I have a special wall in my office. The wall houses paintings that TFC students have created for me. It's a special place because it reminds me of the talent and kindness of our students.
When visitors come into my office they often look at various paintings on the wall and ask me who painted each one. I take time and tell visitors about the students and the story behind the paintings.
I also have another wall of family photographs. Again, visitors who stop by my office look at the photographs and someone usually finds one they especially like and inevitable ask me who took the photograph.
Throughout my travels I encounter folks who simply don't believe in God. They are atheists. Over and over they tell me there is no evidence of a God. Now, how do paintings and photographs in my office relate to the belief of atheists? Let me tell you.
I have spoken and written about the issue of common sense before. The paintings, photographs, and no belief in God are all related to simple common sense. Those with no belief in God look at paintings and assume a painter. They look at photographs and assume a photographer. They look at creation and say there is no creator. They assume the world was created by chance. What? Why would you look at all of creation and not assume a creator? Here is where we find the common sense disconnect. We look at simple things (like paintings and photographs) and take a common sense approach. However, on issues of faith, some folks get so busy arguing scientific and theological positions that they become either unable or unwilling to see clearly what is obvious and right before their eyes.
A painter created the paintings on my wall. A photographer created the photographs on my wall. The God of the Bible created our world. To reach any other conclusion is hard to support. Where there is a creation there is a creator.
Don't forget your common sense when you look at issues of faith and creation. The answer isn't always complex.