The Cosmological Argument for God

This article is the first in a series exploring arguments for the Christian faith. The cosmological argument, rooted in both philosophy and physics, seeks to demonstrate the necessity of a force—or being—that caused the universe to exist. This force is what we commonly refer to as “God.”

There are different versions of this argument. In this post, we’ll focus on a general philosophical view, particularly the well-known Kalam Cosmological Argument. This argument is especially compelling when speaking with skeptics who prioritize science, as it shows how scientific reasoning can actually support belief in God.

It’s essential to begin here—by establishing that there is a Creator. Once that foundation is in place, we can move on to deeper questions like: Is Jesus who He claimed to be? Does the Christian faith best represent the God of the universe? Without agreement on God's existence, discussions about morality, politics, or theology have no shared starting point.

What Is the Cosmological Argument?

The cosmological argument is a classical argument used in natural theology to reason for the existence of God. Britannica defines it this way:

“Cosmological argument: Form of argument used in natural theology to prove the existence of God. Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologiae, presented two versions of the cosmological argument: the first-cause argument and the argument from contingency.”

The First-Cause Argument:

This line of reasoning asserts that everything that begins to exist has a cause. If you trace causes back far enough, there must be a first cause—an uncaused cause that started everything. That cause, the argument concludes, is God.

The Contingency Argument:

This version focuses on the distinction between necessary and contingent beings. Contingent beings depend on something else for their existence. But not everything can be contingent, or else nothing would exist. Therefore, there must be a necessary being—one that exists by its very nature and gives rise to all else. This necessary being is what we call God.

To summarize from another explanation:

“The cosmological argument asserts that everything that exists has a cause. Since the universe exists, it must have a cause outside itself—commonly identified as God. Thomas Aquinas offered two key forms: the first-cause argument and the argument from contingency. Ultimately, the argument asks: Why is there something rather than nothing?”

A Physics-Based Perspective

Here’s another take on the cosmological argument—one I learned from a youth pastor who also taught physics. Though I’m unsure of the original source, the logic is compelling.

Think of the universe as consisting of three fundamental elements:

• Time
  
  
• Space (including dark matter)
  
  
• Matter
  
  

Everything we experience is composed of these three. If all of them had a beginning, then the cause of the universe must transcend them. That is, the cause must be:

• Timeless – not bound by time
  
  
• Spaceless – not existing within space
  
  
• Immaterial – not made of matter
  
  

This aligns remarkably well with how we define God: eternal, invisible, and beyond physical substance. While this doesn't identify which God exists, it supports the conclusion that some force or being outside our universe initiated it all—a being that people throughout history have referred to as “God.”

Conclusion

             This has been a brief introduction to the cosmological argument, and there’s still much more to explore. If this sparked your interest, I encourage you to dig deeper—read from philosophers, theologians, and scientists who have studied this topic extensively. Keep in mind that not everyone explains this argument the same way, so be open to different approaches and perspectives.

              Most importantly, I hope this helps you build a stronger foundation for your faith. If there really is a God, the next question we must ask is: Who is He?
And if He created us, what was His purpose?

Let’s keep seeking truth together.

— Glow Up Gospel