.
|
4 frequently asked questions
|
|
|
1. How do I know that God exists?
2. How do I know that the Bible is reliable?
3. Wasn’t Jesus just another great religious teacher?
4. Did Jesus rise from the dead?
1. How do I know that God exists?
Perhaps this is the most fundamental question that you could ever ask. How do you know that God is really there? Is there clear evidence for believing in his existence? Well, although there are many arguments that we could use, we are going to home in on four.
a. The Existence of the Universe. Just by observing life in general we notice that some things cause other things to be. For example the words that you are reading right now are here because someone sat down in front of a computer and typed them! We call this ‘cause and effect’. The writer is the cause and the words are the effect. But this principle, which can be seen multiplied countless times throughout our world, leads us to ask ‘what was the first cause?’ Or to put it another way ‘what brought the universe into being?’
Many scientists answer this question by arguing that the universe is the result of the ‘Big Bang’, but even if we accepted this questionable theory just for the sake of argument, yet it doesn’t actually answer our question, because we are still left wondering how matter came into existence and what caused the ‘Big Bang’ in the first place.
We are left with only two possibilities. The first is that the universe has always existed, which few would argue in support of, and the other is God. As an Uncaused Being he must have brought the universe into being and set everything else in motion just as the Bible tells us.
b. Design within the Universe. If you consider our world again for a moment, you cannot help being struck by the beauty and intricacy of everything. Wherever you look there is order, harmony and purpose, but where do these things come from? Some would answer by saying that chance has produced this intricate world, through an evolutionary process. However, an increasing number of scientists are arguing that our world displays clear signs of intelligent design and they point to what is called ‘irreducible complexity’.
To illustrate this complex idea, think of a mousetrap. A mousetrap has several components, a platform, a hammer, a spring, a catch and a holding bar. Now if you remove any of these five components the trap ceases to work, because each component is essential. Well scientists have noted that we see something similar particularly in the field of biology. There are numerous biochemical systems which contain several proteins, but if just one of those proteins is removed the system ceases to function. This fact cannot be explained by evolution and leads us to the conclusion that these systems and everything else in our world must have been designed by a Creator who had a clear purpose in mind.
c. Ourselves. So far we have noted that the existence of the universe and its complex design point us to the existence of God, but we also find evidence by looking closer to home. Someone has said that “we need God to explain ourselves” and that is so true. Just consider the fact that you and I are born with a natural sense of right and wrong. We all know that it is wrong to steal, to lie, to commit adultery or to murder. When we see someone being treated badly we automatically fell a sense of injustice, but where did this sense of right and wrong come from?
Well it cannot be explained by evolution. In fact if we are the result of a biological process governed by nothing more than chance, we have no basis for saying that anything is justice or unjust. The only satisfactory way to explain this moral aspect to our makeup is to believe that God, having made us in his own image, has put within us a sense of right and wrong. This also acts as a reminder that one day we will have to stand before this just and holy God, and explain our actions.
d. Jesus Christ. But perhaps the greatest evidence for the existence of God is the person of Jesus Christ. He came into this world and whilst here, provided us with undeniable evidence by his life and ministry, that there is a God and that he is his Son. If you would like to know more about Christ, you may find some of the following questions helpful.
Some helpful Bible verses:
Genesis 1:1-31; Psalm 19:1-6; 139:14; John 20:30-31; Romans 1:20-23; 2:14-15; 14:10-12.
_________ _back to menu
2. How do I know that the Bible is reliable?
For many people the Bible is just an ancient book, full of myths and fables that has been proved to be historically unreliable. But is this common perception actually true?
One of the first things that strikes you when you read the Bible is that it is written as if it were history. We are often given a great deal of detail including geography, place names, names of officials and local customs. Frequently we are given information by those who claim to be eyewitnesses of the events described.
All of this means that it is relatively easy to verify much of what the Bible says and repeatedly the Scriptures have proved to be accurate. Firstly, the style of the various biblical books corresponds with the particular style found in documents dating from similar periods. Secondly, it has often been shown that the immense amount of historical detail in Scripture is trustworthy and could only have been known by those were very familiar with events recorded. It is also important to remember that many undisputed historical events in secular history have far less documentary evidence than the events recorded in the Bible.
All of this means that we can have confidence in Scripture. But perhaps the clearest evidence of all is the Bible’s own testimony. Repeatedly the Bible claims to be the Word of God and this is no idle claim, because on countless occasions the Bible proves its reliability by prophesying in detail about events that were not to come to pass for centuries. Also despite being written over a period of more than fifteen hundred years, by numerous different authors, in more than one language and on three different continents, the Bible has an undeniable internal harmony and coherent message.
Some helpful Bible verses:
Psalm 12:6; 19:7-11; 119:105; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
_________ _back to menu
3. Wasn’t Jesus just another great religious teacher?
During the history of the world there have been many teachers who have founded their own religions and it is often thought that Jesus is just one amongst the many.
But as we try to answer this question it is helpful to ask how Jesus viewed himself and it soon becomes clear that he did not regard himself as someone who had come to establish yet another religion and to tell us how to live. He once said that he had come “to seek and to save the lost”. Fundamentally Jesus viewed himself as being a Saviour. As someone who has come into this world to rescue us from the brokenness of our own lives and to bring us back to a relationship with God.
