ARGUMENTS FOR THE EXISTANCE OF GOD
What is our mindset on the subject of God?
When Scottish theologian John Baillie taught at Edinburgh University, he made it a practice to open his course on the doctrine of God with these words: “We must remember, in discussing God, that we cannot talk about Him without His hearing every word we say. We may be able to talk about others behind their backs, but God is everywhere, yes, even in this classroom. Therefore, in all our discussions we must be aware of His infinite presence, and talk about Him, as it were, before His face.”
Definition of God (as if it where possible)
“An eternal, uncaused, independent, Necessary Being, that hath life, power, wisdom, goodness, and whatsoever other supposedly excellency, in the highest Perfection, in and of itself.” ~ John Howe, Bancroft, Systematic Theology, 60.
“God is an invisible, personal, and living Spirit, distinguished from all other spirits by several kinds of attributes: metaphysically God is self existent, eternal, and unchanging; intellectually God is omniscient, faithful, and wise; ethically God is just, merciful, and loving; emotionally God detest evil, is long suffering, and is compassionate; existentially God is free, authentic, and omnipotent; relationally God is transcendent in being, immanent universally in providential activity, and immanent with his people in redemptive activity.” ~ Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 492.
“God is the infinite & perfect Spirit in whom all things have their source, support, and end.” ~ A. Strong, Lectures in Systematic Theology, 55.
“There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible.” ~ Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England.
“The one to whom time and space do not apply, who provides and creates all, and is limited by nothing, yet personal to everyone-perfection!” ~ CBS Student: Shannon Scacewater (7/16/2008)
“God is an invisible, personal, and living Spirit, distinguished from all other spirits by several kinds of attributes: metaphysically God is self existent, eternal, and unchanging; intellectually God is omniscient, faithful, and wise; ethically God is just, merciful, and loving; emotionally God detest evil, is long suffering, and is compassionate; existentially God is free, authentic, and omnipotent; relationally God is transcendent in being, immanent universally in providential activity, and immanent with his people in redemptive activity.” ~ Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 492.
“God is the infinite & perfect Spirit in whom all things have their source, support, and end.” ~ A. Strong, Lectures in Systematic Theology, 55.
“There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible.” ~ Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England.
“The one to whom time and space do not apply, who provides and creates all, and is limited by nothing, yet personal to everyone-perfection!” ~ CBS Student: Shannon Scacewater (7/16/2008)
What is a Syllogism?
Anything logical may be expressed in syllogistic form. A syllogism involves three aspects:
1.A Major Premise: All mortal things will die.
2.A Minor Premise: All men are mortal.
3.A Conclusion: All men will die.
1.A Major Premise: All mortal things will die.
2.A Minor Premise: All men are mortal.
3.A Conclusion: All men will die.
The Cosmological Argument
A Cause at the Beginning. The universe had a beginning caused by something beyond the universe (vertical argument):
1.The universe had a beginning.
2.Anything that had a beginning must have been caused by something (someone) else.
3.Therefore the universe was caused by something (someone) else.
A Cause to continue existing. Something not only caused the world to come into being (Gen. 1:1) but something causes it to continue to be (Col. 1:17):
1.Every part of the universe is dependent.
2.If every part of universe is dependent, then the whole universe must also be dependent.
3.Therefore, the whole universe is dependent for existence right now on some Independent Being.
The Cosmological Kalam Argument: Time cannot go back into the past forever, for it is impossible to pass through an actual infinite number of moments. If so, then time must have had a beginning. If the world never had a beginning, then we could not have reached now. But we have reached now, so time must have begun at a particular point and proceeded today. Therefore, the world is as a finite event after all and needs a cause for its beginnings.
1 . Whatever begins to exist has a cause for its coming into being.
2. The universe began to exist.
3. Therefore, the universe has a cause for its coming into being.
This argument was formulated by the Arab philosophers of the Middle Ages and employed by Bonaventure (1217-1274). The contemporary Christian thinker William Lane Craig has widely published on it.
