The universe is vast, beautiful, and testifies to an undeniable truth: It has a Creator. Chance cannot explain such complexity. But sometimes atheists challenge the idea that “something cannot come from nothing” with the question, “Then, who created God?” That question implies that if we cannot explain “who created God?” then there is no need to believe in a Creator of the universe. Some theists roll their eyes at this question, considering it along the level of a schoolyard rebuttal. But it can’t be that easily dismissed, especially considering its prevalence on social media and in the arguments of such prominent atheists as evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. Dawkins presents that question/argument in “The God Delusion.” The pervasiveness of the question means that Christians should be ready to address it. What are some responses to this common challenge from atheists?
Atheist Objections to Theism: Who Made God
The Category Mistake with “Who Made God?”
One problem with the question is that it commits a logical fallacy called a category mistake. The Christian God, by definition, is uncaused. He is self-existent and outside of time and space. Thus, the question “Who made God?” is illogical. It’s like asking “What’s your bachelor brother’s wife’s name?” The words are presented grammatically, but the content is illogical.
To bring this out, you might answer the “Who made God?” question by asking the atheist to define what he means by “God.” Asking “How are you defining God?” can lead to a conversation that demonstrates the category error.
The Infinity Problem with “Who Made God?”
Another rebuttal is that infinite regress is impossible in real life, pointing to the necessity of an uncaused first cause. Infinity exists theoretically in higher math, but it cannot be instantiated in reality. German mathematician David Hilbert illustrated this in his “Hilbert’s Hotel” paradox. In other words, the buck must stop somewhere.
This problem with the concept of infinity is at the heart of the second premise in the Kalam Cosmological argument.
Even preeminent atheists have been forced to invent something as the ultimate first cause. For example, in trying to explain our fine-tuned universe without crediting a Creator, late atheist physicist Stephen Hawkings posited a “multiverse” whose source might be a “multiverse generator.” With that, Hawkings has merely substituted the “multiverse generator” for God.
In short, rational people understand that something cannot come from nothing. If it could, why doesn’t this happen every day?
Resources to Answer “Who Made God?”
You may want to explore those two rebuttals in more depth or learn about additional responses to the “Who made God?” question. Lord’s Library has compiled several resources to help you respond to that all-too-common question from atheists:
Who Created God? by John Lennox at the Veritas Forum
John Lennox is a professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, an internationally known speaker, and the author of several books on the interface of science, philosophy, and religion. In this video, Lennox is hosted by the Veritas Forum, an organization that has been “engaging the world’s leading colleges and universities with Christian perspectives and the relevance of Jesus” for more than two decades. This discussion with Lennox took place at UCLA in 2011.
What Caused God? by William Lane Craig
A leading Christian apologist, Craig has debated the preeminent atheists of our time. Here, in his usual clear, lucid style, Craig answers “What Caused God?” (As a bonus, he also discusses a related question: “Why Does God Exist?”)
Who Created God? by Got Questions
Got Questions is one of the most useful resources for getting quick, cogent answers to nearly any Biblical or Christian theological issue. Here, the Got Questions editors answer the question, focusing on the category mistake.
Worst Objection: Who Created God? by Inspiring Philosophy
Michael Jones is the founder and director of the non-profit apologetics/philosophy organization Inspiring Philosophy. Some of Jones’ videos have been featured in Lord’s Libraries’ recommendation lists before. In this video, Jones joins Eric Van Evans to discuss the inherent problems with the “Who created God?” question. Jones and Evans are among the philosophers who consider that question to be among the “worst” objections to a theistic worldview.
The GREATEST Objection to Theism EVER? by Cameron Bertuzzi & CosmicSkeptic
Cameron Bertuzzi is the founder of Capturing Christianity, an organization whose mission is to expose people to “the intellectual side of Christian belief.” Alex O’Connor, aka “Cosmic Skeptic,” is an atheist who hosts a popular YouTube channel by the same name. In this video, Bertuzzi and O’Connor examine the “Who made God?” question, discussing the inference behind the question, the different responses to it, and more.
Genesis 1:1 reveals the most important truth believers need to know about creation: “In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth.” For those who think that even the ‘beginning’ might need a “beginning,” the above resources can reveal the illogic of that notion. By God’s grace, these resources may help nonbelievers to conclude as the Bible says in Revelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11).
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