Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December.
Thanks for joining our study as we address humankind’s most important question: “Does God Exist?” That question became today’s Bible topic after I saw an unusual headline on The Hill asking, “Does God Exist? Only half of Americans say a definite yes.” The piece reviewed the newly released General Social Survey from NORC, the University of Chicago research organization.
After we briefly examine some survey data, we will read Bible verses that help answer the question “Does God Exist?” since the Bible is the best primary source.
The Hill reported, “Religious scholars consider NORC the gold standard of surveys on faith. The General Social Survey found 29 percent of Americans claiming no religion in 2021, up from 23 percent in 2018 and 5 percent in 1972.”
Additionally, The Hill referenced Pew Research data correlating religion with political affiliation. Pew found that among Republicans and leaners, 73 percent say “belief in God is absolutely certain,” but strong belief drops to 62 percent for those with no political affiliation. Then a further decrease to 55 percent among Democrats and leaners, who are “absolutely certain” about their belief in God.
Moreover, NORC found that 34 percent of Americans never attend church — “the highest figure recorded in five decades of surveys.” And widespread “certain” belief in God’s existence has declined from 62.4 percent in 1988 to 49.6 percent in 2022 — reflecting The Hill’s partial headline, “..only half of Americans say a definite yes.”
However, before we hear what God says, note this NORC survey data: “True nonbelievers — atheists — account for only 7 percent of the population. Agnostics, who say the existence of God is unknowable, make up another 7 percent.”
But, Ryan Burge, a political scientist who studies faith at Eastern Illinois University, told The Hill some encouraging news: “Belief in God endures even among Americans who claim not to be religious: Roughly half of them believe in some sort of creator.”
Believers know this “some sort of creator” is not wishy-washy about who He is, what He did, still does, and why God is God. Therefore, if you are NOT among the 49.6 percent of people for whom “belief in God is absolutely certain,” please carefully read and reread the following passages.
Notice that I only cite the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament for space considerations. Now, let us begin “in the beginning”:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Genesis 1:1-3).
Long ago, in Vol. 49, we discussed that God’s light symbolizes God’s Glory, and I wrote: “He is light. His holiness, presence, goodness, and above all, His love shines upon us when we show our love for Him by showing love for each other.” Thus, always remember, “God is Love.” So, pity the half of Americans who are NOT “absolutely certain about belief in God.” Do they not know He is the Creator of light, life, and love?
In the book of Exodus, Moses was uncertain about who God was and asked God to identify himself:
“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14). Therefore if you are uncertain about God’s existence — don’t be shy — ask Him.
In the book of Job, chapters 38 and 39, God explains His total power and authority to Job as He reveals details about creation not found in the Genesis creation verses. So again, for those whose belief in God is not “absolutely certain,” I strongly recommend reading both chapters, and as God speaks to Job, imagine the Lord speaking to you:
“‘Brace yourself like a man; [woman] I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
“‘Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt?’”
“‘Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it? The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment. The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken.’”
“‘Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness? Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me if you know all this’” (Job 38: 3-18).
YIKES! God tells us why He is God. So bow down, believe, worship, and above all, be CERTAIN of His existence. In Isaiah, God speaks to the prophet, engaging in a dialog similar to Job:
“‘To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?’ says the Holy One. ‘Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing… Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth’” (Isaiah 40: 25-31).
If you are still “uncertain” about God’s existence, taped to my computer is the following verse, which motivates and uplifts me whenever I am frustrated:
“‘I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?’” (Jeremiah 32:27).
Praise God that the answer is no! Let’s praise Almighty God, King of the Universe, who absolutely, positively “exists.” Amen!
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Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
Myra is also Executive Director of SignFromGod.org and the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. Both are educational donor-supported ministries dedicated to building a permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. See Shroud exhibit news and visit the life-sized Shroud replica in D.C. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com
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