Cosmological Argument

Note: Last Updated 7/29/2024.

Richard G. Howe:

     The Kalam Cosmological Argument. The kalam cosmological argument appeals to the latest findings in science to show that the universe had a beginning a finite time ago in the big bang. The argument says (1) the universe began to exist; (2) whatever begins to exist must have a cause; (3) therefore, the universe has a cause. In defense of the first premise, contemporary scientific data are marshalled regarding the big bang theory, the expansion of the universe, and the second law of thermodynamics.

     In the big bang theory, scientists maintain that the universe began in a colossal explosion a finite time ago. The significance of this is that since the universe has not existed from eternity, it must have come into existence in the finite past. The expansion of the universe says that every object in the universe is moving away from every other object such that even space itself is expanding. The significance of this is that the universe could not have been expanding from eternity; otherwise, it would be infinitely dispersed (which it is not). Therefore, the universe came into existence a finite time ago. The second law of thermodynamics says that all isolated systems will tend toward a state of maximum disorder (entropy). In an isolated system, the amount of energy available to do work decreases and becomes uniform. This amounts to saying that the universe is running down (much like the batteries of a flashlight left on for an extended period of time). The significance of this is that the universe could not have been running down from eternity; otherwise, it would have run down by now—which it has not. Therefore, the universe came into existence a finite time ago.

     Since the universe came into existence and because whatever comes into existence must have a cause, based on the law of causality, then the universe must have had a cause. Since this cause created matter, it must be immaterial. Since this cause created time, it must be timeless. Since this cause created space, it must be spaceless. For if any of these finite conditions (space, time, and matter) were part of the cause, it would be tantamount to saying the cause caused itself to be, which is absurd, for this would require the cause to exist prior to causing its own existence. Since this cause created the universe, it must be of unimaginable power. Because the effect of this cause (the universe) has not existed forever with the cause, this cause must have willed it to exist, which means it is personal. Thus, we have an immaterial, timeless, spaceless, personal cause of unimaginable power. Many people recognize this cause as God.

(Richard G. Howe, “What are the Classical Proofs for God’s Existence?” In: The Harvest Handbook of Apologetics, ed. Joseph M. Holden, [Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2019], pp. 83-84.)

καὶ αὐτός ἐστιν πρὸ πάντων καὶ τὰ πάντα ἐν αὐτῷ συνέστηκεν ~ Soli Deo Gloria