The Principle of Causality
The principle of causality is a fundamental concept in both philosophy and science. It states that every effect must have a cause. This principle leads many to ask: If everything in the universe has a cause, then what caused God?
God: The Uncaused Cause
The Bible presents God as the uncaused cause, the eternal being who exists outside the constraints of time and space. In Revelation 1:8, God declares, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End." This statement underscores God's eternal nature—He is the source of all things but Himself has no origin.
Scriptural Evidence of God's Eternity
1. Psalm 90:2: "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." This verse emphasizes God's existence before the creation of the world and His eternal nature.
2. John 1:1-3: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." This passage highlights that God, specifically through the person of Jesus (the Word), existed before all creation.
Addressing Common Queries
1. If Everything Has a Beginning, How Can God Be Eternal?
This question arises from a misunderstanding of the nature of God. Unlike the universe and everything in it, God is not bound by time or space. He is eternal, having no beginning or end. Isaiah 40:28 states, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth."
2. What Does It Mean for God to Be Outside of Time?
God's existence outside of time means that He is not subject to the temporal limitations that govern the physical universe. 2 Peter 3:8 explains, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." This verse illustrates that God's perspective on time is vastly different from ours.
Philosophical and Theological Perspectives
The Cosmological Argument
The cosmological argument, particularly the version known as the Kalam Cosmological Argument, is often used to explain God's existence. It posits that:
1. Everything that begins to exist has a cause.
2. The universe began to exist.
3. Therefore, the universe has a cause.
This cause, proponents argue, must be uncaused, timeless, and powerful—attributes that align with the biblical description of God.
The Concept of Necessary Being
Philosophers like Thomas Aquinas have argued that God is a "necessary being"—a being whose existence is required for the existence of everything else. This contrasts with "contingent beings," whose existence depends on something outside themselves. God's necessary existence means He must exist and cannot not exist, as articulated in Exodus 3:14, where God says to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM."
God's Self-Existence (Aseity)
The doctrine of divine aseity refers to God's self-existence. He depends on nothing outside Himself for His existence. Acts 17:24-25 supports this: "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else."
Practical Implications of God's Eternity
Trust in God's Sovereignty
Understanding God's eternal nature helps believers trust in His sovereignty. Because God exists outside of time, He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). This means that nothing surprises Him, and His plans are perfect.
Assurance of Eternal Life
God's eternal nature also assures believers of eternal life. John 3:16 promises, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." The eternal God offers eternal life to those who believe in Him.
Conclusion
Understanding God's nature as the uncaused cause answers the profound question of His origin. The Bible consistently portrays God as eternal, existing outside the limitations of time and space. He is the necessary being on whom all contingent existence relies, underscoring His unique and unparalleled nature. His self-existence, or aseity, demonstrates that He depends on nothing outside Himself.
These truths, supported by numerous scriptural references, offer a profound understanding of God's eternal nature. By grasping these concepts, believers can deepen their faith, trust in God's sovereign plans, and find assurance in His promise of eternal life. This understanding not only enriches our spiritual knowledge but also provides a firm foundation for living a life aligned with His eternal purposes.
