by Keith Needham

Created on: April 20, 2009

"In the beginning, God . . ." These are the first four words of the Bible. They neither try to prove the existence of God; neither do they try to ascertain where He came from. They assume His existence; they testify to it. Without Him, the world would not be; without Him, we would not be asking this question. Genesis goes on to reveal that He is creation's source. Colossians adds that God holds all things together. Another passage claims that God is the Universe's sustainer, that all is upheld simply by the Word of His power. That is the Bible's teaching about God and His Creation, but it does not answer the question about who created God.

Philosophers argued for the existence of God based upon the concept of the first cause. They viewed the universe as a complex organism, whose mere complexity argues for the fact of a designer. They argued that the universe was set in motion by someone or by something. This thing they argued was God - and it was He who was the first cause, or the ultimate cause and source which held everything together. Once again, this provides an argument for God, but it does not answer the question if God Himself has a creator.

The name of God provides us with a clue - at least if we accept the Hebrew Scripture's definition of His name. God, in Exodus 3, reveals Himself to Moses - and His name means "I am that I am." "I am" is always in the present tense. God is eternal, unchanging, He always is who He is. He will never fade away; neither was He ever brought into existence. He always is - that is the Biblical conception.

In a sense, we have no right to even try to search these things out. This was part of God's rebuke to Job, when Job complained against God after God allowed him to suffer unbearable trials. God asks Job, "Who are you who darkens counsel by words without knowledge. Gird up your loins like a man and answer me, 'Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare it if you have understanding!'" (Job 38:2-4). God demands that we accept His existence on faith. "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made out of things which do appear. . . . But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:3, 6).

Faith accepts that God is God, and that there is no other. God argues to this effect in Isaiah 45:5ff. "I am the Lord (I am who

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