Our “Quick Shot” series offers brief answers to common objections to the Christian worldview. Each response is limited to one paragraph. These responses are designed to (1) answer the objection as concisely as possible, (2) challenge the objector to think more deeply about his or her claim, and (3) facilitate a “gospel” conversation. In this article, we’re offering “Quick Shot” responses to the objection, “If God exists, he wouldn’t be so hidden.”
Response #1:
“Have you considered the notion that God might appear hidden for a reason? Let me give you an example. Even as mere humans, we understand that true love cannot be coerced. We love our children and want them to love us, but if we forced them to love us (if that were somehow possible), it wouldn’t be true love; it would just be a disingenuous, coerced response. In a similar way, when we give our kids direction and ask them to accept this guidance as a reflection of their love for us, we must step away and give them the freedom to respond (or rebel). If we are ‘ever-present’, they may simply respond – not because they love us – but because they know we are present (and they fear our negative reaction). Have you considered the fact that God may remain hidden (to some degree) to allow us the freedom to respond from a position of love, rather than fear?”
God may remain hidden (to some degree) to allow us the freedom to respond from a position of love, rather than fear. Share on X
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Response #2:
“Have you been looking for evidence of God’s existence? If so, where have you been looking? The evidence abounds if we are sensitive to it. For example, the best explanation for the information we find in our DNA is an intelligent mind. The best explanation for the beginning of the universe is an all-powerful, non-spatial, non-temporal, non-material Being. The best explanation for transcendent, objective, moral laws and obligations is the existence of a transcendent, objective and personal moral law giver. The evidence of God’s existence is available, even though God can’t be physically seen. Have you been looking in these areas, or have you attributed these aspects of reality to something other than God?”
The evidence of God’s existence is available, even though God can’t be physically seen. Share on X
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Response #3:
“Sometimes we miss the activity of God because we aren’t open to seeing it. How many times has something incredibly unlikely occurred and we simply attributed it to chance? How many miraculous cures were attributed to a mis-diagnosis? How many unimaginable ‘close-calls’ were chalked up as luck? God often shows Himself to us in supernatural ways, but we simply fail (or refuse) to see it. Are you willing to set aside your bias against supernatural explanations long enough to recognize the hand of God in the events you used to attribute to chance, luck or good fortune?”
Sometimes we miss the activity of God because we aren’t open to seeing it. Share on X
Our “Quick Shot” series was written specifically for the Cold-Case Christianity App (you can download it on Apple and Android platforms – be sure to register once you download the App). When confronted with an objection in casual conversation, App users can quickly find an answer without having to scroll beyond the first screen in the category. Use the App “Quick Shots” along with the “Rapid Responses” and Case Making “Cheat Sheets” to become a better Christian Case Maker.
For more information about the scientific and philosophical evidence pointing to a Divine Creator, please read God’s Crime Scene: A Cold-Case Detective Examines the Evidence for a Divinely Created Universe. This book employs a simple crime scene strategy to investigate eight pieces of evidence in the universe to determine the most reasonable explanation. The book is accompanied by an eight-session God’s Crime Scene DVD Set (and Participant’s Guide) to help individuals or small groups examine the evidence and make the case.
J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured Cold-Case Detective, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Adj. Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, author of Cold-Case Christianity, God’s Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith, and creator of the Case Makers Academy for kids.
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