The Heavens Declare: The Evidence of God
Travis Dickinson
Sunday, July 12, 2020
The Heavens Declare: The Evidence of God
Romans 1:18-23; Psalm 19:1-3 CSB
Travis Dickinson, Ph.D.
God can be seen in nature and, as a result, all humans are without excuse.
18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. Romans 1:18-23
“For God’s wrath is revealed…” (v. 18)
The gospel (v. 16) makes no sense as good news without God’s wrath and judgment.
“For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people …” (v. 18)
Apart from Christ, we are sinners with a moral debt to a holy and righteous God.
“… who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident…” (v. 18-19)
Apart from Christ, we live in a state of self-deception.
“As a result, people are without excuse.” (v. 20)
“For his invisible attributes…have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made.” (v. 20)
That God is and who God is can be clearly seen in creation.
What things can be seen in creation?
- A contingent universe
The universe is filled with temporary things that do not have to exist.
-We need an explanation for this:
The universe is eternal? It came into being by chance by natural forces? God?
-A creator God is the best explanation for the contingency of the universe.
- A fined tuned universe
The universe is finely tuned for human existence.
-We need an explanation for this:
We just lucked out? The universe must be this way? God?
A super intelligent God who designed the universe for human existence is the best explanation of fine tuning.
- A moral universe
There are objective right/wrongs, moral duties and (e.g., human) rights.
-We need an explanation for this:
Morality is just an illusion? Morality has no explanation? God?
A morally perfect God who is the standard of right/wrong and who has endowed us with rights and obligations is the best explanation of morality.
4. A beautiful universe
-There’s a universe of unimaginable beauty that serves no purpose for the functioning of the universe.
We just lucked out? The universe must be this way? God?
An artistic God who showed off to entice awe is the best explanation of beauty.
From nature, we can see that there is a unimaginably powerful, intelligent, morally perfect, and creative being. This is a being we ought to worship.
Psalm 19:1-3
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour out speech;
night after night they communicate knowledge. 3 There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard.
Psalm 19:14
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.