantage. In other words, we believe there is wind because we see the effects, e.g., trees bending, leaves and paper being scattered, a roof blown away by a strong wind, etc. This would be circumstantial evidence.  No one knows its origin or its creation, but we know it’s there.

We couldn’t see the virus vaccine injected into our arms when we got the COVID shot.  It took much faith to believe in its existence and the scientific studies to show it would protect us from the effects of the virus, not to mention the faith we had to exercise regarding the quality control of the manufacturers, suppliers, and the ability of the doctors to inject me correctly. We couldn’t see every point in its delivery to us, but we believed it. Some people’s lack of faith led them in the opposite direction.

The “I can’t see Him” excuse is hypocritical; at the least, since we often exercise faith in things, we can’t see without worrying too much about it. 

The last article made this critical point:

If you don’t want to believe in a Creator God, you can find many personal excuses to be an unbeliever.

Consequently, a search will likely never be executed.  But if you want to know the truth about anything, you will search for it.  In some cases, it will take priority over all the other menial things in your life.

In Part 1, we learned that there is substance and evidence to provide a basis for belief and faith in God.  Paul wrote this significant passage about faith.  It is not blind!

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 Hebrews 11:1

This doesn’t sound like someone closing their eyes and chanting, “I do believe. I do believe,” to work up faith. Real confidence in the existence of God is based on proof and not just a mental exercise and personal feelings.  You can’t “whip up” faith. There is nothing wrong with searching for proof of God’s existence…If you want it.

In the article following this one, we will explore the circumstantial evidence. But I want to cut right to the heart of the matter.  It has to do with hard evidence that could be used in court.

Jesus and The Old Testament:

The first hard evidence is Jesus: He is either all He and the disciples claimed, or He pulled off the biggest scam in world history.   When I first started to explore the Bible and ancient history, this derogatory statement about deception was my platform to attempt to prove to my Christian wife that she was fooled into believing in Jesus.

I can hear you saying, “Men wrote the Bible to control people.” I felt the same. We could add this to the excuses described in Part 1, but how do we know if we never investigated it to begin with? Often, we, as humans, believe the reasoning of someone else and rest our faith in his or her words. This is also a fault of believers.

If you are still with me, let’s go to the number 1 hard proof of God’s existence and His character:

Jesus, the Messiah, is described many times in the Old Testament, written hundreds of years before He came on the scene. I was surprised by this discovery because I thought He was the product of some idealistic New Testament disciples:

Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Luke 24: 44-45

Let’s examine this closely. First, the setting for this passage was the third day after the Friday resurrection (33 AD).  On the first day of the week (Sunday evening), when Jesus appeared, for the first time, to the cowering, fearful disciples hiding behind closed doors.  They were terrified of dying the same way as Jesus (crucifixion). But then, Jesus suddenly stands before them!

Then, the same day in the evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

John 20:19

After eating broiled fish and honeycomb (See Luke 24: 41-43), Jesus gave the disciples a Bible study.

…He opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Luke 24:45

Jesus then proceeded to show how all the things written in the three divisions of the Old Testament, or Tanakh (as the Jewish people call it today), were fulfilled or will be fulfilled about Him. 

Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”

Luke 24:44

The three divisions of the Old Testament Jesus mentioned are: 

  1. Law of Moses-The first five books: (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).  Jesus is there in promises to Adam, Eve, Jacob, Esau, Abraham, and all the others.  He is also the point of the sacrificial laws and allegorical stories about Him, such as the story about Joseph.
  2. The Prophets:  This includes the books of all the major and minor prophets, starting with Isaiah through Malachi (the last book of the Tanakh).  16 books of the Bible written over hundreds of years by different authors.  They didn’t write philosophy; they wrote what they saw, and there was little possibility of collaboration or scheming.
  3. Psalms: This includes not only the book of Psalms but also the poetic book of Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes Proverbs.

