God's Existence
The Teleological Argument
Psalm 8:3-4
S3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your
fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4 What is man
that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?
NKJV
The teleological argument is based upon a different type of assumption, namely that science has shown us the universe is an orderly design, not a mass of confusion and chaos. This argument is based upon the results of our experience. The easy example used by man is that of the watch and the watch maker. If you were to discover a watch on the beach or in the woods, you would conclude someone made the watch.
The universe, the earth, the systems of earth, are all like the watch. They are orderly and they function (more or less) systematically and orderly. Therefore, one should conclude the existence of a designer or creator of the universe. This master creator or architect is God. The existence of intelligence, purpose, and harmony in creation all point to the ultimate Creator. The alternative is chance. While some might argue for such a conclusion, the odds of all the order and purpose of the universe are too great to support an argument against the existence of the Creator.
In logical form, the teleological argument goes:
- Design assumes a designer.
- The universe shows evidence of complete design in its every function.
- Therefore, there is a designer (God).
Note, as indicated earlier, this is an argument from experience. Man has experienced the design of the universe and uses this experience to prove God. The next couple of arguments are also based upon experience.