Can we philosophically reason our way to the conclusion that God exists? Can philosophy make the case for YHWH as the one true God? Certainly, this is a task for philosophers, people far more intelligent and educated than myself. However, I hope that having a layman’s take on this approach would be beneficial to you and others.
I am a Christian not because of apologetic or philosophical arguments but because of the love and grace He showed me when I realized the depths of my sin. I had dug a pit for myself (Ps. 7:15, Prov 5:22), and was met with both mercy and a call to something more. It was after conversion that I gained interest in learning more about who God is and how to make a defense for my hope in Him (1 Peter 3:15). I’ve built out a short philosophical framework for the existence of God and the validity of YHWH being the one true God. The argument, like many philosophical ones, is built on a few assumptions. Let’s walk through it:
Fact A) Either God exists or He does not.
Assumption #1: The world does exist. Most would say it is silly to call this an assumption instead of a fact and I agree. However, it is technically an assumption. That being said, it is an assumption we must make in order to have any meaningful discussion on the topic (or any topic), much less function in the world at all. Everyone functions in their day-to-day life based on this assumption, therefore it is perfectly reasonable to make this assumption here.
Fact B) Something (ie the world) cannot come from nothing.
So far we have stated the following: The world does exist and could not come from nothing. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that an independent and able Being or Force exists and created the world.
Something or someone had to create the world.
Assumption #2: This being or force would want the creation or creatures to know it created them. Whether for purposes of worship, service etc.
I admit, this is the biggest assumption of the whole argument. It does not have to be true. This force or being could be completely indifferent or impersonal. However, I consider this possibility less likely. Created objects tend to have some reflection of their creator. Since all creation is relational by nature, it would be more likely that this being or force is relational as well to some degree.
There are 5 major religions of the world based on the number of people who claim adherence to said religion: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. If assumption #2 is correct, then we can assume one of these religions is correct, and the other religions are deviations from the truth.
Fact C) The 5 major religions of the world make exclusive truth claims and contradict one another.
An exclusive truth claim means that a statement is made, which if that statement is true, it then rules out other possibilities. Religion 1 says X = Y but Religion 2 says no, X = Z, and we know that Y does not equal Z, then there are only two options: Only one religion is right or both religions are wrong. This fact implies that out of the 5 major religions of the world, either one is right and the rest are wrong, or all 5 are wrong.
Assumption #3: If assumption #2 is correct, that this being or force would want to be known, then we can safely assume that this all-powerful being or force would have made a way for one of these five religions to have gotten it right.
1 of the 5 major religions is correct.
Fact D) There are 5 major religions of the world that make exclusive truth claims. If the true religion is of supernatural origin, then a false religion would be of human origin.
Assumption #4: If a religion is of human origin, then it will reflect human paradigms.
Fact E) The human paradigm of salvation entails retributive justice. This means that if a person does good, they get good in return. If a person does bad, they get punished.
Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism all teach a human paradigm of salvation involving retributive justice. The gospel of Christianity is unique. Salvation in Christianity is reconciliation with God and re-participation in the divine life based on God’s unmerited mercy and grace. His work on our behalf makes the way for our salvation. Christianity is the only religion built on a flipped human paradigm, either making it incredibly foolish, or remarkably true.
Christianity is more likely to be a true understanding of God and reality than other worldviews.
In Other Words
A worldview that perfectly reflects common human wisdom and paradigm (ie do good = get good, do bad = get bad) gives good reason for suspicion of fabrication. However, a worldview that flips the human paradigm while also having historical, rational, and philosophical validity offers support for that worldview to be more likely true and of divine origin.
People do not need to leave their brains at the door in order to come and believe in God. But it is not intellectual or philosophical arguments alone that lead people to Him. While the Holy Spirit is busy working through the death and resurrection of Christ to draw all people to Himself (John 12:32), we are to be busy helping the world know Christ through our love for others (John 13:33).
