PART 1 - CONFIDENCE 

There are a number of good reasons why a Christian can be confident that God is real. But the first thing to note is that we can be confident at all. Some people say that we "just need to have faith" to know that God is real. And sometimes when they say this, they imply that our faith is a kind of blind leap in the dark. But while it's true we should have faith in God, the Bible itself never suggests that knowing God is nothing more than a leap of "blind" faith. As an example, consider a great work of art such as a painting or sculpture. As a person admires it, they won't doubt that the artist who created it exists. This is true even if the artist isn't standing beside their work of art. In this scenario we wouldn't say that the person who believes in the existence of the artist is taking a blind leap in the dark. In a similar way, the world we live in is like a great work of art that gives us confidence that God exists.

"[God's] invisible attributes… have been clearly perceived." (Romans 1:20)

PART 2 - EVIDENCE

The reason sensible people believe that something like gravity exists, but don't believe something like Bigfoot exists has to do with evidence. There's strong evidence that points to the reality of gravity even though it's invisible. By contrast, the ridiculous grainy videos of Bigfoot (apparently no increase in megapixels can bring Bigfoot into focus) and the absence of any Bigfoot feces or skeletons points strongly against the reality of such a creature. The belief that gravity exists and Bigfoot doesn't hinges on the evidence. So if we're going to be confident about the existence of God, we have to look at the evidence. We'll cover only three pieces of evidence, though there is a lot more evidence than just these three:

Evidence #1 - The Universe

Our universe doesn't explain its own existence. That is, we have no reason to think our universe could be here right now apart from God. God is the best explanation for where our universe came from and why it has certain extraordinary features. When we gaze at the beauty of a sunset or the power of an ocean or feel the warmth of a mother's compassion, we're indirectly perceiving the glory of God. But if we want to dig deeper into the nature of human life or of the sophisticated order of the universe, we will find even more evidence of God's fingerprints. Science has done us all a great favor by discovering just how spectacularly ordered our universe is. This sophisticated order leaves the distinct impression that it was created by a Divine Designer.

[God's] invisible attributes…have been clearly perceived…in the things that have been made." (Romans 1:20) 

Evidence #2 - The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

Though God is invisible, there was one extraordinary moment in history when he became visible by visiting earth as a human being. The unique and unmatched story of Jesus Christ has left unmistakably Divine footprints in the dust of history. Furthermore, a Christian can listen for the echo effect of his teachings in the canyons of history and see that his unique ideas radically changed the world for the better.

"The Word was God…and… became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory." (John 1:1, 14)

Evidence #3 - Majority Opinion

The vast majority of people, coming from many different countries, cultures, and languages, believe God exists. In fact, such an overwhelming majority of people throughout all of history have believed in God (in at least a general sense) that only a tiny sliver of people have ever been confident that God doesn't exist. So even when a Christian stumbles into doubts about the existence of God, they should still remain skeptical of the small minority of people who assert absolute disbelief in God.

"The fool says in his heart, "There is no God" (Psalms 14:1)

Yes, every person observes at least some evidence pointing to the reality of God. Just as the sun's light shines across the entire earth, in the same way the light of God is seen by all. Some of the evidence we mentioned in the first question is evidence that everyone can see, such as a beautiful sunset. In fact, many ancient thinkers who lived far away from the lands of Israel and were unfamiliar with the Bible wrote about their belief in God. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are some of the most famous Gentiles who believed in God long before Jesus was born. 


"The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world" (John 1:9)

But there are two important things to keep in mind when we say that there's evidence or "light" for everyone in the world.

First, there are degrees of light

Not everyone witnesses the same amount of evidence. For example, some people know very little about the sophisticated evidence that science provides for the existence of God. Others don't know much about the story of Jesus. God will judge each person according to the amount of evidence that they have witnessed. If a person has a lot of light and they refuse to believe, they will be judged more strictly than someone who has less light and refuses to believe. 


"Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required." (Luke 12:47-48)

Second, we were created with an inclination to believe 


God not only shines a light externally for all to see, he also has implanted inside of everyone a kind of homing device. People hunger for God in their souls. This hunger can't be satisfied by anything we experience except by a relationship with God our Creator. A person who resists belief in God is, so to speak, starving their soul. 


"Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)

A person can know only a few things about God if they have never read the Bible. This is because the Sacred Scriptures are God's words to humanity. In a similar way, people can know only a few things about you if you never open your mouth to reveal what you think. A philosopher once said that knowing God without reading the Bible is like seeing the shadow of a person standing out of view. Their shadow indicates that they are there, but it reveals only a few things about what they're like. Here are four things a person can know about God even if they haven't read about him in the Bible: 


First, God is eternally powerful

This means that God is outside of space and time. He doesn't live within the universe the way you and I do, but the universe, so to speak, lives within him. Also, it means that God is unimagineably powerful. This is obviously true because the universe itself is spectularly large and powerful and it has been made by God. For some perspective on how big the universe is, if you could fly a rocket to the nearest star and travelled at 60 mph, you would arrive there in about 48 million years! 


