1 / 24 Trinity & Vocat: Unit 1: The Existence and Importance of God Options

Question 1

Natural & Supernatural revelation

Answer 1

The two fundamental ways of knowing God. The first is through reason, the second through divine revelation such as Scripture.

Question 2

Nihilism

Answer 2

The lack of ultimate meaning for humans. God alone gives us ultimate meaning through the prospect of eternal life.

Question 3

The Argument from Pragmatism (Pascal’s Wager)

Answer 3

An argument that is based on the benefits of belief rather than evidence for belief. In other words, even if one is unsure if God is real, it is better for them to belief than to not belief. There is no ultimate harm in being wrong for the believer.

Question 4

Personhood

Answer 4

An individual substance of a rational nature. The three types of persons include divine, angelic, and human.

Question 5

The Soul

Answer 5

A life principle. The three kinds include vegetative (ex: plants), sensational (ex: animals), and rational (ex: human).

Question 6

Mental Demonstrations

Answer 6

Arguments for God that examine evidence from the human person.

Question 7

Physical Demonstrations

Answer 7

Arguments for God that examine evidence from the external world.

Question 8

Common Consent

Answer 8

Most people have believed in God or some higher power. It is more likely they are right and this shows our natural inclination to God.

Question 9

Religious Experience

Answer 9

The profound encounters with God claimed by entirely sane individuals who feel an incredible presence of peace and love suggests God’s existence.

Question 10

Desire

Answer 10

Since our natural aspirations can be satisfied (ex: hunger = food), it makes sense our supernatural aspiration for happiness can be satisfied (God). In other words, our hearts are restless until they rest in God.

Question 11

Moral Argument

Answer 11

The law and conscience within us that directs us to do good and avoid evil implies a law-giver above us (God).

Question 12

The Mind

Answer 12

Since our limited intellects can grasp eternal truths, it makes sense that there is an eternal intellect in which those eternal truths originate.

Question 13

First Cause (kalam)

Answer 13

All things that begin have a cause. The universe began (Big Bang). The cause of the universe must be outside of/beyond the universe. This supernatural cause is God.

Question 14

Degree

Answer 14

We can see a range of goodness, intelligence, beauty, truth etc in the created world. This better, implies best. Thus there must be a perfect source of such things (God).

Question 15

Design

Answer 15

Matter does not behave intelligently yet we see it behaving very orderly from the cell to planetary motion. Thus, an intelligent mind must have set it this way (God). An arrow doesn’t hit a bullseye on its own.

Question 16

Argument from Miracles

Answer 16

There have been many events difficult to explain through natural causes (science). Such supernatural events imply the existence of God who alone is not bound by the law of nature. Examples include the resurrection, Shroud of Turin, crying statues, stigmata, Marian apparitions, Eucharistic miracles, incorrupt saints, etc.

Question 17

Atheism

Answer 17

The rejection of the existence of God and the supernatural. Thus, miracles are not possible in such a worldview.

Question 18

Scientism

Answer 18

The belief that science is the only way to find truth. This view is contradictory since science can only measure the natural world and can neither prove nor disprove God. In addition, the Church greatly values science as evidence of God’s orderly creation.

Question 19

Agnosticism

Answer 19

When one claims total ignorance of the question of God’s existence. It is illogical since God either exists or does not. It is also dangerous according to Pascal’s Wager.

Question 20

Religious Hypocrisy

Answer 20

The sins of believers do not disprove God, Jesus, or the Catholic faith. Jesus never established a Church of the perfect and the lives of the saints is evidence of how God works through his true followers.

Question 21

Wishful Thinking

Answer 21

The idea that theists have no evidence for God but rather want God to exist. This is countered by evidence for God, the fact that atheism can also be considered wishful thinking, and by Pascal’s Wager.

Question 22

Parts of the Human Soul

Answer 22

Rational intellect, Will, and Passions/Instincts

Question 23

The Well Ordered Soul

Answer 23

Reason is called to guide the will by channeling the passions toward their proper end.

Question 24

The Soul and the Chariot

Answer 24

Rational intellect = driver, will = chariot, instincts/passions = horses