In the 1920s, the philosopher Cornelius Van Til developed and popularized an influential form of the Transcendental Argument for God (TAG). The TAG states God’s existence is necessary to explain and account for both morals and logic. It also states that any and all facts known through morality and logic have God as their necessary precondition.
God is both the starting point and the conclusion of the TAG. Neither morality nor logic are properly accounted for in a worldview devoid of God. The TAG underscores God as the necessary precondition for their existence and usefulness.
The Biblical philosophy of the Psalms and Proverbs is woven into the fabric of the TAG. For the Psalms and Proverbs clearly articulate belief in God as necessary for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Therefore, consider the TAG as one particular philosophy for how to argue.
- “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a ESV).
- “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding” (Psalm 111:10a ESV).
- “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7 ESV).
- “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints” (Proverbs 2:6-8 ESV).
Saint Augustine (AD 354 – 430) echoes a similar Biblical philosophy when he states, “Believe in order that you may understand” (Sermon 43). And with a conscious echo to Augustine, Saint Anselm (AD 1034 – 1109) states, “I believe in order that I might understand” (Proslogion 1). So whenever you ponder God’s existence, you are not alone in your quest for greater knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.
~Boethius ~