I was challenged rather forcefully on my blog by an atheist after I first wrote this, because of course I cannot prove God exists.  Here's what I wrote to him.

<blockquote>Of course I cannot actually prove what I believe — believing in God involves faith. I choose to believe. When I consider who I would be without my faith, in my own flesh, I know that I would not lovingly care for others. I’m too self centered, too corrupt, too comfortable. Left to myself I might just enjoy my comfortable life, if I were completely truthful. But I choose to believe in God — I believe that by Jesus giving his life for me, by God asking his son to do this, this proves (to me) how much he loves us. It was the ultimate sacrifice. But much of the suffering and hardship of the world are consequences of humanity’s choices — but God knows the suffering, that the world is falling apart. He knows the things you have seen. Because he gave us the freedom to choose (moral freedom) humanity has created this world we live in, the suffering of the human race is because of our brokenness, depravity, selfishness, choices. Yours and mine and those through out time. I haven’t read it so cannot say, but it was suggested to me to read Four Views of Divine Providence by Stanley Gundry. I pass that resource on to you. Again, I am truly sorry for sounding like I knew something I couldn’t possibly — belief in the end is simply a leap of faith. Thanks for your challenging words.</blockquote>