What a Bible Study that would have been!  The disciples had all the hard evidence of witnesses by seeing and eating with Jesus, the Creator God in human flesh (See John 1, Colossians 1, and Hebrews 1).  In addition, they were briefed on the mysteries about Jesus that they couldn’t see in the Tankah.  This is a point to remember.  Real faith (belief and trust) will come when we study the Word of God, particularly the prophecies:

So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

Romans 10:16-18 (CSB)

Your faith will either grow or diminish based on how much serious time you spend studying and contemplating God’s word.  A little time in God’s word equals a little faith.  Much time in God’s word equals much faith.  It will grow strong and rooted if you exercise what you have learned.

 An interesting note here is that Jesus had given this same Bible study earlier in the day to two discouraged disciples on their way to Emmaus.  Jesus suddenly appeared (walking up from behind) as a stranger. Later in the evening, He revealed Himself to them at the evening meal.   Based on the distance traveled, this Tanakh study likely lasted about three hours—the approximate time for a casual, thoughtful walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus (about 7 miles).  You can read the complete account of this Bible study as they walked in Luke 24: 13-35.  Here are just a couple of highlights:

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.  So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained so that they did not know Him.

v. 13-16

These disciples were so discouraged! The eyes filled with discouragement can not see Jesus. The two travelers do not recognize him.   The One they had placed all their trust in and hope had been nailed to a rough Roman cross!  They were leaving the city of discouragement (Jerusalem) and traveling to Emmaus to start their lives over.  Then, without praying, only indulging in their self-pity and discouraging conversation, Jesus suddenly appears from behind.

Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded (explained) to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

v. 25-27

Jesus gently reminds them that they had failed to believe the prophets when they spoke about His sufferings.  As good Jews, they expected the Messiah to be a commander of an army who would free Israel from their enemies, in particular Rome. Sometimes, we want the Bible to say what we want it to say.  We want a Messiah on a white horse to come to free us from oppression! To clear up their misunderstanding, Jesus gives these two disciples a Bible study about “Himself,” starting with Moses (The first five books of the Old Testament) and the Prophets (16 books of prophecy written over hundreds of years!).

A subtle point in this story is the care Jesus has for a small audience of two people.  He is very personable, addressing our own personal discouragements! Also, we don’t find these two men praying. Instead, they were extremely downcast and talked about it openly. Misery loves company. Then Jesus shows up from behind them.  He sneaks upon them! They were not expecting anyone. Sometimes, God knows what we need to get us out of the funk.  He does it when you least expect it. But spending time learning from God’s word about Jesus will lift your spirits as it did with these men. They exclaimed:

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

v.32

Our hearts are not encouraged by religious creeds, cermonies, and traditions…only Jesus and the scriptures do we find the soul’s satisfaction. 

Author

A word of encouragement to those who are at their lowest in worrying and doubt: this is when Jesus will suddenly appear…without any pleading prayer.  Not in a large group, but just you. Why? Because He knows your specific need and what you must do to find peace.  He loves you deeply! In our darkest hour, Jesus can be the nearest to us, unseen as a stranger, ready to give you the words of life.  Just listen and be revived by His presence.  Then, seek to know Him more.

The point is that Jesus is not just another prophet or good person.  His advent was predicted by at least 48 major prophecies found in the Old Testament.  There are more, but we will start here.  The odds of Jesus fulfilling just eight prophecies are astronomical, aka as impossible unless it is 100% accurate:

  1. Born in Bethlehem,
  2. Preceded by a Messenger,
  3. Enter Jerusalem on a Donkey,
  4. Betrayed by a friend,
  5. Sold for 30 pieces of silver,
  6. Money is thrown into God’s house and used to buy the Potter’s field,
  7. Silent before His accusers and
  8. Crucified between two thieves

The odds of accidental or planned events by just one man are 1 in 10 to the 17th power.  Or 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000.  That number is 100 quadrillion.

If you include the 48 major prophecies, the odds are 1 in 10 with 157 zeroes behind it.

