R.C. Sproul

It means that something would have to exist before it existed, which is to say it would have to exist and not exist at the same time in the same relationship.

So we know

that this can't be true.

So that reduces the options to an eternally self-existent universe or a universe that is created by something that is self-existent.

Now, what have we discovered already?

Even at this point, have we accomplished anything?

We believe in a God who is self-existent, eternal being.

And people are saying the notion of a self-existent, eternal being is absurd.

We say, hey, wait a minute.

You know, not only is it not absurd, there's nothing irrational about a self-existent eternal being, formally considered.

You know, that doesn't contradict anything.

Now, the question is, does such a thing exist?

That's what we're arguing about.

Not only is it formally valid, but is there such a thing as a self-existent eternal being?

That's the whole issue.

And if we've eliminated this...

we've got ourselves a self-existent eternal being.

Now, then you have to deal with the man who says, oh yes, okay, I see that something has to have existed eternally.

Something has to be self-existent, but we'll call it the universe.

Now we move the argument completely out of the formal realm of logic.