Existence of God proof study outlines/Cosmological proof outlines

Outline for Gleanings, sec. 82, p. 162[edit]

I. As to thy question whether the physical world is subject to any limitations
- A. The comprehension of this matter dependeth upon the observer himself
- B. In one sense, it is limited
- C. In another, it is exalted beyond all limitations
II. The one true God hath everlastingly existed, and will everlastingly continue to exist
III. His creation, likewise, hath had no beginning, and will have no end
IV. (Proof)
- A. All that is created, however, is preceded by a cause
- B. (The universe is created)
- C. (The universe is preceded by a Cause)
  - 1. This fact, in itself, establisheth, beyond the shadow of a doubt, the unity of the Creator

Reference in Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 144[edit]

"When the eyes of the people of the East were captivated by the arts and wonders of the West, they roved distraught in the wilderness of material causes, oblivious of the One Who is the Causer of Causes, and the Sustainer thereof, while such men as were the source and the wellspring of Wisdom never denied the moving Impulse behind these causes, nor the Creator or the Origin thereof. Thy Lord knoweth, yet most of the people know not."

Outline for Tablet to Auguste Forel, par. 20[edit]

I. In fine, that Universal Reality with all its qualities and attributes that we recount is holy and exalted above all minds and understandings
II. Motion without a motive force, and an effect without a cause are both impossible
III. Every being hath come to exist under numerous influences and continually undergoeth reaction
- A. These influences, too, are formed under the action of still other influences
- B. For instance
  - 1. Plants grow and flourish through the outpourings of vernal showers
  - 2. The cloud itself is formed under various other agencies and these agencies in their turn are reacted upon by still other agencies
  - 3. For example, plants and animals grow and develop under the influence of what the philosophers of our day designate as hydrogen and oxygen and are reacted upon by the effects of these two elements; and these in turn are formed under still other influences
- C. The same can be said of other beings whether they affect other things or be affected
IV. Such process of causation goes on, and to maintain that this process goes on indefinitely is manifestly absurd
V. Thus such a chain of causation must of necessity lead eventually to Him who is the Ever-Living, the All-Powerful, who is Self-Dependent and the Ultimate Cause
- A. This Universal Reality cannot be sensed, it cannot be seen
- B. It must be so of necessity, for it is All-Embracing, not circumscribed, and such attributes qualify the effect and not the cause

Outline for Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, sec. 21.9, p. 49[edit]

I. Furthermore, although all created things grow and develop, yet are they subjected to influences from without
- A. For instance
  - 1. The sun giveth heat, the rain nourisheth, the wind bringeth life, so that man can develop and grow
  - 2. Thus it is clear that the human body is under influences from the outside, and that without those influences man could not grow
- B. And likewise, those outside influences are subjected to other influences in their turn
- C. For example
  - 1. The growth and development of a human being is dependent upon the existence of water, and water is dependent upon the existence of rain, and rain is dependent upon the existence of clouds, and clouds are dependent upon the existence of the sun, which causeth land and sea to produce vapour, the condensation of vapour forming the clouds
  - 2. Thus each one of these entities exerteth its influence and is likewise influenced in its turn
II. (All things must have a cause)
III. (The chain cannot go on indefinitely)
IV. Inescapably then, the process leadeth to One Who influenceth all, and yet is influenced by none, thus severing the chain
- A. The inner reality of that Being, however, is not known, although His effects are clear and evident