The Existence of God & the Beginning of the Universe

William Lane Craig is currently a research professor in philosophy at the Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California. This is one of Craig's earlier works, yet one of his best. Written especially for the nonbeliever and skeptic, Dr. Craig conveys some deep truths on a popular lay level. He begins with a philosophical discourse on what the meaning of life would entail in a universe devoid of God. He rightly asserts that life could contain no real significance or lasting value. The evil actions of men would go unpunished and the good acts of men would go unrewarded. Moral values would be utterly meaningless. Dr. Craig then embarks on a three pronged defense for the existence of God. He begins first with a philosophical argument for the beginning of the known universe with a discussion of the concept of actual verses potential infinites. He correctly concludes that an actual infinite could not exist apart from mathematics, due to the fact that we can visably observe series of events in the history of the universe. If an actual infinite did exist, then it would be impossible to add to it without it becoming a potential infinite. Thus, the universe had a definite finite beginning. Next, he discusses the scientific confirmation for the beginning of the universe. Here, he explores the concept of the "Big Bang" theory. Craig succeeds in proving that one can indeed believe in an eternal creator God and also attribute the "Big Bang" as a means used to create the universe. After having submitted both a philosophical and scientific argument for the ultimate beginning of all things, he punctuates his third premise with a theological treatise for the existence of a personal God who created the universe in which we live. He concludes this volume with a rigorous apologetic chapter on "knowing God." I would highly recommend this book to atheists, skeptics, and even Christians who would like to have intellectual reasons for faith. This would also be a good introduction to read before exploring Craig's more comprehensive work, "The Kalam Cosmological Argument." William Lane Craig is considered to be one of the top Christian apologists alive today. Craig is always a must read, but especially when he writes for a lay audience.