How can we demonstrate the existence of God to those who doubt or disbelieve? Isaac Newton, one of the greatest scientists in history, used a model of the solar system to show that the Creator of the universe must exist.
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Sir Isaac Newton was one of the greatest scientists in history. Among his many achievements, he derived the Law of Universal Gravitation and invented the branch of mathematics called Calculus. He was also a believer in God and a devoted student of the Bible.
Newton’s Model of the Solar System
I paraphrase the following story that can be found in various forms on the Internet.
Newton had a friend who denied the evidence for the existence of God. So Isaac had a skilled craftsman make a model of our solar system (many similar models exist today). It simulated the size and relative location of the planets. When a crank was turned everything rotated and orbited imitating the real solar system. Newton had the model placed on a table in his study.
When his scientist friend came to visit, he examined the model and was fascinated by it. He exclaimed, “What an exquisite thing this is! Who made it?”
Newton simply answered, “Nobody.”
His friend repeated, “Evidently you did not understand me. I asked who made this?”
Newton again replied, “Nobody. It just happened.”
The friend became upset and said, “Of course somebody made it. I want to know who he is.”
Newton then explained: “This thing is but a puny imitation of a much grander system whose laws you know. I am not able to convince you that this mere toy is without a maker. Yet you profess to believe that the great original from which the design is taken has come into being without either designer or maker! Now tell me by what sort of reasoning do you reach such a conclusion?”
Conclusions
Newton’s model illustrates that the universe conclusively demonstrates the existence of God. Anyone who honestly observes even a model of the solar system would immediately know that someone made it, even if he had no idea who the maker was. And he would know that the maker was intelligent and highly skilled.
But the model simply imitates the real solar system, which in every way is far greater and more amazing than the model. If it takes an intelligent and skilled maker to create the model, why would any honest person deny that the real solar system was created by a supremely intelligent and powerful Creator?
Hebrews 3:4 – For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.
Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.
Romans 1:20 – 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.
Do you believe in the one true God who created the universe? Are you serving Him faithfully?
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2022; gospelway.com
