Recently, Observer writers discussed the age-old query concerning the concept of God. Some wondered if God existed, others swore that he did, yet others struggled with the idea, not knowing what to accept. This God mystery is as perennial as the grass, seemingly present from the very genesis of Homo sapiens (or from homo habilis through homo erectus, for those who support the mutation-selection theory of evolution). Does God exist? There is no easy answer to the question. It seems certain, however, that Voltaire was right - if God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him (or her).

If God exists, he loathes self-disclosure, except to special people under special circumstances. Ancient history documented God talking directly to people like Moshe (Moses) and Yeshua (Jesus). Numerous such accounts survive in the Judeo-Christian holy book, the Bible, and its predecessor, the Torah. Non-Judeo-Christian sacred writings also preserved God-human encounters. Examples are found in writings of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, and in the Rastafari Holy Piby.

Most Jamaicans will say there is only one true God, that is the Judeo-Christian God, named Yahweh or Jehovah by Jews. Christians equate this God with Jesus, an amazing corruption of the Judaic word Yeshua, which even in the Bible itself is mostly translated Joshua. Jews reject Jesus as their Messiah (Christ). Some Christians equate a third deity - the Holy Spirit - with Jesus and Yahweh, but insist there is only one God existing as three persons. This Trinitarian doctrine clarifies many Scriptural mysteries but muddles others. Thus, we must ask why this God business is so confusing and make a brief, bold attempt at clarification.

If God exists, the strongest arguments in his favour might be the cosmos (multiverse) that he caused; the teleological order in science; the ontological fact of being (necessitating a Highest Being), and the anthropological reality of man's experiences. This fourth mentioned evidence for God is strongest because homo sapiens in every era seemed to wrestle with the God problem. St Augustine was right in observing that human heart remained restless until its craving for God found satisfaction. It is impossible to avoid the God factor. Even atheists acknowledge it by theorising God's non-existence. Agnostics merely admit ignorance of God's attributes. Confusion does not lie in the idea of deity but in the nature and attributes of this Supreme Being.

If God exists, who is he, really, and why doesn't he show himself openly? Religion offers answers through Moses, Jesus, Mahavira, Gautama, Brahma, Visnu, Siva, Muhammad, Zoroaster, Confucius, Haile Selassie I, and others, each revealing this hidden God under various names and attributes. Most religions teach this fifth evidence for God's existence, namely, divine revelation, given through holy prophets and/or deity incarnations. Consequently, there are more gods than religions and ancient Indian culture teaches 330 million gods.

If God exists, then logically, he must have revealed himself in various ways and through various people throughout the ages. Therefore, there is hardly any one religion that can claim a monopoly on God. Observer readers wrestled with the concept of the Christian God. Why is Christianity so confusing in its presentation of God's existence and attributes? The reasons are many. English language might be a factor, being such a confusing tongue. Try pronouncing "through", "rough", "trough", "thorough" and "Van Gogh" all correctly. Furthermore, all Bible books originated in foreign languages, mainly Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. The predominant King James Version (KJV) Bible contains 1611 English, which itself first passed through Latin. Also, the largest Christian sect, Catholicism, accepts 73 Bible books while Protestants acknowledge only 66. Some orthodox Christians use neither the 73- nor the 66-book canon.

Ninian Smart wisely noted in The World's Religions that there were several brands of Christianity. Christian rituals are also varied and at times competitive and contradictory. Christian teachings and practices over the years seem to veer closer to the doctrines of the devil than the sayings of the Christ. Bob Marley used a fitting metaphor when he said, "I feel like bombing a church, now that you know that the preacher is lying." It is futile to look to Christian denominations or to clergy people for solid reasons to believe in the existence of God. How, then, does one find the true God, if he exists?

Each individual must find God in her own way. The KJV said seek and ye shall find. The secret is to seek God, not religion, or denomination, or just "stuff" from God. Christianity provides "feel-good" experiences to anyone that dabbles in it, but it is more meaningful when approached as a personal relationship with God. Day of worship, clothing, rituals and the dos and don'ts of denominations are secondary. The most meaningful brand of Christianity is a one-on-one connection between the sincere seeker and the Christ. Jesus really rocks when he is properly sought, found, worshipped, fellowshipped with and obeyed! The surest proof of God's existence is one's relationship with the Christ. Some seekers like C S Lewis claimed they found it through intellectual adventure while others like Ellen G White said they had visions and other metaphysical experiences. However, it appears easier to encounter the spiritual Christ than to find the historical Jesus. One key to encountering the Christ lies in Hebrews 11:6 which says, in brief, it's a faith thing.

If God exists, he must have decreed that no one can prove or become assured of his existence without going through the gateway of faith. Belief in the biblical revelation of the Christ leads to inner knowledge and assurance of this elusive God.
Those who find God through faith seem to have nothing to lose and much to gain. Those who refuse to try the faith way sometimes invent their own gods. We all should ask ourselves, "Are there eternal consequences for evading him, if God exists?"

Rev Mervin Stoddart is a freelance writer out of Florida.
INMerv@hotmail.com

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