Abstract: The argument from temporal order (from the operations of laws of nature) is one form of teleological argument, expanded by Aquinas as his ‘fifth way’. God can make a universe subject to laws of nature, and has reason to do so in that only thereby can finite agents grow in power and knowledge. But it is extremely improbable that the universe would be governed by laws of nature if there is no God.

Keywords: argument from temporal order, Aquinas, laws of nature, Mackie, God, teleological argument,