The Case for an Eternal Being

Science & philosophy prove the material universe had a beginning. Therefore an eternal being must exist.

The universe had a beginning

Science claims the universe started with a Big Bang

Since we’ve already ruled out the possibilities that there was ever a time when nothing existed, we now look at the remaining possibilities that either the material universe always existed or that some transcendent being responsible for creating the universe has always existed. This question is not as hotly debated as it once was before scientific advances have concluded that there was a time, 13.8 billion years ago, when the universe began.

The Big Bang theory is now the prevailing cosmological model which explains the existence of the observable universe. This theory is supported by several of the following key observations:

1. Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB): Discovered in 1965, the CMB is the thermal radiation left over from the time of recombination in Big Bang cosmology. It provides a snapshot of the infant universe, supporting the idea that the universe was once in a hot, dense state.
2. Hubble’s Law and Redshift: Edwin Hubble’s observations in the 1920s showed that galaxies are moving away from us, with their light shifted towards the red end of the spectrum. This redshift indicates that the universe is expanding, suggesting it was once much smaller and denser.
3. Abundance of Light Elements: The Big Bang nucleosynthesis theory predicts the proportions of light elements (hydrogen, helium, and lithium) formed in the early universe. Observations of these elements’ abundance in the universe align with predictions, supporting the Big Bang model.
4. General Relativity: Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity provides a framework for understanding the dynamics of the universe. Solutions to Einstein’s equations, such as the Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker metric, describe an expanding universe that began from a singularity.

Science seems to have answered the question of how the universe began. But the question of why it could happen appears to be off-limits for science. The philosophers and theologians should be the ones to answer this question, according to the scientists. The reason is clear. Some unexplained force outside of the observable universe had to act first before the Big Bang could occur.

As Newton’s first Law of Motion states, a body at rest will remain at rest unless an outside force acts on it, and a body in motion at a constant velocity will remain in motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an outside force. In either case, an outside force must exert itself to explain the beginning of the universe. A necessary eternal being or essence must be the cause of this outside, transcendent force.

Philosophy claims there must have been something that started the universe

Aristotle first advanced the concept of the “unmoved mover” as being the primary cause of all motion in the universe. The unmoved mover moves other things, but it is not itself moved by any prior action. St. Thomas Aquinas further explains that things move, or change. Since nothing moves itself, everything that is moved must be moved by another. If that which causes the motion is itself being moved, then it must be moved by another. This process cannot go on to infinity. Therefore, there must exist a first unmoved mover, which people call God.

Aristotle’s argument logically proceeds as follows:

1. Motion and Change: Aristotle observed that everything in the universe is in a state of motion or change. This includes not only physical movement but also changes in state, quality, or condition.
2. Chain of Causes: For any motion or change to occur, there must be a cause. Aristotle proposed that every motion is caused by a preceding motion, leading to a chain of causes.
3. Avoiding Infinite Regress: To avoid an infinite regress of causes (where each cause is dependent on a prior cause ad infinitum), Aristotle posited the necessity of a first cause. This first cause must itself be uncaused and not subject to motion or change.
4. The Unmoved Mover: The “unmoved mover” is this first cause. It is an entity that initiates motion without itself being moved or changed. It is pure actuality, without potentiality, meaning it is fully realized and does not undergo change.
5. Necessary Conclusion: The existence of the unmoved mover is necessary to explain the presence of motion and change in the universe without falling into an infinite regress. It serves as the ultimate cause of all motion and change, providing a foundation for the existence and order of the cosmos.

The logical argument for a Creator

Let’s summarize our argument for a Creator.

How a former atheist evaluated the evidence for God’s existence

Former atheist Lee Strobel, who arrived at this end result many years ago, has commented, “Essentially, I realized that to stay an atheist, I would have to believe that nothing produces everything; non-life produces life; randomness produces fine-tuning; chaos produces information; unconsciousness produces consciousness; and non-reason produces reason. Those leaps of faith were simply too big for me to take, especially in light of the affirmative case for God’s existence … In other words, in my assessment the Christian worldview accounted for the totality of the evidence much better than the atheistic worldview.”

The first verse of the Bible confirms our conclusion. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

Discover more about God and our relationship to Him

For a listing of other posts about God’s existence and His nature, go to our Posts Directory web page. These posts are listed by major topic for your convenience.

But, if you’re now ready to know what your relationship is before God, Ask yourself two very important questions. First, are you sure that you’ll go to heaven when you die? Secondly, are you certain why God should let you into heaven? If you don’t know for sure, you can settle that matter today. Visit my post, How to Begin Your Life Over Again and you’ll know where and how you’ll spend eternity.

And for crystal clear YouTube presentations of the gospel message from several trusted sources, click here.