Denying the existence of God as the creator behind the intricate design and beauty in the universe, atheists are left with time and chance as the ultimate explanation of reality as we know it. This poses a great many problems, such as rendering life and reasoning the product of meaningless random chance accidents, by which they claim to speak with authority about the origin and significance of other meaningless random chance accidents. But, leaving that and other issues aside, let’s ask the question: If reality derives from time and chance, might we not expect it to operate that way? But, does it? Can we find anything in existence that operates according to random chance?

Rolling the Dice
For example, consider the typical expression of chance, a roll of the dice. The outcome cannot be predicted and therefore appears to be random. But dice, like everything else in the universe, operate according to fixed and universal properties or “natural” laws (how God organizes and upholds the universe). If we could perfectly measure <em>every</em> variable involved in a roll, such as the arrangement of dice in the hand, the distance from which they are thrown, the angle at which they strike the surface, the velocity, etc., we could accurately predict the outcome every time. What we call random, then, consists of no more than our inability to know and measure the many variables involved in each throw—a display of human limitations, not randomness. Anything and everything involved in rolling dice operates according to fixed and predictable “laws.”

Atomic Order
Perhaps the location of an electron in an atom at a precise point in time could be described as random? Again, however, our inability to predict the exact location of an electron displays human limitations and the limits of our technology, not randomness. We conduct science with great success because reality, as we know it, has design and order. Gold is gold and iron is iron, while all the known elements react with each other in predictable ways, even if we cannot predict the exact location of an electron. The nature and decay rates of unstable elements are even known with precision (one reason why atomic bombs can quietly sit in silos).

Speculation, Not Science
We live, breathe, run, talk, eat, conduct science, make things, travel to the moon, love, reproduce, and anything else you can think of, precisely because the universe is not founded on and does not act according to random chance. Thus, claiming a principle behind the origin, existence, and nature of reality when it cannot be demonstrated by the scientific method, or even observed anywhere in the universe, reveals a view built on speculation, not science. Of course, atheists readily admit to ordered and fixed “natural” laws. But in refusing to acknowledge the Creator, Sustainer, and Designer as their explanation, they appeal to time and chance, an unreasonable alternative. Some attempt to explain the origin and basis of design and order by the existence of design and order, but this dodges the question entirely.

Without Excuse
The reasonable explanation says we know the existence and genius of the painter by the painting, whether or not we see the artist. We know the skill of the baker by the cakes and cookies. We know the brilliance of computer engineers and programmers by the excellence of a computer’s operation and programs. And, no one dines at a restaurant and denies the existence of the chef. Yet, even as people marvel at the amazing complexity and design of life and the universe, they deny the obvious and only sufficient cause of it all.

That which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened (Rom. 1:19-21).

Atheism, Scripture tells us, stands contrary to better knowledge, a denial of the obvious. Therefore, when God says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds” (Psalm 14:1), He treats unbelief as a sinful and condemnable choice of the will. Created in God’s image, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), and we swim in a comprehensive and clear display of His genius, power and goodness. Where then is randomness? Only in the speculations of those who would refuse to bow the knee to the Designer, Creator, and Sustainer of all things, to whom we owe all love and obedience, forever.

Unless noted otherwise, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995. Used by permission.
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© 2023 Craig Biehl, author of <a title="\&quot;God" href="https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/god-the-reason-how-infinite-excellence-gives-unbreakable-faith-2/"><strong><em>God the Reason</em></strong></a>, <a title="\&quot;The" href="https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-box-answering-the-faith-of-unbelief/"><strong><em>The Box</em></strong></a>, <a title="\&quot;The" href="https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/the-infinite-merit-of-christ/"><strong><em>The Infinite Merit of Christ</em></strong></a>, and <a title="\&quot;Reading" href="https://stage.pilgrimsrock.com/reading-religious-affections/"><strong><em>Reading Religious Affections</em></strong></a>

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