Systematic Theology (Vol 1) - Hodge - XV - Chapter 2 (Theism) continued

Required reading
Systematic Theology Volume 1 by Charles Hodge (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 2 (Theism) by reading up to the heading '5. The moral, or Anthropological argument.'
 
My summary
Today Hodge continues examining arguments for theism.

This week we only read Hodge's thoughts on the teleological argument.  He outlines the argument for us at the beginning of the reading: 'This argument also admits of being stated in a syllogistic form. Design supposes a designer. The world everywhere exhibits marks of design. Therefore the world owes its existence to an intelligent author. '

Then Hodge lists evidences of design in the world which indicate an intelligent designer.  There is design in:
(i) single biological organs;
(ii) the relation of one organ to another;
(iii) the adaptation of the organs to the instinct of animals;
(iv) the preapration for an event in the future by animals;
(v) vegetable organisms;
(vi) the adaptation of external nature to the necessities of animal and vegetable life;
(vii) all living creatures on the earth having organic relations;
(viii) the evidence that the earth was designed for man;
(ix) the cosmological arrangements.

Then Hodge answers various objections to the argument.

What grabbed me
Similarly to last week, I liked Hodge's statement about the existence of the universe: 'All these objections [to the teleological argument] take for granted the eternal existence of matter, and the eternity of physical forces. As these are, they must have existed from eternity, or have begun to be. If they began to be they must have had a cause outside of themselves. That cause cannot be nonentity. It must be a self-existing, eternal substance, having the intelligence, power, will, and benevolence adequate to account for the universe and all that it contains. That is, the cause of the universe must be a personal God. '

If the universe had a cause and did not always exist, that cause must be an intelligent being.

Next week's reading
Conclude Chapter 2 (Theism).

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