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GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation
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GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

Mar 26, 2015

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Page 1: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE

and creation

Page 2: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

Desire to believe in the existence of God

“I want to believe in something or someone higher and better than I.”

Temple at Capernaum

Page 3: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

Reasons for wanting to believe in and have the approval of

God• Reason 1: Belief in God gives me

a purpose and a reason to live.

• Ecclesiastes 12:1313 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Page 4: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

• Reason 2: Belief in God gives hope that I am eternal and death is not the end of me:

Job 14:14 14 If a man dies, will he live again?

Page 5: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

1 Corinthians 15:19-22 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Page 6: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

•Reason 3: Belief in God gives me a basis for morality

Page 7: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

•Reason 4: Belief in God allows me to recognize the spiritual

Page 8: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

Raphael: God Appears to IsaacVatican, High Renaissance

Page 9: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

What God is not:Statues of gods from Thailand

Rembrandt, Juno(Hera) 1664, Los Angeles

Page 10: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

Elgin marbles from the Parthenon

Greek gods Zeus and Heranow at British Museum

Work of Phidias

Page 11: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

THE NATURE OF GOD.From “The Trinity”

Trinity blessed, deity coequal,Unity sacred, God one eke in essence,Yield to thy servant, pitifully callingMerciful hearing.* * * *Glory to God, the Father, and his onlySon, the protector of us earthly sinners,The sacred spirit, labourers refreshing,Still be renowned. Amen.

– Richard Stanyhurst (1547-1618)

Page 12: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

1. God is one beingDeuteronomy 6:4

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

Page 13: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

God has three personalities, each of which is called “God”:

Matthew 28:1919 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Page 14: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

1 Corinthians 8:66 yet for us there is but

one God, the Father, from whom all things came and

for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through

whom all things came and through whom we live.

Page 15: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

John 1:11 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word

was God.

Page 16: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

2. God is spirit, not flesh and he is eternal

• John 4:2424 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Model of Jerusalem

Page 17: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

God hasinfinite characteristics:

• He is good, powerful and just

Psalm 89:1414 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.

Page 18: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

HIS CREATION: Genesis 1,2Day 1: LIGHT and darkness,Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel

Page 19: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

Day 3: Land and WaterMichelangelo, Sistine Chapel

Page 20: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

Day 4: Stars and Planets Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel

Page 21: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

The Starry Night, Van Gogh,MoMA, Post Impressionist

Page 22: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

Other days• Day 2: Water and Sky• Day 5: Creatures of the Sky and Water• Day 6: Creatures of the Land• Peaceable Kingdom• Hicks, 1834 National• Gallery, Washington

Page 23: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

The Olive Trees, Van GoghMoMA, Post-Impressionist

Page 24: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

Isaiah 40:12-1712 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,

or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,

or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?

13 Who has understood the mind of the LORD,

or instructed him as his counselor? 14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,

and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge

or showed him the path of understanding? 15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;

they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.

16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.

17 Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless

and less than nothing.

Page 25: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

Isaiah 40:21-3121 Do you not know? Have you not heard?

Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers.

He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

23 He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

24 No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown,

no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither,

and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. 25 ‘‘To whom will you compare me?

Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:

Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one,

and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength,

not one of them is missing.

Page 26: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel,

‘‘My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God”?

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary

Page 27: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

Milton Paradise Lost, Book 7387: And God said, let the Waters generate

388: Reptil with Spawn abundant, living Soule: 389: And let Fowle flie above the Earth, with wings

390: Displayd on the op'n Firmament of Heav'n. 391: And God created the great Whales, and each 392: Soul living, each that crept, which plenteously

393: The waters generated by thir kindes, 394: And every Bird of wing after his kinde;

395: And saw that it was good, and bless'd them, saying, 396: Be fruitful, multiply, and in the Seas

397: And Lakes and running Streams the waters fill; 398: And let the Fowle be multiply'd on the Earth.

399: Forthwith the Sounds and Seas, each Creek & Bay 400: With Frie innumerable swarme, and Shoales

Page 28: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

401: Of Fish that with thir Finns and shining Scales 402: Glide under the green Wave, in Sculles that oft 403: Bank the mid Sea: part single or with mate 404: Graze the Sea weed thir pasture, & through Groves 405: Of Coral stray, or sporting with quick glance 406: Show to the Sun thir wav'd coats dropt with Gold, 407: Or in thir Pearlie shells at ease, attend 408: Moist nutriment, or under Rocks thir food 409: In jointed Armour watch: on smooth the Seale, 410: And bended Dolphins play: part huge of bulk 411: Wallowing unweildie, enormous in thir Gate 412: Tempest the Ocean: there Leviathan 413: Hugest of living Creatures, on the Deep 414: Stretcht like a Promontorie sleeps or swimmes, 415: And seems a moving Land, and at his Gilles 416: Draws in, and at his Trunck spouts out a Sea.

Page 29: GOD:HIS EXISTENCE, NATURE and creation. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD Desire to believe in the existence of God I want to believe in something or someone higher.

Edward Taylor (ca. 1642-1729)The Preface

              1   Infinity, when all things it beheld               2In Nothing, and of Nothing all did build,

              3Upon what Base was fixt the Lath wherein               4He turn’d this Globe, and riggalld it so trim?               5Who blew the Bellows of His Furnace Vast?

              6Or held the Mould wherein the world was Cast?               7Who laid its Corner Stone? Or whose Command?

              8Where stand the Pillars upon which it stands?               9Who Lac’de and Fillitted the earth so fine,

            10With Rivers like green Ribbons Smaragdine?             11Who made the Sea's its Selvedge, and it locks

            12Like a Quilt Ball within a Silver Box?             13Who Spread its Canopy? Or Curtains Spun?

            14Who in this Bowling Alley bowld the Sun?             15Who made it always when it rises set:

            16To go at once both down, and up to get?             17Who th' Curtain rods made for this Tapistry?

            18Who hung the twinckling Lanthorns in the Sky?             19Who? who did this? or who is he? Why, know

            20It's Onely Might Almighty this did doe.