It is also clear that Jesus made far greater claims about his own identity then any other teacher, because he claimed to be the Son of God! This bold assertion caused consternation amongst the religious leaders of his day, who regarded him as being guilty of blasphemy. But when we consider the facts of his miraculous birth, his extraordinary wisdom and teaching, and the power he displayed as he cast out demons, healed the sick and raised the dead, it is clear that what he said about himself was true.
But perhaps what sets Christ apart most of all is the fact that he achieved the salvation of his people, through his own death upon a cross. The Bible makes it clear that despite living a perfect life, Jesus went to the cross in order to pay the price for our sin and having paid that price, he rose triumphantly from the dead after three days. On the basis of these facts we can understand why H. G. Wells once said “Christ is the most unique person in history.”
Some helpful Bible verses:
Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 52:13-53:12; Matthew 1:18-24; John 1:1-18; 3:16-18; 14:6; 20:30; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 1:3-10; Hebrews 1:1-14; 1 Peter 2:24.
_________ _back to menu
4. Did Jesus rise from the dead?
It may seem incredible that in the 21st century there are still people who believe in the resurrection, but the question of whether Jesus rose from the dead is crucial to the whole Christian message. The apostle Paul went so far as to say that if Jesus has not been raised then Christianity is a lie!
What evidence is there for the resurrection? Well, as soon as we start thinking about this issue we find that the evidence lies in two distinct areas:
a. The Empty Tomb.
Firstly, there is the empty tomb. Now there are a number of possibilities that could explain why the tomb was empty:
i. The Body was stolen.For example Jesus’ body could have been stolen. But that immediately raises a further question as to who stole the body?
A number of suggestions have been made over the centuries. Some have thought that the disciples stole the body, but this is highly unlikely. After the horrific death of Christ they were not in a fit state to organise a raid on the tomb and even if they had been, how would they have been able to get past the guards who were posted in order to stop this very thing? Also most of the disciples died for their faith, but would they really have been prepared to die for a message that they knew was not true?
Another explanation has been to suggest that Jesus’ enemies stole the body. They were well aware of the fact that he had said that he would rise, so perhaps they stole the body to make sure that the disciples did not get there first? But if they were responsible, why did they not produce Jesus’ body as soon as the disciples started proclaiming the resurrection?
A third group that could have been responsible for stealing the body were grave robbers. But this is also unlikely. They probably knew that Jesus was a convicted criminal with very few earthly possessions and even if they didn’t, would they have risked mounting a raid on a guarded tomb?
ii. Jesus was not dead. Another possible explanation for the empty tomb is the idea that Jesus did not actually die. Some people have suggested that when Jesus was taken down from the cross, he was in something like a comatose state and that he revived whilst in the tomb.
But when considering this possibility we need to remember that Jesus had been severely beaten and whipped before his death. He had also been crucified by having his hands and feet nailed to a cross, where he was to hang for several hours. Not to mention the fact that a spear was driven into his side by Roman soldiers who were then convinced that he was dead. Now is it likely that a man in this condition was able to remove the heavy stone placed over the doorway of the tomb and walk a considerable distance into Jerusalem, without been detected either by the guards or someone else?
So if Jesus’ body was not stolen and he did not revive in the tomb, then there is only one other possibility and that is that Jesus rose from the dead.
_________ _back to menu
b. The Appearances.
The second area of evidence is the various appearances of Jesus after the resurrection. Now once again there are a number of possibilities:
i. A Hoax. One possibility is that it was an elaborate hoax organised by the disciples.
But this still doesn’t explain the fact that the tomb was empty or how the traumatised disciples were able to organise such a sophisticated deception.
Also the very nature of the appearances makes it unlikely that this was a hoax. Jesus appeared to individuals, couples and groups (one numbering 500). The appearances took place in various locations and at different times. Also if this were a hoax would the disciples really have admitted that some of them initially refused to accept the fact of the resurrection and that some failed to recognise Jesus? Whatever explanation we give to these appearances, the idea that this was a hoax seems very doubtful.
ii. A Hallucination. Finally, some people think that the resurrection appearances are the result of hallucination. From time to time we do hear of people, who having gone through the trauma of losing loved ones, see the departed as a result of hallucination. So is this a potential explanation of Jesus’ appearances?
Well it is virtually impossible that so many people could have experienced the same hallucination at exactly the same time and place. Also when grieving relatives see their loved ones as a result of hallucination, they always recognise those who have died, but as we have said already some of the disciples did not immediately recognise Christ. Plus the fact that Jesus eat with his disciples, walked and talked with them, and even allowed some of them to touch him, rules out the possibility that this was a hallucination. This means that the only other possible explanation is that Jesus really did rise from the dead and that through his resurrection those who trust in him can also have hope that they too will rise again.
Some helpful Bible verses:
Psalm 16:9; Matthew 16:21 & 28:1-20; John 20:1-30; Acts 1:1-3; Romans 1:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 & 15:22-23; 2 Corinthians 5:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 & 4:14; 1 Peter 1:3.
Ordinary people in Ireland with Real life Experiences with God
Contact us by eMailing:info4YOU
|
|
|
|
|
