Reflections on the Ontological Argument: Part 1 of 4
As an apologetics teacher, I find the ontological argument for the existence of God to be one of the most challenging logical proofs to teach my students. Therefore, I appreciated that Unbelievable? brought together theologian, author, YouTuber, and President of Truth Unites, Dr. Gavin Ortlund, and Princeton PhD philosophy student and creator of Majesty of Reason, Joe Schmid, to discuss this fascinating topic. While I believe the general public finds this argument either difficult to grasp or unconvincing, I feel that practical variations of it can serve as valuable apologetic tools. I want to acknowledge that I am jumping into the ontological depths without the proper philosophical diving certification. Still, I hope you find the perspective of someone more comfortable wading in the apologetic tide pools equally enlightening.
I’ll begin by sharing a brief story to provide insight into my thinking. My favorite coffee drink is an Americano. For those unfamiliar with the caffeinated dark arts, an Americano is a blend of espresso and hot water. I grew up on a traditional diet of homemade and institutional drip coffee, but everything changed one bright summer day when I was home for a week and went for a walk with my mom. Halfway through our stroll, we stopped at her favorite espresso cart. I asked for a cup of coffee, expecting the usual drip variety, but was surprised when the barista offered me an Americano. I took a sip and was amazed; it was the best coffee I had ever tasted. Naturally, stopping at this particular espresso cart became a regular part of my routine whenever I visited my parents.
Sadly, my pilgrimages to the high priest of caffeine abruptly stopped when the cart went out of business. While this marked the end of the road for the Seattle Espresso Company, it became the starting point of my quest for the perfect cup of coffee. My journey began by buying an espresso machine and experimenting with every promising blend I could find. Unfortunately, that led to a dead end. So, I elevated my quest by purchasing a home coffee roaster, which gave me greater control over the process but still left me short of perfection. The journey, however, continues…
Nectar of the Gods
So, what does my coffee obsession have to do with the ontological argument? Let me explain;
The essence of Anselm’s argument is that God is a being than which none greater can be conceived. In other words, God is the greatest conceivable being because He embodies an intrinsic maximum beyond which nothing can be added and exists in both thought and reality. In its syllogistic form, it is expressed as follows:
P1. God is the greatest conceivable being (by definition)
P2. It is greater to exist in reality than the mind alone
P3. God exists in the mind
C1. Therefore, God exists in reality
My search for the perfect cup of coffee begins by envisioning an Americano than which none greater can be conceived. While some may dismiss this notion by pointing out that my ideal cup of coffee lacks an intrinsic maximum and doesn’t necessarily have to exist, I still believe this perfect coffee experience is out there, waiting to be found.
Interestingly, baristas often refer to the perfect espresso shot as a “God shot,” while coffee enthusiasts affectionately call their brew the “nectar of the gods.” Therefore, I am justified in asserting that the existence of a perfect cup of coffee has ontological significance. It turns out that coffee isn’t just a delightful hot beverage; it’s also an important addition to our apologetic drink menu.
Next time, we’ll explore why our hunger for perfection—whether in coffee, careers, or creation—may point to something far deeper than taste or ambition. Could our impossible standards be evidence of something (or Someone) beyond ourselves?
Erik Strandness is a physician and Christian apologist who practiced neonatal medicine for more than 20 years and has written three apologetic books. Information about his books can be found at godsscreenplay.com
