In his fine book, The Reason for God, Timothy Keller suggests that God doesn't offer proof of his existence.Rather, he leaves clues.
Why not proof? Why the cat and mouse?
Why not make himself blatantly obvious to every single person in human history, given that the stakes -- eternity in heaven or hell -- are so high?
Why leave anything to chance?
Reply. In my view, the reason is just this: God does not coerce faith. He doesn't force himself upon anyone.
Thus there is no flaming neon cross hurling through the sky for all to see. No letters embossed boldly on the face of the moon declaring, "Made by Jesus."
The clues God leaves of his existence and love provide just enough evidence to stimulate faith in the open-hearted.
But not enough to overturn the skepticism of the obstinate.
Another way to say this is that God does not submit himself to the human demand for proof, nor is he obligated to do so.
Hence the clue strategy.
If you truly seek him with an open heart, you'll find him. But if you cross your arms and make a rule that God must meet your standards before you'll ever believe in him, you could be waiting a long time.
Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
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Next week: A sampling of God's clues.
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