02 - The Existence of God

Ok, so we need to have faith. But faith in what? How can we even know whether God exists?

In this episode we unpack some of the main proofs for the existence of God.

This episode covers Part One, Section One, Chapter One of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

• The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pts. 26-49

• The Catechism in a Year, “Day 5: How We Know God”

• “Day 6: Knowing God with Certainty”

On arguments for the existence of God:

• William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith (Book)

• William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith (Website)

• Edward Feser. Five Proofs for the Existence of God, The Last Superstition, Aquinas.

• Peter Kreeft

• “Twenty Arguments for God’s Existence”. 

• Letters to an Athiest

• Handbook of Christian Apologetics

• Pints with Aquinas podcast: 

• 02: Do we need faith to know that God exists?

• 17: Is the ontological argument for God's existence sound?

• 07: Who created God?

• 30: Has science done away with the need for God? With Trent Horn

• 19: Give me an argument for the existence of God?

• 33: What’s the contingency argument for God’s existence?

• 56: What are the 4 causes of Aristotle? How do they apply to your 5 ways?

• 46: Can you explain your argument for God from design? With Dr Robert Delfino

• Responding to Hank Green’s objections to Aquinas’ 5 ways

• Why Ricky Gervais is wrong about God, knowledge, science, and religion, with Trent Horn

• Can Philosophy Prove the Beginning of the Universe?

• Ed Feser Responds to Richard Dawkins on Thomas’ 5 Ways

• Cameron Bertuzzi, Capturing Christianity Youtube channel.

On the argument from desire:

• Ted Chiang, “What’s Expected of us”, from Exhalation. (His other book, Stories of Your Life is also really worth reading - in my opinion it’s better than Exhalation.)

• C. S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy.

• St Thomas Aquinas

• Summa Contra Gentiles III.48. Another permutation of it appears in II.55.

• The Summa Theologiae 1.75.6

• The following quote from Kristin Lavransdatter, by Sigrid Undset: 

• "There is no one, Kristin, who does not love and fear God [...] For if a man knew no yearning for God and God’s being, then he would thrive in Hell, and we alone would not understand that he had found his heart’s desire. Then the fire would not burn him if he did not long for coolness, and he would not feel the pain of the serpent’s bite if he did not long for peace.”

On the argument from motion:

• Ok Go, “This Too Shall Pass - Rube Goldberg Machine - Official video.” YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w 

On the argument from design:

• Special Books by Special Kids (SBSK), Youtube channel. 

• Thomas Riedelsheimer’s documentary, Andy Goldsworthy: Rivers and Tides.

On the argument from morality:

• C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

• G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy.