In The Margins

By Justan Borth

“I guess ultimately what I’m wondering is, does God actually exist?”

That question came from a young guy across the dinner table one evening. He leaned more toward the rational side—he was a thinker—and lately he had been wrestling with the very foundation of faith: the existence of God.

I slowed the conversation down because before you can talk about applying the Bible, you have to deal with the question of whether God is real. And interestingly, the Bible doesn’t spend much time trying to prove God’s existence. Instead, it assumes it.

Scripture says we all carry an innate sense of the divine, something inside us that points toward God. Romans 1:19–20 explains that His power and nature are clearly seen in creation, leaving us without excuse. Acts 17 says He’s the one who gives life and breath to all things. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says God has “set eternity in the human heart.” Psalm 14:1 even says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”

And nature itself backs this up. Psalm 19:1 declares, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” Every sunset, every star-filled night, every intricate detail of creation whispers the reality of God.

Beyond Scripture, thinkers through the centuries have developed arguments for God’s existence. Wayne Grudem, in Systematic Theology, summarizes a few:

• Cosmological argument: Everything has a cause, and the universe must have one too. That ultimate cause is God.
• Teleological argument: The order, beauty, and design of creation point to a Creator.
• Ontological argument: If we can conceive of the greatest possible being, He must exist—because if He didn’t, something greater could exist.
• Moral argument: Our sense of right and wrong must come from somewhere. God is the ultimate source of morality.

These arguments can spark thought, but here’s the truth: arguments alone can’t convince someone to believe. Faith is more than reason—it’s revelation. 2 Corinthians 4:4 reminds us that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers.” In other words, spiritual blindness is real. Only God can open eyes.

That’s why Jesus said in John 9:39, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

So yes, there are solid reasons to believe God exists. Nature points to Him, logic affirms Him, and our moral compass cries out for Him. But ultimately, faith is a gift from God Himself. Our role is to ask, seek, and be open—and trust Him to open our eyes.

Reflective questions:

-How does your experience with nature impact your belief in God? What natural occurrence makes you feel the presence of God (i.e. sunrise, ocean, storm, etc…)

-Which of the arguments above do you find the most compelling and why?

-How might you support and discuss within someone the existence of God if they are struggling to believe? What scripture would you go to?

Further reading: Psalm 19