The document discusses different philosophical positions on the nature of reality - pluralism, which asserts that multiple beings exist, and monism, which argues that all of reality is a single being. It states that theism would take the position of pluralism by asserting that both God and the natural world exist as separate beings. It then provides an overview of several common cosmological, teleological, ontological, moral, and anthropic arguments for the existence of God.

1. PowerPoint Prepared byPowerPoint Prepared by
Mark E. Hardgrove, DMin, PhDMark E. Hardgrove, DMin, PhD

2.  Pluralism asserts that more than one beingPluralism asserts that more than one being
exists.exists.
 Monism argues that all reality is one—that oneMonism argues that all reality is one—that one
and only one being exists.and only one being exists.
Which position would theism take?Which position would theism take?
Why?Why?

3.  Pluralism asserts that more than one beingPluralism asserts that more than one being
exists.exists.
 Monism argues that all reality is one—that oneMonism argues that all reality is one—that one
and only one being exists.and only one being exists.
Which position would theism take?Which position would theism take?
Why?Why?

4. Cosmological Argument: HorizontalCosmological Argument: Horizontal
FormForm
1. Everything that had a beginning had a cause1. Everything that had a beginning had a cause
2. The universe had a beginning2. The universe had a beginning
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3. Therefore, the universe had a Cause3. Therefore, the universe had a Cause

5. Cosmological Argument: Vertical FormsCosmological Argument: Vertical Forms
Argument from ContingencyArgument from Contingency
The Argument from ChangeThe Argument from Change
Present Dependence of the PartsPresent Dependence of the Parts

6. Teleological ArgumentTeleological Argument
1. All designs imply a designer1. All designs imply a designer
2. There is a great design in the universe2. There is a great design in the universe
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3. Therefore there must have been a3. Therefore there must have been a
Great Designer of the UniverseGreat Designer of the Universe

7. Ontological ArgumentOntological Argument
1. If God exists, we must conceive of Him as1. If God exists, we must conceive of Him as
a Necessary Being;a Necessary Being;
2. But by definition, a Necessary Being2. But by definition, a Necessary Being
Cannot not existCannot not exist
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3. Therefore, if a Necessary Being can exist,3. Therefore, if a Necessary Being can exist,
then it must exist.then it must exist.

8. Moral ArgumentMoral Argument
1. Moral law implies a Moral lawgiver1. Moral law implies a Moral lawgiver
2. There is an objective moral law2. There is an objective moral law
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3. Therefore, there is an objective Moral3. Therefore, there is an objective Moral
LawgiverLawgiver

9. Anthropic ArgumentAnthropic Argument
The more scientists learn about the Universe,
the more they are prone to speak of “the
anthropic principle.” The term “anthropic”
derives from the Greek word anthropos,
“man,” hence the expression suggests that
the Universe in general, and our solar
system in particular, appears to have been
specially designed for human existence.

10. Anthropic Argument: ExamplesAnthropic Argument: Examples
(1)(1)The Sun’s temperatureThe Sun’s temperature
(2)(2)The Earth is situated the rightThe Earth is situated the right
distance from the Sundistance from the Sun
(3)(3)The Earth’s position relative to theThe Earth’s position relative to the
SunSun
(4)(4)The Earth’s axisThe Earth’s axis
(5)(5)The Moon’s influence upon the oceansThe Moon’s influence upon the oceans
(6)(6)The Earth’s atmosphereThe Earth’s atmosphere