GCSE Theme C : The Existence of God and Revelation Flashcards
Cosmological Argument
First cause argument
- God caused our universe he is an eternal, transcendent, necessary being so does not need a cause
- However who caused God?
Teleological Argument?
Design argument
- With our complexity, it is impossible that we simply spawned, we must have been created by a God
- However theory of evolution disproves this
Argument from miracles
- Miracles prove that God exists
- Humes miracle, a miracle that cannot be explained by science, God must have caused it, EG. 69 miracles in Lourdes
- RF Holland miracles are simply coincidences
- Those who claim Humes miracles are deluded or lying, because it is physically impossible
Evil and Suffering as an argument against the existence of God
- Problem of suffering, if evil exists God cannot exist because…
- If he is omnipotent, he would destroy evil
- If he is omnibenevolent, evil should not exist
- If he is omnipotent, he would know how to destroy evil
- But evil EXISTS, so he cannot exist
INCONSISTENT TRIAD
EPICURUS IS A GREEK PHILOSOPHER WHO ARGUES THIS
What are some scientific arguments against the existence of God?
- Big bang theory
- Theory of evolution
- Russel’s Teapot
Special Revelation
Where God reveals himself through remarkable experiences to an individual or small group of people.
Eg, Dreams, visions, miracles
Eg. Saul experiencing a vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus
General Revelation
- Where God reveals himself through ordinary experiences which are open to all people to experience
- Eg. Intricacy of a human eye
Eg. Or through scripture
What is the divine
God’s ultimate reality
What is enlightenment
The gaining of true knowledge about God or self, usually through meditation and self discipline
How can enlightenment be a source of knowledge about the design?
Understanding of oneself and peace at mind can bring about spiritual benefits a clear mind for God to communicate with
How can nature be a source of knowledge about the design?
Nature is beautiful with such intricacy, so God must have created it. God created such a beautiful world because he loves us.
How can scripture be a source of knowledge about the design?
The bible is inspired by God, contains God’s actual words
Text provides insights to God.
However they should not reveal anything because it is the author’s words
What is a personal God?
A god who has human characteristics and a Christian can form a relationship with them through prayer
What is an impersonal God?
A god who is beyond humans, a mysterious force with no human characteristics, who is very hard for Christians to relate to, making it difficult to form a loving relationship with him
What is the problem with the divine arising from these sources of knowledge?
- Natures intricacy can be explained by science and evolution
- Scriptures are manmade, and there is no proof to say that it was from God’s word
- Revelation can be lied about
- Humes miracles are impossible because they disobey the laws of science, and RF Holland miracles are simply happy coincidences
