Theo Is There God

“Fools say in their hearts: There is no God…” Psalm 14:1

Prepared by: Richard G. Pazcoguin UST-IR

St. Augustine once found himself in search for a deep sense of joy. Though he was extraordinarily intelligent, he realized that his brilliant mind could not give him satisfaction for anything. He lived a life of vices and carnal pleasure, thinking that happiness can be found in the world, but he found himself mistaken. He searched for meaning in different religions and philosophies, only to be disappointed, until he finally became Christian, and realized that the only one who could give satisfaction to man’s search for joy and meaning is this Person we call

“Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee…”

• There are many things that are beyond the capacity of reason. Confronted by things beyond human control (e.g. death, calamities), man looks for meaning in a higher power often called GOD • History proves that people everywhere have a sense of “Divine Longing” i.e. an innate desire to know God. • Every innate human desire has a real object to meet the need (e.g. thirst-water) • Every natural desire has a real objective means of being fulfilled (e.g. quenching of thirst-drink) • Since the human craving for God is a natural need, then there must really be a God to satisfy this need • INDEED, OUR HEARTS WOULD BE RESTLESS UNTIL THEY REST IN GOD!

IF GOD DOES NOT EXIST: • Our world came about without any cause or source. Everything just happened • The laws governing the universe developed without guidance or direction • Life on earth is just a product of randomness in a hostile universe • Man is without spirit, death terminates existence • There is no master plan for mankind, human existence is an accident • Morality is societal in origin, therefore no one can make value judgments on others- no universal good, no universal evil

ARGUMENT ON MOTION ARGUMENT ON CAUSALITY ARGUMENT ON CONTINGENCY ARGUMENT ON GRADATION ARGUMENT ON DESIGN AND GOVERNANCE

• Objects are in motion • Something that is moving cannot move by itself and thus requires a mover • A mover is also moved by another mover, otherwise it cannot cause movement • There can be no infinite chain of movers • There must be a first mover existing before all movement • The first mover acts on his own will, not moved by any other mover • The unmoved mover is GOD

• A thing cannot cause itself • Its cause is outside of itself • There can be no infinite chain of causes and effects • There must be a first cause which is not caused by anything • The uncaused cause is GOD

• Something that exists was first non-existent • If everything exists then everything was nonexistent • If everything was non-existent, nothing will cause existence • There must be a being who is not contingent (does not fail to exist) • The non-contingent being brings existence out of non-existence • This necessary being is GOD

• Characteristics of objects come in greater or lesser extents • If an object has lesser degrees of one characteristic, then there must be someone who has a greater degree, and ultimately the maximum possible degree • Therefore, there is someone who has all characteristics in the maximum possible degree • This absolute being is GOD

• A conscious mind brings a being to its end or purpose • Not all beings have minds but even beings without minds are able to reach their end or purpose • There must be an intelligent mind who designs and governs those without minds such that they reach their end or purpose • This designer and governor is GOD

• God is the greatest being thinkable • The greatest being thinkable cannot exist only in the mind; he must also exist outside the mind • If he existed only in the mind, he would nopt be the greatest thinkable being for there are other beings which exist both inside and outside the mind • Therefore God must exist inside and outside the mind

Click to play song

Maranatha! Singers - As the Deer.mp3

As the deer panteth for the waters So my soul longeth after Thee You alone are my heart’s desire And I long to worship Thee You alone are my strength my shield To you alone may my spirit yield You alone are my heart’s desire And I long to worship Thee.

AQUINAS’ and ANSELM’s Arguments http://www.regent.edu ARGUMENT FROM “DIVINE LONGING” http://www.apologetics.johndepoe.com CROSSING THE BRIDGE http://www.gospelcom.net