Arguments for the Existence of God and the Universe
The Bible takes the existence of God for granted, rather than offering explicit arguments for it [1]. However, theological traditions have articulated various lines of reasoning concerning God's existence and his role as creator of the universe.
One foundational argument is that the very act of worship implies a belief in a self-existent, eternal, and infinite Being who is the cause and sustainer of all other existence [2]. This Being is understood to be omnipotent and unsearchable, with an eternal nature that transcends human comprehension [3].
The creation account in Genesis presents the world as having been created by God, emphasizing that this is to be accepted as actual truth, not merely a metaphorical narrative [4]. This perspective suggests that the existence of the universe itself points to a divine creator. The apostle Paul, in Colossians, further elaborates on this, stating that "by him were all things created" [7]. This includes both visible and invisible things, encompassing all that had a beginning, whether in time or eternity [7].
The Son of God is described as being "before all things" in both time and dignity, implying His eternal nature [5]. Furthermore, He is not only the Creator but also the Conserver of all things, meaning that all creation subsists and is maintained in its present state "in Him" [5]. This understanding posits that the universe's continued existence and order are dependent on God. The "fulness of the Godhead" is said to dwell in Christ "bodily," indicating His essential divine nature [6].
These theological perspectives, while not formal philosophical proofs, articulate a consistent view within Christian thought that God is the unoriginated, self-existent cause and sustainer of the universe, whose existence is foundational to faith and worship [2, 7].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 11:6: He that cometh to God - The man who professes that it is his duty to worship God, must, if he act rationally, do it on the conviction that there is such a Being infinite, eternal, unoriginated, and self-existent; the cause of all other being; on whom all being depends; and by whose energy, bounty, and providence, all other beings exist, live, and are supplied with the means of continued existence and life. He must believe, also, that he rewards them that diligently seek him; that he is not indifferent about his own worship; that he requires adoration and religious ”
- Job (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Job 36:26: God is great - He is omnipotent. We know him not - He is unsearchable. Neither can the number of his years be searched out - He is eternal. These three propositions are an ample foundation for endless disquisition. As to paraphrase and comment, they need none in this place; they are too profound, comprehensive, and sublime.”
- Genesis (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Genesis 1 (introduction): The Creation of the World - Genesis 1:1-2:3 The account of the creation, its commencement, progress, and completion, bears the marks, both in form and substance, of a historical document in which it is intended that we should accept as actual truth, not only the assertion that God created the heavens, and the earth, and all that lives and moves in the world, but also the description of the creation itself in all its several stages. If we look merely at the form of this document, its place at the beginning of the book of Genesis is sufficient to war”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:17: (Joh 8:58.) Translate as Greek, "And He Himself (the great HE) is (implying divine essential being) before all things," in time, as well as in dignity. Since He is before all things, He is before even time, that is, from eternity. Compare "the first-born of every creature" (Col 1:15). by him--Greek, "IN Him" (as the conditional element of existence, Col 1:16) [ALFORD]. consist--"subsist." Not only are called into being from nothing, but are maintained in their present state. The Son of God is the Conserver, as well as the Creator of all things ”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 2:9: For--"Because." Their "philosophy" (Col 2:8) is not "after Christ," as all true philosophy is, everything which comes not from, and tends not to, Him, being a delusion; "For in Him (alone) dwelleth" as in a temple, &c. the fulness-- (Col 1:19; Joh 14:10). of the Godhead--The Greek (theotes) means the ESSENCE and NATURE of the Godhead, not merely the divine perfections and attributes of Divinity (Greek, "theiotes"). He, as man, was not merely God-like, but in the fullest sense, God. bodily--not merely as before His incarnation, but now "bodily ”
- Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 1:16: For by him were all things created, etc - These two verses contain parts of the same subject. I shall endeavor to distinguish the statements of the apostle, and reason from them in such a way as the premises shall appear to justify, without appealing to any other scripture in proof of the doctrine which I suppose these verses to vindicate. Four things are here asserted: 1. That Jesus Christ is the Creator of the universe; of all things visible and invisible; of all things that had a beginning, whether they exist in time or in eternity. 2. That whatsoever was cre”