Non-Christians Open to the Idea of a Creator?

Your neighbors and coworkers might be more open to the idea of a Creator than you might realize! According to recent research from LifeWay, “More than 4 in 10 of the nonreligious believe physics and humanity point to a creator.” And “In a survey of 1,000 Americans, LifeWay Research found almost 8 in 10 (79 percent) believe the existence of human life means someone created it, while 72 percent think the organization of the universe shows a creator's design.” So many Americans, despite evolutionary indoctrination in government-run schools, much of the media, museums, etc., do see evidence for a Creator around them based on this survey.

Now why would so many people see evidence for a Designer in nature? Well, this is consistent with Scripture because Psalm 19 tells us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1) and Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” We are without excuse for denying a Creator because He is clearly seen through what He has made.

Starting with Genesis—Creation Evangelism

For years we at AiG have talked about “creation evangelism,” using the foundational history in Genesis to introduce people to the Creator and then the gospel. As the executive director of LifeWay Research said in the report, “In an increasingly secular age, where the Christian faith has perhaps lost its home-field advantage, Christians will need to make their case for the creator and ultimately for the Gospel . . . It appears people—even nonreligious people—are indeed open to apologetics arguments, if Christians will actually make them.”

You see, the gospel is founded in Genesis. Our culture today has no understanding of Genesis and so many won’t understand the gospel if you give it to them without any mention of those foundational truths such as the origin of sin and death and the first man Adam. But if you start in Genesis, the gospel makes more sense because that’s where it begins.

You have to show people how God created a perfect world. The fact that there’s a Creator is obvious among the things that He has made. But this world was marred by sin when Adam and Eve chose to rebel against God. You see, the penalty for sin is death (Genesis 2:17). When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God they brought death into the world. Now we all die because of sin, Adam’s and our own (Romans 5:12). But Jesus Christ stepped into history, lived a perfect life, and chose to take our penalty—death—upon Himself on the Cross. He died so that we don’t have to pay the penalty for our sin. But He rose from the grave, defeating death, and now He offers eternal life to all who will put their faith and trust in Him. The good news of the gospel is founded in the bad news of Genesis!

You can learn more about creation evangelism in this chapter of my book Why Won’t They Listen?

Morality Comes from God the Creator

Now, the LifeWay study also determined that, “A third [of the nonreligious] say human morality indicates a creator who defines right and wrong.” Again, this is clear from Scripture—God has put His law in our hearts so we have no excuse for not knowing right from wrong (Romans 2:15). The existence of a conscience, as these people recognize, is strong evidence a Creator. After all, there is no evolutionary explanation, reason, or benefit for the existence of morality across cultures. But a conscience and human morality is exactly what we’d expect, based on God’s Word.

Next time your “nonreligious” or unbelieving friend gets upset about hearing some human evil in the news, point out the inconsistency of claiming there is no God and yet getting upset about human evil. Then point to the God who makes the rules, the Creator God of the Bible, and use this as a way to introduce them to the gospel.

The research also showed that “On every measure, Americans 45 and older are more likely to see evidence of a creator than those 18–44.” This matches well with our Already Gone research. This generation of young people has been so indoctrinated with evolutionary ideas through the media and public schools and colleges that it’s no surprise fewer of them are able to see the overwhelming evidence for a Designer in nature. That’s why it’s even more important than ever that Christians start in Genesis to present the gospel. How will they listen if they don’t even accept the existence of a Creator?

First, we need to show them that the Bible—beginning in Genesis—can be trusted, and then we need to introduce them to their Creator, Jesus Christ. I encourage you to read my book Already Gone, which explores reasons why so many of the twenty-somethings are leaving the church in droves. Best of all, it will give you practical solutions to bring back the lost generation to the church.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.