 | Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.
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Religion
2013-03-25 14:00:02
God's existence
Q-What is the evidence for God’s existence,
apart from the Bible?
A-What an exciting privilege to talk about the evidence for the existence of God! There is so much to talk about in such a short amount of space. The scriptures tell us that God shows evidence of Himself in “General Revelation” {Romans 1:19-20} and “Specific Revelation.” {Hebrews 1:1-2} There will also be some who will say even after an article like this, like Doubting Thomas “that unless I see Him, I can’t believe in Him.” Even though they believe in air, love, life, and intelligence that they cannot see they believe because there are evidences all around them. Well the same is true of God. There are evidences of the invisible God that can be clearly seen, says Romans 1:20 if one wants to clearly see.
First, is the law of cause and effect that we use in our lives every day. We know logically that behind every event there is a cause. The greatest of all events is the existence of the universe and what was the corresponding cause for its existence? Could it just happen or was there something Greater that caused it?
Secondly, then we consider the complexity of the design of the earth and the universe. Its size and the gravity that keeps all the necessary elements we need to survive about 50 miles above the earth with no other planet like it. We rotate at 67,000 mph around the sun, angle and axis fit together so we don’t burn up or freeze to death and stay between -30 to 120 degrees. The distance of the moon and the tides keep the oceans from stagnating, and yet restrain the tides from spilling across the continents is more evidences of intelligent design.
Then thirdly, consider the orderliness and the uniformity for which the universe was put together. Johannes Kepler, German mathematician and astronomer of the 17th century thought about becoming a theologian but learned that in doing his work in astronomy he glorified God by seeing how God is and how He made the uniformity of the universe. Johannes realized that he was thinking God’s thoughts after God in his discoveries of the universe. Kepler is best known for his laws of planetary motion. With all his great scientific work he uttered the words of David in Psalm 19, “The heavens declare the glory of God.”
A fascinating evidence of our age is the discovery of the DNA Code that programs and informs the cells in our bodies with very detailed instruction. In fact it is with 3 billion lettered programs to every cell. You cannot find this type of programing or instruction without someone intentionally doing it. These are all “General Revelation” which David also saw centuries ago when he spoke about the amazing intricateness of a baby and a human being as phenomenal (Psalm 139) even when he had no idea of DNA!
But we also need to consider Jesus Christ’s existence as evidence to the existence of God. Consider the space of time for which His coming to earth was prophesied for over 1500 years. Over 333 specific prophesies gave place, activities and actions of Him and the people around Him. They predicted His birth, life and death. That was so impacting; it changed our world and has left evidence of His impact all around us. Why do Christians worship God on Sunday and not on Friday night like the Jews who worshipped in the synagogue or the Temple for centuries? It is in celebration of His resurrection on the first day of the week which is Sunday. Why do we in our calendar mark time by B.C. and A.D.? Because of the impact He has with His coming to earth. B.C. means “Before Christ” and A.D. means “Anno Domini” means “the year of our Lord.” He was not only a real historical character, but a man who claimed to be God and would conqueror death through resurrection. History validates this taking place, as evidenced by the cowardly followers fearful and hiding after He was crucified. But after they saw Him resurrected, they were willing to not only speak out for Him all over the world; they were willing to die for Him!
All these abundant proofs, evidences and arguments are wonderful, but they will not build faith in a person. Because faith is not built by reasoned arguments but on what God has revealed about Himself. Faith is produced by God. It is His gift through His Word and His Spirit. Our confidence in faith comes from God’s very Word and a commitment to entrusting ourselves to the Lord. He is our sure confidence. But what a host of evidence and proofs He has left us, confirming our faith and looking past our obstacles to faith. With great joy and thrilling experiences along the journey with you in the presence of God every day, Pastor Dave!
