St. Augustine searched for meaning and satisfaction in different philosophies and religions but found them lacking until he became Christian. The document discusses arguments for the existence of God, including the argument from divine longing - that humans have an innate desire to know God that must be fulfilled. It provides examples of astronauts and scientists who attributed their work and discoveries to God.

1. “Fools say in their
hearts:
There is no God…”
Psalm 14:1

2. St. Augustine once found himself in search for a
deep sense of joy. Though he was extraordinarily
intelligent, he realized that his brilliant mind could
not give him satisfaction for anything. He lived a life
of vices and carnal pleasure, thinking that
happiness can be found in the world, but he found
himself mistaken. He searched for meaning in
different religions and philosophies, only to be
disappointed, until he finally became Christian, and
realized that the only one who could give
satisfaction to man’s search for joy and meaning is
this Person we call
“Our hearts are restless
until they rest in Thee…”

3. • There are many things that are beyond the
capacity of reason. Confronted by things
beyond human control (e.g. death,
calamities), man looks for meaning in a
higher power often called GOD
• History proves that people everywhere
have a sense of “Divine Longing” i.e. an
innate desire to know God.
• Every innate human desire has a real
object to meet the need (e.g. thirst-water)
• Every natural desire has a real objective
means of being fulfilled (e.g. quenching of
thirst-drink)
• Since the human craving for God is a
natural need, then there must really be a
God to satisfy this need
Clive Staples Lewis

4. IF GOD DOES NOT EXIST:
• Our world came about without any cause or
source. Everything just happened
• The laws governing the universe developed
without guidance or direction
• Life on earth is just a product of randomness in a
hostile universe
• Man is without spirit, death terminates existence
• There is no master plan for mankind, human
existence is an accident
• Morality is societal in origin, therefore no one can
make value judgments on others- no universal
good, no universal evil

5. FILIPINO EXPERIENCE:FILIPINO EXPERIENCE:
In the University of the Philippines, there isIn the University of the Philippines, there is
an organization called UP Atheist Circle. Inan organization called UP Atheist Circle. In
one of their gatherings, the members placedone of their gatherings, the members placed
an empty coffin on the stage and draped itan empty coffin on the stage and draped it
with a streamer, on which is written thewith a streamer, on which is written the
famous line of Nietzsche:famous line of Nietzsche:
GOD IS DEADGOD IS DEAD
Think about this: Isn’t it to say that “God isThink about this: Isn’t it to say that “God is
dead” is also to affirm his existence? Howdead” is also to affirm his existence? How
can God be dead if in the first place he doescan God be dead if in the first place he does
not exist?not exist?
Even non-believers BELIEVE that they doEven non-believers BELIEVE that they do
not believe anything.not believe anything.

6. • God is the greatest being thinkable
• The greatest being thinkable cannot exist
only in the mind; he must also exist outside
the mind
• If he existed only in the mind, he would nopt
be the greatest thinkable being for there are
other beings which exist both inside and
outside the mind
• Therefore God must exist inside and outside
the mind

8. Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, asNeil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, as
they journeyed back home from thethey journeyed back home from the
moon, beamed a TV program to earth,moon, beamed a TV program to earth,
during which Aldrin quoted verses 3-4during which Aldrin quoted verses 3-4
of Psalm 8: “When I look at thyof Psalm 8: “When I look at thy
heavens…Lord, the work of thyheavens…Lord, the work of thy
fingers, the moon and the stars whichfingers, the moon and the stars which
thou has established, I cry: what isthou has established, I cry: what is
man that thou art mindful of him”man that thou art mindful of him”
The Astronauts, out thereThe Astronauts, out there
in the vast space, chosein the vast space, chose
God, not chance.God, not chance.

9. The Apollo 8 astronauts: Borman, Lovell,The Apollo 8 astronauts: Borman, Lovell,
and Anders, attributed to God the successand Anders, attributed to God the success
of their mission to go beyond the moon,of their mission to go beyond the moon,
which meant that they would be out ofwhich meant that they would be out of
contact from earth for a full forty-fivecontact from earth for a full forty-five
minutes.minutes.
On December 24, 1968, the threeOn December 24, 1968, the three
astronauts gave a moving testimony ofastronauts gave a moving testimony of
faith when they read in turn the story offaith when they read in turn the story of
creation in Genesis, to which Bormancreation in Genesis, to which Borman
added this prayer: “Give us, O God, theadded this prayer: “Give us, O God, the
vision which can see thy love in the worldvision which can see thy love in the world
in spite of human failure. Give us the faith,in spite of human failure. Give us the faith,
the trust, the goodness, in spite of ourthe trust, the goodness, in spite of our
ignorance and weakness. Give us theignorance and weakness. Give us the
knowledge that we may continue to prayknowledge that we may continue to pray
with understanding hearts.”with understanding hearts.”

10. ““To me, science and religion areTo me, science and religion are
very similar. If we compare howvery similar. If we compare how
great scientific ideas arrive, theygreat scientific ideas arrive, they
look remarkably like religiouslook remarkably like religious
revelation viewed in a non-revelation viewed in a non-
mystical way. The great scientificmystical way. The great scientific
discoveries, the real leaps, do notdiscoveries, the real leaps, do not
come from so-called scientificcome from so-called scientific
method but by revelations whichmethod but by revelations which
are just as real.”are just as real.”
Dr. Charles TownesDr. Charles Townes
Nobel Prize Winner for hisNobel Prize Winner for his
work on the Laser and Maserwork on the Laser and Maser

11. ““While science is not religion, itWhile science is not religion, it
is a religious activity by itsis a religious activity by its
presuppositions, its methodspresuppositions, its methods
of working, and its search forof working, and its search for
truth.”truth.”
Dr. Wernher von BraunDr. Wernher von Braun
Leading U.S.Leading U.S.
Space ExpertSpace Expert

12. ““Perhaps we shall end byPerhaps we shall end by
perceiving that the greatperceiving that the great
object unconsciouslyobject unconsciously
pursued by science ispursued by science is
nothing else than thenothing else than the
discovery of God.”discovery of God.”
Rev. Teilhard de ChardinRev. Teilhard de Chardin
Jesuit Priest-ScientistJesuit Priest-Scientist

13. ““Science is helping usScience is helping us
put a face on God.”put a face on God.”
Charles CoulsonCharles Coulson
Theoretical Chemistry ExpertTheoretical Chemistry Expert
Coulson believed religious faithCoulson believed religious faith
was essential for the responsiblewas essential for the responsible
use of scienceuse of science

15. As the deer panteth for the waters
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee
You alone are my strength my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee.
Maranatha! Singers - As the Deer.mp3
Click to play song

16. AQUINAS’ and ANSELM’s Arguments
http://www.regent.edu
ARGUMENT FROM “DIVINE LONGING”
http://www.apologetics.johndepoe.com
CROSSING THE BRIDGE
http://www.gospelcom.net
Mark Link
TAKE OF YOUR SHOES
1972, p.55
Edmond Barbotin
FAITH FOR TODAY
1973, p.13
Erlinda Bragado and Arnold Monera
KALOOB: Interweavings on the Christian Story
Manila: De La Salle University Press, 1998