The question “Who is God, and how can we know He exists?” touches on fundamental aspects of theology, philosophy, and apologetics. It seeks an understanding of God’s nature and asks for evidence or reasons for belief in God’s existence. Here is a structured response that incorporates scholarly commentary, apologetic arguments, and theological insights.

1. The Nature of God in Theology

In Christian theology, God is often described as omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (present everywhere), and omnibenevolent (all-good). He is also seen as the Creator and Sustainer of all life, existing eternally and independently of the universe. In the Bible, God introduces Himself as “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14, ESV), which emphasizes His self-existence and unchanging nature.

The Apostle Paul writes that God’s nature is revealed through His creation: “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made” (Romans 1:20, ESV). This theological view posits that God is transcendent yet reveals Himself in ways that humanity can understand, such as through scripture, Jesus Christ, and creation itself.

Scholar Commentary: Theologian Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, argued that God’s existence and attributes could be partially understood through reason, particularly through the observation of the natural world. Aquinas’s “Five Ways” outlines logical arguments based on causality, motion, contingency, degrees of perfection, and design, suggesting that the characteristics of God can be inferred from creation.

2. Apologetic Arguments for God’s Existence

Apologetics provides intellectual defenses for belief in God’s existence. Here are a few key arguments:

• The Cosmological Argument: This argument posits that everything that begins to exist has a cause. The universe, having a beginning, therefore requires an uncaused cause, which is identified as God. Philosopher William Lane Craig supports this argument in his Kalam Cosmological Argument, asserting that the existence of the universe points to an eternal, powerful cause beyond it.
• The Teleological (Design) Argument: The complexity and order found in the universe, particularly in biological life, suggest an intelligent designer. The fine-tuning of the universe for life is often cited by Christian apologists, who argue that such precision is unlikely to be the product of chance. Scientist and theologian Alister McGrath points out that the intricate balance of physical laws suggests a designer rather than random occurrence.
• The Moral Argument: This argument asserts that objective moral values exist and are best explained by the existence of a moral lawgiver, namely God. C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity, argues that the human sense of right and wrong points to a transcendent standard, which he identifies as God’s nature.
• The Ontological Argument: Developed by St. Anselm, this philosophical argument claims that if it is possible to conceive of a perfect being (God), then God must exist, as existence is a necessary component of perfection. While more abstract, it has been refined and supported by various philosophers, including Alvin Plantinga, who presented a modern version based on modal logic.

3. How Can We Know God Exists?

While apologetic arguments provide intellectual evidence for God’s existence, personal experience and revelation play crucial roles in knowing God from a Christian perspective:

• Revelation through Scripture: Christians believe that God reveals Himself specifically through the Bible. The Bible presents God’s nature, character, and His plan for humanity. Hebrews 1:1-2 states, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”
• The Person of Jesus Christ: Jesus is considered God incarnate (John 1:1, 14), meaning that He is God made flesh. Jesus’ life, teachings, miracles, and resurrection are central to Christian faith, serving as the most direct and personal revelation of God. Scholar N.T. Wright argues that the resurrection of Jesus provides a historical basis for belief in God, suggesting that it is an event that validates Jesus’ divine claims and points to a reality beyond the material world.
• The Inner Witness of the Holy Spirit: According to Christian theology, the Holy Spirit acts as a direct witness within believers, confirming God’s presence and guiding them in truth (Romans 8:16). Philosopher Alvin Plantinga describes this as the “sensus divinitatis,” or a sense of the divine, which he believes is an innate awareness of God present in all humans.

4. Responding to Doubt: Faith and Reason

While evidence and reason point toward God’s existence, Christianity also holds that faith is essential. Hebrews 11:6 notes that “without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Faith, in this sense, is trust based on evidence, not blind belief.

Scholar Commentary: Blaise Pascal, a 17th-century philosopher, proposed what is known as “Pascal’s Wager.” He argued that, given the uncertainties, believing in God is a rational choice with infinite gain (eternal life) and limited loss if God does not exist. While not a proof, Pascal’s argument invites a practical consideration of the consequences of belief versus unbelief.

5. Practical Implications: How Knowing God Changes Us

For Christians, knowing God is not merely an intellectual exercise but a transformational relationship. When one believes in God’s existence and character, it impacts their values, behavior, and understanding of purpose. Jesus’ teachings emphasize love, forgiveness, and justice, shaping the lives of His followers in a way that reflects God’s own nature (John 13:34-35).

Final Theological Insight: In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways… as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.” This reminds Christians that while we can understand aspects of God through reason, revelation, and experience, His nature is ultimately beyond full human comprehension. Faith involves both understanding and accepting the mystery of God’s transcendence.

In summary, God is understood in Christianity as the Creator, revealed in scripture, nature, and Christ. Apologetic arguments, personal experience, and theological insights provide a foundation for knowing God, while faith bridges the intellectual and experiential aspects of belief. This balanced approach allows one to reason towards God while embracing the relational and transformative elements that knowing God entails.