Psalm 19:1–6; Acts 17:22–29; Hebrews 1:1–2

Bible Studies for Life
Chair and Armstrong Professor of Religion, Department of Religion, Samford University

The Case for God’s Existence
Psalm 19:1–6; Acts 17:22–29; Hebrews 1:1–2
Early Christian theologian Augustine of Hippo once made the comment, “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.” Paul’s ministry in Athens is fascinating because here is a man who discovered that the vast majority of people in this great city of art and culture did not come from a Jewish background, and so he could not assume knowledge of the Bible as he spoke to them about Jesus. He was faced with the question of how to communicate Christ in an alien culture. Yet Paul viewed this apparent obstacle as a great opportunity, as he recognized that deep within human beings’ hearts is a hunger and thirst for spiritual reality. In every country and each culture, there is recognition of the reality of spirituality, and with that wonderful point of contact, we are challenged to share the gospel.

God’s Revelation Through Creation
The revelation of God comes to people at different levels and through different mediums. However, it is important to realize that all revelation originates in God Himself. We only know God because He chooses to reveal Himself to humanity. The Psalmist discovered that one of the first ways in which God chose to reveal Himself was through creation, which he believed told of His glory, greatness and loving provision for those whom He had made. Jonathan Edwards, the New England theologian and revivalist, spoke of experiencing the beauty of the Creator during a stroll: “As I was walking there and looked up on the sky and clouds, there came into my mind so sweet a sense of the glorious majesty and grace of God, that I know not how to express. It was a sweet and gentle, and a holy majesty, and also a majestic meekness.” Sadly not everyone discerns God’s majesty and generosity in creation, but for Christians and those who are searching, creation can be a wonderful means by which He begins to reveal Himself.

God’s Revelation Through Scripture
God has also chosen to reveal Himself through Scripture, through the written word inspired by the Holy Spirit. So the author of Hebrews was absolutely convinced that God has spoken “through the prophets,” and in the Hebrew Scriptures, the message of His grace comes through human messengers with assurance and authority. In our evangelism, we can be confident that the message we bring is not merely one of human authority but one that comes in the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s Word is the Spirit’s sword. The Spirit without the Word is weaponless although the Word without the Spirit is powerless.

God’s Revelation in Christ
The ultimate and primary focus of revelation is, however, the incarnate Word — the Lord Jesus Christ. In Athens, when Paul discerned the hunger in the hearts of these pagan philosophers, he began by speaking to them about creation. He proclaimed a God who is personal, who enters into particular relationship with His creatures. Unlike the Epicureans, Paul did not believe that God was remote and unconcerned about the world He had made. For them, God was unapproachable and unknowable, but Paul believed that God, although He was a God of infinite power and majesty, was also a God of intimate love who brought mankind into the world for the purpose of knowing, loving and obeying Him. Paul went on to preach about Jesus as the living Lord who has risen from the dead, and that implies that he preached about the cross of Calvary as the only way in which sins could be forgiven. The result was that “some … became believers … and others with them.”

As we recapture a concern for the needs of neighbors, friends and family, we also can regain a confidence in the God who has revealed Himself through creation, through Scripture and in Jesus Christ incarnate, crucified and risen. In this message, we can have utter confidence as we seek to reach our world for Christ.