One of the goals of Apologetics is to deal with the objections that people have regarding the existence of God. For the next several weeks, we will be listing some of these objections and the arguments that address them. The below article addresses the misunderstanding non-theists have about the principle of causality and how it relates to God:
Contradictions from Causality. Many non-theists misunderstand the principle of causality. They assume the principle insists that “every thing has a cause.” If this were true it would follow that one should never stop seeking a cause, even for God. However, the principle should not be stated: “Every being has a cause.” Rather, it is “Every finite, contingent being has a cause.” In this way there is no contradiction between a First Cause, which is not contingent, and the principle of causality, which holds that all finite beings need a cause. Once one arrives at an infinite and necessary being, there is no need to seek a further cause. A necessary being explains (grounds) its own existence. It exists because it must exist. It cannot not exist. Only what can not exist (namely, a contingent being) needs an explanation. To ask of a necessary being why it exists is like asking why necessity must be necessary, or why circles must be round.
Geisler, N. L. (1999). In Baker encyclopedia of Christian apologetics (pp. 288–289). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
