Existence of God and Revelation

Question 1

What is the design argument?

Answer 1

> universe is so complex there must be a designer-william paley

Question 2

What is the watch analogy?

Answer 2

> its mechanismsare so complex there must be a designer
mechanisms of the universe are even more complex than the watch
complexity of the world implies there’s a creator

Question 3

What did swineburn say in agreement to the design argument?

Answer 3

> simplicity-ochkam’s razor-God is the simplest answer to why we’re here
regularity-temporal order-similar things behave in similar ways indicates a designer
probability-everything suggests God’s existence is more likely so design argument doesn’t prove His existence but makes it more liekly

Question 4

Strengths of the design argument?

Answer 4

> we’re so perfectly suited to our environment, can’t be by chance
design argument could continue to develop with science
only an intelligent being could keep the universe in order

Question 5

Weaknesses of the design argument?

Answer 5

> natural selection happens by chance so species designed themselves over time
complexity doesn’t necessarily mean design
if God designed the world then why is there bad in the world?
can’t assume it is God

Question 6

What did darwin say regarding the design argument?

Answer 6

> the theory of natural selection if correct can explain the appearance of design without the need for a designer

Question 7

What did john stuart mill say about the design argument?

Answer 7

> nature is fundamentally cruel and full of suffering therefore is it possibly to argue that nature is the result of an intelligent designer

Question 8

What did david hume say about the design argument?

Answer 8

> in the construction of a ship, many people are employed could reflect creation of universe eg many gods or demons etc
teleological argument doesn’t lead to the classical christian definition of God

Question 9

Give some evidence of design in the world and universe

Answer 9

> season cycles
ozone layer protecting people from uv rays
gravity is strong enough to keep us down

Question 10

1st cause argument

Answer 10

> based around cause and effect-idea is that everything that exists has something that caused it, there’s nothing in the world that came from nothing

Question 11

Who made the 1st cause argument?

Answer 11

Thomas Aquinas

Question 12

What is something a theist would argue using the 1st cause argument to prove the existence of God?

Answer 12

> everything that exists/begins to exist must have a cause just like the universe
there had to be smthg eternal which wasn’t cause by anything which is God

Question 13

Strengths of the 1st cause argument?

Answer 13

> can co-exist with the big bang(who cause it)
infinite regress is unlikely-its likely there was a starting point
God isn’t bound by universal laws-he’s transcndent and can cause himself
it’s logical, rational and appeals to reasoning not scripture or faith

Question 14

Weaknesses of the 1st cause argument?

Answer 14

> assumes the universe had a starting point
if everything has a cause who cause God
the big bang was a random event and didn’t have anything to do wit God

Question 15

What is a miracle?

Answer 15

> a seemingly impossible event that can’t be explained by natural or scientific laws and is thought to be the actions of God

Question 16

2 types of miracles?

Answer 16

> ones that break natural laws+can’t be explained by science
happy coincidences

Question 17

What is the principle of credulity?

Answer 17

> if it seems to the person that x is present then x is probaby present

Question 18

What is the principle of testimony?

Answer 18

> it’s reasonable to believe that the experiences of others are probably as they say them

Question 19

The inconsistent triad

Answer 19

> omnibenevolence
omnipotence
evil

Question 20

How do Christians explain the problem of evil and suffering?

Answer 20

> it’s a punishment for wrong-doings
test of faith like Jobs
needed as a balance-can’t appreciate good without bad
needs to be accepted as something we can’t understand

Question 21

What did ninian smart argue?

Answer 21

> agreed that creatures without fear, temptation or envy would be innocent but not morally good to have moral goodness you must have options to choose between

Question 22

What did swinburne argue?

Answer 22

> if God intervened it would compromise our freewill

Question 23

How would Christians argue against the proble of evil and suffering?

Answer 23

> the iranean theodicy; life is a test and all suffering given to us is to prove our faith to God
the augustinian theodicy; evil + suffering is punishments as a result of human actions

Question 24

What is revelation?

Answer 24

> when God shows himself to believers

Question 25

What is special revelation?

Answer 25

> when God makes himself known through direct personal experience or an unusual specific event

Question 26

What is general revelation?

Answer 26

> when God makes himself known through ordinary, common human experiences

Question 27

What is enlightenment?

Answer 27

> gaining of true knowledy of God usually through meditation or self discipline

Question 28

What is the value of revelation?

Answer 28

> influence religion
provide proof of the divine
tell us more about God and his nature
strengthen faith, help believers have a relationship with God
educate others

Question 29

What is scripture?

Answer 29

> an authoritative religious text believed to originate from God

Question 30

personal

Answer 30

> the idea that God is an individual or person who we can have a relationship with and feel close to

Question 31

impersonal

Answer 31

> the idea that God has no human characteristics, is unknowable and mysterious more like an idea or force

Question 32

Omniptoence paradox?

Answer 32

> God loves people-can He be hurt by our actions?does this make Him limited?
if God is eternal and outside the universe does that limit our freewill?
how can God have a personal relationship with believers?it is a worshipped/worshipper relationship
if God is all powerful then how can the devil exist, or humans sin?to sin is to go against the will of God but if God is all-powerful how can anyone oppose his will

Question 33

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