In Step 1 on the path to theism, I explained that the word “God” is correctly defined as the Supreme Being and Ultimate Reality, meaning something that exists to the greatest degree.
The second step on this path involves accepting an argument for the existence of a Supreme Being. There are many such arguments. Here’s one:
- Premise 1: If a Supreme Being (or Ultimate Reality) exists, then it must be something that exists to the greatest degree.
- Premise 2: Something that exists to the greatest degree must be a self-existent necessary condition for all beings.
- Conclusion 1: So if a Supreme Being exists, then it must be a self-existent necessary condition for all beings.
- Premise 3: One self-existent necessary condition for all beings does exist, namely the fact of Existence Itself.
- Conclusion 2: So one Supreme Being exists, namely the fact of Existence Itself.
Premise 1 merely states the meaning of Supreme Being as something that exists to the greatest degree. We could replace Supreme Being with Ultimate Reality and make the same argument.
Premise 2 identifies the greatest possible degree of existence. Something with maximum existence would require at least two unique attributes:
First, it must be self-existent, meaning that it doesn’t depend for its existence on anything other than itself. Self-existence is a greater degree of being than contingent existence. So something with maximum existence cannot be contingent.
Second, it must be a necessary condition for all beings, meaning that all beings depend on it for their existence. Something cannot have maximum existence if there are other realities that exist independently of it. So it must be that reality without which nothing else could exist.
Conclusion 1 logically follows from premises 1 and 2. Supreme Being = something that exists to the greatest degree = a self-existent necessary condition for all beings.
Premise 3 answers the key question: is there any such being or reality? Yes, there’s one. The self-existent necessary condition for all beings is the first fundamental fact that existence exists—that there’s anything at all instead of total nonexistence. In short, it’s the fact of Existence Itself.
Conclusion 2 logically follows from conclusion 1 and premise 3. Existence Itself is the Supreme Being.
At this point, a skeptic may accept this argument yet object that this philosophical notion of Existence Itself as the Supreme Being seems quite unlike the personal God described in the Bible and worshiped by Christians. But is it?
In Exodus (the second book of the Bible), when the prophet Moses asks for God’s name, God reveals three alternative versions: “I AM,”“I am the one who is,” and YHWH, which means “He who is” or “He who causes to be.” With these name variants, God declares that he is the self-existent source and sustainer of all beings. He is Being Itself.
Still, the biblical God seems to have some significant attributes (especially an intellect, a will, and feelings) that are not immediately apparent in the Supreme Being argued here. So I will address the role of these and other attributes in future steps on the path to theism.
Read Next:
Understanding Seeking Faith 