1. An infinite number of moments cannot be traversed.
2. If an infinite number of moments had to elapse before today, then today would never have come.
3. But today has come.
4. Therefore, an infinite number of moments have not elapsed before today (i.e., the universe had a beginning).
5. But whatever has a beginning is caused by something else.
6. Hence, there must be a Cause (Creator) of the universe.
Anselm’s Cosmological Argument: From Goodness to God:
1. Good things exist.
2. The cause of this goodness is either one or many.
3. But it can’t be many, for then there would be no way to compare their goodness, for all things would be equally good. But some things are better than others.
4. Therefore, one Supreme Good (God) causes the goodness in all things.
1.The universe had a beginning.
2.Anything that had a beginning must have been caused by something (someone) else.
3.Therefore the universe was caused by something (someone) else.
A Cause to continue existing. Something not only caused the world to come into being (Gen. 1:1) but something causes it to continue to be (Col. 1:17):
1.Every part of the universe is dependent.
2.If every part of universe is dependent, then the whole universe must also be dependent.
3.Therefore, the whole universe is dependent for existence right now on some Independent Being.
The Cosmological Kalam Argument: Time cannot go back into the past forever, for it is impossible to pass through an actual infinite number of moments. If so, then time must have had a beginning. If the world never had a beginning, then we could not have reached now. But we have reached now, so time must have begun at a particular point and proceeded today. Therefore, the world is as a finite event after all and needs a cause for its beginnings.
1 . Whatever begins to exist has a cause for its coming into being.
2. The universe began to exist.
3. Therefore, the universe has a cause for its coming into being.
This argument was formulated by the Arab philosophers of the Middle Ages and employed by Bonaventure (1217-1274). The contemporary Christian thinker William Lane Craig has widely published on it.
1. An infinite number of moments cannot be traversed.
2. If an infinite number of moments had to elapse before today, then today would never have come.
3. But today has come.
4. Therefore, an infinite number of moments have not elapsed before today (i.e., the universe had a beginning).
5. But whatever has a beginning is caused by something else.
6. Hence, there must be a Cause (Creator) of the universe.
Anselm’s Cosmological Argument: From Goodness to God:
1. Good things exist.
2. The cause of this goodness is either one or many.
3. But it can’t be many, for then there would be no way to compare their goodness, for all things would be equally good. But some things are better than others.
4. Therefore, one Supreme Good (God) causes the goodness in all things.
The Teleological Argument
Since the universe is exceedingly more complex in its operation, there must be a Maker of the universe (e.g., Psalm 19:1-6; Acts 14:15-18).
1.All designs imply a designer.
2.There is a great design in the universe.
3.Therefore, there must be a Great Designer of the universe.
1.All designs imply a designer.
2.There is a great design in the universe.
3.Therefore, there must be a Great Designer of the universe.
The Ontological Argument
"The ontological argument seeks to show that once we grasp the concept of God as the greatest conceivable being, then it becomes clear that God must exist.” ~ J. P. Moreland & William L. Craig
1.God is by definition an absolutely perfect being.
2.But existence is a perfection.
3.Therefore, God must exist.
Psalm 13:1 “fool says in his heart, there is no God.” Why? Upon what basis? Anselm’s argument (an a priori argument; reductio argument; assume the opposite of what you trying to prove and so a self-contradiction occurs). God = that than which a greater cannot be conceived. Argument from Proslogion 2 by St. Anselm
1. God exists in the mind but not in reality.
2. Real existence (as well as mental) is greater than mental existence alone.
3. God’s existence in reality is conceivable.
4. If God had real existence he would be greater than he is (from 1 & 2)
5. It is conceivable that there is a being greater than (from 3 & 4).
6. It is conceivable that there is a being greater than the being than which is none greater can be conceived (this is self-contradictory)
7. Therefore, step 1 is false (i.e., it is false that God exists in the understanding but not in reality.
8. God exists in reality.
The Perfect Being. The mere concept of God as an absolutely perfect being demands that He exist. It argues from the idea of God to the existence of God. If God did not exist, then he would be lacking one perfection, namely, existence. But if God lacked any perfection, then he would not be absolutely perfect. But God is by definition an absolutely perfect being.
1.God is by definition an absolutely perfect being.
2.But existence is a perfection.
3.Therefore, God must exist.
The Necessary Being. The very concept of a Necessary Being demands its existence. For the very idea of a Necessary Being demands that it must exist. For if it did not exist, then it would not be a necessary existence.
