1. Universal Belief in the Existence of God
Historical and anthropological studies show that from time immemorial, people everywhere of all cultures and races have believed in a Supreme Being or in the existence of supernatural beings. If there is any race that tends to be an exception to this rule, we reason that just as normal eyesight is the natural endowments to living beings, blindness is accidental and an abnormality.
2. The argument from Cause (Cosmological Argument; Gk. “kosmos” = universe; world order)
If a certain house exists in the midst of the desert, then we instinctively conclude that there must be a builder. Just as the house cannot cause itself to exist, in the same way, this whole universe cannot exist by itself unless caused by the ultimate cause of everything who is God. “For every house is built by some one, but the builder of all things is God” Heb. 3:4.
“The world: starting from movement, becoming, contingency, and the world's order and beauty, one can come to a knowledge of God as the origin and the end of the universe” (CCC 32).
St. Augustine poses this challenge: “Question the beauty of the earth, question the beauty of the sea, question the beauty of the air distending and diffusing itself, question the beauty of the sky. . . question all these realities. All respond: ‘See, we are beautiful.’ Their beauty is a profession [confessio]. These beauties are subject to change. Who made them if not the Beautiful One who is not subject to change?” (St. Augustine, Confessions 1,1.)
3. The Argument from Design and End (Teleological Argument; Gk. “telos” = end)
A watch that is in one’s wrist does not only exist but it was designed by a designer. The universe believed by some atheistic scientists to have come to existence by a matter of chance, is well-ordered and intelligently designed. All scientific evidence and calculation, however, cannot prove that the universe came by chance or random. Many scientists today assert that this well-ordered universe was made only by an infinitely intelligent Being who is God.
In the same way, this infinitely intelligent being caused everything in existence to have a purpose, a goal, an end. The living and non-living things are related to support life and existence.
4. Argument from the Hierarchy of Beings (Ontological Argument; Gk. “on” = to be )
This is the argument advanced by St. Anselm of Canterbury in the 12th century against the monk Guanilo. “That in which nothing greater can be conceived of, must exist. God is that which nothing greater can be conceived of. Therefore, God exists”. We human beings always have an idea of an infinite or perfect being, whereby all beings participate in different degrees of perfection. That infinitely perfect Being is God.
5. The Moral Argument (Anthropological Argument; Gk. “anthropos” = man)
Man was created by God with intellect and will. “Let us make man in our own image and likeness” (Gen. 1:26). As such man is a moral being who judges what is right and what is wrong. Where does this judgment come from but from the moral Being who is the Lawgiver and Judge? Each man and woman is patterned after God.
6. The Life Argument
Life comes from life and the source of all life is the Supreme Being who is the author of life. “For with You is the fountain (source) of life” (Psalm 36:9). Jesus said to Martha whose brother Lazarus died, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). To His disciples he said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6). To his followers he assured, “And I give them eternal life” (John 10:28). Life could not evolve from the lifeless matter, no matter how much atheistic textbooks will endeavor to convince people, since that opinion cannot be proven by science itself.
7. Argument from Congruity
The philosophy of atheism is full of inconsistencies and multiplies doubts and unsolvable problems in life. Faith in the Supreme Being who created the universe in proper order gives us a holistic view of life and opens our minds to understand our ultimate purpose in life. While atheists confront life’s evils and sufferings without answers and hopes, believers encounter the same daily vicissitudes of life with rationally congruent answers and eternal hopes. Such is a colossal difference indeed.
8. Argument from creation
“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). The beauty and perfection of the whole creation only reflect the grandest beauty and perfection of God, just as a magnificent painting is produced by a magnificent artist.
“Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).The painting is not to be admired more than the painter who produced it.
9. Proof from Conscience
Conscience is the judgment of an action whether the act is good or evil. Non-Christians who, in the Old Testament times have not heard of the Law of Moses, and who in the New Testament times, have never heard of the Gospel of Christ, will be judged by God according to their God-given conscience. There is no escape from the all-knowing judgment of God for both believers an unbelievers.
When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them. (Romans 2:14-15 )
For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, (Acts 17:23-24)
10. God’s Existence is simply assumed by the Scriptures
Since widespread atheism was rarely heard of in the time immemorial, it is surprising to note that it was a human invention which started during the 18th century Enlightenment period when God was replaced by the Goddess of Reason. The 19th and 20th century, particularly, have shown the terrible bloodshed of millions of innocent lives sacrificed in the altars of Godless communism and atheistic materialism. Yet, this was not so in the very beginning of human existence. The scriptures simply assume God’s being and sovereignty even at the time of creation. “In the beginning, God… “(Gen.1:1). “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none that does good” (Psalm 14:1/53:1).
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