Yahweh vs. Zeus Part 1: Setting Up a Research Program

Apparently a few of my fine dialogue partners from the atheist camp have a recurring fascination with Zeus. In particular they are interested in why I, as a Christian, accept the existence of the triune deity of Christian faith but not a panoply of other gods including the ancient Greek pantheon.

The problem seems to be one of slippery slope. How do I justify accepting the god of the Christian faith but reject Zeus and every other god? This is a good question, and I'll begin to formulate a response here.

To begin with, we should be clear on how we define the term "god". I follow Anselm in defining the term "god" as "that being than which none greater can be conceived." This definition provides a powerful heuristic model to explore the concept of deity and then seek whether it is exemplified in the world. Interestingly, I have informally polled dozens of people who would count themselves as theists both inside and outside the major monotheisms and all have either agreed with the definition or at least conceded its intuitive force.

This means that if there is a god, then he (yes, I'll use masculine pronouns with all the attendant provisos) will exemplify all the attributes of perfection, and none of the attributes of imperfection. (Put another way, this being will exemplify the maximal set of compossible great making properties.)

This basic, intuitive definition of the concept "god" provides the grounds for a research program. From there, the next step is to consider whether it is possible that such a being exists. I take it that the property of existing necessarily (that is, in all possible worlds) is superior (more perfect or greater) than existing contingently (that is, in some possible worlds but not in others).

Interestingly, this means that if it is possible that God exist, then it is necessary that God exists: more simply, if it is possible that God exists, then he exists. Since I have not encountered any adequate arguments to demonstrate that it is impossible that a being than which none greater can be conceived could exist, it follows that such a being necessarily exists.

The next step is to consider whether a particular deity could be considered to be identical with that greatest possible being. And that's the topic for the next post...