[God's] eternal power…[has] been clearly perceived" (Romans 1:20)

Second, God is uniquely divine


This means that God, as Creator and Owner of the universe, rightfully commands every person's worship and obedience. God is like the sun in that you wouldn't just walk up to him even if you could traverse the distance. He isn't like anything else in the universe in this sense and should be respected and feared. 


[God's] eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived" (Romans 1:20)

Third, God doesn't need anyone else to accomplish anything he does

A person's works don't in any way fill a hole God can't fill all by himself. Even if a person were devoted to him completely (and nobody is), their service wouldn't make him feel obligated to compensate that person for their efforts.

"[God isn't] served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything" (Acts 17:25)

Fourth, God is good and wise

The world has an underlying goodness and order despite the obvious presence of great evil. Everyday we are alive, we experience God's wisdom and goodness


"[God] did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you [Gentiles] rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:17)

There are at least five crucial things that the Bible uniquely reveals about God’s attributes:

First, God is One

God isn’t like the ancient pagan gods who disagree with each other and don't get along. Since God is one and the trinity is unified, every part of a Christian's life should be oriented to God the way all cell phones in one area draw a signal from one tower. A Christian's devotion shouldn't be divided between God and anything else.

The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).

Second, God is personal

God is more like human beings than he is like anything else in the universe. He is more like you than he is like a turtle or an ocean or gravity.

God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him (Genesis 1:27).

Third, God is love

God loves the world he has made and he wants the world to love him in return. He is the author of love and nobody can truly enjoy love apart from his love.

God is love (1 John 4:8).

Fourth, God is holy and just

God is totally separate from sin and never entices anyone to sin. He is completely good and his will always works toward a good end. Therefore, God will one day judge all the wrongs and injustice in the world.

[God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31).

Fifth, God is merciful and forgiving

God delights in showing mercy to repentant sinners who otherwise deserve judgement. He freely chooses to forgive people who surrender the salvation of their souls to him in faith. This forgiveness is not something that people can "win" from God through sacrifices or good deeds. All Forgiveness arises from the free choice of an offended person to give a release to their offender. An offender can't demand or earn forgiveness.

God [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger,…forgiving…sin (Exodus 34:6-7)

Other religions also teach true things about God. But there are three flaws in the things they get right:

First, their truth is incomplete

Most religions teach at least some true things about God in a very vague sense (such as the fact that he is real and that he is powerful, wise, or good). But these religions are incomplete in their teaching about God.

[Paul said to the Athenians] "What...you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:23).

Second, their truth is flawed

Religions outside of Christianity are not only incomplete. They're also flawed. Jesus sharply rejected the notion that a person could approach God through paths that lie outside of Christianity.

Jesus said… “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Third, their truth is always mixed with falsehood

All religions outside of Christianity are dangerous. They mix falsehoods about God with the truth, just as the Devil did in his conversation with Eve. Turning to these other religions for information about God is like eating a slice of hot pizza - that’s poisoned. Jesus muzzled the demons even if they spoke the truth about him because they were never to be trusted.

Demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But [Jesus] rebuked them and would not allow them to speak (Luke 4:41).

There are three reasons why the biblical God is far more likely to be the true God:

First, the best explanation is usually the truth

When the famous Sherlock Holmes solves a case, the explanation that ties all of the evidence together in the simplest way is usually the truth. In a similar way the Bible provides the best explanation for all of the mysteries of the universe (such as the origin and nature of human beings). No other religion comes close to the Bible in this respect. In fact, almost all religions offer explanations for only a small number of the mysteries of the universe. The more mysteries solved (satisfyingly), the stronger the whole explanation is. It’s like holding your cell phone: the more fingers you use, the stronger the grip.

A threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Second, the findings from history

God has revealed himself on a number of occasions throughout history. The historical accounts of these events serve as a recorded log of God’s visits to the earth. They allow a person later in history to investigate and evaluate the story of the biblical God. They reveal a clear pattern of God’s character and salvation across many events in different places and times. The same God doing the same kinds of things in the same way. They also contain precise prophecies which a Christian can see have been fulfilled accurately. Together these recorded historical events serve as "tracks" across history verifying that the Bible’s God is real and identifiable and incomparably superior to the gods of all other religions.

We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place (2 Peter 1:19).

