In September, 1976, in a debate with brother Thomas B. Warren, Dr. Antony Flew affirmed the proposition, “I know that God does not exist.” Such is a very bold position to take, and throughout the debate Dr. Flew was insufficient in proving it because the position itself is insufficient to be proven. A statement that explicit is rarely heard even from the mouths of skeptics, but that ultimately is the conclusion of everyone who exalts atheism. They know there is no God. This concept has spread through the world like wildfire and now has affected so many areas of social living, even down to the very way the sanctity of life is viewed. An outcry bursts forth from all corners when the very mention of God or intelligent design is uttered. These critics ask believers, “How can you be so sure that there is a God?” But in response perhaps the simple question can be in return, “How can you be so sure that there isn’t?”
So to you who say there is no God, how do you know? It cannot be from the random chaos with which this universe functions because it has perfect order. When in Genesis 1:1 God created the heaven and the earth, they were created with full capability to function with natural precision. God created light and separated it from the darkness thereby defining evening and morning (vs. 3-5). And still does the world function according to this natural order enacted by God. God separated the water from the dry land thereby distinguishing earth and sea (vs. 10). Likewise does the earth still exist according to this order. God created all the kinds of animals and vegetation and without fail these have continued within their kind (vs. 9-14,20-25). So if you know there is no God, does that knowledge come from the lack of design?
Again to you who say there is no God, how do you know? It cannot be from the complexity with which the human body is arranged. Without God, there can be no explanation for our complexity. Knowing that there is no God do you know how the inner workings of the human eye are so well tuned? Knowing that there is no God can you account for the self-healing nature of the body? Knowing that there is no God can an explanation be given for the wonder which is the central nervous system? Knowing that there is no God what answer can you give for the ability of the human brain? Given the complexity of the body with which you function how can you be sure God does not exist?
If you say there is no God, how, still, can you know? It cannot be from a void of natural law for with creation did God set natural law in motion. Today, as in the beginning, if something goes up that is heavier than air itself, it comes down because of gravity’s law. Today, as in the beginning, if something is itself an effect, it by necessity has a cause. Today, as in the beginning, if something is living, it by necessity came from living matter. There are a multiplied number of natural laws with which we and this universe function, but without God how can any of them be explained? Therefore if you know there is no God, how do you know?
With Nebuchadnezzar’s statement do we agree when he said, “…there is a God in heaven” (Daniel 2:28) because “the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). Throughout life emphasis in other areas is to draw a conclusion based on the evidence. But in the minds of many today evidence is formulated based on the conclusion desired. In other words because some do not want there to be a God they manipulate the minds of the many with false theories and notions disguised as evidence in order to persuade them into concluding that He is not. The evidence, though, points completely to the fact that GOD IS! Therefore to the skeptic, how do you know there is no God?
The obvious conclusion is that no one can know that there is no God. Really all of mankind falls into one of two categories: (1) those who know God exists, and (2) those who do not know God exists. In the end, though, any deficiency that exists is not in God’s existence, but in man’s knowledge of it.
How can you look at the majesty of the mountains; how can you look at the innocence of an infant; how can you look at the unity of the universe; how can you look at the brilliance of the body; and how can you look at the serenity of the scriptures and know there is no God? With the Psalmist may all reach the conclusion: “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:1-2). God always has been, is, and forevermore shall be. All evidence points to His being. Therefore to all who shall answer otherwise, how can you know?