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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.
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