Cosmological argument for God, from “The Great Doctrines of the Bible” by Evans

Notes: (1) “The Great Doctrines of the Bible” by Rev. William Evans, Ph.D., D.D. is a well-respected reference material for Bible students, pastors, missionaries and laymen. You can read the entire book from Google (click the picture of the book cover), or download the complete zipped e-book. (2) Surf to the index of lessons and online quizzes from Evans. (3) The most important ideas and statements from this part of Evans’ book are listed in the “Basic truths” section below.

The Argument from Cause: Cosmological.

When we see a thing we naturally ask for the cause of that thing. We see this world in which we live, and ask how it came to be. Is it self-originating, or is the cause of its being outside of itself? Is its cause finite or infinite?

That it could not come into being of itself seems obvious; no more than nails, brick, mortar, wood, paints, colors, form into a house or building of themselves; no more than the type composing a book came into order of itself. When Liebig was asked if he believed that the grass and flowers which he saw around him grew by mere chemical forces, he replied: “No; no more than I could believe that the books on botany describing them could grow by mere chemical forces.” No theory of an “eternal series” can account for this created universe. No matter how long a chain you may have, you must have a staple somewhere from which it depends. An endless perpendicular chain is an impossibility. “Every house is builded by some man,” says the Bible; so this world in which we live was built by a designing mind of infinite power and wisdom.

So is it when we consider man. Man exists; but he owes his existence to some cause. Is this cause within or without himself, finite or infinite? Trace our origin back, if you will, to our first parent, Adam; then you must ask, How did he come into being? The doctrine of the eternity of man cannot be supported. Fossil remains extend back but 6,000 years. Man is an effect; he has not always existed. Geology proves this. That the first Cause must have been an intelligent Being is proven by the fact that we are intelligent beings ourselves. (From “The Great Doctrines of the Bible” by Rev. William Evans, Ph.D., D.D.)

Basic truths

[1] “No theory of an ‘eternal series’ can account for this created universe. No matter how long a chain you may have, you must have a staple somewhere from which it depends. An endless perpendicular chain is an impossibility.”

[2] “Man exists; but he owes his existence to some cause.”

[3] “Man is an effect; he has not always existed.”

[4] “That the first Cause must have been an intelligent Being is proven by the fact that we are intelligent beings ourselves.”

Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Evidence for God, from Institute for Creation Research

• Everything Has a Cause
• The Effect Problem
• Time, Space, and Matter
• The Logical Implications
• God Caused Beauty
• God Caused Justice
• God Caused Love
• God Caused Meaning
• God Caused Order
• God Caused Time, Space, and Matter

ICR’s popular Acts & Facts free monthly news magazine contains articles and information of current interest dealing with creation, evolution, and related topics. Current and past issues can also be read, and you can sign up to receive future issues in the mail, all for free. Full versions of previous editions can be viewed online in PDF format.

[2] Does God Exist? by Jimmy Williams (also available in Spanish)

[3] Does God Exist? by Hampton Keathley IV

[4] Evidence For God's Existence by J. Hampton Keathley, III

[5] The Rationality of the Christian Worldview

[6] Materials by Ken Boa

• The Evolution Revolution: Naturalism and the Question of Origins
• No God at All: Western Humanism and the New Atheism

[7] Evidentialist Apologetics: Faith Founded on Fact

[8] Presenting Evidence That Demands a Verdict

[9] Classical Apologetics: It Stands to Reason

[10] Taking Every Thought Captive

[11] How I Know Christianity is True by Patrick Zukerian

[12] Survey of Bible Doctrine: God by Sid Litke

Note: This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials.