Course Overview

The doctrine of creation out of nothing, or creatio ex nihilo, is the teaching that God made the universe of his own free choice out of absolute nothingness. Being able to defend this truth will help you engage several different kinds of people who are critical of the Catholic faith.
Course Overview

You can do this!

Creation Out of Nothing contains 18 short, easy-to-watch video segments, so you can study at your own pace.

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Skills covered in this course:

Trent Horn will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to defend this important doctrine. Here's some of what you'll learn:

  • How to make the case for a divine creator

  • Why creation from nothing is necessary for understanding God

  • Biblical evidence for creation from nothing

  • How to answer Atheist arguments against a First Cause

  • Evidence for design in “fine-tuning”

  • Multiverses and “creation from nothing”

Meet Your Instructor

  • Trent Horn

    Instructor

    Trent Horn

    After his conversion to the Catholic faith, Trent Horn earned master’s degrees in the fields of theology, philosophy, and bioethics. He serves as a staff apologist for Catholic Answers, where he specializes in teaching Catholics to graciously and persuasively engage those who disagree with them.

Course curriculum

  • 1
    Creation Out of Nothing?
    • Download the Study Guide
    • Lesson 1: Introduction to Creation Out of Nothing FREE PREVIEW
    • Quiz: Introduction to Creation Out of Nothing
    • Lesson 2: Philosophical Evidence for Creation Out of Nothing
    • Quiz: Philosophical Evidence for Creation Out of Nothing
    • Lesson 3: Defending the Causal Principle
    • Quiz: Defending the Causal Principle
    • Lesson 4: Objections to the Causal Principle
    • Quiz: Objections to the Causal Principle
    • Lesson 5: Quantum Physics and Causation
    • Quiz: Quantum Physics and Causation
    • Lesson 6: Scientific Evidence for a Finite Past I
    • Quiz: Scientific Evidence for a Finite Past I
    • Lesson 7: Scientific Evidence for a Finite Past II
    • Quiz: Scientific Evidence for a Finite Past II
    • Lesson 8: Philosophical Evidence for a Finite Past
    • Quiz: Philosophical Evidence for a Finite Past
    • Lesson 9: Objections to the Philosophical Evidence
    • Quiz: Objections to the Philosophical Evidence
    • Lesson 10: The Kalam Argument and the Nature of Time
    • Quiz: The Kalam Argument and the Nature of Time
    • Lesson 11: Is God the Cause of the Universe?
    • Quiz: Is God the Cause of the Universe?
    • Lesson 12: Issues Related to Divine Causation
    • Quiz: Issues Related to Divine Causation
    • Lesson 13: Evidence for Design
    • Quiz: Evidence for Design
    • Lesson 14: The Fine-Tuning Argument
    • Quiz: The Fine-tuning Argument
    • Lesson 15: What About the Multiverse?
    • Quiz: What About the Multiverse?
    • Lesson 16: New Testament Evidence for Creation Out of Nothing
    • Quiz: New Testament Evidence for Creation Out of Nothing
    • Lesson 17: Old Testament Evidence for Creation Out of Nothing
    • Quiz: Old Testament Evidence for Creation Out of Nothing
    • Lesson 18: Patristic Evidence for Creation Out of Nothing
    • Quiz: Patristic Evidence for Creation Out of Nothing
  • 2
    Next Steps
    • List of Recommended Reading

Reviews

Here's what people are saying about Creation Out of Nothing

  • Excellent course in Apologetics

    Patrick Yeager

    I was excited about this course because I use this type of Apologetics when I am talking with non-believers and polytheists alike. I wish we could have gone ...

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    I was excited about this course because I use this type of Apologetics when I am talking with non-believers and polytheists alike. I wish we could have gone deeper into the BGV theorem as it applies to the Cosmological Argument and it's tendency to refute aspects of both String theory as well as Quantum Theory for the creation of the Universe. All in all I loved the way Trent covered the material and the flow of the material covered is spot on. I especially loved the end with the addition of the patristic fathers, again wish we could go deeper.

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  • Beginning Apologetics Creation Out of Nothing

    Bryan DiGirolamo

    Awesome!! Absolutely Amazing!! I learned so much that will help me in my defense of God to the science community.

    Awesome!! Absolutely Amazing!! I learned so much that will help me in my defense of God to the science community.

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  • Very Comprehensive

    Stephen Hertz

    This course does a good job of presenting the various arguments about creation in laymens's terms. Its both enjoyable and educational.

    This course does a good job of presenting the various arguments about creation in laymens's terms. Its both enjoyable and educational.

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  • Lots of information

    Jason Liptow

    I enjoy listening to Trent Horn and reading his books so I took this mini-class. It was far more than I expected. It was full of useful information to use ...

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    I enjoy listening to Trent Horn and reading his books so I took this mini-class. It was far more than I expected. It was full of useful information to use to defend the Catholic faith but also to buttress our own beliefs and faith in God according to our faith. Superb course.

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  • Creation Out of Nothing

    James Kolan

    Like all the SOA courses I have taken, this one does not disappoint. Trent Horn both educates you on the major issues and prepares you to discuss the issues...

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    Like all the SOA courses I have taken, this one does not disappoint. Trent Horn both educates you on the major issues and prepares you to discuss the issues on creation ex nihilo with those who may disagree with the Church's teachings. Thanks Trent, SOA, and Catholic Answers!

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  • Creation Out of Nothing has a wealth information.

    Allan Fearon

    Covers all aspects of ex nihilo scientific, philosophical and theological in a clear and understanable way.

    Covers all aspects of ex nihilo scientific, philosophical and theological in a clear and understanable way.

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  • Very cerebral and foundationally important to understand ...

    Robert Culp

    Trent Horne is an amazing resource and inspiration

    Trent Horne is an amazing resource and inspiration

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  • Compelling Evidence

    Sara McLaughlin

    This course contained clever analogies and a clear, concise explanation for the Church's insistence that God created the universe "ex nihilo." Some of the c...

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    This course contained clever analogies and a clear, concise explanation for the Church's insistence that God created the universe "ex nihilo." Some of the comments included made by physicists and cosmologists were truly fascinating since they provide the best avenue for bringing up this topic with non-believers. This course provides an overwhelming amount of thought-provoking information, including provocative responses to common objections.

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