Cosmological Argument / Argument from Contingency

1. The universe is contingent: It is an effect that could only be brought into existence by a separate cause.

2. If the cause of the universe is contingent, it must be caused by a separate cause, etc.

3. Causation must have a starting point in a first cause that is necessary.

4. The only necessary cause is God.

5. Therefore, God is the cause of the universe. (Causal Argument, 1-4)

6. If an effect exists, then its causes must exist.

7. Therefore, if the universe exists, then God must exist. (Barbara, 5, 6)

8. The universe exists.

9. Therefore, God exists. (Modus Ponens, 7, 8)