That is the question I’ve been challenged with in recent weeks, and it is the title of a discussion group I’ve been involved in.
The title instantly grabbed my interest, so I joined the group, only to find that it was started by a bunch of atheists.
That was enough to make me want to run for miles. And if it wasn’t for the fact that I was curious, I would have gone. What would cause people to not believe in a deity? It just didn’t figure to me!
Such thinking to me seemed very foolish. Didn’t it say in the Bible, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God?’” (See Psalm 14:1-3.)
And in Romans 1:18-25, it says what God thinks about such things …
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
These must be really bad people, so I thought. I was very suspicious of their motives for starting a group like that. What did they want to know from us, and why the interest? So I did get involved, but very cautiously.
But I soon discovered that these weren’t nasty, mean God haters. Besides, how could they hate someone they didn’t believe in?
And these people seemed nice and even decent. They appeared to live reasonably wholesome and moral lives, and many of them were happily married. This really surprised me. So my curiosity was aroused even more.
They were interested in knowing about our beliefs and why we believed in a deity. So I felt I needed to give an answer. This is exactly what the Bible says we should do …
“If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.” (1 Peter 3:15b-16a, NLT)
However, it was near impossible to share it all in the group, so that is the reason for this blog.
And the answer to the question, “Do you believe?”….
… The short answer is …
… DEFINITELY YES!!
The long answer is the rest of this blog!!
