The Existence of God

Kalam argument: Is the universe infinite?The Kalam argument states that anything with a beginning must have something causing it to begin. The universe had a beginning, so something must have caused it to begin. That "cause" is the creator/God. As much as atheistic scientists would love to get rid of a beginning to the universe, they can not present any evidence for the belief of an eternal universe, because there is none. (BEGINNING OF QUOTE) The Borde-Guth-Vilenkin Theorem2 shows that there is no way to get rid of a beginning to any universe that is characterized by cosmic expansion (Hav > 0). Since our universe is characterized by cosmic expansion, it must have had a beginning. So, the Borde-Guth-Vilenkin Theorem eliminates the eternal inflation model, which is based upon an ever expanding multiverse. Cyclic universe models fail because the entropy of a collapsing and expanding universe would render all parts of the universe as thermally dead within a few cycles (obviously, an eternal number of cycles is more than a few!). The cosmic egg model fails because the egg could not have existed forever, since quantum instabilities would force it to collapse after a finite amount of time. (END OF QUOTE)http://www.godandscience.org...We are debating whether the existence of God is highly improbable or not. Perhaps I can not prove the universe absolutely had a beginning. However, that's what the evidence strongly suggests. If the universe had a beginning, then it had a cause; and that cause is God. If Con can not give valid evidence that the universe is eternal, then it is highly probable that the universe had a beginning; and that beginning is God. Now, a question remains. Why consider the Christian God?Why consider the Christian God?(BEGINNING OF QUOTE) The Bible itself says it is from God, man kind’s Creator 2 Tim. 3:16, 17: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man ofGod may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.” Rev. 1:1: “A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place.” 2 Sam. 23:1, 2: “The utterance of David the son of Jesse . . . The spirit of Jehovah it was that spoke by me, and his word was upon my tongue.” Isa. 22:15: “This is what the Sovereign Lord, Jehovah of armies, has said.” We would expect God’s message to all mankind to be available around the globe. The Bible, the whole or in part, has been translated into some 1,800 languages. Its circulation totals in the billions. Says The World Book Encyclopedia: “The Bible is the most widely read book in history. It is probably also the most influential. More copies have been distributed of the Bible than of any other book. It has also been translated more times into more languages than any other book.”—(1984), Vol. 2, p. 219. Bible prophecy explains the meaning of world conditions Many world leaders acknowledge that mankind is on the brink of disaster. The Bible foretold these conditions long ago; it explains their meaning and what the outcome will be. (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Luke 21:25-31) It tells what we must do in order to survive the impending world destruction, with the opportunity to gain eternal life under righteous conditions here on earth.—Zeph. 2:3; John 17:3; Ps. 37:10, 11, 29. The Bible enables us to understand the purpose of life It answers such questions as: Where did life come from? (Acts 17:24-26) Why are we here? Is it just to live a few years, get what we can out of life, and then die?—Gen. 1:27, 28; Rom. 5:12; John 17:3; Ps. 37:11; Ps. 40:8. The Bible shows how we can have the very things that lovers of righteousness desire most It tells us where to find wholesome associates who truly love one another (John 13:35), what can give assurance that we will have sufficient food for ourselves and our families (Matt. 6:31-33; Prov. 19:15; Eph. 4:28), how we can be happy in spite of difficult conditions that surround us.—Ps. 1:1, 2; 34:8; Luke 11:28; Acts 20:35. It explains that God’s Kingdom, his government, will remove the present wicked system (Dan. 2:44), and under its rule mankind will be able to enjoy perfect health and eternal life.—Rev. 21:3, 4; compare Isaiah 33:24. Surely a book that claims to be from God, that explains both the meaning of world conditions and the purpose of life, and that shows how our problems will be solved is worthy of consideration. (END OF QUOTE)http://wol.jw.org...Are the Bible prophecies valid evidence of God? Con does not think the Bible prophecies are valid evidence of God for two main reasons: the prophecies are vague and the prophecies could have been coincidences. Are the Bible prophecies vague? Let's consider Isaiah's prophecy. This prophecy not only predicts the destruction, but the eternal desolation of what was at the time the most powerful city in the world 200 YEARS before it happened. During those 200 years after the prophecy was written there was only one king Cyrus. Cyrus diverted the river, the most powerful city in the world was conquered without a fight, and the city is still ruins today. Is that vague? I don't think so.Are the Bible prophecies simply coincidences? That would be too many coincidences. And I am sure you can not show me even one failed Bible prophecy, because there are none. Only prophecies that have a future fulfillment or are symbolic. And those symbolic prophecies are not symbolic because I or any other human decides it, but because that is simply what the context shows us. For example. if science suggests the universe is millions of years old, and the Hebrew word that we translate to "day" is used in other parts of the Bible to mean either more or less than 24 hours, then wouldn't the reasonable conclusion be that the creative days were not 24-hour days? But remember, we are not considering the Bible only for its prophecies. I understand there are people who have gotten lucky. The prophecies only give us more conviction that the Bible is, indeed, inspired by God.Does false religion disprove God?No, it does not. So all that about the Westboro Baptist Church is irrelevant. There are many religions who have done and are currently doing attrocities in the name of God. He does not like this, and that is very clear in the Bible. Here is what the Bible says about false religion: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4, 5). Why do we suffer, why does God allow suffering, and will God ever put an end to suffering?We suffer for atleast three reasons. First of all, inherited imperfection. Because of this we get sick, old, die, and struggle for dominance which causes wars. Secondly, Satan is the ruler of this world (1 John 5:19). And thirdly, unforseen events. Many are in the wrong place at the wrong time. God does not cause suffering (job 34:10). He temporarily allows it because a universal question arose at the garden of Eden. Satan questioned Jehovah’s right to rule (Genesis 3:2-5). This was not a question that could be answered if he just chose to destroy the rebels, and be glad he didn't. Otherwise, we wouldn't even exist. However, God has taken measures so we can enjoy of what Adam and Eve lost. Jehovah will use his Son, the Ruler of the Messianic Kingdom, to end all human suffering and to undo its effects. (1 John 3:8). In the meanwhile, God is not going to cause suffering (Job 34:10) or help Satan prove his point by preventing it. You can read about this with more detail here: http://www.jw.org...___________________________________________________________________________________________________________I remind Con that if he can not give valid evidence that the universe is eternal, then it is highly probable that the universe had a beginning; and that beginning is God. Also, he must give me atleast one failed Bible prophecy to prove all the other prophecies were coincidences, that the Bible is not from God, and therefore it is highly unprobable that the Christian God exists. But, he must also remember lack of Bible knowledge is not evidence against it. And, by the way, the Bible doesn't teach a place of eternal torment: http://www.jw.org...Thank you. I look forward to your response.