Third, the person Jesus of Nazareth

The most important and convincing of all these “God-tracks” left in the dust of history are the ones left by Jesus. No other religion apart from the Bible has as its central figure a person even remotely as unique and compelling as Jesus of Nazareth. He claimed to be the Son of God. His extraordinary teachings, healings, and death and resurrection validate the truth of his claims.

Jesus said..., "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).”

The best evidence that the non-believing cite to try and show that God doesn’t exist comes from two observations: one from morality, the other from science.

PART ONE - THE PROBLEM OF SUFFERING

The most powerful evidence against the reality of God for most people arises from the fact that God doesn't regularly intervene to stop unspeakable evil and injustice in the world.

ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM OF SUFFERING

The Bible candidly acknowledges this problem. Evil and suffering deeply affect all people, believers and nonbelievers alike. It’s demoralizing to live in a world with so much evil and injustice, especially for the Christian since he/she professes that a supremely loving and just God created and oversees the world. For this reason, many of the major characters of the Bible (e.g. Abraham, David, and Job) openly protest to God. Jesus himself memorably expressed on a few occasions his own grief over the world’s evil and suffering. It's unrealistic to think this problem has received a completely satisfying answer in the Bible. No reasons, however logically sound, are more attractive to a sufferer than a simple release from their suffering. That release eventually comes to everyone, even if through death only. For the Christian on this side of heaven, the Bible provides logically sound — and even appealing — answers to the problem of evil and suffering. Here are five ways the Bible answers the problem of evil and suffering:

First, the cause of most suffering is free will

God created human beings with free will and that means people can make real choices to do good or evil. If these choices had no consequences - bad or good - they would have no meaning or value. For example, if a person was flying a plane on auto pilot, and couldn't turn off auto pilot under any circumstances, then it wouldn't make sense to say that person was the one flying the plane. Their choices would have no effect on the flight of the plane. In the same way it wouldn't make sense to say that you live your life if your choices had no real effect on the life you actually live. If God didn't let our choices run their course, then our life wouldn't truly be ours.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap (Galatians 6:7).

Second, there will be a total defeat of evil

God has shown repeatedly that he judges evil, if not today, then in the final day. No evil or injustice will go unpunished or undefeated. It’s only a question of timing.

You are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed (Romans 2:5).

Third, God restrains evil in the world

God keeps evil in check every day primarily through human governments. If God completely released his control of human affairs, evil would erupt like a volcano and people would utterly destroy each other. In other words, left wholly to ourselves people would destroy each other just as Cain destroyed Abel.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad (Romans 13:1-3).

Fourth, God uses evil and suffering to strengthen human character

God chooses to use evil to shape and develop human character for good. The evil itself isn't a good thing and God himself never causes it, but it's harnessed by God for a good use. It's like the flooding of the ancient Nile River. Though destructive in itself, the Egyptians utilized the fertile soil left behind after the flood season to grow so much grain that Egypt was known as the breadbasket of Rome.

Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope… (Romans 5:3-4).

Fifth, God offers two things that ease the burden of daily suffering

First, God himself in the flesh has suffered egregious injustice and excruciating pain. He fully understands how difficult your experiences are. So you pray to a Good Shepherd who doesn’t lack sympathy. If he doesn’t answer your pleading for a release, it’s only because he sees a way to use your unpleasant circumstances for your greater good. Second, as hard as it is sometimes to believe that a loving God would allow us to experience so much suffering, our situation would be depressingly worse if there is no good God at all who oversees our lives, cares about each one of us, and allows all the suffering for our good.

We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15-16).

PART TWO - THE PROBLEM OF SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS

As our knowledge of science advances, certain mysteries of nature, which were previously believed to be direct acts of God, are no longer understood as such. Instead, they are explained by natural causes (e.g. lightening bolts are no longer believed to be hurled down to earth by a god). This leaves the impression that God is a placeholder explanation until science inevitably discovers the real and natural explanation. Eventually, almost everything about the universe will be explained naturally without the need to invoke God as the cause.

ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM OF SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS

This problem is not as difficult to answer as it first seems. There are three reasons for this:

First, the scientific problems multiply faster than the answers

The mysteries of the universe are like the mythological snake called the Hydra; every time it lost a head, two more grew up in its place. Science tends to create new questions faster than it resolves old ones.

Second, some problems are unanswerable by science

Though science will continue to solve amazingly complex problems, it may be inching closer to the limits of what is answerable. There are likely to be major mysteries that are simply unsolvable. What caused the birth of the universe is one such problem.

Third, the starting point of science

The accomplishments of science are staggeringly impressive. But the entire pursuit of science starts with the assumption that the universe is ordered and operates by comprehensible laws. This assumption is unwarranted if the universe exists by mere chance. If at its roots the universe is the result of chaos, then there’s no reason to assume that the solutions of science are meaningful and valid. So science itself is justified if it starts with the assumption that a good God created the universe.