Just and Sinner Podcast Why Did Christian Apologists Stop Using Classical Arguments for God's Existence?
Sep 12, 2025
Dive into the fascinating decline of classical arguments for God's existence among evangelical apologists. Explore the historical shifts influenced by Enlightenment critiques and how skepticism redefined philosophical discussions. Discover Aquinas' five proofs, focusing on motion and causation, and their relevance today. Unpack the transition to classical theism and its implications for modern theology, revealing a revival of interest in these foundational concepts amidst contemporary challenges.
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Classical Arguments Need Classical Metaphysics
- Thomas's Five Ways rely on act/potency and realist metaphysics that many modern listeners don't share.
- Without that metaphysical groundwork the Five Ways seem inaccessible or ineffective today.
Prepare Audiences Before Using Thomistic Proofs
- Lay philosophical groundwork before presenting Thomistic proofs so audiences grasp act/potency and causality.
- Build that foundation first to make the Five Ways comprehensible and persuasive.
Aquinas' Five Ways Summarized
- Aquinas' Five Ways: motion, efficient causation, contingency, gradation, and teleology give layered arguments for a necessary, unmoved source.
- Each relies on classical distinctions like act/potency, primary/secondary causality, and objective standards.
