In the Bible, the existence of God is not explained; neither is it proved. It is simply taken for granted. The very first sentence of the Bible says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This statement declares that God is, and that He is the Creator of the Universe.

Many years ago Dorothy Bennett held a senior nursing position at one of the best psychiatric hospitals in Europe. One day a leading psychiatrist talked to Dorothy, claiming to be an atheist. "Doctor," she replied, "I respect you deeply. In the medical profession your name is widely revered. May I suggest, however, that before you again claim to be an atheist, you read the Bible with the same zeal that has characterized your psychiatric research."

She then reminded him of several of his patients who had recently been released because of the wonderful changes God's power had made in their lives. She was able to name one or two who had been so transformed that they were already leading productive lives. Dorothy told the renowned psychiatrist how each of these patients had come to know God in a personal and vital way. The doctor himself was aware that these patients had been previously untouched by the latest psychiatric techniques. Neither as an atheist, nor as a psychiatrist, could he account for their changed lives.

This doctor, having just told Dorothy that he did not believe in God, asked her to pray for him! He also promised that, for the first time in his life, he would start to read the Bible with an open mind.

After seven weeks of careful reading, the psychiatrist told Dorothy that he was no longer a professing atheist. However, he still had a problem, for he recognized that a genuine commitment to God would require a change in his lifestyle. "My problem is no longer intellectual," he admitted, "but I find that I am unwilling to accept the changes that would occur if I were to become a committed believer."

After having prayed for our doctor friend for ten years, we finally received a letter in which he told us of his new-found faith and of his personal commitment to God. We were overjoyed, but not too surprised, because we knew that Romans 10:17 says, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."