Concepts of God

Question 1

Theism

Answer 1

From Greek theos, meaning “God”
God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving
God is involved in all aspects of creation and continues to be today

Question 2

Deism

Answer 2

From the Latin deus, meaning “God”
God has created the world but stepped back and doesn’t want to be involved in day to day events unless there is/was a mistake in his machinery

Question 3

Polytheism

Answer 3

From Greek, poly meaning “many”

They see many, specialized Gods

Question 4

Monotheism

Answer 4

Only one God
They see only one Supreme Being who is perfect and all-powerful
Despite their differences the major monotheistic religions (Christians, Islams, Judaism) God is a person, not in human form.
Has mind, will, ability to communicate, has emotions like love, compassion, anger

Question 5

Pantheism

Answer 5

Greek word pan for “all”
Supreme Being everywhere, extends over same time, space and limits as nature, then divinity of nature, than everything in nature contains the spirit of this being
Divinity is impersonal, no personal characteristics
(God is in everything)

Question 6

Panentheism

Answer 6

God is not limited to the universe by transcends the universe
Spinoza was a panentheist, he believed the universe is prevailed by God
The Supreme being was all there was and the totality of all there was/being
Nothing exists outside of God
(God IS everything)