Grade 12 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

Sunday School Curriculum Grade 12
Those who deny the evidence of a designer are a lot like the foolish fisherman. If he fails to catch
a fish, he says, ―Aha! This proves there are no fish!‖ He does not want to consider the possibility that
he might be an inept fisherman. Since science cannot measure the intangible or the supernatural, there
are many people who say, ―Aha! There is no Creator.‖ Foolish fishermen deny the evidence that God
exists although He has left His fingerprints all over creation.
D. The reliability of the Bible
Every religion has its own holy book, but the Bible is different from all the others. It is to be the
very Word of God, not dropped out of the sky but God-breathed it and infused it with His power as
He communicated His thoughts and intent through human writers.
About forty different writers, on three different continents, wrote the Bible over a period of 1500
years. They addressed a wide variety of subjects, and yet the individual books of the Bible show a
remarkable consistency within themselves. There is a great deal of diversity within the Bible, at the
same time displaying an amazing unity. It presents an internally consistent message with one great
theme: God‘s love for man and the great lengths to which He labors to demonstrate that love.
One other aspect of the Bible is probably the greatest evidence that God exists and that He has
spoken to us in His holy book: fulfilled prophecy. The Bible contains hundreds of details of history,
which were written well in advance of their fulfillment. Only a sovereign God, who knows the future,
can write prophecy that is accurately and always - eventually - fulfilled. Fulfilled prophecy is just one
example of how God shows He exists and that He is not silent. How else do we explain the existence
of history written in advance?
The Existence of God
“And God said to Moses, „I AM WHO I AM‟”(Ex 3:14)
The relation of faith and reason is often discussed in terms of whether God‘s existence can be
proved and whether such proof would be adequate to bring a non-believer to faith. Although reason
alone may not bring individuals to faith in God, believers are nonetheless able to give rational reasons
for their faith in God.
Our knowledge of God and the certainty of His existence comes through the personal experience
of Him in our lives. Rational reasons can help us to appreciate the reality of God. It is hoped that the
following reasons will enhance the faith of those who already know God and worship Him in their
lives. It is also hoped that these reasons will help those who are still searching.
The Three Types of Atheists:
1. The Absolute Atheist: This is one who denies the absolute existence of God.
2. The Providential Atheist: Also called a ―Deist.‖ The term ―deism‖ (from the Latin deus, ‗god‘)
is often used in a general sense to refer to that view of God, which maintains God‘s
creatorship, but denies a continuing divine involvement with, or special presence within, that
creation. They deny God‘s providential dealings and care for the world. It is often contrasted
with ―theism‖ (from Greek Theos, ‗god‘), which allows for continuing divine involvement
within the world.
3. The Practical Atheist à This is a group that does not deny the being of God, but by their
actions and lifestyle, by their evil and neglect of God, they act as though there were no God.
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