Eyewitnesses

There were many eyewitnesses of Jesus’ activities at His first coming to the earth.  The disciples created a case for Christ.  They saw and touched Jesus. Here are a few examples of their case statements:

John:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

1 John 1:1

Note:  John describes Jesus as the “Word” in his gospel (See John 1: 1-18).  In this passage, we learn about the divinity of Jesus as the Creator!

Peter:

For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we told you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

2 Peter 1:16

Unlike circumstantial evidence, there were many eyewitnesses!

Doubting Thomas

Thomas had separated himself from the other disciples for eight days.  When they finally saw him again, the believing disciples said,

We have seen the Lord!”

John 20:25a

But Thomas was like most of us, i.e., “I won’t believe unless I see Him myself.”

“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

 John 20: 25b

Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord’ and my God!”

John 20: 27-28

Thomas was finally satisfied by what he saw.  He had found His Lord and God.  Jesus encourages us who have not seen as did Thomas:

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:29

We may not be able to see Jesus and have the people’s direct experience of Jesus’ day, but we have enough reasons to believe the testimony of those who did.  There are even more than just His disciples who experienced Jesus in person!

Paul and the Other Disciples, Plus More Than 500 People, Saw the Resurrected Jesus!

The converted religious zealot, Paul, summarizes the eyewitness accounts described above in his letter to the Corinthians many years after the resurrection:

“…He was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas (one of the disciples walking to Emmaus), and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all He appeared to me also….

1 Corinthians 15: 4-8

Often, people who are religious need an encounter with Jesus to make their religion real and valuable to others. Just because someone goes to church and is active in it does not make their experience real.

Conclusion

It is in Jesus that we can find hard evidence of the existence and, more importantly, the true character of God.  The prophecies tell of His first and second coming.  The second coming prophecies are just as numerous as the first!)  Most have already been fulfilled.  Even the conditions of the last generation are described in detail.  There is no other religious man, god, or self-proclaimed deity/philosophy with prophecies fulfilled precisely and clearly as written by multiple prophets than Jesus.

There were many eyewitness accounts of Jesus and the events of His life on earth.  Because of what they saw, especially the resurrected Jesus, they went from fearful, discouraged unbelievers to men and women who proclaimed Jesus boldly, even to the point of torture and death.

If you want to know what the Creator God looks and acts like, look to Jesus.  The doubting Phillip wanted to see God the Father.  He said that would be enough for the other doubting disciples.

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father…

John 14: 8,9

The character of love, compassion, forgiveness, and sacrifice of God the Father can be seen in the life of Jesus!  They don’t have different personalities.  Jesus said,

“I and the Father are one.”

John 10:30

Learning about Jesus is a study of a lifetime.  So you have plenty of material.  This material includes nature and the life we see around us.

Next time, we will examine the circumstantial evidence of God’s existence in what we see daily.  Until then, the question remains,

“What will it take for you to believe in God?” 

But just believing He exists is not enough.  At some point, as you seek His guidance, you will learn to trust in Him and take Him at His word. As a result, you will find fellowship and peace in Him.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

Won’t you start that journey today? Contact me if you have questions or if I can help in any way.

Eddie

Reasons to Believe

Can You Prove God Exists?

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“Come now, let us reason together.” Isaiah 1:18

This is a fair question. 

I have heard people say,

“No, I can’t prove He exists, but I believe He does.” 

Why would someone believe in something they can’t see?  The more important question is, “What if it could be shown without a doubt that He exists and that the Bible is His reliable source of truth? What would you do?”

Since this is all about questions and doubt, let’s start with a personal question:

What do you need to believe God exists?

What would it take for you to believe a Creator God exists? How could you become convinced or satisfied with God’s existence?  Maybe it’s direct physical evidence, like in a murder case where you have DNA, a weapon, a video, and witnesses.  That would be a slam-dunk case.  Wouldn’t it?    If God showed up at your house or office as would a flesh and blood friend and say to you,

“Hello, I am God, and I am here to answer all your questions.”  

