From Pastor's Desk for March 2025

Dear Lighthouse Church:

            I am continuing to write about theological questions. This month I consider the nature of God and how we can know he exists. In Methodism the primary source of our understanding is Scripture. We also employ reason, experience, and tradition. Much of what each of us believes is based upon an embedded theology learned usually at an early age.

To have a close relationship with God we need to study his nature. First, we must accept that the transcendent eternal God exists. It is beyond our ability to fully understand him. Isaiah 55:8: “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’” declares the Lord.” The external finite God who created universe exists. Both are connected. Both are intelligible. Both provide truth and knowledge. What we can know about God is what he permits us to know and comes mostly from special revelation which we find in scripture.

            What is the nature of God’s act of creation of the heavens and earth? First there is something rather than nothing. That something is the universe or reality and all that is the case with it. But why is there something as opposed to nothing? Revelation 4:11 reads: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” God created the universe for us.

The story of creation is found in Genesis. God made everything from nothing. The universe has a beginning, and it is contingent because it has a creator. God is the necessary being who is not contingent but metaphysically necessary and transcendent outside and above the something. He is the sovereign author and ruler of all things.

Everything has a “Sufficient Reason” why it is rather than is not, but does the universe explain itself? Truly the Big Bang Theory does not explain the beginning of the universe because it does not explain where the energy and matter come from. The universe does not explain itself since it is contingent and has a beginning. There is a reason for that something (otherwise there would be nothing). Every effect has a cause or a reason for being, an explanation. See Gen 1:1. It is impossible to image the universe without God. We can imagine a universe without us in it. God is so great and simply exists. God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14. Rationally it is impossible for there to be anything greater than God.

I offer these thoughts for your meditation and consideration. When you study the Bible search for answers to these issues. If you wish to explore these questions more deeply I would be happy to meet with you individually or in a group.

God Bless, Pastor Eric