1.If God exists, we must conceive of Him as a Necessary Being.
2.But by definition, a Necessary Being cannot exist.
3.Therefore, if a Necessary Being can, then it must, exist.
God’s existence in reality is conceivable. Alvin Plantinga uses modal logic (s5) whereby this proof is logically cogent. Modal logic is a standard system of logic by contemporary philosophers.
1. It is possible that there be a maximally perfect being (assumption).
2. It is necessary that there be a maximally perfect being (result).
1.God is by definition an absolutely perfect being.
2.But existence is a perfection.
3.Therefore, God must exist.
Psalm 13:1 “fool says in his heart, there is no God.” Why? Upon what basis? Anselm’s argument (an a priori argument; reductio argument; assume the opposite of what you trying to prove and so a self-contradiction occurs). God = that than which a greater cannot be conceived. Argument from Proslogion 2 by St. Anselm
1. God exists in the mind but not in reality.
2. Real existence (as well as mental) is greater than mental existence alone.
3. God’s existence in reality is conceivable.
4. If God had real existence he would be greater than he is (from 1 & 2)
5. It is conceivable that there is a being greater than (from 3 & 4).
6. It is conceivable that there is a being greater than the being than which is none greater can be conceived (this is self-contradictory)
7. Therefore, step 1 is false (i.e., it is false that God exists in the understanding but not in reality.
8. God exists in reality.
The Perfect Being. The mere concept of God as an absolutely perfect being demands that He exist. It argues from the idea of God to the existence of God. If God did not exist, then he would be lacking one perfection, namely, existence. But if God lacked any perfection, then he would not be absolutely perfect. But God is by definition an absolutely perfect being.
1.God is by definition an absolutely perfect being.
2.But existence is a perfection.
3.Therefore, God must exist.
The Necessary Being. The very concept of a Necessary Being demands its existence. For the very idea of a Necessary Being demands that it must exist. For if it did not exist, then it would not be a necessary existence.
1.If God exists, we must conceive of Him as a Necessary Being.
2.But by definition, a Necessary Being cannot exist.
3.Therefore, if a Necessary Being can, then it must, exist.
God’s existence in reality is conceivable. Alvin Plantinga uses modal logic (s5) whereby this proof is logically cogent. Modal logic is a standard system of logic by contemporary philosophers.
1. It is possible that there be a maximally perfect being (assumption).
2. It is necessary that there be a maximally perfect being (result).
The Moral Law Argument
The roots of moral argument for God are found in Romans 2:12-15 in which humanity is said to stand unexcused since there is “a law written on their hearts.” Moral laws don’t describe what is, they prescribe what ought to be.
1.Moral laws imply a Moral Law Giver.
2.There is an objective moral law.
3.Therefore, there is a Moral Law Giver.
1.Moral laws imply a Moral Law Giver.
2.There is an objective moral law.
3.Therefore, there is a Moral Law Giver.
The Religious Need Argument
Is the desire to believe in God an illusion, human wishes, purely psychological, or is it factual? The desire for God does exist, not as a psychological wish, but from real existential need. This is a psychological argument.
1.Human beings really need God.
2.What humans really need, probably really exists.
3.Therefore, God really exists.
1.Human beings really need God.
2.What humans really need, probably really exists.
3.Therefore, God really exists.
The Argument from Joy
Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger; food can satisfy.
1.Every natural innate desire has a real object that can fulfill it.
2.Human beings have a natural, innate desire for immortality.
3.Therefore, there must be an immortal life after death.
1.Every natural innate desire has a real object that can fulfill it.
2.Human beings have a natural, innate desire for immortality.
3.Therefore, there must be an immortal life after death.
Innate Idea Argument
Knowledge of God is Innate (Rom. 1:19-21, 32)
1. All people have some knowledge of God. This knowledge is constitutive to the human framework.
2. The mind perceives certain things to be true without proof and without instruction. There is no instruction or use of senses needed to have some knowledge of God…it is intrinsic knowledge (e.g., the deaf / blind know possess within themselves some knowledge of God) within man.
