Existence Of God And Revelation (Theme C) Flashcards
What is the design argument?
The argument that God designed the universe, because everything is so intricately made in detail that it could not have happened by chance.
Theist belief on existence of God
Theists argue that nature is so intricate and complex that God must have designed it.
Atheist belief on existence of God
An atheist would argue that the universe has evolved naturally and was not created.
Agnostic belief on existence of God
It is impossible to know for certain that God exists.
William Paley’s design argument
Analogy of the watch. Watch has so many intricate details to show it was put together for a purpose, the pieces could not have come together by themselves. Someone must have designed it. Designer is God.
Isaac Newton’s design argument
Design of the thumb. Every thumbprint is different and unique. Sufficient evidence for God’s existence.
Thomas Aquinas’ design argument
Only an intelligent being could keep the universe in regular order. The planets, sun, moon, stars rotate in a set pattern because God holds them in place.
Modern design argument
F.R. Tennant argued that God designed the world so that everything was just right for human life to develop. If things like the strength of gravity, and the power Big Bang had been very slightly different life would not exist. Everything is so finely tuned it must’ve been deliberate.
Objections to the design argument
- Process of natural selection happens by chance, species designed themselves over time, the thumb is result of evolution not a designer.
- If God designed the universe why is there suffering and evil?
What is the first cause argument?
The argument that there has to be an uncaused cause that made everything else happen, otherwise there would be nothing now.
Theist arguments for the first cause argument
- Everything that exists or begins to exist must have a cause.
- The universe exists and began to exist hence it must have a cause.
- There had to be something external that was not caused by anything.
- The eternal first cause is God therefore God exists.
What do scientists believe about the cosmological argument?
Most scientists accept that the universe began as the result of the Big Bang. But what caused the Big Bang?
Thomas Aquinas’ first cause argument
He argued that everything we observe is caused to exist. Nothing can become something by itself. There are two possibilities: an infinite chain of events preceded by causes or a first cause which must be uncaused. The first possibility isn’t possible as an infinite chain of events would take an infinite time to reach us therefore there must be a first cause which is uncaused. Must be God.
Objections to the first cause argument
- Atheists say that if everything has a cause what caused God?
- If God is eternal why can the universe not be eternal and existed forever?
- Just because events/things have causes doesn’t mean the universe itself has a cause.
- Big Bang was a random, spontaneous event not an action by God.
- Religious creation stories are myths.
What is a miracle?
A seemingly impossible event, usually good, that cannot be explained by natural or scientific laws, and is thought to be the action of God.
What are the two types of miracles?
- Events that break natural laws and cannot be explained by science.
- Happy coincidences in which no natural laws are broken but where something occurs just at the right moment for a good outcome.
Argument for miracles
If there is no scientific explanation for an event then it must be supernatural, caused by something outside nature, God.
Objections to the argument from miracles
- Miracles are lucky coincidences.
- May have scientific explanations just not discovered yet.
- Miracle healing may be mind over matter, or misdiagnosis.
- Some miracles are fake for money or fame.
David Hume’s counter argument to miracles
Argued that there can never be enough evidence to deny laws of nature, witnesses to miracles are unreliable as most are uneducated. Religions rely on miracles to prove they are true but not all religions can be right.
Marie Bailly’s miracle
- First proven miracle at Lourdes in 1902.
- Contracted tuberculosis and had swollen abdomen.
- Pleaded to be taken to Lourdes.
- Doctors told her she was dying.
- Holy water poured over her, abdomen reduced in size and she was cured.
How is science used to challenge belief in God?
In the past, the origins of the universe could not be explained, so people thought that God created and controlled everything in the universe. Now that science can explain things that people in the past could not understand, people no longer look to God for answers and have turned away from belief in God.
Evil and suffering as an argument against the existence of God
Christians believe that God is all knowing, all powerful and all loving. Therefore God should be aware of evil, should be able to prevent it and would want to do so. God doesn’t do this so God doesn’t exist.
Christian counter to the argument against existence of God
- Suffering and evil are a result of human free will. Adam and Eve’s disobedience brought evil and suffering into God’s perfect world.
- If there was no good and bad, the richness of life would be reduced. They wouldn’t be able to show compassion and learn from mistakes.
What is revelation?
God showing himself to believers, this is the only way anybody can really know anything about God.