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Proofs of God’s Esixtence

By Sean Martin
John Paul II Generation

The faithful can know the Holy Spirit “in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 688). The saints were heroic men and women who have inspired many, continued God’s work of salvation, and through their good works have revealed the Holy Spirit to the faithful. One particular saint that has continued God’s work of salvation through his gift of intelligence is Saint Thomas Aquinas. Some called him the “dumb ox” and now he is known as the “Angelic Doctor”, St. Thomas Aquinas is one of the greatest theologians in the Catholic Church. We celebrate his feast day on January 28. Through Saint Thomas Aquinas God revealed many truths about Himself and His creation to us. Saint Thomas was able to use God’s gifts in profound ways that would affect the hearts and minds of many throughout the ages. He wrote many works, most notably the Summa Theologica. In this work for beginners in theology, he systematically presents the mysteries of our Catholic faith in a question and answer format which included topics such as: the Trinity, angels, Mary, the sacraments, and moral acts. Many today, young and old, have some of the same questions that St. Thomas Aquinas answers in his Summa Theologia.

What are some proofs for God’s existence?

Many philosophers and theologians throughout the centuries have come up with various arguments for God’s existence. St. Thomas Aquinas is famous for his five proofs for God’s existence which can be found in the Summa Theologica part I question 2 article 3. Many people have simplified them in syllogisms, logical and easy to understand arguments.

The first proof for God’s existence is an argument through motion. Things are in motion in the world. Things that are in motion must be put into motion by another. There cannot be an infinite regress of movees and movers. There must be an unmoved mover. This unmoved mover we call God.

The second proof is an argument from the nature of the efficient cause of things. In the world we find an order of causes. All causes are caused by another. It is not possible to have an infinite regress of causes. There must be a first cause of everything. This uncaused cause we call God.

The third proof is argued from the realm of possibility and necessity. In the world we see contingent beings. If everything is contingent, then there would be a time where nothing would have been in existence, and there would be nothing in existence now. But we know that is not true, therefore there is a necessary being that is not contingent upon another being. That necessary being we call God.

The fourth proof is an argument of maximum greatness of something. Some things are more and some things are less. Whatever is more of something it receives its fullness from the thing that is the greatest, such as fire being the greatest heat. There is a maximum greatest being that is the source of all perfection. This perfect great being we call God.

The fifth proof is argued from the governance of the world. There are things in the world which lack intelligence for an end, such as the arrow shot to its mark by the archer. Things that act for an end must be directed by a being with intelligence and knowledge. There must be an intelligent being that directs all natural things to their end. This intelligent being we call God.