March 2023 "It is as impossible for man to demonstrate the existence of God as it would be for Sherlock Holmes to demonstrate the existence of Arthur Conan Doyle." ~ Frederick Buechner, theologian Good morning, In Dr. Stephen Unwin's book, The Probability of God, the noted PhD and statistical analyst from Cambridge University determined that "more than likely, God exists." I'm sure that God, more than likely, was pleased to hear that. But first, the back-story… In the eighteenth century, Thomas Bayes, an English Presbyterian pastor and mathematician, devised a statistical calculation known as the Bayesian Probabilities Method. Bayes hoped to use the system to prove the existence of God … mathematically. Unfortunately, Bayes died before he could publish his findings. Two hundred years later, Dr. Unwin decided to resurrect Bayes' theorem and take the test himself. He felt confident he could provide an unbiased position because, in Unwin's mind, the question of God's existence wasn't a theological issue, but rather a matter of statistics. Unwin began by assigning a 50% probability that God exists — allowing an equal 50% that God doesn't exist. Next, the good doctor used the same determining lines of evidence from the Bayesian system, supplying percentages to each response. He admitted his answers were somewhat subjective, but felt he had remained as neutral as possible. The Bayesian determining lines of evidence included…
Unwin added up his percentages and concluded a 67% chance that God exists. The debate over God's existence has been raging for millennia. When confronted, we typically use one of the following arguments to support our position…
These arguments are compelling, and they should be. The evidence is overwhelmingly conclusive. We have "many infallible proofs" (Acts.1.3) to support our beliefs. However, even with these arguments and proofs, many will choose not to believe. Friedrich Nietzsche, the famed atheist who launched the God is Dead movement, said, "It is our preference that decides against Christianity, not arguments." However, truth is still the truth, and the way to the Father is still the way. "For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Heb 11.6) We've been sent to deliver a message. Don't let the faithless keep you from it. Blessings, |
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