by
Blaine A. Legaree
Why isn't the evidence for God clearer? He is either out there or He is not. And if God is God, then why does He seem so shy about it? In much the same flavour, I remember a skeptic who once asked me why God doesn't put a glowing cross in the sky to show us He is really out there?
When it comes down to it, it seems that every discipline-science, history, philosophy-has truckloads of so-called evidence regarding the God question. Yet it all seems designed to confuse us, pointing in so many directions. The problem is that not every idea can be right (although some may be more right than others). Since the God of Christianity claims to be the only true God, we must consider if He is true and relevant or not
So taking all this in view, let's look at this question from a few different perspectives.
The Scientific Perspective
If a scientist could design his own data, he/she would obviously pick the ideal, unquestionable sort. The data would spell out the answer right in the test tube.
However, in the real world a scientist has to take the data he/she gets, and can't always demand the data desired. It would be absurd for us to demand a cosmologist to go into deep space and bring back a galaxy just to show it exists. Also, isn't it true that galaxies are only visible to a few individuals who have access to high tech, expensive equipment? We do not demand that the periodic table be written on the surface of the moon before we believe it is true. Why then do some doubt the Ten Commandments because they are not spelt out by the stars?
The lack of ideal data does not stop the scientist from formulating a model to fit the data. On the other hand, the scientist usually continues experiments to generate more data from which to formulate a better model. A good scientist is not satisfied with the current understanding of things and is continually searching out new ways to explore the unknown.
In other words, from the scientific perspective, the question is not, why isn't the evidence better, but what evidence is there that we ought to consider?
Historical Perspective
So what about the historical perspective? It may appear from a quick glance at the Bible that miracles were a daily occurrence in the lives of these folks. So we might be quick to think that it must have been easy for the people in Biblical times to follow God because He was continually hovering over them.
But take a second look at the facts.
Firstly, realize that Biblical miracles are mainly clustered around three specific points: the time of Moses and the Exodus, the time of the two prophets Elijah and Elisha, and the lives of Jesus and his disciples. Also, even if we count all these miracles and consider that Biblical time spans about 4000 years, we see that this averages out to about only one miracle per 50 years! Divine intervention was rare even in these times. In fact, rituals like the Jewish Passover Seder were established to preserve the remembrance of miraculous events!
Secondly, only days after Moses parted the Red Sea, the Israelites were already doubting God. Why, when a person could not ask for more of a sure sign from the heavens, could these people still not trust Him?
The Human Perspective
The answer is that people are people and they are not always rational. People can be very good at dressing and distorting facts whether it be to serve emotional whims, ulterior purposes, or because of wishful thinking. There are always differing opinions on the most clear of facts.
I am reminded of a parable of two people who come upon a field of flowers in the middle of a forest. The first commented, "Look at all these flowers, there must be a gardener here." The second replied, "But look at all the weeds, wouldn't a gardener remove them? I don't think there is a gardener."
It is not surprising then, that despite the overwhelming mass of facts and ideas out there, people remain divided on the God question. It would not take long before a glowing cross in the sky became both evidence for and against God. One person would say, "Look at the cross, there must be a God!" The second person would reply, "But look at the clouds, they are not shaped like crosses. Wouldn't God shape all objects in the sky like crosses to show us He exists?"
Even when we deal with facts that most of us take for granted, there is never one opinion on the matter. For example, there are approximately 2000 members of the Flat Earth Society even though most of the other 6 billion people of the planet's population believe in a round earth.
People are not always rational, for the mind is too often the servant of the desired fantasy.
God's Perspective
So what about God then, why isn't He more forthright? You might think God would try as hard as possible to make Himself known.
The entire basis for this type of question, however, depends on the answer of another question: Would it really serve God purposes if He were constantly tapping us on the shoulders?
There are a few things to take into consideration when thinking about this.
First, we see that God repeatedly expresses that He is in no way dependent upon man nor is He struggling desperately to get our attention. Acts 17:24 says "He is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else" (also see Psalm 50:9-12). In fact, God may even be restraining Himself, waiting for people to come to Him. 2 Peter 3:9 reads: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance..."
Second, we see that God chooses to remain silent at times. For example, God says in Isaiah 57:11: "Was I not silent even for a long time so you do not fear Me?"
Third, God has done more than most people can ever imagine. He has broken into history in the form of Jesus Christ to deliver His message. What more could we ask for?
So if God really were to put a big cross in the sky or strike blasphemers dead with lightning, it would be quite unlike His character. In fact, it would probably just scare people into acting good. While this would greatly improve living conditions on earth (virtually putting an end to all crime and false religions), it would not satisfy God's intent-to allow man to both exhibit the contrast between good and evil, and to allow men to choose Him not out of fear, but out of the desire to know Him.
Sometimes I think we mistake this world for what it is not. It is not a place where God is at our beck and call. God designed us to be dependent on Him, but He also doesn't want to force Himself on anyone. There is a saying by C.S. Lewis that there are two kinds of people-those who say to God, "Your will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way." Either way, God wants us to make a decision, not to make our decisions for us.
So if God were constantly breathing down the back of our necks, our choice for or against Him would obviously be swayed. He does not want us to choose Him out of fear of hell, He wants us to choose Him out of love and desire for a relationship. Therefore to find Him we must seek Him. The good news is that He promises that "those who seek will find, to those who knock the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7, see also Deuteronomy 4:29 or Psalm 9:10).
The worst thing you could probably ever do though, is stay where you are. Continually asking for more evidence is like hitting the snooze button on such an important matter. If you hit the snooze button too many times, you will likely sleep-in and miss the bus, then realize you still haven't gone anywhere.
Blaine is a graduate student at the University of Guelph working on his Masters in Science, Biochemistry. Copyright © 2002 iamnext.com. May not be used without permission.
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