J. Budziszewski made a great summary of the cosmological argument for God’s existence. He wrote, “Anything which might not have been requires a cause. Philosophers call such things ‘contingent beings.’ But the universe…is itself a contingent being, so the universe must have a cause. Now if we say that the cause of the universe is another contingent being, we merely invite an infinite regress. For the regress to have an end, we must eventually reach a being which is not contingent but necessary—not something which might not have been, but something which can’t not be. Furthermore this necessary being must be sufficient to cause its effects, and so it must have all of the qualities traditionally ascribed to God: Eternity, power, and all the rest.”
July 20, 2009
God’s existence is necessary
Posted by Jason Dulle under Apologetics, Cosmological Argument, Theistic Arguments[5] Comments
Thinking to Believe 
July 21, 2009 at 9:33 am
Hi Jason,
I think that my name should be familiar to you considering the fact that we are currently exchanging emails concerning Acts 20:7.
If I may say, you are quite distinguished looking. You wear the beard and the eye glasses well. I , too, wear glasses, and sometimes I grow a beard. My wife doesn’t appreciate it when I decide to grow a beard. Ah, the sacrifices of marriage!
Jason, I’d like to comment on your answer to the question, “What About Soul-Sleep,” which I found on the website, “INSTITUTE FOR BIBLICAL STUDIES.”
In the sixth paragraph of your answer which begins with the words, “When Paul speaks of this earthly tent being destroyed,….” you go on to say, “For those who believe in soul sleep, there will never be a conscious moment of the believer apart from a bodily existence, because he sleeps after he dies, and awakes in the same body he died in, at the resurrection.”
My comment is this: You do a pretty decent job of explaining Soul-Sleep in your article called, “Post-Death Existence of Man–Intermediate State,” which I found on the website, “INSTITUTE FOR BIBLICAL STUDIES.” However, your answer to the question, “What About Soul-Sleep,” is incorrect in regard to your statement that “….and awakes in the same body he died in, at the resurrection.”
Jason, we who understand the Scriptures to teach Soul-Sleep DO NOT BELIEVE that the dead in Christ are going to awake in the same body that they died in. No! This is incorrect.
The Bible says in 1 Cor. 15:53, “this mortal must put on immortality.” This mortal what? This mortal body that sleeps in the dust of the earth must be changed from mortal to immortal at the second coming of Christ. No change to our mortal body – No hope of everlasting life!
When this change takes place, the Apostle says, “then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O DEATH WHERE IS THY STING? O GRAVE WHERE IS THY VICTORY? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor.15:54-57)
These words of the Apostle accord perfectly with his words found Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Thank you for allowing me to comment.
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July 21, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Gary,
Yes, I recognize your name. I’m not sure why you chose to make comments here about a paper I wrote on a different website–a paper that has nothing to do with the topic of this post. You have my email address. Why not email me about it?
With that said, the short answer is that I am making an identity statement. The body that will be resurrected will be your body. But of course, your body will be changed in the resurrection from corruption to incorruption.
Jason
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July 22, 2009 at 10:08 am
Hi Jason,
I realized after that I should have not posted my comment on this particular site. Sorry! From henceforth I shall post my comments on the appropiate website.
Yours Truly,
Gary V.
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July 27, 2009 at 4:50 pm
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have more “open mic” threads so people like Gary can comment without interrupting the topic.
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July 28, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Arthur,
You really like those open mics, don’t you! Soon and very soon….
Jason
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