7. The Argument from Contingency

"The basic form of this argument is simple.

1. If something exists, there must exist what it takes for that thing to exist. 
2. The universe- the collection of beings in space and time- exists.
3. Therefore there must exist what it takes for the universe to exist. 
4. What it takes for the universe to exist cannot exist within the universe or be bounded by space and time.
5. Therefore what it takes for the universe to exist must transcend both space and time."  (Handbook of Catholic Apologetics, pgs. 65-66)

For example- you are a being limited by space and time. You are limited and changing and you are dependent on things outside yourself for existence.  Not your parents and grandparents- they may not be alive now but you are.  You are dependent upon things to exist right now such as air.  You exist because other things you depend on exist.  This is to be contingent. 

"But not everything can be like this.  For then everything would need to be given being,but there would be nothing capable of giving it."  (Handbook of Catholic Apologetics,pg. 66)  There must be something that does not exist conditionally, something that is existence by its very nature.  This being would then be unchanging- for to change requires something outside of yourself.  Therefore the universe cannot be existence itself; there must be a Giver of existence outside of time and space.