Grounds for belief

Some time ago a believer posed this question to non-believers: What evidence would convince you that the Christian God exists and that Christianity is a true account of affairs? This is a belated reply to that question.

Some people replied that a suitable miracle would convince them. The problem with miracles, however, is that one may doubt the authorship. For example, suppose that a new planet suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Such a “miracle” would certainly be evidence of a power of a kind and nature beyond our comprehension. However it would not, in its own right, establish that the being was the Christian God.

Some Christians regularly advance direct experience as a suitable basis for belief. One believes in the Lord because one has opened one’s heart to the Lord and has directly experienced his presence. Non-believers grant the reality of the experience and doubt the validity of the interpretation. I do not wish to rehearse the arguments for either side; others have done so at great length. Suffice it to say that the non-believers remain unconvinced. They would like more tangible evidence that does not depend upon their own or someone else’s inner state of mind. For example:

According to the scriptural accounts there are Angels and they can act directly in the affairs of the world. Suppose they did so on a regular basis, openly, on a day to day basis. For example, they could open offices, buy advertising time, give interviews, etc. If you wanted to know what the Divine word is on any particular topic you could go to your local Office of the Lord and consult the resident Angel. I leave the elaboration of the possibilities to the reader.

Note that the presence of Angels in the day to day affairs of the world would not change the essential character of the relationship of human beings to God. Sin is still sin, prayer is still prayer, and closeness to God is still voluntary (with God’s help). The Angels would be propagandists and spokesangels rather than enforcers of the Divine will.

I do not say that God should do this. If there is a God it would be presumptuous of me to do so; if there is not, the question is moot. I suggest, however, that it would be highly convincing.