Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The Ontological Argument on the Existence of God

Believing in the existence of God, the creator of heaven and earth, God to all that is seen and unseen challenges those who have doubt and difficulty in faith. “Ontological arguments are arguments, for the conclusion that God exists, from evidence produced from some source other than only the observation of the world. The conclusion must be obtained from just reason alone. In other words, ontological arguments are arguments from nothing but analytic, a priori and necessary premises to the conclusion that God exists.” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Spring 2011 Edition). The question lies not in if He exists but if you believe he exists to you.
One cannot see the wind but the evidence is clear that it exists when you feel it blow or carries pollen or seeds from on place to another. The same is with the existence of God; you cannot see God physically but you can feel Him when He moves through your heart or when He carries you through struggle or triumph to another. The existence in God is in ones faith. Those who do not believe in the being of God have already made their mind up that He does not exist or it is impossible for Him to exist so therefore they have a lack of faith. What is faith? The biblical explanation of faith is that faith is the means by which we change our perspective from flesh to spirit. When we go through difficult trails faith is the tangible “substance” (Heb 11:1) of the things that we hope for and the evidence of things that we do not see. The Greek word pistis is translated as “ground of confidence”. Faith in God changes your fleshy worry, doubt and uncertainty into a ground of confidence and proof. So then faith is not merely a belief but knowledge rooted in belief. We trust our eyes and the things we are able to see however, 2 Corith 5:7 directly tells us that we walk by faith and not by sight.
Faith is received by the hearing of the word of God. (Rom 10:17) If faith is to be considered knowledge of a thing then it is logical to understand that in order to know something you must be taught. Each person has a measure of faith to those who have minimal amount of faith they should not be looked poorly upon. (Rom 12:3) states that faith is given so therefore it is a gift. Jesus Christ is the author of faith. It is impossible to please God without faith (Heb 11:6) so in order to have a relationship with Christ you must first know that He exists.
Part of the belief process of God’s existence is also understanding His character. “Traditional theism holds that God is the creator of heaven and earth, and that all that occurs in the universe takes place under the Divine Providence.” Meaning that all is under God's sovereign guidance and control. According to those who believe, God protects and watches over creation as a loving father, He works all things for good. God is an absolutely perfect being and with a perfect existence. He is, omniscient or all-knowing: God knows of all truths and that they are true, He knows of all the falsehoods and that they are false, pertaining to the past, present or future. Most importantly God's knowledge does not change. What God knows, He knows from eternity and infallibly. God is omnipotent meaning that He is all-powerful: anything that is possible, he can do. He is perfectly good: in all circumstances he acts for the best, intending the best possible outcome. (Rom 8:28) “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Describing God’s character helps to outline the relationship that God desires to have with us, we are his creation and his children. Our relationship with God our father is built on an unconditional love that surpassed death. Considering the love that God has for us can help us to understand why he watches over us to protect and governs our lives and our world. Having faith in him identifies that we trust in his governing and love. By having faith we are recognizing our relationship with God. Faith is the breastplate the Armor of God outlined in the bible. (1Thess 5:8) In a suit of armor the breastplate covers the heart. Faith is the essential to guarding your heart. Faith is the key to salvation. Rom 3:28 states that “a man is justified by faith” in order to be saved you must know by faith the price of salvation, the passion of love from God in his sons death did occur, the resurrection did occur.
When is God real to us? When do we feel him, hear him or see him? Through our faith we prove his existence.

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