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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Jul 196 min read

Does the Cosmological Argument Show There Is a God?

Introduction: Understanding the Cosmological Argument


The cosmological argument seeks to demonstrate the existence of God by starting with the existence of the universe and reasoning to the necessity of a first cause. This argument has taken various forms over the centuries, but three prominent versions stand out: the Leibnizian argument, the Thomist argument, and the kalam cosmological argument. Each version presents a logical framework aiming to show that the universe's existence points to a divine creator.



The Leibnizian Cosmological Argument


The Leibnizian cosmological argument, named after the philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, focuses on the principle of sufficient reason. Leibniz posited that everything that exists has an explanation for its existence, either in the necessity of its own nature or in an external cause. This principle leads to the question of why there is something rather than nothing.


Premise 1: Everything that exists has an explanation of its existence.Leibniz argued that this premise is intuitively evident. For anything that exists, there must be a reason why it exists, either due to its own nature (like necessary beings such as abstract objects or God) or due to an external cause.


Premise 2: If the universe has an explanation of its existence, that explanation is God. Here, the argument posits that the universe, being contingent (i.e., not necessary and could conceivably not exist), must have an external cause. This external cause must be non-contingent, necessary, and powerful enough to bring the universe into being—traits traditionally attributed to God.


Premise 3: The universe exists.This is a straightforward observation; the existence of the universe is a given.


Conclusion: Therefore, the explanation of the universe’s existence is God.Combining these premises leads to the conclusion that the best explanation for the universe's existence is God. The Bible echoes this understanding in Romans 1:20, stating that God's invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature are clearly perceived in the things that have been made.



The Thomist Cosmological Argument


The Thomist cosmological argument, derived from Thomas Aquinas, emphasizes the impossibility of an infinite regress of causes. Aquinas presented five ways to demonstrate God's existence, with the first three ways forming the core of the cosmological argument.


Premise 1: There are things that are caused. In the world, we observe that events and objects have causes.


Premise 2: Nothing can cause itself.Aquinas argued that it is impossible for something to cause itself because it would have to exist prior to itself to cause itself, which is a contradiction.


Premise 3: There cannot be an infinite regress of causes.An infinite regress of causes would mean there is no first cause, and consequently, no subsequent causes. This contradicts the observed reality that there are caused things.


Conclusion: Therefore, there must be a first uncaused cause, which is God. Aquinas identified this first cause with God, who initiates the chain of causation without being caused. Scripture supports this in Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth," indicating a first cause for all creation.



The Kalam Cosmological Argument


The kalam cosmological argument, with roots in medieval Islamic philosophy and later refined by contemporary Christian philosophers like William Lane Craig, emphasizes the universe's beginning in time.


Premise 1: The universe had a beginning. The argument posits that the universe is not eternal. Philosophical reasoning and scientific evidence, such as the second law of thermodynamics and the Big Bang theory, support this premise. The Bible states in Psalm 102:25, "Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands," pointing to a beginning of creation.


Philosophical Argument for a Beginning One philosophical argument against an infinite past is the impossibility of traversing an actual infinite. If the universe had no beginning, it would entail an infinite series of past events, which is conceptually impossible. You cannot traverse an actual infinite series to reach the present moment.


Scientific Argument for a Beginning The second law of thermodynamics states that the amount of usable energy in a closed system decreases over time. If the universe were infinitely old, it would have reached a state of heat death long ago. Since we still observe usable energy (e.g., stars burning), the universe must have a finite age.


Premise 2: The beginning of the universe was caused. Everything that begins to exist has a cause. This premise is supported by universal human experience and intuition. Hebrews 3:4 supports this by stating, "For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God."


Premise 3: The cause of the beginning of the universe was personal. Given that time, space, and matter came into existence at the universe's beginning, the cause must transcend these realms. It must be timeless, spaceless, and immaterial. Furthermore, this cause must have the power to bring the universe into existence spontaneously, implying free will—a trait of a personal being. Only a personal agent can initiate a temporal effect from a timeless state.


Conclusion: Therefore, the universe has a personal creator, which is God. The kalam cosmological argument concludes that the best explanation for the universe's beginning is a personal, powerful, and transcendent creator—God. The Bible consistently describes God in these terms, affirming His role as the originator of all things.



Examining Objections to the Cosmological Argument


The cosmological argument, while compelling, faces several objections, which proponents have addressed in various ways.


Objection 1: If everything has a cause, what caused God? This objection misunderstands the argument. The cosmological argument does not claim that everything has a cause but that everything that begins to exist has a cause. God, as a necessary being, did not begin to exist and therefore does not require a cause. Psalm 90:2 declares, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God," emphasizing God's eternal nature.


Objection 2: The universe could be eternal. Scientific and philosophical evidence suggests that the universe is not eternal. The second law of thermodynamics and the Big Bang theory both indicate a finite past. Additionally, the philosophical argument against an actual infinite past remains strong.


Objection 3: Quantum mechanics shows that particles can come into existence without a cause. While some interpretations of quantum mechanics suggest that particles can appear spontaneously, this does not mean they come into existence from nothing. These events occur within the framework of quantum fields and vacuum energy, which are not "nothing." Thus, they do not violate the principle that everything that begins to exist has a cause.



The Theological Significance of the Cosmological Argument


The cosmological argument not only provides a philosophical basis for God's existence but also aligns with the biblical portrayal of God as the creator and sustainer of the universe. Isaiah 40:28 says, "Have you not known? Have you not heard? Jehovah is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable."


The argument reinforces key attributes of God:


  1. Eternality: God is without beginning or end, existing outside of time.

  2. Immateriality: God is not composed of matter and transcends physical reality.

  3. Omnipotence: God possesses the power to create and sustain the universe.

  4. Personhood: God is a personal being with the ability to willfully create.


These attributes are consistent with the biblical revelation of God, who is both transcendent and immanent, powerful and personal.



Implications for Faith and Apologetics


The cosmological argument serves as a foundational tool in Christian apologetics, providing a rational basis for belief in God. It encourages believers to view the universe as a testament to God's existence and attributes. Romans 1:19-20 articulates this well: "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made."


For those exploring faith, the cosmological argument presents a logical and persuasive case for theism, challenging the notion that the universe can exist without a cause. It bridges the gap between science and faith, showing that belief in God is both intellectually viable and philosophically robust.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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