Then, He proceeded to answer the “why?” questions about losing a loved one, or He let you in on the solutions to world troubles.  Would you believe He exists?    What if He could tell you the secrets of your life that only you knew? Would you become a believer, then?

Let’s imagine on a grander scale.  What if He showed up at the Super Bowl this February, hovering in clouds above the 50-yard line on international TV, and said,

“Listen up, everyone, I am God, there is no other like me, and I can prove it.  I will predict the game’s score and the exact time each team scores.  Further, I am giving you the final stats of the game before kick-off.”

Would that be enough proof for you to become a believer?  How would it affect your life?

Perhaps you are a highly educated Ph.D. scientist with an understanding of the details of the biology of life. What would satisfy you that God exists and He originated all life and knows more than you do?  What if He explained how He created the universe and life and gave you formulas you had never considered?

Would all of this be enough? 

What would you do with this knowledge if you could be totally satisfied with God’s existence and ability to create everything from nothing?  Sadly, most would probably say,

“That’s great!  Now I got to go back to work.”

If it could be proved to you, without a doubt, of God’s existence, would you become a believer and seeker of Him and truth? 

Most would say,

“No, I am too busy with my life.”

Is it possible that unbelief is not because of a so-called lack of evidence but of something else?  Many people do not want there to be a Creator God for various reasons, but mostly because they love their lives, as degraded as they may be.  Could it be that we feel God would restrict our joy in life?  Then, how about the big question of moral absoluteness and accountability for our actions?

I propose to you that belief is not so much about proof of His existence as is the perceived inconvenience it would cause in our daily lives.  But having said all this, let’s continue with the elements to prove either circumstantially or directly His existence.  Let me say from the start that I have empathy for the unbeliever, having once been one. 

There are many reasons why people chose to believe there is no God and that all of the earth’s events are random and unmanaged.  This is where we will start.  Let’s take a look at the reasons given for unbelief in a creator God.

Barriers to Belief

1.)   Unwillingness to Investigate

Evidence of God’s existence starts with a willing search. You can’t find or learn something if you don’t want to look.  Many don’t want to look at it either due to time or just not being interested.  The result is quick opinions about something they know very little.  They become subject to theories that fit their desire.

Not true is the popular unbiblical saying, “Faith is blind.” A biblical definition of faith is based on the wide-open eyes of substance (confidence) and evidence (tangible).  That great religious writer, Paul, who was on his way to persecute Christian believers, said to the Hebrews:

Now faith is the substance (*confidence) of things hoped for, the evidence (*circumstantial and real, tangible) of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

*Parenthetical additions from the  original Greek words for substance and evidence:  hypostasis (substance) and elegchos (evidence)

God evidently cares about you getting the evidence, but if you don’t want it, there will be no way for it to help.  Herein lies the problem with a believer trying to prove God exists.  It probably doesn’t matter much if the person does not want there to be a Creator God.  So, the substance and evidence are unimportant to them, and they may never start a journey to find the truth.  Why?  It could be many personal reasons related to lifestyle, perception of what it means to be a believer, peer pressure, etc. 

Probably the most significant barrier to belief in God centers on suffering in the world.  In all fairness to the unbelievers, there are many things in life on this planet that create unbelief in a Creator God.  Even full-blown believers think about these things, but unlike the unbeliever, they have read and understand the words of the prophets about the fall of mankind, sin, the love of God, redemption through Christ, and the path mankind has been on for thousands of years.

2.)   Suffering in the World

“If there is a God, why is there so much pain and death in the world?

Suffering and death result from many things other than simply wearing out from old age.  Here are some examples: chronic physical and mental pain, continuous wars, bad accidents, mental breakdowns, violent crimes, child and spouse abuse, poverty, and hunger; oppression and persecution of those who feel superior… the list of sufferings that precede death goes on and on. 

The death of a loved one, a small child, a toddler, or a young person affects most of us tremendously.  The pain is sometimes unbearable.  Some will turn to alcohol or drugs to ease the pain.

