I’ve recently connected on Face Book with a friend that I haven’t seen in 17 years.

This morning he wrote a post that contends that God has not provided evidence to “prove his existence” despite the fact that God could “choose to provide enough evidence to prove his existence.” Leaving aside that the only place proof is possible is in mathematics (Everywhere else there may be enough evidence to form a conclusion that is not the same as “proof”). I believe that there is evidence to support a belief in God but that evidence isn’t really important to me. What is important to me is how I came to know God and the “evidence” of my own experience. I was from a decidedly non christian household, professional scientist and aged 26 my life changed when I became a Christian. It was certainly not something I grew up with.

What follows is my response.

I’m not sure that part of your initial statement is true.

When I first read the Bible after I became a Christian (about two years after I left Canberra[which was when I last saw this friend]). It was after reading exodus that I realized something.

The book of Exodus is account after account about how people ignored the evidence in front of them. From the Egyptians to the Israelites themselves. By the time I got to the end of exodus I knew why God doesn’t try to “prove” God’s existence. God knows that it won’t work.

Beyond exodus there is account after account of people to whom God’s existence had been proven and they still went off the reservation. Probably the best examples being David and Solomon but the disciples and apostles of Jesus also rank pretty highly.

Now many people reading this would say “Bollocks, the bible is not a history book its just a made up set of stories.” I won’t present any evidence to refute that claim….. Except…….I want to present two things for you to consider.

Let us not consider the bible as a historical book but rather a commentary and description on human nature.

I would say its an incredibly accurate description of human nature. From the hypocrisy of Solomon to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. To the judgmental nature of those who wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery yet not the man and despite their own sins. It was only Jesus forcing them to face their sin that save her life. To the petty concerns of the Apostles as to who would be “greatest” to the joy, kindness and repentance of some of the most surprising individuals. To the freeing power of grace and forgiveness versus the barbed and poisonus trap of a cycle of revenge and retribution. So much truth. If the bible so accurately describes the human condition and human nature maybes its right about evidence not being crucial to a journey on the path to know God?

Second if you think that knowing God is just a matter of providing enough “evidence” then I think you are blind to human nature. We humans are extraordinarily good at avoiding, ignoring or flat out rejecting evidence we don’t like. Part of being the scientist I am is acknowledging my propensity to bias and using the scientific method to over come that bias. Its always there though. Consider how much evidence there is that Climate change is real and that Trump is a bad person. Is the evidence enough? Obviously not.

And if you think that “oh that’s other people” then you are blind to your own nature. Examine your actions over the course of a day, a week a year and if you are self aware enough and honest enough you will find areas in your thinking and actions where you have been responding emotionally rather than rationally. There will be other times when you have ignored the evidence before you.

As someone who prides himself on his rationality I tell you that to deny that your thinking is always influenced by your emotions and more often than we would like controlled by your emotions is inherently irrational and ignorant.

For me personally I told God to “f#$% off” repeatedly over about a nine month period. I told him I wouldn’t be bribed when he put people in my path to talk about the promises of God. I told him I wouldn’t be threatened when others preached a more fire and brimstone message.

But when I needed him and I called on him suddenly he was there. I gave my life to Jesus out of gratitude AND the “evidence” of his love for me. The real issue up until that point was that I didn’t want to accept God was real. I didn’t want to change my life, my actions and the way I treated people. Most of all I didn’t want to admit that there was a God that actually did exist. A God that did have the authority to tell me what to do. When I became a Christian I didn’t stop thinking sex before marriage and a whole stack of other things were perfectly ok but I changed because:
– I accepted that not only was God real but that he loved me;
– I accepted forgiveness;
– I accepted that I might not know everything; and
– I accepted that if God said not to do something or to do something there was probably a good reason for it.

I was willing to give up my “freedom” to satisfy myself because suddenly, I wanted to please my Father.

I did all that at home, alone. It was only later that I read the bible and found a church that taught from the bible to make my home. It was never an easy decision but its been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

I relate this not to provide evidence and certainly not “proof” that God exists but just to prompt you to think and to share my own experience.

I’m writing this blog to show people how I think, what I think and what I want to do with what I think. While I’ve mentioned my faith in my bio from the very begining this is the first time I’ve blogged about it. I’m pretty good at what I do but I’d be better working with a team that shared my vision. Having the capital we need would also help. So if you like what you have read why don’t you sign up to our mailing list to stay in touch and if you are feeling inspired see how you can help. You can also support my work via  Patreon and save me from going ten rounds with the council about the safety of using a wooden apple press. Local government officials are humans to and I can tell you that they are not swayed by the science showing that plastic and even stainless steel are LESS HYGIENIC food preparation surfaces than wood.

If you are interested in Cider, Urban foraging, medieval woodwork and cool handtools then checkout my youtube channel where I’m documenting the construction of the apple press.