Day 18 – the atheist’s nightmare: a finite universe
[T]he universe itself is the ultimate explainer. –ANTONY FLEW
An eternal universe is thus one route atheists take to discredit the Argument from Design. They claim that the Argument from Design would not apply to a universe that is eternal and self-sustaining. There would be no need for a Creator if the universe was never created, no need for a Designer if the universe was eternally designed, no need for God the Sustainer if the universe is self-sustaining. On this “ultimate” universe, as Flew describes it, all atheists pin their hopes.
On the other hand, a universe with a definite beginning is a real dilemma for atheists. They know all too well that a finite universe begs the existence of God, for such a world as ours could not arise on its own and keep itself running. If the universe is not eternal, they find themselves in irrational quicksand with only two options of rescue available: they can embrace the Argument from Design and begin to believe in God, or they can continue to deny Him while searching elsewhere for ways to counter the believer.
In other words, they could reconsider or retreat.
Daily Quotation
Antony Flew and Thomas B. Warren, The Warren-Flew Debate (Jonesboro, Ark.: National Christian, 1977), 241.
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