Here’s the full question: One of my bigger hold ups about religion recently, has been the popular belief that God or a god would inherently be good, powerful, perfect. Some of the proofs we have been looking into make a case for a greater being or initiator. But, humans seem to add in the parts about God caring about us or being able to change things. Is it possible that modern religion developed into this as a way to soothe peoples fears about death and the unknown? What in Aristotle’s proof proves that God is anything more than a force such as gravity? 

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You are correct in that most of the philosophical proofs for the existence of God do not prove His all-good nature. They logically draw the conclusion that He must exist, but most stop there. The exception is the ontological argument, which is actually based upon the goodness of God.

The goodness of God is more scripturally based. This is why—even with the undeniable logic of the contingency, teleological, and religious experience arguments—an element of faith is still necessary for the theist. Remember what I said in class: One cannot have faith without doubt. In this case, it is a matter of faith in scripture being the inspired word of God.

Let’s take a look at a few examples from Judeo-Christian scripture. The Psalms, often prophetic in nature, are prayed by Jews and Christians alike. Many of them point to the good nature of God:

“Good and upright is the Lord, therefore he shows sinners the way, He guides the humble in righteousness, and teaches the humble his way” (Psalm 25:8-9 NAB).

“How great is your goodness, Lord, stored up for those who fear you. You display it for those who trust you, in the sight of the children of Adam” (Psalm 31:20).

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:9).

The New Testament is read and believed by Christians to be an account of the lives of Jesus and His followers. It, too, makes many references to the goodness of God:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16).

“I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:44-45).

“If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:13).

Of course, these are just a few examples. I don’t want to inundate you. Also, these are strictly Jewish and Christian examples as I am not nearly as well versed in Islam. Muslims do, however, worship the same god that Jews and Christians do: the god who first revealed Himself to Abram/Abraham (Genesis 15:1-21).

Now, beyond the scriptural references, it is also logical to conclude that God is good. We know through philosophy of religion that God is an intelligent, communicative being. It would stand to reason that an intelligent being who creates something as good as human life must be good unto itself. Good begets good. That which is evil or even indifferent does not create vast goodness.

Works Cited

The New American Bible. World Bible Publishing, 1989.

Suggestion for Further Reading

Mawson, TJ. Belief in God: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion. Oxford University Press, 2005.