Unveiling God's Design: Lesson 3
Arguments for God's Existence: The Teleological Argument
Introduction
The teleological argument, also known as the argument from design, postulates that the order and complexity in the world are best explained by an intelligent designer. This argument finds its roots in the observation of the natural world and asserts that the intricacies and purposefulness evident in nature point to the existence of a divine Creator. Romans 1:19-20 (ESV) supports this view: “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”
Philosophers and theologians such as William Paley, who famously illustrated the argument with his watchmaker analogy, have long supported the teleological argument. Paley argued that just as a watch, with its intricate workings, implies a watchmaker, so too does the complexity of the universe imply a divine Creator. I once heard Norman Geisler suggest that if you walked along the beach and saw a bunch of shells arranged in such a way that spelled, “I Love You,” you wouldn’t walk away believing nature is amazing, but that someone had arranged them in that fashion. That is a simplistic analogy of the teleological argument, but it makes the point. As we will learn below, the universe around us – from the smallest parts of the human cell to the greatest galaxies are incredibly complex, yet ordered in such a way, that one must at least seriously consider that there is a Designer behind it all.
Strengths of the Teleological Argument
1. Order and Complexity: The natural world exhibits an intricate order and complexity that suggests purposeful design.
2. Anthropic Principle: The conditions necessary for life are so precise and finely-tuned that they suggest intentional calibration by an intelligent designer.
3. Irreducible Complexity: Certain biological systems are so complex that they could not have evolved incrementally; they must have been designed as complete systems.
Norman Geisler explains that the teleological argument is a causal argument, reasoning from the intelligent nature of the effect (the world) to an intelligent cause (God). This argument hinges on the principle of causality, borrowed from the cosmological argument, which asserts that every effect must have a cause.
Addressing Objections
1. Evolutionary Counterargument: Some argue that natural selection and random mutations can account for the complexity of life without the need for a designer. However, the concept of irreducible complexity, as articulated by Michael Behe, challenges this view by demonstrating that certain biological systems cannot function if any part is removed, implying they could not have evolved piece by piece.
2. Multiverse Theory: The multiverse theory posits that there are countless universes with varying conditions, and we just happen to be in one that supports life. Critics of this theory, like William Lane Craig, argue that it lacks empirical evidence and that positing an infinite number of unobservable universes to avoid the implication of design is less prudent than accepting a single intelligent designer.
3. Problem of Evil: The presence of evil and suffering is often cited as a challenge to the teleological argument. However, Alvin Plantinga’s Free Will Defense suggests that God allows for the possibility of evil to enable genuine free will, which is necessary for a meaningful relationship between God and humanity. It is not required that we know what God’s reasons are for this allowance for Plantinga’s defense to defeat the objection.
Key Principles
1. The Order and Complexity of the Universe: The intricacies of nature point to an intelligent designer rather than random chance.
2. The Anthropic Principle: The precise conditions necessary for life indicate purposeful creation. This has sometimes been referred to the “Goldilocks Principle” in that conditions for life on earth are “just right.” If they were off by the smallest of degrees, in one direction or the other, life could not have taken place.
3. The Principle of Causality: The existence of a designed world implies a designer, reinforcing the connection between creation and Creator.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Romans 1:19-20 support the idea that creation reveals God’s attributes?
2. What aspects of nature declare the glory of God according to Psalm 19:1-4?
3. In Acts 17:26-27, how does Paul argue that God can be known through his creation?
4. What does the creation account in Genesis tell us about the intentionality of God’s work? (Genesis 1-2)
5. How does God’s questioning of Job highlight the intricacies of creation? (Job 38:4-7)
6. What does Isaiah 40:26 say about God’s role in the creation and sustaining of the stars?
7. How does Colossians 1:16-17 describe Jesus’ role in creation?
8. How does Proverbs 3:19-20 describe God’s wisdom in creation?
9. How does faith help us understand the creation of the world? (Hebrews 11:3)
10. What does John 1:3 tell us about the involvement of the Word (the Divine Logos) in creation?
11. Read Revelation 4. How does worship in heaven reflect on God’s act of creation?
12. How does Ephesians 2:10 connect the idea of God as a Creator with our purpose?
Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection
1. How does the order and complexity of the universe influence your belief in God?
2. In what ways does the anthropic principle strengthen your faith?
3. How do you reconcile the existence of evil with the idea of a purposeful design by a loving God?
4. What are some personal experiences where you’ve seen evidence of God’s design in your life?
5. How can Christians effectively use the teleological argument in conversations with non-believers?
6. What role does the Bible play in shaping your understanding of the teleological argument?
7. How does the idea of an intelligent Designer influence your daily actions and decisions?
8. In what ways can the beauty of creation deepen your worship and relationship with God?
9. How can you incorporate the truths of the teleological argument into your personal evangelism efforts?
Action Steps
1. Reflect on Creation: Spend time in nature, reflecting on the complexity and beauty of God’s creation. Journal your thoughts and how they point you to God. Next time you see a spider’s web or a beautiful flower, take time to observe its intricacies.
2. Study Apologetics: Engage with works by scholars like William Lane Craig and Michael Behe to deepen your understanding of the teleological argument. (This will be a recurring theme, but make sure to check out the bibliography at the end of the study guide.)
3. Share Your Faith: Look for opportunities to discuss the teleological argument with friends and family members who may be skeptical of God’s existence. Really listen to their thoughts, doubts, and objections and begin working on loving and kind ways to answer them thoughtfully, with dignity and respect.
4. Incorporate Creation in Worship: Use hymns, songs, and prayers that celebrate God as the Creator to enrich your personal and communal worship experiences. If the heavens declare God’s glory, that must at least suggest God has left us reminders that he is here and that our natural response should be to offer him our awe-filled praise, worship, and thanksgiving. (T.M. Moore has a wonderful book on “creational theology.”)
Conclusion
By bolstering your faith in the strong intellectual tradition of the teleological argument, you can become better equipped to engage confidently with our secular world, whether that environment is your own family, close friends, workplace, or community. Understanding that the order and complexity of the universe are profound indicators of a divine Creator should give us gratitude, but also embolden us to bear witness to our glorious God.