Throughout the centuries certain extra-biblical arguments have been advanced to confirm the existence of a supreme being. Here are some of these arguments:

A classic example of this is the amazing story of Helen Keller (1880–1968). From the age of two, Miss Keller was blind, deaf, and without the sense of smell. After two months of agonizing and fruitless attempts on the part of her teacher to communicate with this young girl, a miracle occurred. One day Helen suddenly understood the concept and meaning of running water. From this humble foundation, Miss Keller built a lofty tower of thought, including the ability to use her voice to speak. She became an educated and articulate human being. Sometime after she had progressed to the point that she could engage in conversation, she was told of God and his love in sending Christ to die on the cross. She is said to have responded with joy, “I always knew he was there, but I didn’t know his name!”

B. The cosmological argument says that every effect must have an adequate cause. One of the great names in British science, mathematics, and philosophy is Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727). Newton had a miniature model of the solar system made. A large golden ball representing the sun was at its center and around it revolved smaller spheres, representing planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and the others. They were each kept in an orbit relatively the same as in the real solar system. By means of rods, cogwheels, and belts they all moved around the center golden ball in exact precision. A friend called on the noted man one day while he was studying the model. The friend was not a believer in the biblical doctrine of divine creation. According to reports, this was their exchange:
Friend: “My, Sir Isaac, what an exquisite thing! Who made it for you?”
Newton: “Nobody.”
Friend: “Nobody?”
Newton: “That’s right! I said, ‘Nobody!’ All of these balls and cogs and belts and gears just happened to come together, and wonder of wonders, by chance they began revolving in their set orbits with perfect timing!”
Of course, the visitor understood the unexpressed argument: “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” (Robert Culver, The Living God, pp. 29–30)

C. The teleological argument says every design must have a designer. The entire universe is characterized by order and useful arrangement.
This is readily seen by the constant speed of light, laws of gravity, the arrangement of the planets around the sun, the complexity of the tiny atom, and the amazing makeup of the human body. All this design cries out for a divine designer.

D. The ontological argument says, “Man has an idea of the Most Perfect Being. This idea includes the idea of existence, since a being, otherwise perfect, who did not exist would not be as perfect as a perfect being who did exist. Therefore, since the idea of existence is contained in the idea of the Most Perfect Being, the Most Perfect Being must exist.” (Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, p. 32)

E. The anthropological argument says that the conscience and moral nature of man demands a self-conscious and moral Maker. This built-in barometer supplies no information, and the information on which it passes judgment may be incorrect. But nevertheless conscience tells us we ought to do what is right regarding the information we have.
Robert Culver sees morality planted in men’s hearts by God:
This sense of duty may be weak (1 Cor 8:12), good (1 Pet 3:16), defiled (1 Cor 8:7), seared (1 Tim 4:2), strong or pure (1 Cor 8:7, 9). But it is never absent. The only accurate explanation is that the great Moral Being, who created us all, planted the moral sense in us. No other explanation is adequate. (The Living God, p. 31)
This letter, reportedly received by the Internal Revenue Service, underscores this argument in an amusing way: Dear Sir,
Some years ago I cheated on my income tax return by failing to report a large sum of money I had made that year. As a result, my conscience has bothered me terribly. Please find my enclosed check as part payment on my debt.
P.S. If my conscience continues to plague me, I’ll send you the rest of the money at a later date.
While there is a valid place for these five philosophical arguments, it must be kept in mind the only acceptable approach to God is by faith and faith alone (Heb 11:6).
Thus, in a real sense, the following arguments apply more to the believer than the unbeliever, serving to confirm that which has already been accepted by faith.