(Continued-Chapter I-The Existence of God)

In keeping with what Dr. Strong has said I wish to quote Fisher, in Supernatural Origin of Christianity: "What then is the purport and force of the several arguments for the existence of God? We reply that these proofs are the different modes in which faith expresses itself and seeks confirmation. In them faith, or the object of faith, is more exactly conceived and defined, and in them is found a corroboration, not arbitrary but substantial and valuable, of that faith which springs from the soul itself. Such proofs, therefore, are neither on the one hand sufficient to create and sustain faith, nor are they on the other hand to be set aside as of no value." Another has affirmed that these arguments are not a bridge, but are simply the guy-wires upon which a great suspension bridge of intuition hangs, by means of which we pass over the gulf separating God from man."

We have thus far seen that belief in a Supreme Being on the part of man is to be numbered among the fundamental postulates and axiomatic truths which are inherent in man's nature and which only await the occasion of experience to cause these general conceptions to unfold into the blossom of a trusting, relying faith. Thus the three lines of reasoning which we have just examined in the briefest manner possible confirm and establish man's intuitive knowledge of God and His existence.

God has, in His wisdom and goodness, left certain chasms, figuratively speaking, unbridged, which man by faith alone must cross. He must live by faith and serve his Maker in the spirit of Abraham who is the father of all the faithful. The moral quality of man's service and loyalty to God would be destroyed if there had not been left a margin for the exercise of his faith. From the very nature of his constitution and his relation to his Maker, he sees that the Almighty has shown His wisdom and mercy by withholding overwhelming proof that would force or coerce the will to a firm belief in His existence and man's utter dependence upon Him.

As long as man is in the flesh and limited by his restricted horizon, he will be unable to understand adequately the subject of the existence of the Almighty. He does not have to comprehend the subject. In fact, it is impossible for the finite to comprehend the Infinite. A person does not have to understand even the simplest rules of the culinary art in order to enjoy a good meal. By faith he accepts the food which is prepared for him and enjoys it. Of course, if he has a knowledge of food chemistry and understands dietary laws, he can choose those foods and such combinations as are agreeable to his nature and thus avoid sicknesses which often produce ill-health for many. In the same manner men can by faith accept the God of nature and the bountiful provision which He has made for their welfare both in time and throughout all eternity.

If the reader will continue the study of the message of this book with an open mind in order to find out the will of this one Eternal God concerning whose existence I have been speaking in this chapter and will seek to know His will with a view to conforming his life and conduct thereto, I shall feel myself amply repaid for my efforts to present the basic facts of revelation set forth in this treatise.