2.1.1 Nature of God Flashcards
What does it mean if God is omnipotent?
He is almighty, all powerful and unlimited. He can do anything that is logically possible.
How is Gods Omnipotence explained in the Bible?
- The 10 plagues - exodus, he is able to control natural processes as he desires and to achieve his will.
- God is able to turn the dust of the earth into gnats - in Egypt.
What does it mean if God is omnibenevolent?
He is all loving, and infinitely good. Best example of Gods Love = Jesus. God chose to become flesh to pay the price for human sin and repair his relationship with humans.
How is God’s omnibenevolence explained in the bible - quotes? (only need to remember 1)
- Psalm 86:15 => “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in stead fast love and faithfulness.”
- John 3:16 => “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
What does it mean if God is omniscient?
God is all-knowing in the sense that he is aware of the past, present, and future. Nothing takes him by surprise. His knowledge is total. He knows all that there is to know and all that can be known.
What does it mean that God is personal?
He has personal qualities and its possible to have a relationship with him.
What does it mean that God is impersonal?
He is mysterious and unknowable - not like humans and doesn’t have human characteristics. He is a spirit or a force.
What does it mean that God is immanent?
The idea that God is in the universe not separate from it and can act in the world. Demonstrated through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
What does it mean that God is transcendent?
He is outside the universe, and is not limited by time, space or the laws of nature that operate within the universe. Demonstrated through his role as the creator.
What is the Holy Trinity?
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. God acts differently in each of his roles, but christians are monotheists (only believe in one God), God just has different roles in the trinity.
What is God’s role as the father? (3)
- He creates and sustains the universe.
- He demonstrates his omnipotence, omniscience and personal nature.
- He cares for humanity, like the relationship between father and child.
What is God’s role as the son? (5)
- Jesus is God incarnate.
- God became human to repair his relationship with humanity and to reveal something of his nature and will to the world.
- Jesus is the perfect example of christian living.
- He demonstrates the personal, immanent and omnibeneveolent nature of God.
- Jesus is the total message - everything God wants to communicate to Mankind.
What is God’s role as the Holy Spirit? (7)
- To guide believers and help them to develop into “… a child of God” (John 3:6).
- Described as fire because it burns away that which is wrong, and breath and water which sustain life.
- The Holy Spirit, gives comfort, courage and inspiration.
- Reveals to believers that Jesus is God.
- Empowers believers to follow Jesus even through tough times.
- Gives gifts to build up the Christian church.
- The Holy Spirit, demonstrates the immanent, personal nature of God.
What is the cause of suffering and evil?
The story of Adam and Eve are in the origins of suffering and evil. Suggests that humans were given free will to make their own choices, when they choose to act out of selfish desire and ignore God’s will, it can cause suffering to others. Consequence of human actions.
What are the purposes of evil and suffering? (4)
- Believe God is justified in allowing suffering to continue because it has a purpose => good outcome.
- Necessary part of life.
- Helps humans to develop higher moral values, such as compassion, charity, courage etc.
- Suffering can help humans to understand what is moral and what isn’t.
