Reflections on the Cosmological Argument

I have studied various forms of the Cosmological Argument over the last few weeks and the simplest one is R.C. Sproul Jr's. Things do exist. I cannot deny my own existence without affirming it. Explanations are:1) The universe created itself. 2) The universe is eternal or 3) The universe was created by something eternal with self existence inherent it it's very being.
The first explanation is a logical contradiction since in order to create itself, the universe had to exist and not exist at the same time which is a logical absurdity. Even God cannot create himself. God cannot lie, die or contradict Himself.He cannot make Himself, much less can the universe make itself. The second explanation is the sticking point. Many Atheists claim today the universe is eternal. Ones that I have talked to think that is most logical since, they will not believe in a Holy God who is Lord over them, and they know that something cannot come from nothing so they are left with an eternal universe. Unfortunately, they have fled from one absurdity to embrace another one. The universe shows no signs of eternality. All things are dependent, contingent, temporary and limited. Nothing has shown self-existence as an inherent property of its essence. Everything in the known universe has been caused to come into existence. What the atheist is saying is that there is an infinite chain of finite causes that extend back into eternity. This is really pushing self creation back into eternity. Without any first cause that is uncaused, that is self existent, there is nothing to ground the chain to get it started. St.Thomas Aquinas pointed that out convincingly in the 13th century. Every effect or event must have a sufficient cause. The cause of the universe must come from a Self-Existent Being with natural attributes that correspond to the Triune God of the Holy Bible. God must be all powerful, all Wise, and everwhere to not only bring the universe into existence but to sustain it and sovereignty rule over it.
Explantion 3) is the answer to where did the universe come from. God has revealed Himself in the natural order to all mankind and convincingly so that all mankind is without excuse. St. Paul states the argument in Romans chapter one.


18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Men can understand this evidence and is accountable to God because Scripture states it and for the fact man is made in God's image and has the capacity to think logically and rationally, understands cause and effect and has a basic reliablity of sense perception. These three incontrovertible principles of knowledge is the basic epistemological argument which I will discuss in a few weeks.