Are Theistic Arguments Convincing

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Are Theistic Arguments Convincing

In the philosophy of religion, different people have relayed varied arguments regarding the existence of God and the kind of God in whom people should believe. Theistic arguments provide plausible arguments regarding the existence of God. However, such suppositions have been considered to possess incomplete evidence that would assist people to believe in the authenticity of a particular God. They fail to eliminate the burden of proof despite seeking significant reference and information from epistemology, ontology and the theory of value. Discussions regarding the existence of God and his authenticity began years ago posing cosmological arguments. Such arguments were actualized by Plato and Aristotle, who were philosophers categorizing information as metaphysical, logical, and empirical. Theists believe in the existence of God as the creator and sustainer. God should not be understood as an entity in the society. Although theist arguments regarding the existence of God are questionable, they prove to be convincing, particularly regarding the reasonability of belief.

            The theist approach towards the existence of God is entirely convincing under the three religions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. God is viewed in different perspectives as relayed by different scholars building on existing evidence regarding the reasonableness of God as supreme and eternal. A theistic conception of God establishes several characteristics that affirm God’s believability (Evans 33). While some people may consider such features intricate to the development of belief, others may argue on their lack of credibility, particularly from a philosophical perspective. Nonetheless, they stress the worthiness of God as the supreme object of religious fidelity. The philosophy of religion achieves the objective of emphasizing God’s ultimate position through shedding light on his power, goodness, and knowledge.

            Theistic approaches towards affirming the existence of God is through his expression of greatness. Theists believe that God is infinite and unlimited in his power. God’s omniscient and omnipotent state renders him the only supernatural and most influential person. This power is limited to things that are logical and rational that concentrates on accentuating his dominance among his creation. Elucidating the unlimited and infinite power, that God possesses claiming that his ability to be morally perfect builds better understanding among believers and non-believers regarding his credibility (Crisp et al. n.p). Theists argue that God is morally perfect as seen in his ability to deny people moral free will that would allow them to exceed the extremes of humanity and display God’s senseless nature of cruelty and inconsideration. Attempting to manage his characteristics through establishing restrictions on behavior are likely to appeal differently to believers and non-believers.

            God’s existence has been supported by theist arguments regarding his sense of power and unlimited nature in his necessity for existence. Theists identify that God’s existence cannot be challenged by other living species, therefore necessitating his presence. While seeking to understand the believability of God, the philosophy of religion relays that God’s existence is logically necessary and in some cases supported by his independence. Therefore, although God’s nonexistence is logically possible, his existence is factually necessary, as he is unchallengeable. Philosophers approach this from a different perspective arguing that God is self-existent (Evans 48). This implies that he cannot be constrained by the conditions that limit the performance and abilities of other species. This is supported by ontological positions that reflect on the conceivability of God’s existence in reality other than in perception. It implies accepting the notion that God is the greatest possible being as interpreted by the mind.

            Theists seek to accentuate the personal nature of God through inferring his perfectionist approach towards creation. The story of creation reveals extensive information regarding God’s power, knowledge, and moral perfection. His ability to do things, intelligence, and perfection based on the deeds, intentions, and thoughts relayed throughout the creation process reveal his ultimate existence. For instance, the natural world possesses a purposive and systematic structure implying that its cause, in this case, God must be intelligent (Evans 60). Any aspect of existence at the current situation can be attributed to God’s will. This is supported by teleological theist arguments that most entities act towards an end. God’s unlimited nature can be seen in his ability to create animals with the ability to reproduce for purposes of continuity. Evidently, God’s creation is meant to survive the passage of time. All activities carried out during creation were considerate of the concept of order and value relaying the immense design capabilities of an eternal God.

            Theist arguments regarding the immutability of God incline highly to the position that he is a perfect being. Perfect beings need to possess and display an utter sense of stability that quantifies credible and visible, particularly to believers and non-believers. A Christian perspective towards change covers issues related to the attitudes, beliefs, and character, physical, emotional, and psychological aspects (Crisp et al. n.p). Mortal beings and other world species experience the life cycle that ends with death and decomposition. However, an essential concept that defines believability among theists is the separation of God from such a life cycle. God’s character and purpose, particularly for human beings does not change but are modified based on personal experiences. Believers would not like to serve an unwavering God who unwillingly changes his position under contingent circumstances. Consistency in character along with other features provides sufficient evidence for belief in God.

            While attempting to determine the reasonableness of God’s existence, philosophers often evaluate the truth in theist approaches and later establish the most believable religion. This implies pursuing the existence of God and identifying whether he reveals himself to people through unique events (Evans 38). It implies evaluating the self-authenticating observances of God’s Holy Spirit as well as mystical witnessing that reflects authentic communion with God. Direct approaches towards accepting the existence of God is through understanding the scripture as well as analyzing divine inspirations (Crisp et al. n.p). Although they may provide inference on the reality of God’s existence, they are applicable as a more superior approach on the level of practical inference and hypothesis formation.

            Theists provide coherent arguments regarding the existence of God drawing significance from the concepts and characteristics that he possesses. Definitions and analysis of such characteristics have been critically analyzed to eliminate any inconsistencies onto the believability of existence of God. This has increased the nature of criticism associated with God’s existence regarding the burden of proof. The information provided has been supplemented by ontological, cosmological, teleological and moral arguments with others possessing radical differences. Nonetheless, the convincing nature of each argument is based primarily on the rationality of essential premises that may not be considered self-existent or inherently certain. It provides an avenue where believers and non-believers can delve deeper into understanding the nature and doings of God to acquire sufficient knowledge to accept his existence. In some cases, direct experience of God is likely to increase the nature of faith and belief in his existence expanding on the concept of natural theology.

Works Cited

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Crisp, Oliver, Marilyn, Adams McCord, Kevin, Diller and Douglas, Hedley. “Roundtable Discussion on Faith and Reason.” YouTube, uploaded by Center for Philosophy of Religion, 28 May 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IXqtU2x6bE.

Evans, Charles S. Philosophy of Religion: Thinking About Faith. IVP academic, 2009.

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