Is There Evidence that God Exists?
Whether God exists is a fundamental question in life and one we often seek to answer personally. Many people find objective evidence of God’s existence in what’s been called “The 3 Cs”: cosmos, consciousness, and conscience.
The sudden and explosive expansion of cosmic space and time at the Big Bang means that the universe had a beginning. This is compelling evidence for a transcendent Creator outside space and time who “ignited” the Big Bang and brought the universe into being.
After such a violent beginning, it seems reasonable to expect that the universe would behave in a random, chaotic, and unpredictable manner. However, the universe is surprisingly well-ordered and predictable, governed by the laws of physics. This order in the cosmos points to an intelligent Designer of these universal laws of nature.
It’s also amazing that these physical laws are intelligible and can be mathematically expressed so simply and elegantly (e.g., E=mc2, F=ma). Only a creative Mind could have caused the harmony, order, and elegance we find in the governing principles of the universe.
There is further evidence from physics of the “fingerprint of God” in the universe. Scientists have discovered that the values of the many fundamental constants of the universe are set perfectly as needed for life to exist, and that even a small change would mean the universe would be life-prohibiting. For example, an infinitesimally small change in the gravitational force constant or the electromagnetic force constant would make the existence of stars like our sun, and hence life on earth, impossible. Many believe this “fine tuning” of the laws and forces of nature is compelling evidence that the Creator of the universe must have set all these constant “just so” in order for us to be here. Chance is not an adequate explanation.
The presence of human consciousness also points to the existence of God. The many living creatures who are not conscious survive just fine. Therefore, our consciousness indicates that humans are destined for more than mere survival. For example, humans appreciate beauty and discover the scientific principles that govern the universe. And, of all living creatures only humans have an innate desire for full knowledge and perfect love. But, since perfect truth and perfect love don’t even exist here on earth, why do we seek them? It makes no sense for us to seek that which is unattainable. We only seek that which is attainable, if not here then in the hereafter. What we seek is clearly something beyond our world and beyond our earthly experience. What we seek is God, who is the Perfect Truth and Perfect Love. For as St. Augustine of Hippo wrote nearly 1,600 years ago: “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.”
And, humans have a free will that comes with our consciousness. Since humans have a free will, we should be able to do whatever we please. However, our actions are guided by the morality of our conscience. Why do people all over the world intuitively know the difference between right and wrong? The human conscience is also not necessary for survival. Animals survive just fine without knowing right from wrong. The most compelling reason for humans to be able to know right from wrong is that we were created to be moral beings. We intuitively know the difference between right and wrong and are supposed to use our free will accordingly. This indicates that humans, unlike animals, are going to be held accountable for the actions of our free will as guided by an informed conscience.
Finally, it’s normal to wonder why God doesn’t more clearly reveal Himself and unquestionably prove His existence to us. It doesn’t take faith to accept the existence of the sun or the moon. They are plain to see. However, God fully respects our free will. He has chosen to offer us an invitation that isn’t overshadowed by coercion, such as would occur with an overpowering revelation that would leave us cowering in submission. Rather, God has given us the freedom to choose to believe in His existence―or not. For love cannot be coerced. And, God wants us to freely choose to know, love, and serve Him. This is our calling and gives meaning and purpose to our lives.