======== Newsgroups: alt.christnet.bible,alt.christnet,alt.christnet.theology,alt.christnet.evangelical,alt.religion.christian,alt.atheism Subject: Re: PROVE TO ME THAT GOD EXISTS From: lukef@osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu (Frank Luke) Date: 13 Oct 1995 23:24:38 GMT
An adequate case for the existence of God can be made without reference to any Bible or Holy Book. Using simple observation and logical thinking, a case for God can be constructed.
Proof 1. (3 steps)
1. Every effect has a cause. 2. The universe is an effect. 3. Therefore, the universe has a cause (God).
Proof 2. (20 steps)
1. Every effect has a cuase which is more complex than itself. 2. The universe is an effect which must have a cause which is more complex than itself. 3. The universe exists (sorry to burst the bubble of any pantheists). Therefore, 4. The cause of the universe exists. 5. The universe contains the personal and the moral (humans).
Therefore, 6. A personal moral cause for the universe exists. So the cause can now be called "He" not "it". 7. The universe does not create something from nothing (by observation) yet it is something. 8. Therefore, the universe had to be created from nothing (or from something that ultimatle was created from nothing).
Therefore, 9. The personal moral existing cause for the universe can create (i.e. a personal moral Creator exists.) 10. If the Creator-Cause were finite, then He would have another Creator-Cause who would in turn have a Creator-Cause and so on.
This leads to an infinite series of regressive causes. ..CN-...C3--C2--C1--U
11. But that would mean that at least one finite Creator-Cause would be either (a) self caused or (b) uncaused. That is impossible because (a) a being cannot precede itself to cause itself and (b) nothing finite is uncaused (by observation).
12. All the causes cannot be finite (non-ultimate) causes.
Therefore, 13. The personal moral existing Creator-Cause is infinite (i.e. ultimate). 14. The infinite cause must be eternal because eternality is infinitely applied to time (and no meaningful statement can be made about space without reference to time). 15. An infinite eternal Cause could not change (since anything He might change into, He would already be).
Therefore, 16. The Creator-Cause must be all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-perfect (otherwise He could hange). 17. A personal, moral, infinite, eternal, immutable (unchanging), all-knowing, all-powerful, all-perfect Creator-Cause exists. 18. Such a being is worthy of worship. 19. A being worthy of worship can be called God.
THEREFORE, 20. GOD EXISTS. CONCLUSION Atheism must be rejected as a reasonable world view.
Thanks to John Maisel for developing this proof I used.
Frank Luke (lukef@osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu) But God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world. Gal. 6:14.