Yes
Why my reply was a single word
Julie Luvsmile (great handle, btw!) recently posted a note to which I replied with a single word: Yes.
I received a number of likes for my reply. While I’m gratified, I don’t feel simply agreeing with the proposition that God is the creator of the universe is worth a “like.”
But it gives me an opportunity to give some of my reasons for my belief, and perhaps lend some help to others who may be struggling, as I once did.
Hard as it may seem for me to believe now, I once was quite the agnostic. I don’t use the term “atheist,” because atheism is a belief system, too. There is a common philosophical thought that
Religion is a belief in the existence of God.
Atheism is a belief in the non-existence of God.
Agnosticism is an uncertainty in the existence of God.
Attempting to change one’s believe is akin to the Myth of Sisyphus; you can push the rock up the hill, but it will forever roll back down again. Thus, it’s a waste of time. My answer to Ms. Luvsmile is the result of my many years seeking an answer to my agnosticism.
In the New Testament, one finds the line, “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24 -ESV). This seemingly contradictory phrase lies at the cornerstone of many agsnotics’ faith. Faith? Yes, faith is also defined in the New Testament, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 - ESV). As Got Questions puts it: “Faith it trusting in something you cannot explicitly prove.”
So, how does one (me) go from Point A (agnosticism) to Point B (belief)? Unlike some who have experienced a “burning bush” (Exodus 3:2) moment, or a “white light” experience, my faith journey has taken a number of years. My “education” came in many forms. I read books, watched videos, spoke with believers and asked questions. A lot of questions.
Lee Strobel is one example who made me think (or re-think). In short, Strobel was a self-described atheist who worked as an investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune. He thought to write a book denouncing Christianity, but in the process became a Christian himself. Louis Giglio, founder of the Passion Conferences and the Passion City Church released a number of very watchable videos that present the belief in God in modern, scientific measure. Indescribable, How Great Is Our God, and Goliath Must Fall are among the powerful sermons-as-video he has created. Doug Batchelor, long-time host of TV’s Amazing Facts, has described his faith journey as well as Biblical commentary for years (I happened to meet him while I was visiting Kauai, Hawaii. Purely by accident(?), he was, too.). Dr. Hugh Ross, an astrophysicist, wrote one of the books I read and then went and bought a copy to keep as a reference. That book, Why the Universe is the Way it Is, is for me a fascinating exploration of the science behind the understanding of the universe. It begins by asking a number of “why?” questions, such as: Why is the universe so big? Why is the universe so old? Why is the universe so dark? Why is the universe so lonely?
Ross then describes in detail the scientific knowledge known about the universe, it’s laws, composition, and processes. All of these point to a Creator who designed it for a single purpose: Man. Why the planet earth is positioned in a remote corner is explained, as are the requirements for life (remember: Man has never been able to create even a single-cell organism) in a lab.
All of my experiences over the years have brought me to my belief in God, the Creator. But I understand also, that belief is a personal choice and faith is a journey. My seeking has led me down my own path. I hope you find and follow yours.