Existence of God Flashcards
Natural knowledge
- We have a basic understanding that beauty comes rom God as it reflects the beauty of creation.
- Natural theologians believe that this is a way of experiencing God.
- Design arguments reflect the idea of purpose in creation.
- Challenges us to use reason to deduce that God exists.
Strengths of natural knowledge
- It works in a way that we are used to as we use our brains to reason.
- Traditions show people using their reason to know God.
- It is understandable that a loving God who created humans would allow there to be a point of contact.
- It is reasonable to suggest that those who have faith shows that there is a point of contact with God.
Weaknesses of natural knowledge
- The gap may be too great between God and humans to accept sensus divinitas.
- Reason can also be used to suggest that God does not exist therefore it can be subjective.
- Order and purpose in nature can be explained by other factors such as science and evolution.
- Just because beauty has made us feel awe it does not mean that God has made this feeling.
Revealed theology
- Some Christians suggest that natural theology is not enough as human intellect is too finite hence revealed theology may be needed.
Strengths of revealed theology
- Revealed theology emphasizes the special nature of Jesus and gives him purpose.
- Understanding the Bible as a revelation shows how God has left it for humans to use.
- Grace shows how humans need to appreciate that God is higher than them; this is done through revealed theology.
Weaknesses of revealed theology
- Revealed theology is of no use to the non- believer.
- Revealed theology suggests that God will only choose to reveal himself in certain circumstances.
- Revealed theology assumes that Christianity is correct.
- How do you interpret what is revealed to you?
Calvin and sensus divinitas
- Calvin argued that we all have a sense of God within us that is innate.
- he referred to this as a ‘seed of religion’ meaning there is no need for external sources to know God.
- An example of this is the conscience (a feeling of guilt inside us that proves God exists)
- However, it is not clear whether his views agreed with the usefulness of natural theology.
What does the Roman Catholic church say about God and humans?
‘the desire for God is written in the human heart’
What does Romans 8 say about Jesus and sin?
’ he condemned sin in flesh’ - naively suggests that Jesus could eradicate original sin.
Flaws of Calvin’s sensus divinitas
- Humans are more innately sinful and egotistical than they are spiritual and religious.
- This underestimates the effects of The Fall.
- Human reason may just reflect one’s own desires - Hobbes: ‘humans are selfish’.
Brunner’s beliefs
- It is possible for us to know God through sensus divinitas.
The Fall could not affect humans on a spiritual level. - Humans have a point of contact with God and become aware of their sinfulness.
Barth’s beliefs
- God is so radically other that we cannot use human reason to know him.
- Human reason can’t be trusted so can’t be put above God.
- Human nature was too corrupted by The Fall.
What is Faith?
Allows a person to let go of reason alone.
Accepting something that is not certain.
- Aquinas stated that faith meant we could accept something that wasn’t certain- it could be used in parallel to reason.
- Calvin saw faith as accepting Jesus as the Redeemer - Jesus is a special revelation that shows true knowledge of God.
What does Aquinas believe about faith?
Aquinas stated that faith meant we could accept something that wasn’t certain.
Faith complements reason, allowing people to learn about the existence of God.
How does Aquinas show that he believes faith complements reason?
This is shown in his cosmological and teleological argument.
For example, in his 3 ways, reason is used to conclude that God must exist - faith supports this rational inquiry.
