Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 - Shedd - XV - Chapter 3 Arguments for the divine existence

Required reading

Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 3 Arguments for the divine existence.

My summary

This week Shedd looks at the common arguments used to prove the existence of God.

After raising some cautions, Shedd outlines the:

(i) ontological argument;

(ii) cosmological argument;

(iii) teleological argument;

(iv) moral argument;

(v) historical argument.

The majority of time is spent defending Anselm's statement of the ontological argument from objections.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed how Shedd picked apart the objections to the ontological argument and saw some value in it: 'The ontological argument is of uncommon importance in an age tending to materialism, and to physical science. For it turns the human intellect in upon itself, and thereby contributes to convince it of the reality of mind as a different substance from matter.* The recent neglect of a priori methods, and over-valuation of a posteriori, is one of the reasons why matter has so much more reality for many men than mind. If an object is not looked at, it gradually ceases to be regarded as an object at all. When theorists cease to contemplate mental and moral phenomena, they cease to believe that there are any. The gaze of the physicist is intent upon the physical solely. Consequently, the metaphysical, or spiritual becomes a non-entity. Out of sight, it is out of mind, and out of existence, for him. Analyzing and observing matter alone, he converts everything into matter. The brain is the soul, and molecular motion is thought. What he needs is, to cultivate metaphysical in connection with physical studies; a priori, in connection with a posteriori methods; to look at mind as well as matter. In this way he gets a consciousness of mind, in distinction from the consciousness of matter.'

Out of sight, out of mind.  Sums up the attitude of a lot of people today!

Next week's reading

Commence Chapter 4 Trinity in unity by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'The rational proofs of the Divine unity are the following:' (page 258 in my edition).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.