Tentatively Christian; looking for a reasonable discussion

[Esquilax]

Where in history are you placing its origin? I see "Kalam" written all over Plato's argument for the soul in Laws Book X:

Somewhere in the 9th century, according to my research, though the argument was based on earlier works like Aristotle's prime-mover. I don't particularly take issue with the argument's historical location, so much as I do the reason that it exists; the language added to the standard cosmological argument, aside from being loaded with yet more assumptions, does nothing but allow the argument to escape from the obvious defeater the original had. It's a variant argument made without basis or research, solely to avoid a pitfall that was discovered with the first attempt. It's basically a moving goalpost in argument form.

In fact..perhaps he could be called...a 'Chronic Masterdebater'.

Well, I do often leave my debates with theists feeling chafed and spent...