existence of god Flashcards
1
Q
Christian understandings of God? (the trinity)
A
- the majority of Christians accept the teaching of the trinity
- unitarianism is a Christian belief that states god is one being - it teaches that Jesus was in some way a ‘son’ of God, but not that he was literally god
- jehovah’s witnesses also reject the teaching of the trinity - they argue that Jesus was created by Jehovah and because he has a beginning, unlike Jehovah, he is not eternal
- they do not believe that the HS is a separate person from God - the HS is understood as Jehovahs force through which he acts
2
Q
sources of wisdom on the trinity?
A
- the Nicene Creed teaches that the spirit comes from both God the Father and God the Son
- the eastern orthodox church believes that the HS comes only from the Father
- the orthodox church maintains that God the Father is the source of all things and therefore rejects the teachings of the western church - in john, it states the HS “proceeds from the father”
3
Q
christian beliefs about what god is like?
A
- omnipotent - all-powerful
- omniscient - all-knowing
- omnipresent - be able to be everywhere at once because he is not limited to having a physical body
- eternal - without beginning or end, outside time and space
- transcendent - not limited by our world
- immanent and personal - involved with our lives on a personal level
- perfectly good - God is the source of all goodness
- judge - his judgement on the way you have lived your life will determine what happens to you after death
4
Q
what are the Christian teachings of God’s relationship with the world?
A
- the world is dependent on the command of God - causes things to exist + provides everything for the earth - provides water + sunlight for plans, vegetation for animals
- language of the bible often presents god’s work like that of a craftsman - “Can you beat out the vault of the skies, as he does, hard as a mirror of cast metal”
5
Q
what are Christian beliefs on gods relationship with the world?
A
- genesis taken literally or as myth - still illustrates Christian belief that the world is dependent on God for its existence
- god’s involvement with the world continues after creation - “there’s a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens” - seasons controlled by god
- Christians believe that God continues to sustain all things - “he covers the sky with clouds, he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills”
- everything god has created in some way reveals his existence
- some Christians disagree about whether god formed the world ex-nihilo or whether he created the world from pre-existent matter
- the bible also explains the natural world is in itself a witness to gods existence
6
Q
what are christian beliefs on gods relationship with humanity?
A
- relationship with humanity seen in genesis 1 - sets humans apart from rest of creation + means there’s a unique link between humans and god because humans made in his image
- in creation god gives humans role of stewardship over his creation
- when god creates adam he breathes into his nostrils to give him life - for many Christians demonstrates god’s unique relationship with humans right from point of creation
- ongoing care for humanity shown throughout bible. for ex provision of:
- the promised land of Canaan for the Israelites
- laws and commands - helps humans know how to live good life
- a means for salvation
- god’s care for humanity seen in incarnation
- god maintains relationship with Christians through presence of his HS in their lives
7
Q
reasons for different Christian views on god’s relationship with the world:
A
- god considered atemporal - can see and know all things - Jeremiah states god’s plans for the world bound to happen since can see all time
- some Christians however believe if god outside of time + unchanging - would not be able to relate to his creation
- Christians who hold this view argue that god is everlasting - instead of outside of time he is in time without beginning or end but humans every moment - this belief sees god as personal + engaged with his creation and humanity
- in catholic church when priest is ordained church teaches that he is not acting in his own power but in the power of Christ - priest can therefore act as the link between humans and god
- other Christians in protestant churches believe they do not need a mediator between themselves and god - believe Jesus has enabled all people who truly believe in god to pray directly to him + have personal relationship with him
8
Q
how is god’s goodness revealed through creation?
A
- in genesis when god creates world + all that is in it everything he creates is described as ‘good’
- in his creation, god provides all that is needed to sustain the world and its inhabitants
9
Q
how is god’s goodness revealed through his provision of law?
A
- according to bible - god desires that people choose to do what is right
- god has given humanity rules about how to live a good life - these laws demonstrate that god wants people to be moral - it is because god is good that his rules are good + best way for humans to live
- god allows human free will; he does not force goodness upon anyone
10
Q
how is god’s goodness revealed through judgement?
A
- Christianity teaches god will judge all humans after death - this will determine if they will go to heaven or hell
- god knows and sees everything - therefore able to judge fairly - ensuring justice
- psalm - says how he judges with equity and is righteous
11
Q
how is god’s goodness revealed through salvation?
A
- as part of his goodness god chooses to offer humans forgiveness
- god sent his son Jesus to die for human sin once and for all - ultimate sacrifice shows his goodness
- Christians believe if people have faith in Jesus and repent then god will forgive them + they will spend eternity in heaven with him
12
Q
what did St.Augustine argue about evil?
A
- taught evil is the responsibility of human beings for making wrong choices - this view based on the account of adam and eve’s disobedience in Garden of Eden - humans brought evil into this world so should be responsible for it
- but this view can leave people questioning why god chose to create adam + eve if he knew they were going to be disobedient
13
Q
what did Irenaeus argue about evil?
A
- he suggested man was not created perfect but immature, needing to grow and develop to perfection, as planned by god
- but this idea does not explain suffering that cannot be learned from
14
Q
what do Christians believe about evil and suffering?
A
- some Christians believe evil is necessary for us to understand goodness
- it is because of the existence of evil we can be aware of the goodness of god - existence of evil teaches lesson
- others think suffering test of faith for believers and a punishment for the wicked
- in book of job - god allows devil to bring evil and suffering to job to see whether he remain faithful to god - he does and god rewards him
- some Christians believe that they too have been tested by god during difficult times in their lives
