Introduction

Welcome to our exploration of the cosmological argument, a cornerstone of theological apologetics that has fascinated philosophers, theologians, and scientists alike for centuries. In this blog, we delve deep into the universe’s origins, seeking to understand the fundamental question of why there is something rather than nothing. The cosmological argument presents a perspective that every effect has a cause, leading us to the ultimate cause of everything.

As we embark on this journey, we’ll focus on a specific flavor, the Kalam Cosmological argument. We’ll examine the intricacies of the argument, its philosophical implications, and the objections it faces from contemporary thought. William Lane Craig has been a prominent proponent and defender of the argument, which he has refined and popularized in modern philosophical and theological discussions, and much of the following discussion will be based on his perspectives.

Of course, countless books have been written and many debates have been had on this argument. This article is meant to serve as an introduction to it, but not to provide a comprehensive overview of it. I will be dealing with those in subsequent articles.

So, whether you’re a believer, skeptic, or simply curious, I invite you to join me in contemplating one of the most compelling arguments for the existence of a higher power. Let’s explore the cosmos and the philosophical debates surrounding its origin together!

What is the Cosmological Argument

In a nutshell, the Cosmological Argument is a deductive argument, based on the premise that everything that exists has a cause, and since the universe exists, it also must have a cause. Specifically, it is a syllogism, which is a form of reasoning where a conclusion is drawn from 2 given premises. If the premises are true then the conclusion MUST be true. The only way to circumvent the conclusion from being true is to disqualify one of the premises.

A classical example given for this is:

All men are mortal
Socrates is a man
Socrates is mortal

Notice, how the conclusion must be true if the first 2 propositions are true. How can we circumvent this? You would have to either:

Make the case that all men are not mortal
Make the case that Socrates is not a man

If not, then the conclusion must be true.

Let’s take a trivial example demonstrating when the conclusion would not necessarily be true.

All men are mortal
Rover is a man
Rover is mortal

If Rover is my pet dog, this argument can easily be refuted, since it directly contradicts the second premise stating that Rover is a man.

The Kalam Cosmological Argument

The Kalam Cosmological Argument is as follows:

Everything that begins to exist has a cause
The universe began to exist
The universe has a cause

To reiterate, disqualifying the truth of this argument necessitates that one of the first 2 premises must also be disqualified.

Let’s take each premise and walk through it.

Everything that begins to exist has a cause

We know that nothing cannot produce something. Everything that begins to exist must have a cause. We also know this empirically. No scientific evidence contradicts this first premise, and it is only ever confirmed. We don’t drive into the city, thinking that gigantic random rhinos are going to pop into existence on the road and start trampling our vehicles. In other words, no thing comes from nothing.

The Universe Began to Exist

Scientists agree that the universe began to exist. How do we know this? Let’s explore three aspects: the second law of thermodynamics, infinite regress, and the expansion of the universe.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics

The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that in a closed system, the total entropy (e.g. disorder, randomness) tends to increase over time. This is a foundational principle in physics and is consistently observed in a wide range of systems.

Let’s take some examples to make this concrete. Let’s take your home. I have to admit, that my living areas are most inviting when I am expecting guests. In between those times, natural disorder occurs. Mail gets left out, shoes are by the garage door where they’re easiest to take on and off, and generally things may not be put away. Our cars break down, as do our own bodies and everything else around us.

If the universe were eternal, in other words, did not have a beginning, the universe would have already reached maximum entropy. We know that this is not the case, since among a wide array of other evidence, galaxies, stars, and planets are forming, and we even have life on Earth.

As a result, the universe must have a finite age, and therefore must have had a beginning.

Infinite Regress

Infinite regress is when every event has a cause, and each cause has a cause ad infinitum (going back infinitely). Imagine we have a set of dominoes set up infinitely. Each domino’s fall is caused by the one before it. If where we are now in space time is represented by one of the dominos, and the dominos go back infinitely, our domino would never fall. In simpler terms, now would never happen. Going back infinitely also has other problems. One glaring issue is that we can trace it back, but when does the first domino actually fall if this extends back ad infinitum?

The Universe is Expanding

The Borde-Guth-Vilenkin (BGV) Theorem, among other points, proves that any universe which is expanding must have a past space-time boundary. In other words, if the universe is expanding, then tracing the expansion backwards brings us to a point where the expansion of space and time began. Thus the universe must have a beginning.

The Universe Has a Cause

The universe has a cause. To reiterate, this must be true if the premises are true, and we have established good reasons why they should be true. What can we infer about this cause?

The Cause is Spaceless, Timeless, Immaterial

Since the universe includes all space and time, the cause of the universe must exist beyond space, time and materials. The reason is that it is illogical for a cause to be part of its own effect. Something cannot cause itself. Some attempt to do logical and mental gymnastics, probably unknowingly, to get around the universe’s cause. However, it is logical and intuitive that the universe cannot cause itself.

The Cause is Powerful

The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed in a closed system. Think of the massive amount of energy in the universe. It is beyond comprehension. Furthermore, think of the transcendent cause, and how powerful this cause must be to create this universe.

The Cause is Personal

A case can be made that the cause is personal. The kinds of entities that we know that are timeless and without form are abstract objects, like numbers, and minds. Since abstract objects do not cause events, the cause must be a personal mind.

We see how we can make a case that this cause points us to the ultimate Heavenly Creator, God.

Conclusion

You may be thinking, wait, how did we get to God? We followed a philosophical argument that brought us to a conclusion that the universe must have a cause. We infer that the cause must be outside of the universe. Since it must be outside of the universe, there are certain characteristics about this cause that are apparent. A strong case, and I contend the best case for this cause is God, Himself. Conversely, arguments to circumvent God, will carry a hefty intellectual price tag. For example, arguments that propose that only universes have an inherent property to create themselves, even though nothing else does, are inherently circular as a cause cannot be contingent upon its effect. Moreover, they do not escape the fact that something is still coming from absolutely nothing.

Through this, I glory at the first words in the written Word, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…” This isn’t obsolete ancient mythology that carries no meaning. It is the timeless and unchanging Word of God that remains steadfast and endures, even amidst the scrutiny of scientific discoveries and the evolving landscape of human knowledge.

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