The “God-Shaped Void” And Ontological Argument

The debate between creationists and atheists is probably not new to you. This heated debate frequently takes the form of verbal duels, with each side trying to persuade onlookers to take their side. Unfortunately, these arguments rarely convince their opponents to change their minds. In most cases, they are speaking to an already confident audience.

Since I hold a creationist worldview, I frequently read works that reinforce that view. Unfortunately, the strategy used to make the case for God’s existence often comes off as bland and unpersuasive. These tactics wouldn’t have influenced me had I not already convinced myself.

Ultimately, faith is the deciding factor. We can’t provide indisputable evidence since we weren’t around for the “Big Bang” or creation. We found our faith in the evidence that we found most convincing, be it ancient fossils or direct revelation from God. This truth leads me to an essential aspect of my approach when discussing my faith.

When asked about my faith, I usually explain why I think there must be a higher power, pleading only for tolerance and acceptance. I want to debunk the myth that people who believe in God are stupid. To this end, allow me to provide two fundamental arguments that offer compelling evidence of a Creator.

First, I’d like to discuss the concept of a “God-shaped void” in every person’s soul. Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis, a theologian born roughly 320 years after Jesus of Nazareth, is widely credited with developing this idea. However, the French mathematician Blaise Pascal may be a more likely originator. Pascal’s perspective gives us much to ponder.

According to Pascal, the search for and disappointment in material happiness are signs of a more profound spiritual longing. He contended that only something infinite and unchanging, like God, could fill this gaping chasm. This void brings us to an intriguing point about our universal need for worship.

We can’t help but wonder if there is a universal, hardwired urge to worship. How come religion is so pervasive? What accounts for the universality of references to spiritual phenomena like ghosts and ghouls? How do some people discover spirituality in the great outdoors? These occurrences point to an innate desire to worship. Skeptics, however, might have a different take on this.

Skeptics may write off religion as the product of neuroses, thereby tagging the vast majority of humanity as mentally ill. The paradox here is apparent: It takes neurosis or paranoia to believe you’re the only sane person in the room. Interestingly, skeptics themselves seem to show a form of devotion.

Even skeptics have their form of religious devotion. Non-believers hold science in high regard and defend its tenets with great zeal. Like accusations of heresy in religious contexts, challenging their scientific beliefs can elicit strong reactions. This reaction has led me to question the source of our knowledge.

While I value science’s role, I am skeptical of its origins. Believers credit their knowledge to God or a higher power. Atheist scientists rely heavily on human-made discoveries and theories with inherent flaws. Changes in academic science are possible and frequent. However, God’s Word does not change. This immutability brings me to another critical argument I wish to present.

The ontological argument is my second piece of evidence for God’s existence. Anselm of Canterbury first advanced this line of a priori knowledge-based philosophical reasoning in 1078. Here’s what Anselm proposed:

Anselm theorized that God must exist because He is “a being than which no greater can be conceived.” This argument may seem complicated, but it claims that God must exist because everyone can imagine a supreme being and that having a physical presence is one measure of greatness. The universal nature of belief in God provides further credence to this argument.

The fact that people all over the world believe in God lends support to this claim. It resonates with the concept of a “God-shaped void,” implying a global recognition of a supreme entity Whom men desire to worship. With these points in mind, what do I conclude about the existence of God?

Is there a God? Yes, I think so. I suggest you give that idea some thought, too. Perhaps you already know about God but still, feel something is missing. Seek Him out; you won’t regret it. I believe that you can find Him because I have found Him.

Details