Is God Dead?

by Tim Howard

If you were alive in the 60’s then you may remember the April 1966 issue of Time Magazine, which had this question on its cover, “Is God Dead?” It alluded to the widely quoted statement by a German philosopher named Friedrich Nietzsche. He wrote several articles proclaiming, ”God is Dead.”

The New Testament followers of Christ believed just the opposite. They knew that God was alive through Jesus Christ because he had in fact risen from the grave. A Doctor named Luke tells us in Acts chapter one these facts: “During the forty days after his crucifixion, Jesus appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.” Then in 1Cor. 15:6 Paul tells us, Jesus was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time after His resurrection…

One of the reasons the New Testament Church succeeded in their mission is because they served a living God. Unfortunately many people today have killed God in their mind through rationalism, a faulty understanding of science and a number of other things for a myriad of reasons. If there is no God then you can make up your own rules. If there is no God, you are not accountable to anyone for your actions. If there is no God, you can live a life of self-focus and elevate yourself to the place of being a god. It was tempting to Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis and it is tempting to people of the 21st century.

If on the other hand God is alive, you will have to give an account for the decisions you make and the actions you choose. The author of Hebrews in chapter 10 makes it clear that God is living and He will ultimately bring us before Himself to have a time of reckoning. The author goes on to say this can be a fearful thing if you have been living a life as though God is dead.

The disciples and other followers of Christ were not at the mercy of those who had an argument or made bold statements like Friedrich Nietzsche because they had a valid and verifiable experience. They knew He was alive because they were in his presence, they felt his closeness and a saw his acts. Once you have had an encounter with the living Lord revealed in the scriptures, all lies about Him lose their power.

For the present day person, it is good to know that God is not only alive but He’s actively involved in the lives of those who put their faith in Him. He is not aloof or far away. He helped Moses when he faced a crisis at the Red Sea. He assisted Noah when the rain started to pour down. He delivered Daniel from the mouths of lions when death was imminent and He will guide and assist you each and every day through every challenge.

Only a living God can do these things! By the way, the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche died August 25, 1900 but God is still alive and doing quite well. He is not dead!

Why not visit one of the many church families this weekend in Kings County and encounter a living God. Don’t go as one who visits a cemetery to remember the dead but go seeking the Lord who is alive. Luke 24:6.