3. Related to the Moral Law argument in that there is this sense of dependence and accountability to a being higher than themselves which exists in the minds of all people.
1. All people have some knowledge of God. This knowledge is constitutive to the human framework.
2. The mind perceives certain things to be true without proof and without instruction. There is no instruction or use of senses needed to have some knowledge of God…it is intrinsic knowledge (e.g., the deaf / blind know possess within themselves some knowledge of God) within man.
3. Related to the Moral Law argument in that there is this sense of dependence and accountability to a being higher than themselves which exists in the minds of all people.
Another look at the Innate Argument
1. We have ideas of many things.
2. These ideas must arise either from ourselves or from things outside us.
3. One of the ideas we have is the idea of God-an infinite, all-perfect being.
4. This idea could not have been caused by ourselves, because we know ourselves to be limited and imperfect and no effect can be greater than its cause.
5. Therefore, the idea must have been caused by something outside us which has nothing less than the qualities contained in the idea of God.
6. But only God himself has those qualities.
7. Therefore, God Himself must be the cause of the idea we have of him.
8. Therefore God exists.
2. These ideas must arise either from ourselves or from things outside us.
3. One of the ideas we have is the idea of God-an infinite, all-perfect being.
4. This idea could not have been caused by ourselves, because we know ourselves to be limited and imperfect and no effect can be greater than its cause.
5. Therefore, the idea must have been caused by something outside us which has nothing less than the qualities contained in the idea of God.
6. But only God himself has those qualities.
7. Therefore, God Himself must be the cause of the idea we have of him.
8. Therefore God exists.
Argument from Miracles
1. A miracle is an event whose only adequate explanation is the extraordinary and direct intervention of God.
2. There are numerous well-attested miracles.
3. Therefore, there are numerous events whose only adequate explanation is the extraordinary and direct intervention of God.
4. Therefore, God exists.
2. There are numerous well-attested miracles.
3. Therefore, there are numerous events whose only adequate explanation is the extraordinary and direct intervention of God.
4. Therefore, God exists.
Argument from Consciousness
1. We experience the universe as intelligible. This intelligibility means that the universe is graspable by intelligence.
2. Either this intelligible universe and finite mind so well suited to grasp it are the products of intelligence or blind chance.
3. Blind chance cannot be the source of our intelligence.
4. Therefore, this intelligible universe and the finite minds so well suited to grasp it are the products of intelligence.
2. Either this intelligible universe and finite mind so well suited to grasp it are the products of intelligence or blind chance.
3. Blind chance cannot be the source of our intelligence.
4. Therefore, this intelligible universe and the finite minds so well suited to grasp it are the products of intelligence.
Argument from Religious Experience
1. Many people of different eras and of widely different cultures claim to have had an experience of the “divine.”
2. It is inconceivable that so many people could have been so utterly wrong about the nature and content of their own experience.
3. Therefore, there exists a “divine” reality which many people of different eras and of widely different cultures have experienced.
2. It is inconceivable that so many people could have been so utterly wrong about the nature and content of their own experience.
3. Therefore, there exists a “divine” reality which many people of different eras and of widely different cultures have experienced.
Argument from Common Consent
1. Belief in God—that Being to whom reverence and worship are properly due—is common to almost all people every era.
2. Either the vast majority of people have been wrong about this most profound element of their lives or they have not.
3. It is most plausible to believe that they have not.
4. Therefore, it is most plausible to believe that God exists.
2. Either the vast majority of people have been wrong about this most profound element of their lives or they have not.
3. It is most plausible to believe that they have not.
4. Therefore, it is most plausible to believe that God exists.
Sake of Clarification
1. These arguments do not mean everyone gets what they want (e.g., I need a red lamborghini);
2. These arguments do not mean everything gets what they need (food and water during a famine);
3. Rather, these arguments are declaring that what we actually need, really exists (e.g., water, food, oxygen, etc.).
2. These arguments do not mean everything gets what they need (food and water during a famine);
3. Rather, these arguments are declaring that what we actually need, really exists (e.g., water, food, oxygen, etc.).
1. Human beings really need God.
2. What humans really need, probably really exists.
3. Therefore, God really exists.
2. What humans really need, probably really exists.
3. Therefore, God really exists.