THE FIRST CAUSE ARGUMENT FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD _______________ The argument for the existence of God being the first cause of the universe is a fundamental element to apologetics. The idea that things that begin to exist must have a first cause was introduced into Christian theology by the Dominican priest, theologian, and philosopher, Saint Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas wrote his argument for the existence of God by causation in his dissertation called the Second Way. The Second Way is part of the grouping called The Five Ways in which Aquinas lays forth five arguments to prove the existence of God. In his in his book “Summa Theologica” he states: “The second way is from the nature of the efficient cause. In the world of sense we find there is an order of efficient causes. There is no case known (neither is it, indeed, possible) in which a thing is found to be the efficient cause of itself; for so it would be prior to itself, which is impossible. Now in efficient causes it is not possible to go on to infinity, because in all efficient causes following in order, the first is the cause of the intermediate cause, and the intermediate is the cause of the ultimate cause, whether the intermediate cause be several, or only one. Now to take away the cause is to take away the effect. Therefore, if there be no first cause among efficient causes, there will be no ultimate, nor any intermediate cause. But if in efficient causes it is possible to go on to infinity, there will be no first efficient cause, neither will there be an ultimate effect, nor any intermediate efficient causes; all of which is plainly false. Therefore, it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause, to which everyone gives the name of God.” [1] The Second Way addresses the argument that God exists by the way of causation. In that, all beings that exist are due to an efficient cause. No being that exists is due to its own cause, it needs an external cause to bring it into existence the “efficient cause”. Aquinas then argues that this causal chain cannot be extend back into infinity. Aquinas, then posits the need for a first efficient cause not unlike Aristotle’s “unmoved mover”. However, Aquinas makes the connection between the first efficient cause and the Judeo-Christian God. [1] Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Part 1 (Fathers of the English Dominican Province, 2006) I, q.2, a.3. _______________ #grownostr #plebchain #Christianity #Bible #apologetics #philosophy If you enjoy my notes, please like, boost or follow! Zaps are always great too!

"1N73LL1G3NC3 15 7H3 4B1L17Y 70 4D4P7 70 CH4NG3." ~ 573PH3N H4WK1NG #grownostr #plebchain #science

“We are an impossibility in an impossible universe.” ~ Ray Bradbury #grownostr #plebchain #nostr #science #physics #apologetics If my notes bring value into your life please like, boost or follow! Zaps are always great too!

PASCAL’S WAGER _______________ Pascal's Wager is a philosophical argument presented by the French mathematician, philosopher, physicist, and theologian Blaise Pascal in the 17th century. It posits that human beings wager with their lives that God either exists or does not. Pascal argued that people can choose to believe in God or can choose not to believe, but the potential benefits of believing in God are so vast that it is rational to bet on theism. Pascal's Wager is a practical argument for belief in God that applies elements of game theory to show that belief in the Christian religion is rational. _______________ #grownostr #plebchain #apologetics #history #God If you find value in my notes and articles please like, boost or follow! Zaps are always appreciated!

Caravaggio, The Conversion of St. Paul, c. 1600-1601 #grownostr #plebchain #Christianity #paintings

FIVE NOTABLE BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS _______________ (1) The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the mid-20th century within a series of caves along the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea. They contain some of the earliest known copies of the Hebrew Bible and other Jewish texts.
 (2) The Nag Hammadi Library, discovered in 1945 hidden beneath a large boulder near the town of Nag Hammadi in Egypt. It contains a collection of early Christian texts within thirteen different volumes, including several lost Gnostic gospels.
 (3) The Tel Dan Stele, discovered in 1993, is a standing stone marker discovered in Tel Dan in the Upper Galilee in Israeli. On the stone is a Canaanite inscription that refers to the "House of David.” The stele provides evidence for the existence of the biblical King David. 
 (4) The Beit She'arim cemetery, excavated in 2022, contained an inscription on a grave marker referring to "Jacob the Proselyte.” A proselyte is a convert to Judaism usually from the Ancient Greek religion. The marker provides evidence for the existence of first century non-Jewish converts to Judaism in ancient Israel.
 (5) The discovery of a 10,500-year-old basket in 2021 within the caves along the Dead Sea. It is the oldest known basket in existence and is reminiscent of the baskets mentioned in the Bible, such as the one that held the baby Moses in Exodus and the basket from which Jesus fed the multitudes. _______________
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THE FINE TUNING OF THE UNIVERSE AND THE EXISTENCE OF GOD _______________ One of the strongest pieces of evidences for the existence of God is the apparent fine tuning of the universe. That is, the fine tuning that exists in numerous equations that govern physics. Take for instance the equation of Newton's Law of Gravitation. The Gravitational Constant  is the number in the equation the tunes the gravitational strength much like tuning a guitar. It's number determines the strength of attraction between two masses. The gravitational constant is tuned to such a degree that if gravity were stronger by 1 part in 10^40 (that is a 1 followed by forty 0s), the universe would be dominated by black holes and not stars. Making the universe inhabitable for life. This is a strong indication that the universe was created for life and not just an accident. The following video by Dr. William Lane Craig explains fine tuning in more detail. _______________ #grownostr #plebchain #physics #science #God If you find value in my notes and articles please like, boost or follow! Zaps are always appreciated!

WILLIAM BUCKLEY AND THE BUNYIP _______________ William Buckley was an escaped convict who lived with the Wathaurong aboriginal tribe in Australia for over 30 years in the early 19th century. During his time with the tribe, he encountered a creature known as the bunyip. According to Buckley's account, the bunyip was an "extraordinary amphibious animal" with grey feathers covering its back and about the size of a full-grown calf. Buckley also claimed that the bunyip was believed to have supernatural powers and was a common sight along the Barwon River. “He [the Bunyip] made his home in the deep waterholes and the rain forests, lurking in the gloom by day and roaming the earth by night during the time of darkness. He brought fear to the tribes, threatening to devour any human he might meet.” ~ William Buckley, The Life and Adventures of William Buckley, 1852 _______________  #grownostr #plebchain #cyptid #history If you find value in my notes and articles please like, boost or follow! Zaps are always appreciated! An illustration of William Buckley during his life with the aborigine tribes.

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“PRESERVATION OF FAVORED RACES IN THE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE” _______________ You never hear that subtitle for “The Origin of Species” written by Charles Darwin. The outward racist beliefs of Darwin are never talked about or mentioned when genuflecting to his evolutionary theories. His views grew roots in the fertile soil of hatred in the twentieth century and allowed for the extermination of our fellow man because of a self appointed superiority. “At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate and replace throughout the world the savage races. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes, as Professor Schaaffhausen has remarked, will no doubt be exterminated. The break will then be rendered wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilized state, as we may hope, than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as at present between the negro or Australian and the gorilla. ” ~ Charles Darwin, “Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex” “I could not have believed how wide was the difference between savage and civilised man… Viewing such men, one can hardly make oneself believe that they are fellow-creatures, and inhabitants of the same world. It is a common subject of conjecture what pleasure in life some of the lower animals can enjoy: how much more reasonably the same question may be asked of these barbarians!” ~ Charles Darwin, “Voyage of the Beagle” _______________ #grownostr #plebchain #nostr #evolution #philosophy If you find value in my notes, please like, boost or follow! Zaps are always great too!