01 // How Do You Know God Exists?

Episode Summary:

In this compelling episode of "Dazed & Apologized," Pastor Scott Hand dives into one of the most fundamental and challenging questions for Christians: How do we know God exists? This episode is an essential listen for anyone wrestling with doubt or looking to strengthen their evangelical conversations. Pastor Scott begins by acknowledging that absolute certainty around God's existence is beyond our reach, a candid admission that sets a realistic tone for the discussion. He then transitions into a rich, informative segment where he outlines four major arguments for the existence of God: the cosmological, teleological, desire, and moral arguments.

Pastor Scott unpacks these arguments with relatable anecdotes and clear explanations, making each one accessible whether you're a seasoned theologian or new to apologetics. For example, he uses the simplicity of daily experiences and universal human desires to illustrate complex concepts like the teleological argument or the moral law within us. Moving on to practical application, Scott offers listeners conversational tools and insights on how to address skeptical questions about God’s existence. From engaging in friendly dialogues to using relatable examples, such as famous paintings or everyday moral judgments, listeners will walk away equipped with strategies for meaningful faith conversations.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding Probability Over Certainty: Pastor Scott emphasizes that, like many aspects of life, belief in God is grounded in reasonable probability rather than absolute certainty.

Four Core Arguments for God's Existence: The episode explores the cosmological, teleological, desire, and moral arguments as rational bases for believing in God.

The Utility of Teleological Argument with Kids: Using examples like famous paintings, Pastor Scott explains how this argument can be particularly effective when talking to children about God.

The Moral Argument’s Universality: The episode discusses how a universal moral law implies a moral lawgiver, making this argument powerful in faith conversations.

Strategies for Conversation: Pastor Scott provides practical advice for turning skeptical inquiries into opportunities for sharing the gospel, stressing the importance of asking probing questions to reveal inconsistencies in atheistic viewpoints.

Notable Quotes:

"There is no way to prove with 100% certainty the existence of God… we operate on probability."

"It's much more reasonable and rational to believe that something put it there, that something happened, that there was a reason."

"Take the human body, for example. The complexity of the human body... it is amazing."

"Our natural desires point to the existence of the satisfaction for those desires."

"If there is a universal moral law, there must be a universal moral lawgiver."

Resources:

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

A Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant

Thomas Aquinas’ Philosophy

William Paley’s Watchmaker Analogy

Equip yourself with the clarity and confidence needed to navigate discussions on the existence of God. Tune in to this episode for profound insights and practical advice. Stay tuned for next week's episode, where Pastor Scott tackles another intriguing question about the Bible.