Much has been said of the 13th-century philosopher, Thomas Aquinas, from both secular as well as religious critics alike. For instance, Bertrand Russell once wrote with respect to Aquinas that he “cannot. . . feel that [Aquinas] deserves to be put on a level with the best philosophers either of Greece or of modern times” [1]. This is due to Aquinas’ apparent prior commitment to … [Read more...]
5 Arguments for the Existence of God
Why should one make an argument for the existence of God? Why, moreover, provide five of them? Is it that the evidence for God is so weak, that believers need multiple arguments, working together in their persuasive power, to change the minds of unbelievers? Questions of whether or not these arguments are useful, or if they can actually coerce religious belief has been an area … [Read more...]
Cosmological Arguments
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Scripture for YouVersion: Short audio/video: Three questions (1 fill-in-the-blank, 1 multiple choice, and one discussion question): References for further reading: Collaboration notes: Collaborators: [Add your name … [Read more...]
First Cause & Other Thomistic Cosmological Arguments
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Below are Aquinas’ “Five Ways” -- the third being the traditional Thomistic Cosmological Argument. The First Way: Argument from Motion Nothing can essentially change itself (i.e., grow wings or grow gills by one’s … [Read more...]
Principle of Sufficient Reason
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Function of the PSR The Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR) is a metaphysical philosophical theorem that Leibniz applied concerning both reality and truth. The PSR requires an explanation for why … [Read more...]
Leibnizian Cosmological Argument
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: “Why is there something rather than nothing?” Good question. While Thomas Aquinas argued for God’s existence from ‘cause’ (God being the uncaused cause of the universe), Leibniz argued additionally from … [Read more...]
Kalaam Cosmological Argument
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: 1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause. 2. The universe began to exist. 3. Therefore, the universe has a cause. Examining the first two premises: Premise 1 – whatever begins to exist has a cause - The universe began … [Read more...]
A Unifying Theory of Everything
Where did the universe come from? Some cosmologists want to hypothesize that it sprang into existence from “nothing.” However, their “nothing” is something. Alexander Vilenkin believes that “something is in place beforehand – namely the laws of physics.” However, he admits: It’s a great mystery as to where the laws of physics come from. We don’t even know how to approach it … [Read more...]
Scientific Confirmation of a Beginning
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Philosophically speaking there are only two choices when it comes to our universe; It had a beginning or it did not have a beginning. Thus the question arises, “Which choice is better supported by the scientific … [Read more...]
The God Question: A TV Series Investigates the Relationship Between Science and Faith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ThxrHkO-Mk The God Question, a TV series bringing together world renowned contributors on both sides of the debate on God and science, explores the question of whether there is design evident in the universe. The series, a Scottish venture that promises to reach 170 million potential viewers internationally, features figures of note in the … [Read more...]