To make such a statement with absolute certainty, we must have absolute (infinite) knowledge, i.e., we must be all-knowing. Otherwise, there may be information somewhere ¹yet to be discovered that proves our claim is wrong.
We already know there is vast knowledge beyond our awareness for two reasons.
The more we learn about our universe and ourselves, the more we realize
1. How ¹little we know and
2. How limited (finite) our understanding is of what we do know.
And this is only regarding the physical realm.
What about the spiritual? How can we be sure there isn't such a ³realm which is equally, if not, a far greater realm of knowledge and understanding than the material?
What if the state of our present existence somehow prevents us from seeing this ³realm well if not altogether? Without absolute knowledge, we can't know with complete certainty.
3. We suspect (correctly) that God can not be controlled by us or anyone else (by definition, this is a significant part of what it means to be God). We prefer to trust ourselves over someone we have zero control over - which actually reveals that distrust of others is a core part of our makeup.
Some assert they are agnostic about such things. But this also requires absolute knowledge. This is saying with 100% certainty we cannot be sure either way. But how do we know this without absolute knowledge? We don't.
Ultimately, it comes down to whether we trust ourselves to make life work without (independent of) God or we trust God.
because we have to be since we are finite i.e. not infinite in knowledge or power or everywhere present and we are dependent creatures. We simply don't know the far reaches of the universe and everything that is out there, much less the One who claims to have created it all.
Since we are designed to live, move, and have our being (existence) in God we cannot make life work as it was designed to without Him, no more than a fish can live on land out of water. It is simply a matter of ⁵our design.
To be absolutely certain of any claim, we must be everywhere present at the same time - in every dimension - to observe everything there is to know about our claim. Then, we must have a perfect understanding of everything we observe to ensure we interpret everything correctly.
In short, we must be infinite in knowledge, wisdom, presence, and power to know something with absolute certainty.
In short, we must be infinite in knowledge, wisdom, presence, and power to know something with absolute certainty.
Otherwise, we must know and trust someone who claims to have all these characteristics.
Do we have such ability collectively?
Since all humans are limited (even the brightest among us), we may discover a tremendous amount, but we can never have infinite knowledge collectively, either. Increasing the number of finite individuals to gather information still produces finite knowledge because individually we are finite and there is not an infinite number of us.
Even AI cannot acquire this because its knowledge is based only on what finite minds have discovered to date and made available and program it for. If there is bias in the programmers, vital information could be withheld that is necessary for complete knowledge on a subject.
The only way to have infinite knowledge is to have access to and trust in the infinite, i.e. trust someone with infinite knowledge.
Yet we still prefer being our own god and trusting ourselves over God because...
1. We're under the illusion that we can control other things or persons well enough to get what we need - and we believe we don't need God to do this.
2. That these other things or persons can give us what we need - purpose, meaning, fulfillment, and lasting life - if we can only acquire and control them.
1. We're under the illusion that we can control other things or persons well enough to get what we need - and we believe we don't need God to do this.
2. That these other things or persons can give us what we need - purpose, meaning, fulfillment, and lasting life - if we can only acquire and control them.
3. We suspect (correctly) that God can not be controlled by us or anyone else (by definition, this is a significant part of what it means to be God). We prefer to trust ourselves over someone we have zero control over - which actually reveals that distrust of others is a core part of our makeup.
Some assert they are agnostic about such things. But this also requires absolute knowledge. This is saying with 100% certainty we cannot be sure either way. But how do we know this without absolute knowledge? We don't.
Ultimately, it comes down to whether we trust ourselves to make life work without (independent of) God or we trust God.
²Every last one of us must operate by faith, not just "believers" i.e. Christians. We are all believers in something or someone simply
Since we are designed to live, move, and have our being (existence) in God we cannot make life work as it was designed to without Him, no more than a fish can live on land out of water. It is simply a matter of ⁵our design.
Yet most refuse (choose not) to acknowledge this or Him. This creates a major problem. Our refusal colors and distorts everything we see, hear, do, and understand, since we are cutting ourselves off from the potential source of all knowledge. i.e. if the Bible is correct about God and creation, this is a denial of reality i.e. what is.
We interpret our world according to our beliefs. If our beliefs are wrong, so is our interpretation of the "facts." And everyone believes i.e. has faith in - something or someone. There are no exceptions. We must because we are not all-knowing. None of us.
We are also naturally inclined to believe our will is paramount over anyone else's, especially God's. We are all about self unless we are plugged into God. In short, we are selfish. Our "ishness" in our present disconnected state (by our choosing) from the ultimate Source of all things - and all truth - is about putting ourselves first, when it is very possible and even highly likely that we are not the most important being in the universe.
We are also naturally inclined to believe our will is paramount over anyone else's, especially God's. We are all about self unless we are plugged into God. In short, we are selfish. Our "ishness" in our present disconnected state (by our choosing) from the ultimate Source of all things - and all truth - is about putting ourselves first, when it is very possible and even highly likely that we are not the most important being in the universe.
We can only be about others when we are plugged into the Source of life, love, and everything else as God designed us to be. Without Him, we are "running on empty."
We are set on being our own god unless and until we come to recognize being our own god will not and does not work, i.e. give us true and lasting life.
And what is the essence of life for us personally?
And what is the essence of life for us personally?
We are important, significant, and valuable because we are in God's image. For more on this, click here.
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Footnotes:
¹We regularly hear of new discoveries made by the James Webb Telescope that is regularly contradicting our previous understanding. Why? Our prior understanding was based on faith (theory), not facts. In science, it's called hypothesis, theory, or speculation (or presuppositions in philosophy) which are all fancy names for belief or faith. In science, the purpose of the scientific method is to prove or disprove theories because theories are not facts. They are statements of belief.
The irony is the scientific community criticizes "believers" who openly admit they operate by faith when they also operate by faith but try to hide it behind "scientific" words.
Why are theories even necessary or used? Because we are not everywhere present and neither are we all knowing. Therefore, we operate by faith; every last one of us.
²Until we recognize there are no exceptions with faith - i.e. We all operate by it - we will not objectively and honestly look at all the evidence that does exist. We interpret our world - the "facts" - according to our beliefs or presuppositions.
When we are honest in admitting our limitations, we can look at everything and see which belief system is best supported by the evidence we do have. When we do, we will be shocked to see how much the evidence points towards supporting the claims of the Bible and Christ himself and all that he is, said, and did.
³As we develop greater tools to observe and study what is and gather more information, we are beginning to understand the quantum realm. This is more like science fiction than science. It's so mysterious it's almost a mixture of the spiritual and the scientific.
⁴Faith is so despised by the secular mind that we substitute what we call it with other flowery words to sound intelligent. But these are only substitute words for belief or faith e.g. hypothesis, theory, postulate, speculation, posit, presume, presupposition, assertion, claim, etc. are all expressions of what we believe before we have proof that they are true.
⁵As a result, all of humanity operates like a fish out of water. This is also why the world is such a mess. To continue the analogy, fish are not designed to live out of water, no more than we are designed to operate without a conscious relationship with the Source of life, love, and all things, i.e. our Creator.
Except for those who recognize being our own god doesn't work. Even though they still have to deal with their limitations and the brokenness of humanity, they do so with God at the center of the equation.
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Grace to you
Jim Deal