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Is it true that all of humankind knows there is a God/god?

Is it true that all of humankind knows there is a God/god?
Fall Apologetics

TL;DR:

Creation shouts that God exists, and our conscience quietly agrees—leaving no one truly unaware of their Creator. Yet knowing God exists isn’t enough to save; only the gospel reveals how we can be rescued from the judgment we deserve.

what does the bible say?

God has made His existence unmistakably clear to humanity. Creation itself continually declares His glory and power, revealing that a Creator stands behind everything we see (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:18–20). At the same time, human beings carry an inner awareness of God because they are made in His image and their consciences testify to His moral law (Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 2:14–15). Because of this, the Bible explains that people do not lack evidence of God but often suppress what they know in order to justify sin (Romans 1:18–20). This universal knowledge leaves all people accountable before God and “without excuse” for rejecting Him (Romans 1:20; 2:1). Yet recognizing that God exists does not reconcile us to Him or remove our guilt. Only the message of Scripture—revealing Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for sin—shows how sinners can be rescued from God’s coming judgment (John 14:6; Romans 3:25; 5:9).

from the old testament

  • Creation publicly declares the existence of its Creator. David wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (Psalm 19:1–4a). Everything around us declares that there is a Creator.
  • And it is not just a general knowledge of a creator but a testament to the one, glorious Creator: “The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory” (Psalm 97:6). God righteousness and glory is seen throughout the world.
  • Not only do we know God externally, we also know Him internally. People have a special awareness of God that no other part of creation has because we were created in His image (Genesis 1:26–27). Being in His image means that He fashioned us to be like Him; a universal understanding of morality is baked into us. It is no wonder that David wrote, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'” (Psalm 14:1).
  • Because everyone knows God exists, everyone is also held accountable. Solomon wrote that “God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Being judged as guilty implies that we have knowledge of what He desires us to do, but do what is evil instead.

from the new testament

  • In his letter to Roman believers, Paul wrote that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (Romans 1:18a). We know that He is angry against us for our sin so clearly that many willingly “suppress the truth” by their sin (Romans 1:18b).
  • But that suppression itself shows knowledge because “what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them” (Romans 1:19). God has shown each person “His invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature," which Paul reveals has "been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made” (Romans 1:20a). This is why “they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20b; 2:1).
  • Knowledge of God is found within all human beings, too, through each person's conscience: "They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them" (Romans 2:15).
  • Knowledge alone is not enough to save, though. Salvation requires knowing how to escape the coming wrath (Romans 5:9). Scripture reveals that God has provided His Son as a sacrifice to pay for the sin of those who place their faith in Him and His work (Romans 3:25). That is the only way to avoid eternal judgment (John 14:6) and why that truth must be proclaimed to everyone (Romans 10:14–17).

implications for today

"The dog ate my homework." "My alarm clock didn't go off." Excuses exist for nearly anything we don't want to do. That includes excuses for those who want to live life their way rather than God's way. Many do that by denying the existance of God.

One common excuse for unbelief is usually phrased like this: "If God were real, why doesn't He just appear in the sky (or some other miracle of choice)?" While miracles helped validate who Christ is (John 10:37-38), Scripture reveals that it is hardness of heart, not witnessing of miracles, that causes people to reject the Lord (John 3:19). The Israelites crossed a sea that God had parted for them, lived on manna from heaven, and were guided by a cloud and a pillar of fire—-yet they still built a golden calf. Paul said rightly that unbelievers are "without excuse" (Romans 1:20).

How, then, do we share the gospel with them? We do it by not treating unbelief as morally neutral, but also by not mocking or belittling those who struggle with it. After all, it wasn’t until God saved us that we believed (Ephesians 2:1–5). Instead, we respond kindly but firmly with the truth of Scripture, knowing that, deep down, we have an ally in their heart: the knowledge that God is real and that judgment is coming.

understand

  • Everyone knows that God exists because He has revealed Himself through creation and in the human conscience.
  • Humanity does not lack evidence of God; rather, people suppress what they know because of sin.
  • While this universal knowledge makes everyone accountable before God, it is not enough to teach anyone how to be saved.

reflect

  • When you look at creation, how does it deepen your awareness of God’s power and presence?
  • How do you respond when your conscience convicts you of something you know is wrong?
  • How can you move beyond simply knowing that God exists to actively trusting and following Him?

engage

  • How does the Bible’s teaching that everyone knows God exists challenge the idea that unbelief is simply a lack of evidence?
  • How can we share the gospel with people who claim there is no God?
  • If general revelation makes humanity accountable but cannot save, what responsibility does that place on believers to proclaim the message of Christ?

More Resources

Father Can the existence of God be proven?

Can the existence of God be proven?

God’s existence has been communicated to humanity through the written word of God in the Bible, evidence in the creation made by God Himself, and with the revelation of Jesus Christ, the visible image of the invisible God.
God’s Plan Before the Bible, how did people know about God?

Before the Bible, how did people know about God?

God made Himself known to people even before the Bible was completed. While God has spoken clearly and directly through Scripture, He has often communicated through both natural and supernatural means, as He has seen fit, to share revelation with others.
Worldview Why does science seem so against creationism?

Why does science seem so against creationism?

Science, as practiced by many today, is rooted in naturalism, which excludes supernatural acts like creation. The debate is not between science and creationism but rather between competing worldviews—one that denies miracles and one that acknowledges God as the Creator.
Salvation How can I be saved?

How can I be saved?

Salvation comes by placing your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, trusting in His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. Whoever believes in Jesus will be saved from their sin and have a restored relationship with God.