This typical objection to the existence of God almost always starts with an “If” followed by a “why.”  “If” there is a God, then “why” is there suffering in this world?  “If there is a God, “why” did He let my mother die?”  “If” there is a God, “why” do I struggle all the time?

The insinuation from this question is that “if” God is good and in control, then none of these things would be present on earth.  Therefore, everything that happens is by man’s doing or the evolution’s cycle of life, suffering, and death.  The unbeliever reasons,  “Everything is by chance or coincidence.” 

So, this type of thinking requires life on earth to be like heaven, where no one dies or suffers, and everyone is happy. 

It is not hard to see something terribly wrong on planet Earth.  We have come to expect death, dying, and suffering, but was this God’s plan?  What happened?  The Bible has the answer, but it is not what most people want to know.

3.) The Actions of Unconverted Believers

The unloving, critical, judgmental nature of people in church or in public can do more to convince an unbeliever that God doesn’t exist or, at the least, not want a part of it. So, they will retreat to friends and flock together in their community where love is expressed. The wars and death in the name of religion just add more fuel or reasons to conclude those Christians, Muslims, etc., are just nuts.

4.) Science

Scientists use systematic principles and procedures to solve problems or gain knowledge by collecting data through observation and experiment.  Then, their hypotheses are tested. Science has benefited society in many ways. It has made life easier, safer, more convenient, and extended life and its quality. 

But, when it comes to the study of origins, some data is skipped over or maligned.  The intelligence (Creator) factor is removed, and we wind up with supposed evidence that interprets life’s beginnings according to man’s desire to dismiss the miracle of creation, procreation, and God.  It is thought that God and science have nothing in common, even though some see evidence that God is the originator of all laws that science depends upon.   

Evolution has moved from interpretive science to exact science in the minds of many.  Mankind’s self-education through the study and observance of nature concludes something different from an intelligent Creator. 

What if scientists were willing to look for scientific proof of a creator? What would they find?  Fortunately, there are many who have done so, but their work is minimized. Here is a link to a list of real scientists who believe in Creation and God.

God can’t be put in a test tube, but his fingerprints and DNA can be found there.  Nevertheless, if a scientist does not want to believe, evidence will not convince them.  They will always lean towards theories that fit their worldview and justify their lifestyle/worldview.  And, to be honest, it works the same with the Creationist.  It is difficult to be purely objective.

5.)   Philosophers

It has been estimated that there are over 3,000 philosophers worldwide.  Among them are different teachings on life, its beginnings, and endings. Is everybody right? Can error and truth coexist?  Evidently, it does in the minds of some people.  But logically, the truth is no less true, and error is no less wrong.

Listening to other people who are, or seem to be, experts (pundits) in their field and their reasoning can lead us to form similar opinions that may be right or wrong about many things, including God and the Bible. There are “non-pundits” (famous people such as actors and musicians, etc.)  who are not necessarily learned but have opinions that carry weight with those who admire them.. 

6.)   Deception

If you have read the Bible, even casually, you know that deception (for humans) started in a garden, runs through history, and ends with worldwide deception.  Satan is called “the father of lies” (See John 8:44).  Satan enticed the first couple with a false promise of eternal life and becoming like God (See Genesis 3:4-5).  There are many (worldwide) who believe themselves to be God or have received some special revelation. They gather gullible followers without an anchor.  These self-proclaimed gods prey on those who have no confident answers and are looking for convenient, self-satisfying truths about life.

With the advent of the web, the number of self-proclaimed philosophers/gods/pundits has reached a staggering level of exposure. Instead of one serpent, there is a whole nest of them all over the world.

Substance and evidence by the false gods are missing.  In its place is charisma and power. Following is a very small list of so-called gods on earth; some are dead. No denomination or nationality is exempt from cultic offshoots.  (Source: www.monitor.co.ug). Note: the multitude of podcasts, YouTube, and web personalities could be included, but it would take too much time to list them.

