What does Dr. Bierle mean when he says in the FaithSearch material that God must be infinite?

“The distinctions between the characteristics of infinite and finite, and their importance, are not always clear. They are difficult for us to grasp because everything we know, think and experience is limited or finite. we have limited power, limited knowledge; we are confined to space and restricted by time. That’s why people sometimes ask, ‘If God made the world, then who made God?’ The thought that something or someone is eternal, i.e., had no beginning and has no end is virtually impossible for us to grasp.

Likewise, it is difficult for us finite beings to comprehend a God who is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing and outside of time and space. But unless such a God exists, the universe is an impersonal happenstance; we are each temporary cosmic orphans within that happenstance; and we have no greater significance than the short vapor of time in which we each exist. In that case, death is the final victor. As we all know, there are no moving vans behind hearses!” (Surprised by Faith Study and Discussion Guide, pg.15).

God’s infinite character is only one side of the coin, however. If God is only infinite and not personal, we have know way of knowing what it is that he wants. An example from popular culture that fits this description would be the Force in the Star Wars movies—some unseen power that exists, but does not necessarily communicate. Eastern religions, such as Buddhism and Hinduism fall into this category of having an infinite, but not a personal, god that is worshiped.

If you took the time to list some of the characteristics that you would want God to have, what would they be?

I posed this question to a youth group I was teaching. Some of the answers were: compassionate, loving, powerful, perfect, caring, just, awe-inspiring, etc. If you take time to look at all of these answers, you’ll find that they can be broken down into one of two categories: infinite and personal.

“The existence of a God who is infinite–and thus knows the answers to all the questions about life and eternity–is needed for the finite (all of us) to discover ultimate purpose. This God would also have to be a personal being with intellect, will, and emotion in order to intelligibly communicate these answers and make a relationship with Him a possibility,” (Surprised by Faith Study and Discussion Guide, pg.13).

During this next week, we’ll look at why it is necessary for God to be both infinite and personal, and not just one or the other. We’ll also explore how this separates certain religions from others. Finally, we’ll see if there is some sort of test to discover if a God who is both infinite and personal really exists, or if it’s all just merely conjecture.

So far, in this initial series on the Surprised by Faith Study and Discussion Guide, we’ve looked at the reasons why people might leave God out of their lives, and we’ve looked at the evidence that an overwhelming majority of people in the United States choose to keep Him, in some form or another, in their lives.

Now, we move on to the question, “What if?” Clearly many people believe that God exists. And we must acknowledge, while not a huge percentage of the population, a large number of people do not believe in or recognize His existence.

So, what if God does not exist? What does that mean for us? (more…)

This is the second part of a series on the first discovery in the Surprised by Faith Study and Discussion Guide. To read the first part, click here.

In light of what we talked about, this question is presented in the Study and Discussion guide:

“Why do so many people around the world continue to turn to faith as vitally important even though there are negative stereotypes and caricatures of God and religious faith?” (pg.6). (more…)

Finding a place to begin is difficult. What is an appropriate starting point? If I start in this certain place, what information am I leaving out, and who will I be leaving behind?

As we begin to work through the material contained in the Surprised by Faith Study and Discussion Guide, those are important questions to ask. One cannot start with the presupposition that there is a God, because not everyone believes in God or sees a need for Him. (more…)

This letter serves as the introduction to our Surprised by Faith Study and Discussion Guide. Over the next few weeks we will be looking at key sections from the guide.

Dear Friend,

I remember wondering in my early teenage years about the existence of God, and then asking some adults how we can know whether there really is a God. The answer I received did not satisfy me then, and it still doesn’t: “Don, that’s just something you have to believe!” (more…)

To argue that God does not exist by pointing to the existence of evil is to make a subtle assumption. A submission to the FaithSearch Web site through our contact form provides an opportunity to discuss a surprising argument for the existence of God. (more…)

As we have said before, FaithSearch International exists to “proclaim the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere.”  But what is the need for evidence?  Some have asked, “Isn’t my faith good enough?” (more…)

Welcome to the FaithSearch blog: The Gospel with Evidence.

FaithSearch International exists to “proclaim the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere,” which we have been doing since 1979.  Our aim is not merely to provide evidence, but to introduce people to the person of Jesus Christ. Many people don’t know that Christianity is supported by the (more…)