Christianity & Atheism
Does God Exist?
Philosophers have argued about God's existence for millennia, and neither side has a knockout blow. Theists offer arguments from the beginning of the universe, its fine-tuning, objective morality, and the sheer existence of anything at all. Atheists press the problem of evil, divine hiddenness, the power of natural explanation, and the question 'who made God?' Here are the strongest arguments on both sides, stated fairly, so you can weigh them yourself.
Arguments offered for God
Presented at their strongest: the cosmological argument (if the universe began to exist, as modern cosmology suggests, what caused it? why is there something rather than nothing?); the fine-tuning argument (the physical constants appear improbably calibrated for life); the moral argument (if objective moral values exist, what grounds them?); and the argument from contingency (the chain of dependent things seems to require something that exists necessarily). None is a proof; together theists hold them to make God a reasonable conclusion.
Arguments and objections offered against God
Also at their strongest: the problem of evil (the amount and depth of suffering counts against an all-good, all-powerful God, see our dedicated page); divine hiddenness (if God wanted a relationship with us, why is he not more evident?); the sufficiency of natural explanation (science keeps explaining what once needed God); and the retort 'who made God?' to the cosmological argument. These are serious, and many thoughtful people find them decisive.
An honest word
The evidence underdetermines the question: sincere, intelligent people land on both sides. Christianity does not claim a mathematical proof. Its claim is that the question becomes concrete in a person: if you want to know whether God is there and what he is like, look closely at Jesus, and weigh the historical case for the resurrection.
Historical and philosophical sources are named in the text (e.g. Tacitus, Josephus, Bart Ehrman, Gary Habermas, Alvin Plantinga, John Hick). We aim to cite atheist and skeptical scholars accurately and in their own terms. Bible: King James Version.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there proof that God exists?
- No side has a strict proof. Theists offer cumulative arguments (cosmological, fine-tuning, moral, contingency); atheists press the problem of evil, divine hiddenness, and natural explanation. Thoughtful people disagree; the evidence underdetermines the question.
- What is the strongest argument for God?
- Opinions differ. Many find the cosmological argument (why is there something rather than nothing, and what began the universe?) or the fine-tuning of physical constants the most striking. Others weight the moral argument most.
- What is the strongest argument against God?
- Most philosophers regard the problem of evil, the extent and depth of suffering in the world, as the strongest argument against an all-good, all-powerful God.
Come and see, on your own terms
The most honest way to weigh Christianity is to examine the historical evidence and read the earliest sources yourself. The Gospel of Mark, the earliest of the four, is a good place for a skeptic to begin, no belief required to read it.
Read the Gospel of MarkThe resurrection evidenceWhy Jesus?