What Is the True “Proof” of God’s Existence?
Introduction
Every generation wrestles with the same ancient question: How can we know that God exists? Some appeal to science or philosophy, while others rely on personal experience. Yet the Bible takes a strikingly different approach. It does not begin with an argument for God’s existence but with a declaration — “In the beginning, God…” (Genesis 1:1). Scripture assumes that the reality of God is already known to every human being. According to the Apostle Paul, the knowledge of God is not something we discover through reasoned debate; it is something we already possess by design.
1. The Knowledge of God Is Innate
Romans 1:18–25 teaches that God has made Himself unmistakably known. Paul writes that “what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.” From the beginning of creation, people have seen His invisible qualities — His eternal power and divine nature — revealed in what He has made.
This means that every human being carries within them an inner awareness of God. It is not a cultural construct or a learned idea; it is part of our very nature as those made in God’s image. Though sin and rebellion can suppress this truth, it remains inescapably real. Creation awakens what the human heart already knows — that there is a Creator to whom we are accountable.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen.”
— Romans 1:20
2. Three Views of How We Know God
Throughout history, theologians and philosophers have proposed different explanations for how humans know God. Paul’s teaching helps us discern which view aligns with biblical revelation.
(1) Pure Intuition — Knowledge Apart from the Senses
Some thinkers, such as Charles Hodge or Thomas Reid, believed that the knowledge of God is entirely innate, arising independently of any external input. While Scripture affirms an inward awareness of God, Paul also points out that this knowledge is “seen in what has been made.” The visible world awakens our inner sense of the divine.
(2) Rational Construction — Knowledge Built by Reasoning
Philosophers like Thomas Aquinas and contemporary apologists such as William Lane Craig emphasize logical arguments — the “proofs” of God from design, causation, or morality. While such reasoning can support faith, Paul warns that the knowledge of God is already “plain” and “clear.” It does not require elaborate reasoning. In fact, human speculation can often distort what is naturally evident.
(3) Innate Cognition — The Biblical View
The biblical position combines both the internal and external. Humanity, created in God’s image, instinctively recognizes the Creator’s voice in His works. We do not deduce God; we recognize Him. The heavens declare His glory, and the human heart echoes back in recognition. This innate cognition explains why even those without Scripture possess a sense of moral law and divine reality (Romans 2:14–15).
3. The Nature of This Knowledge
Because this knowledge comes from God Himself, it bears certain unmistakable qualities:
- Rational: It engages the human mind and conscience.
- Universal and Necessary: Every person, in every culture and generation, possesses this awareness of God.
- True and Accurate: Though sin can distort it, the original revelation is reliable — it reveals God as He truly is.
This explains why denial of God is not a matter of lacking evidence but of resisting what is already known. As Paul says, people “suppress the truth by their wickedness.” (Romans 1:18)
4. Why the Bible Never “Proves” God’s Existence
Because the knowledge of God is already present in every heart, the Bible does not attempt to prove Him. It assumes His reality and speaks directly to humanity on that basis.
“In the beginning, God…” — Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word…” — John 1:1
The Scriptures reveal a God who does not wait to be discovered but who graciously speaks. His revelation calls forth faith, not because evidence is lacking, but because sin blinds the heart to what is already clear.
Faith, therefore, is not irrational; it is the proper response to what we innately know to be true. As creation testifies and conscience confirms, the voice of God resounds everywhere — and within us.
Conclusion
The true “proof” of God’s existence is not found in philosophical arguments but in the very structure of human knowing. God has written His reality into both creation and the human soul. The evidence surrounds us and speaks within us. The problem is not the absence of revelation but the presence of suppression.
In the end, Scripture does not argue that God is — it declares that God has spoken. Our task is not to prove His existence but to respond to His voice in faith, gratitude, and obedience.
Stand Firm! 