Last week, I stumbled upon a video where an agnostic asked Pastor Cliffe Knechtle why he should believe it’s more probable that there is a God than there is not. The Pastor offered profound insights that spanned four compelling arguments:
- The Teleological Argument: Pastor Knechtle emphasised that the design evident in the cosmos implies the presence of an intelligent mind. Through cosmological observations, he contended that the intricate order demands an intelligent force behind it.
2. The Principle of Biogenesis: He asserted the consistent principle that life always emerges from pre-existing life. He refuted the claims of spontaneous generation of life from non-living matter.
3. The Moral Argument: Acknowledging the existence of ethical grey areas, Pastor Knechtle emphasised the presence of clear moral absolutes. He argued that these absolutes find better explanation through the existence of a divine being rather than through naturalistic or atheistic explanations.
4. The Love Argument: Pastor Knechtle highlighted the critical role of love in various facets of life — marriage, friendship, and career — and emphasised that for love to be valid, it must have a source or author.
As I reflected on these arguments, Psalm 107:23 took on new meaning:
“Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters, They see the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep…”
This Psalm seems to describe the perils faced by sailors at sea, crying out to God for deliverance, to which He responds by rescuing them from distress, leading them to gratitude. It vividly portrays the overwhelming power of God, even in seemingly insignificant realms.
Often, like the sailors, we acknowledge God’s sovereignty, especially in secular contexts, only when we’re at our wits’ end. If we understood that God rules over all human affairs (Daniel 4:17 AMP), we wouldn’t endure such distress before acknowledging His commitment to us (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5).
Many of us maintain agnostic views of God’s involvement in secular situations, despite believing in His existence. The Psalmist’s message speaks to us:
“Those who go down to the sea, who do business on great waters, they see the works of the Lord…”
This underscores that God’s power and willingness are all-encompassing, especially in situations analogous to seas and deep waters. If we invite Him, He’s ready to reveal His wonders, guiding us to our desired havens and filling us with joy. Whenever doubts arise about God’s involvement, remember, nothing in creation is beyond His reach.
Shalom!
Nonso Orji
@nonso_orji