If There is a God…

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There are some phrases I will never understand in this life. If it is because of a butchery of the English language or because of serious foundational worldview differences, I may never know. One such phrase goes something like this:

“If there is a God…”

-Atheists

I have tried to dissect this a few ways, but never feel like I get anywhere meaningful. As a human being, God is foundational to everything I say or do. I cannot function as a man, outside of my relation to God. I cannot mow the lawn outside of His presence any easier than I can think without using my brain. No man in the universe can think without knowing him. It is clear that God has created a world in which it is impossible for men to not know God (Romans 1:18-23).

For the Christian, this is especially true. God is such a daily part of the Christians life that they cannot function without daily acknowledging Him. The faithful Christian loves to set aside earthly things and follow Christ. The Christian doing even the most menial task reminds himself to do all for the glory of an almighty God (1 Cor 10:31). While we are alive, we are to seek the glory of God and His kingdom.

These truths make it difficult for me to understand the phrase previously mentioned. What do you mean, “if there is a god…”? What universe have you been living in, that would make that question make sense? How is it that you eat, drink, and sleep while affirming to yourself that this is not reality? How can you delude yourself into pretending God is not real, and still take part in humanity? A much better idea would be to ask, “if there is NOT a God, why? or what? or how?”

There are more reasons as to why this is such a poor way to start a question. If the confused man is starting from a place that he has deluded himself into, he cannot possibly hope to finish the question. Let us finish the quote for a moment. It appears Woody Allen had his own way of finishing the phrase, and gets quoted even today.

“If God exists, I hope he has a good excuse.”

-Woody Allen

Even though this quote is short, it is remarkably incomprehensible. I can start analyzing by assuming that Mr Allen has first deluded himself into the nature of reality. Men can do this sometimes, and is often accompanied by a life of self-worship. If it has gone on long enough, sin can become the reality, and it appears as if a worldview centered on self is the only reality. The phrase, “if God exists…” makes it clear that the quote comes from a man that has already rejected reality.

But, there is always more. Often times this phrase is extended by attaching negative attributes to this thing called god. It is already clear that the issuer of the phrase has rejected reality from the initial part of the question. How can you possibly use a moral code to ascribe this fictional character negative qualities? There is no good outside of God. There is no excuse outside of God. There is no you outside of God. Why do you use words that make no sense outside of existence?

I understand that a worldview can make a huge difference. However, the pseudo-intellectual nature of the question lends bad faith discussion. It is impossible to ascribe negative connotations to the person of God. This is not a problem with linguistic differences. This is not a problem with lack of knowledge. The reason God cannot be given an immoral attribute is because God is. No knowledge is given to men outside of God. No sense of touch or taste or smell is outside of God. No thinking, understanding, or speaking happens without God. He is not the ultimate standard of wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth1Westminster Shorter Catechism, https://www.shortercatechism.com/resources/wsc/wsc_004.html because he is the embodiment of those things. God is the standard because He is.

In Genesis 17, the Lord appears to Abram. In the passage he make a covenant with Abram(Abraham), and tells him to “walk before me, and be blameless.” But God is suspiciously devoid reasoning. Some would argue that God made a covenant with Abram because of His bountiful grace and mercy. While this is a good way of describing it, there is an easier explanation.

“I am God Almighty…”

Genesis 17:1

That’s the reason. It’s not complicated.

The attributes of God are helpful as a tool for understanding theology. They are helpful ways of describing a being that mortal beings cannot fully comprehend. But ultimately, God is. You enter into the world the Lord has made, whether you like it or not. You were born with the understanding of God, the Lord has made known His salvation (Psalm 98:2). There is no if.

When sin tells you that your reality is wrong, or when the devil tempts you to assert yourself as the ultimate authority, do not be deceived. When you are given the gift of life from a righteous God, and you are tempted to believe that you were owed that gift, do not be deceived (James 1:16-17). God is, and we are called to worship Him.

Sources:

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    Westminster Shorter Catechism, https://www.shortercatechism.com/resources/wsc/wsc_004.html

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