Does God Really Exist?

Whether it is a family member, co-worker or friend, everybody knows someone who is either agnostic or athiest. I can appreciate those who are skeptical. As a pharmacist, I have to guard against and be leary of false claims about the benefit of drugs from Over-The-Counter drug manufacturers. I was also born in the "Show-Me" state of Missouri--so just "Show-Me."

The real stumbling block on issues of faith is that man has a finite ability to comprehend infinite things. God is infinite and God is reality.

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We can all agree that Albert Einstein was a genius and one of the greatest minds of the 20th Century.

I remember a pastor who lived across the street from me long ago that seemed concerned when I told him that I was going to college and taking science courses for pharmacy school. I think he was worried that I would discount God in favor of science.

But just like Einstein, seeing the order in the Periodic Table, studying physics, seeing how amazing the human body works in harmony all the way down to the Krebs Cycle...the more I delved deeper and deeper into science, the more I knew there had to be a God. Science confirmed my belief in God because you can see the brilliant architect behind it all.

Science and religion do mix. As a Catholic, the Dan Browns of the world negatively and erroneously try to protray the Catholic Church out to be anti-science. Do you all remember hearing about the Big Bang Theory in high school science class? Did you realize that the "Big Bang Theory" (origin of the universe) was formulated by a Belgian Catholic priest?

Yes, Monsignor Georges Lemaître. Click HERE to read about it.

Einstein believed in God but he didn't believe in a personal God. My reasoning is that his parents were Jewish. He did not believe that Christ was the son of God. Our "personal God" is Christ. And Christ himself says that you cannot know the Father except through the son:

• John 14:6-7: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
  

So why does God allow bad things to happen in the world?

Why does He allow evil?

Many athiests and agnostics always raise this question. And it is good question. It has made me think at times. But once again, we have a finite ability to understand an infinite God. We define our life too much on the seen and on THIS world--without knowledge of the greater world beyond called heaven.

As Father John Corapi says, just take a look at The Cross if you want the real answer for why God would allow bad things to happen. The Cross represents the greatest evil (the created kill the creator) and the greatest good (Christ willingly dies for our sins).

So in summary, why does God allows bad things to happen? Simple: To bring about a greater good.

Christ came into the world to turn it upside down. He brought a New Covenant of Love and Forgiveness to replace the "Eye-for-an-Eye" Old Covenant. Jesus Christ willingly laid down his life for all of us for the forgiveness of sins. He did so in a humiliating and brutal fashion. He experienced pain and suffering. Why? So that He could truly understand the pain and suffering we all go through in life.

The next good question that even Christians raise at some point in our lives: Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Why does God allow suffering? Because He is a loving God. God knows us better than ourselves and He knows what we need. God tests our faith from time to time. He tested Job, didn't he?

• Hebrews 12:6: because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.

• Hebrews 12:10: Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

• Luke 24:26: "Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
  

What is the danger of not believing in Christ or making things of this world your god?

John 8:21-24: Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come." This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I go, you cannot come'?" But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

Faith

Faith is something that even Christians struggle with at times. But least we forget this these scriptures:

• 2 Corinthians 5:7: We live by faith, not by sight.
• Acts 14:22: ..."We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God."

Help the victims of the massive earthquake that hit Haiti this week. Below is a link to donate especially for the cause through Catholic Relief Services. Click HERE

• Galatians 5:14: The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
  

Peace be with you,

© Michael J. Cox