Do the Unpersuaded Have Enough Proof?

At a local Bible conference, a respected seminary professor unintentionally contradicted the Apostle Paul. During the Q&A session, he opined that “you cannot prove the existence of God to anyone because you must choose to believe in God.” While the second half of that statement is correct, the first half fails Forensic Evidences 101, clashing with the proof principles taught in Romans:1:18-28 [18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; [19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. [20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: [21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. [24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: [25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. [26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: [27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. [28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
See All....1

Did the seminary professor’s reasoning mischaracterize God’s proofs of His creatorship? If so, how did he stumble? The professor confused proof with persuasion.

Studying God’s truth, while appreciating its “many infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3, KJV), is a sanctified usage of our minds. By intentionally glorifying God as our Creator and being grateful to Him as our Maker, we logically worship our Lord God.1 As ICR President Dr. Randy Guliuzza often notes, worship is the logical response to seeing and understanding God’s handiwork.2 This demonstrates the doxological role of biblical creation apologetics.1,3

Yet, creation apologetics has a horizontal role, too—we also share the evidences of God’s creatorship with others. Creation evidences are like testifying witnesses and trial exhibits that illustratethe work of the Creator, including His bioengineering genius and providential care.3

However, documenting and explaining these wonderful witnesses of creation don’t automatically convert skeptics into believers.3,4 Why? Because proof is not the same as persuasion.

Proof requires giving relevant information, true facts. But persuasion requires choice: “clearly seen” truth can be accepted orrejected.1,3,4 Proof of relevant, clearly seen facts—what the apostle Paul called “clearly seen” evidences (Romans:1:20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
See All...)—is proof beyond an honest doubt, which can be (and often is) rejected when a person’s receptiveness to truth is corrupted.3,4 Such corruption comes from suppressing available God-given truth (Romans:1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
See All...). Evolutionists attribute their origins to accidents occurring to inanimate material. Some imagine that geophysical elements somehow selected and/or sculpted inorganic nonlife into procreating life forms. Some accredit life on Earth to immigrating meteor-borne crystals or to lucky ingredients self-assembling inside a warm pond.1,3 In short, such imaginations are idolatry.2-4

Carefully presenting God’s truth along with its many infallible proofs can simultaneously glorify God and serve others, benefiting them with relevant information and insights. But no matter how skilled our presentation is, no matter how conclusive our evidences are, we cannot choose for others to believe that truth.

As Paul reminded the Christians in Rome, God manifests His power and glory in us—our own bodies are walking, talking, blood-circuiting, breathing witnesses of who God is as our Creator. God holds every breath we take—and every breath is itself a providential miracle! 5

So, there is no lack of adequate proof of our Creator’s existence, power, wisdom, care, and glory. Rather, those who choose to be unpersuaded are, as the apostle Paul says, “without excuse.”

References
1. See generally Morris, H. M. 1996. Many Infallible Proofs. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, in light of Romans 1 and Psalm 19. See also Johnson, J. J. S. 2012. Genesis Critics Flunk Forensic Science 101. Acts & Facts. 41 (3): 8-9.

2. “In short, people will either believe that God creates nature or that nature creates itself.” Guliuzza, R. J. Gaia and Selectionism’s Nature Worship. Creation Science Update. Posted on ICR.org January 31, 2020. See also Guliuzza, R. J. 2011. Darwin’s Sacred Imposter: Natural Selection’s Idolatrous Trap. Acts & Facts. 40 (11): 12-15, in light of Genesis:6:5And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
See All...; Romans 1:21; John:1:10-12 [10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not. [12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
See All...; 2 Corinthians 10:5; and Jeremiah:17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
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3.  Acts:1:3To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
See All...; Job:12:7-9 [7] But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: [8] Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. [9] Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?
See All.... Regarding doxological apologetics, see Johnson, J. J. S. 2019. Sanctifying our Hearts with Apologetics. Acts & Facts. 48 (12): 21, in light of 1 Peter3:15 and Jude:1:3-4 [3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. [4] For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
See All....Regarding “reprobate mind” unbelief, see Johnson, J. J. S. New York Seminarians Worship Plants. Creation Science Update. Posted on ICR.org January 7, 2020.

4. Romans:1:20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
See All..., 28 (“reprobate mind”); 2 Timothy:3:8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
See All... (“corrupt minds”). See also Johnson, J. J. S. 2011. Quintillions of Creation Witnesses: Blood Service Agents Testify for Creation. Acts & Facts. 40(5): 8-9.

5. Guliuzza, R. J. 2009. Made in His Image: Breath of Life. Acts & Facts. 38 (6): 10-11. See also Daniel:5:23But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
See All...; Job 12:9-10; and Romans:1:19-20 [19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. [20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
See All....

https://www.icr.org/article/do-the-unpersuaded-have-enough-proof/