View from the Top

What do we really know about God? Presupposing, of course, that there is a God. We've really only got two choices: God exists. There is no God. A third stance, called agnosticism, tries to take a middle, noncommittal approach. On a recent trip to Germany, a tour guide answered my question, "Do you believe in God?" by saying, "God. I have no opinion." Since an individual's world view begins and ends with his or her answer to the God question, the third option is a cop-out. The way we live and think about life tells any objective bystander whether or not we believe in God.

For example, what is your moral code? Where does it come from? Do you desire justice? Why? What makes you think you should get justice? Is there a Judgment Day someday? If not, who judges right from wrong? Are there absolutes? Is there such a thing as sin? Sin against whom? The questions are endless, but your answers reveal what you believe about God.

I'll save my arguments against atheism and agnosticism for another post. Then, of course, we've still got to answer "whose God?" Which God or gods is the real deal? My conclusion, based on much study--including science--and a lot of living, is that the only reliable God is the God of the Bible. And we know a lot about Him.

"God created the heavens and the earth." So the Bible begins. That means God existed before our universes in a timeless place beyond them. Only then could He create (and the Big Bang theory supports a beginning of the universe). The verb form used in the original language, "to create," never is used with a human subject. The first chapter of the first book of the Bible affirms human life was created "in God's image" separate and apart from the plant or animal kingdoms. And God is male and female.

God is also plural. "Let us make man in our image." The entirety of the Bible reveals God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All were involved in creation, although the first chapter of John's gospel highlights Jesus' role in creation.

God as instigator of life must have had a reason for doing so. He wanted relationship with us modeled after the relationship He shared with His Son and Spirit. A solitary God without other Persons wouldn't be capable of demonstrating love. He would merely stand above us as Judge. But God is love (read 1 John). How do we know? Because He sent His Son to die for our sins in order that our relationship, broken by sin, might be restored and we might someday live with Him forever.

The view from the top? He wants a relationship with you!