  • Owobusobozi Bisaka– (former Catholic who received a “revelation” and started his own denomination).
  • Moon Sun Myung-(former Presbyterian. He also received a “revelation,” founded the Unification Church)Inri Christo-Looks a lot like the classic pictures of Jesus and uses some of His teachings.
  • Sergei Torop founded the Church of the Last Testament.  He is a former policeman who was fired after insisting he was Jesus and began to impersonate him with long hair and flowing robes.
  • Arrifin Mohammed started the sect called The Sky Kingdom.  A former Muslim, he claims to be Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Shiva, and the supreme deity of all religions.
  • Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda-Jose founded Creciendo Gracia (Spanish for Growing in Grace) church in the US. At first, Miranda, who is from Mexico, claimed to be Paul, a leading figure of the Bible.
  • David Koresh, a former member of an offshoot of Seventh-Day Adventists called Shepherd’s Rod, also known as Davidians. Shepherd’s Rod founder was Victor Houteff, whom the worldwide Seventh-Day Adventist Administration excommunicated in 1930.
  • Marshall Applewhite, founder of Heaven’s Gate, based his beliefs on a mixture of Christian Eschatology and mysticism. He convinced his 38 followers (and himself) that the comet Hale-Bobb was accompanied by a spaceship that would take them from this world, but to get aboard, they needed to leave the physical body through death. 

7.)   A Multitude of Religious Denominations

Numbers vary and go as high as 30,000 distinct denominations.  If you want your head to spin, see the details about the plethora of world religions and denominations on Wikipedia).  Most of these folks were born into their particular denomination.  Some convert, I am sure.  But most would feel they have the truth about God.  But how can everybody be right?  Solomon, the wise man of God, cautioned,

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 14:12, 16:25

8.)   There is No Absolute Truth

This mass confusion has led many to say, “There is no absolute truth.”  But is that true, absolutely?  If “yes,” then that statement contradicts itself.  If the answer is “no,” then there must be absolute truth out there somewhere.

Some proclaim, “I have my truth, and you have your truth.”  Does this mean that everyone is right and nobody is wrong?  Is that even possible?  Do feelings determine truth?  I can feel that I can fly, but if I jump off a skyscraper, the truth about gravity will have people scrapping me off the sidewalk.

 9.)   Reliability of the Bible

This is an often-used excuse for unbelief.  It is usually stated by those who have only heard things and never researched or studied themselves.  This we will explore later.

Summary

There is a multitude of reasons for disbelief.  This planet is in chaos.  Wouldn’t you agree?  We could study each philosopher, each deity, and each denomination, but that would take more than a lifetime. The truth is out there. God is out there, too!  But what will it take to convince you?

Jesus is the most influential religious leader of all time.  He and his disciples made some fantastic claims.  Jesus Himself said, 

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,”  John 14:6

This exclusive claim is either true or it is false. If you believe it to be true, you will have reasons for the hope that is within you.  If you believe it is false, you, too, must have evidence.  But you won’t know until you search the Bible alone.  Deception awaits you if you research the web or read books that claim Jesus is false. You are also in danger listening to family and friends.   It is only in the writings of approximately 40 writers whom God inspired to write or were eyewitnesses of Jesus. The story of Jesus is not limited to one writer as it is with others who claim to be God.   The proof is in the Bible, which covers thousands of years from creation to destruction.   

Are you willing to give Jesus and the Bible a chance?  Do you want to follow the evidence and its conclusion?  If not, you have wasted your time reading all this.  But if you are willing and have an open mind, the truth will set you free from doubt and set you on a new, satisfying journey in life. 

We have looked at some barriers to belief.  Next time, we will look at sources for truth and belief in God.  These things put before me reasons to believe.  Hopefully, it will provide the same for you.  But it is your choice.

Please read the follow-up discussions of Can You Prove God Exists?-Part 2 and Part 3

For more information on the comparison of gods and philosophers, see Will the True God Please Stand Up-Part 1