What about the Garden of Eden, how do we know it existed? Although we cannot verify that the Garden of Eden actually existed, much less where it was, science has determined that in all likelihood, everyone who is alive today is a descendant of a single woman, at least that is what some scientists evaluating human DNA have said. And if we all came from a single woman, it is also very likely that we descended from a single man: Adam and Eve.
What about Noah and the flood? We do know that fossilized fish remains have been found on Mt Everest in the Himalayan mountains in Nepal. We also know that, even though homosapiens grew to a population of millions, or even billions, some 74,000 years ago, Mt Toba erupted in a massive volcanic explosion, and the entire human race was nearly exterminated. Scientists theorize that the entire human race was reduced to less that 1,000 members. They apparently aren't willing to commit to the number of eight that is given in the Bible's account of the flood of Noah (Genesis 6:1-8:22), but they do say that our species nearly became extinct, while the Neanderthals did become extinct. Now it may well be that this happened far less than 74,000 years ago, but even if it did occur at that time, there isn't necessarily any conflict with the Bible.
Some people say that according to the Bible, Adam and Eve were created about 4,000 B.C., or about 6,000 years ago. This is based on the genealogies given in the book of Genesis. However, when the Bible says that some individual was the father of another individual, it doesn't necessarily mean the immediate parent. The ancient Hebrew word literally means ancestor. Notice that Jesus is called the son of David, even though David lived about 1200 years before Jesus was born, and David is called the son of Abraham, even though he may have lived more than 800 years earlier (Matthew 1:1). Therefore, the flood could have occurred 74,000 years ago without any violation to the actual ancient Hebrew texts.
There are obviously many other questions and objections that could be raised against the existence of God and the accuracy of the Bible, but since scripture says: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV), you settle these issues in your heart. If you have any continuing doubts as to the existence of God or the trustworthiness of God and/or the Bible, you owe it to yourself to thoroughly examine your questions and objections.
Remember, if you ever expect to receive anything from the Lord, you must
ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:6-8, NKJV)
You cannot possibly expect to receive any good thing from a God who doesn't exist. Remember: "... without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV). If God doesn't exist, then He certainly won't answer any of your prayers.
Even if you do everything right according to the Word of God, ultimately you will fall short of your desires and expectations if you cannot settle in your heart the fundamental issue of God's existence.
My prayer is that you will settle this issue now so that you can have the life that the Lord has purchased for you.
Copyright (c) 2007 Jon Straumfjord