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== The Principle of Contingent Causation proves Almighty God: a Thomistic approach. New Article on my site ==

== The Principle of Contingent Causation proves Almighty God: a Thomistic approach. New Article on my site ==

"The Principle of Contingent Causation proves Almighty God.

'''"The Principle of Contingent Causation proves Almighty God.'''

12 June 2023|13. Eternal Father.

12 June 2023|13. Eternal Father.

If God did not exist, nothing would exist. See below.

If God did not exist, nothing would exist. See below.

Here is a simple syllogism every believer/devotee of God the Father Almighty might use: (inspired by Saint Thomas Aquinas, so credit to him. Pray for us, Brilliant Saint).

Here is a simple syllogism every believer/devotee of God the Father Almighty might use: (inspired by Saint Thomas Aquinas, so credit to him. Pray for us, Brilliant Saint).

Logical Proof I of God's Nature and Attributes: From Contingency and Necessity:

'''Logical Proof I of God's Nature and Attributes: From Contingency and Necessity:

 

Now, the first thing that occurs to any being that begins to exist, after it is conscious of its existence, and reflects on it, is that it itself is a contingent being, meaning (1) it could possibly not exist, and (2) it will one day cease to exist. These are hallmarks of contingent beings. Examples include you, me, our parents, trees, animals, the Universe etc.

Now, the first thing that occurs to any being that begins to exist, after it is conscious of its existence, and reflects on it, is that it itself is a contingent being, meaning (1) it could possibly not exist, and (2) it will one day cease to exist. These are hallmarks of contingent beings. Examples include you, me, our parents, trees, animals, the Universe etc.

Here is how Saint Thomas formulates it: "The third way is taken from possibility and necessity, and runs thus. We find in nature things that are possible to be and not to be, since they are found to be generated, and to corrupt, and consequently, they are possible to be and not to be. But it is impossible for these always to exist, for that which is possible not to be at some time is not. Therefore, if everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing in existence. Now if this were true, even now there would be nothing in existence, because that which does not exist only begins to exist by something already existing. Therefore, if at one time nothing was in existence, it would have been impossible for anything to have begun to exist; and thus even now nothing would be in existence — which is absurd. Therefore, not all beings are merely possible, but there must exist something the existence of which is necessary."  

Here is how Saint Thomas formulates it: "The third way is taken from possibility and necessity, and runs thus. We find in nature things that are possible to be and not to be, since they are found to be generated, and to corrupt, and consequently, they are possible to be and not to be. But it is impossible for these always to exist, for that which is possible not to be at some time is not. Therefore, if everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing in existence. Now if this were true, even now there would be nothing in existence, because that which does not exist only begins to exist by something already existing. Therefore, if at one time nothing was in existence, it would have been impossible for anything to have begun to exist; and thus even now nothing would be in existence — which is absurd. Therefore, not all beings are merely possible, but there must exist something the existence of which is necessary."  

Let's formulate the syllogism in modern language for today's readers:

Let's formulate the argument in modern language for today's readers:

(1) Every being in existence could not possibly exist contingently, otherwise we are faced with many absurdities, including that of a series that never ends, as well as the possibility that at one time nothing at all existed. But if nothing at all ever existed, even now nothing would exist, because nothing has no creative power. Ex Nihil, Nihil Fit. Out of nothing, nothing comes. Therefore, we can conclude for certain that One Being exists necessarily.

(1) Every being in existence could not possibly exist contingently, otherwise we are faced with many absurdities, including that of a series that never ends, as well as the possibility that at one time nothing at all existed. But if nothing at all ever existed, even now nothing would exist, because nothing has no creative power. Ex Nihil, Nihil Fit. Out of nothing, nothing comes. Therefore, we can conclude for certain that One Being exists necessarily.

(2) Now, if One Being exists necessarily, we can then proceed to deduce several properties of this Powerful Being. (N.B. St. Thomas, in the interests of completeness, proceeds to refute many possible objections, including those most modern readers probably would not make. I think it's fair to straightforwardly go into these attributes/qualities of the Almighty).  

(2) Now, if One Being exists necessarily, we can then proceed to deduce several properties of this Powerful Being. (N.B. St. Thomas, in the interests of completeness, proceeds to refute many possible objections, including those most modern readers probably would not make. I think it's fair to straightforwardly go into these attributes/qualities of the Almighty).  

First Property of God: God exists eternally and not temporarily, for He is Necessary, not Contingent:

'''First Property of God: God exists eternally and not temporarily, for He is Necessary, not Contingent:

 

The proof of this is very evident. If God existed temporally, then at one time (either before or after Him), He would not exist. And this is contrary to the Nature of His Necessary Existence, which we proved above. Therefore, God as the Necessary Being exists eternally, i.e. without beginning and without possible end. This already resembles the God of traditional revelation. And we have come thus far by pure logic, without appealing to the Bible or revealed texts.

The proof of this is very evident. If God existed temporally, then at one time (either before or after Him), He would not exist. And this is contrary to the Nature of His Necessary Existence, which we proved above. Therefore, God as the Necessary Being exists eternally, i.e. without beginning and without possible end. This already resembles the God of traditional revelation. And we have come thus far by pure logic, without appealing to the Bible or revealed texts.

Second Property of God: God's Power is not limited (for such contingencies would be contrary to the Nature of His Necessity) but unlimited, in other words, God is Almighty and All-Knowing, for otherwise there would be contingencies in His Being.

'''Second Property of God: God's Power is not limited (for such contingencies would be contrary to the Nature of His Necessity) but unlimited, in other words, God is Almighty and All-Knowing, for otherwise there would be contingencies in His Being.

 

Now, it is evident that a Being that could cause all other beings ultimately to exist (by setting in motion the chain of causation) has at least some Power and Knowledge. The question we are asking is, does He have complete Power and complete Knowledge, or only partial?

Now, it is evident that a Being that could cause all other beings ultimately to exist (by setting in motion the chain of causation) has at least some Power and Knowledge. The question we are asking is, does He have complete Power and complete Knowledge, or only partial?

The answer: if God had limited Power, but one that could conceivably increase (or decrease), it would clearly follow that there were contingencies in His Being, like in yours or mine. You or I, being contingent beings, can always grow stronger or more knowledgeable, but this is impossible in a Necessarily Existent Being. Therefore, there being no contingencies in God admitting of any possible increase in His perfections, and granting that there is at least some power and knowledge in God (for the reason mentioned earlier), it clearly follows that God is unlimited in Power and Knowledge, without possible increase." [[User:NishantXavier|NishantXavier]]^{[[User talk:NishantXavier|For Christ the King]]} 22:15, June 12, 2023 (EDT)

The answer: if God had limited Power, but one that could conceivably increase (or decrease), it would clearly follow that there were contingencies in His Being, like in yours or mine. You or I, being contingent beings, can always grow stronger or more knowledgeable, but this is impossible in a Necessarily Existent Being. Therefore, there being no contingencies in God admitting of any possible increase in His perfections, and granting that there is at least some power and knowledge in God (for the reason mentioned earlier), it clearly follows that God is unlimited in Power and Knowledge, without possible increase." [[User:NishantXavier|NishantXavier]]^{[[User talk:NishantXavier|For Christ the King]]} 22:15, June 12, 2023 (EDT)