I believe there is sufficient evidence to posit the existence of a creator of the universe. A popular argument is one for intelligent design, which argues if all we see around us that is complex is made by intelligence, then nature and the universe should not be different. I concede these factors are not sufficient to reach an affirmative stance on the reality of this creator but are more so things that point toward one. In this column, I hope to lay out the facts in such a way that I can inspire curiosity and investigation in the hearts of some to wrestle with what I believe to be the truth: There is a creator of the universe.

I will be discussing the idea of consciousness and morality. Why do human beings have consciousness? Why do we have moral systems that guide our actions? Materialists are those who believe our world, including consciousness and morality, are the result of complex interactions with matter over billions of years.

This sounds convincing given the theory of evolution, but, frankly, I don’t buy it. And there is a good reason for me not to believe our consciousness and morality are only a result of complex material interactions. Materialism does not account for what philosophers and psychologists call “qualia,” our discrete subjective experiences. It doesn’t seem a materialist view has yet to — or perhaps ever will be able to — explain this within the theory it posits about our beings. So, if not materialism, then what?

I think we should consider the idea that our consciousness is a sort of imprint from an intelligent mind. Atheist scientists such as Richard Dawkins or Bradley Monton reject the idea of God but are willing to entertain the reality of intelligent design of some sort. It seems to me our understanding of reality, its details, the question of existence and our consciousness should lead us to question the reality of an intelligent being who created us. Where I disagree with people like Dawkins or Monton is I believe this intelligent designer is YHWH (יהוה), or God.