Science Provides the New ‘5 Ways’ for the Existence of God

Michie · May 3, 2024

‘God, the first principle and the end of all things, can be known with certainty from the created world by the natural light of human reason.’ (Vatican Council I)

St. Thomas Aquinas thought that “natural revelation” was accessible to all people everywhere and that it could be attained through reasoning and observation of the physical universe. On the other hand, he considered “special revelation” as knowledge that comes from God’s direct disclosure through means other than reason, such as the Scriptures. In this sense the knowledge of a unique God and Creator was a “prolegomenon for the faith” and it was within reach of any human being as part of the natural revelation. Hence to acquire that piece of knowledge it is not really necessary to have what we refer to as “faith” (which for example is needed to understand or believe in the Trinity of God).

The idea that “you can reach the knowledge of the existence of God” just by reasoning and observation is rooted in the Bible:

The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the works of his hands. Day unto day pours forth speech, night unto night whispers knowledge. There is no speech, no words; the voice is not heard; a report goes forth through all earth, their messages, to the ends of the world (Psalm 19).

Or if you prefer it in a slightly less positive tone:

The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness of those who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them. Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse; for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. While claiming to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:18-31).

I admit, I like the ending of this passage.

Still, some writers in the brilliant Middle Ages considered it a good idea to provide philosophical demonstrations of the existence of God based on logic. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote the famous “Five Ways.” Francisco Suarez reformulated them and St. Anselm left us his famous “ontological argument.” Just one of the Aquinas “ways” will convince any unbeliever of the existence of that what we call “God,” and surely the ontological argument of St. Anselm will make an impression on anyone who approaches it in good faith.

Continued below.