God Flashcards
What is Monotheism?
The belief that there is only one God and that only he is worth of worship
Has Christianity always believed in Monotheism?
Even though we consider Monotheism to be normal in modern religions, it first came around 6000 years ago and was a big change in the way people viewed religion
Quote 2 biblical verses from the Old testament and decide whether it supports the idea of monotheism or not
“Who is like you, O God, amongst the Gods” - Exodus 15:11
“You are the greatest among the Gods, O lord” - Psalm 86:8
Both quotes show Christianity to have multiple Gods, therefore is not monotheistic
Quote 2 biblical verses from the New testament and decide whether it supports the idea of monotheism or not
“Before me, no God was formed and there will be no God after me” - Isiah 43:10
“God is the first and last,there is no other Gods beside him” - Isiah 44:6
Both quotes suggest there is only 1 god therefor is monotheistic
How does the Nicene Creed show monotheism in Christianity?
“I believe in one God, the Father Almighty”
Where in other religions is monotheism showed?
The Shema in Judaism
The Shahadah in Islam
How does the Shema imply monotheism in Judaism?
“The lord is our God, The lord is One”
How does the Shahadah imply monotheism in Islam?
“There is no God but God”
How was people’s attitude towards God before monotheism?
It was business-like, as they only worshipped God if they wanted or got something out of it
Before monotheism, why did people switch Gods?
People used to blame God for all of the bad things that happened in their life
What is ethical monotheism?
God is the source for one standard of morality, who guides humanity through ethical prinicples
How is God able to guide humanity through ethical principles?
Covenants
What is a covenant?
The idea that an agreement has been made between God and a specifically chosen group of people
How do covenants provide humans with morality?
In the Old testament, good moral behaviour is at the heart of the covenant agreement between Israel and God.
God “adopts” Israel in a special relationship and in return Israel promises moral and religious obedience
Why is it important for Christians to follow moral obedience and laws?
In the New Testament, Jesus tells his followers that whoever or weakens or disobeys them “shall be cared in the least in the kingdom of Heaven”
Therefore it is believed that everyone is bound by the same moral rules
Refer to the ethical teachings of Jesus which shows the importance of moral obedience
Christians can be rewarded by God by being saved into the kingdom of God through salvation of others,
However, not all Christians accept this as it depends whether salvation works by works or faith
Give 3 examples of Christians beliefs about God
Transcendent and Unknowable
Controller
Omnipotent creator
What is meant when God is described as “transcendent and unknowable”?
God is above and beyond the space-time universe
Why is it believed that God is “transcendent and unknowable”
God is not made of anything and does not exist in anything as in time or space because if he did then it would limit him as he viewed as eternal
Give 2 biblical quotes which present God to be “transcendent and unknowable”
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways” - Isiah 55:8-9
“No one comprehends the thought of God except the spirit of God” - Corinthians 2:11
What is meant when God is described as a “controller”?
He is capable of controlling everything in the universe
Why is it believed that God is a “controller”?
The idea that God is all-knowing (omniscient) and all powerful (omnipotent) implies he has the ability to control everything
Why do some people believe that God isn’t a “controller”?
Theological determinism
What is theological determinism and how does it link to God?
The idea that God is omniscient (all-knowing) suggests God must know all events that happen in past, present and future and further implies all future events are unavoidable as it seems people don’t have free will but are instead controlled by God
Whilst considering theological determinism, why might God be seen as a “controller”?
Christians, such as Thomas Aquinas, argues that God exists timelessly meaning there is no today, tomorrow or yesterday for him and he is able to see the universe’s history.
Regarding theological determinism, it is believed that God sees the results of our future free choices and that God being omnipotent, has the ability to interfere but refrains and permits free choices.
What is meant when God is described as an “omnipotent creator”?
If God is the only God, it must also mean that he is the all powerful creator of everything that exists
Some christians believe that the universe comes “ex Deo”. Explain this view.
Ex Deo is latin for “out of God’s own being” but most reject this because it would imply that God and his creation are the same thing which would contradict the belief that God is transcendent.
Most christians believe that the universe comes “ex Nihilo”. Explain this view.
“Ex Nihilo” is latin for “from nothing” so most believe that the world is God’s mental construct in which Christian theologians insist that Genesis 1 backs the “creation from nothing” view where God brings forth the universe by using words of creative power
Give a biblical reference that can prove Gods omnipotence
“with God, all things are possible” - Matthew 19:26
State and explain the 2 different ways in which Gods omnipotence can be understood.
God’s omnipotence means he can do whatever he wants, including the logically impossible such as making murder a morally good act.
However others think that this is logical nonsense and that to say God is omnipotent means he can do anything is “logically possible”
What is the Holy Trinity?
The unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead
God is the father, the son and the holy spirit and vice versa. However the son isn’t the father, nor is the holy spirit.
What is meant by God the father?
God as creator and supreme authority.
Give examples of actions made by God the father.
Sustains and rules everything
He created us and the world
Will judge everybody fairly
What is meant by God the son?
God as incarnate and resurrected saviour.
Give examples of actions made by God the son.
Born to the Virgin Mary
A personal saviour that forgives sins
Person of God that works within the world
What is meant by God the Holy Spirit?
The spirit of the Lord and Giver of Life as a presence
Give examples of actions made by God the holy spirit.
Invisible power of God which breathes new life into people
A comforter
Helper and guider that can appear in the world
What are the 3 essential truths about the Trinity?
There is exactly 1 God
There are 3 distinct persons in the Trinity but are not the same
Each person is God
What is a Heresy?
A statement about the Trinity that denies the essential truths
Give 3 examples of Heresies
The father, son and holy spirit is each 1 third of God
The 3 persons of the Trinity are different forms of God
The father created the son and holy spirit
How does each person of the Trinity differ?
The difference in the trinity is the relations. For example the son differs from the father because he is the son not the father.
Apart from that, each person is God; they all possess divine characteristics such as omnipotence and omniscience.
All 3 people are eternal and uncreated
What is Perichoresis?
Greek for rotation
Describes the relation between the 3 persons of the Godhead.
Often translated to “mutual indwelling”
Give 3 biblical references that shows the Holy Trinity
“I and the father are one” - John 10:30
“So the Holy one to be born will be called the son of God - Luke 1:35
“Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” - Matthew 28:19
Why is the Holy Trinity so important?
It brings together the main historical and doctrinal truths of Christianity concerning sin and redemption.
The Trinity makes it possible for people to have personal relationships with God and enables him to be both transcendent and immanent
A model of personhood as it emphasizes giving as well as receiving and accepting difference as well as sameness
How do mainstream Christian churches view the trinity?
They accept Trinitarian beliefs and that Jesus literally was the son of God
Give a biblical reference and explain how it implies that Jesus is the Son of God
“I and the Father are one” - Luke 10:30
Jesus’ response to Jews who asked him whether he was the Christ
What evidence is there that Jesus is A son of God?
In John 18:11, Jesus uses the same word “hen” (meaning one in greek) when he asks God for “oneness” between him and his apostles like he has with God.
This implies that they all share the same power and mind so therefore Jesus and his disciples must be God too.
What evidence is there that Jesus is the Son of God in the Trinitarian sense?
John 8:58 states “before Abraham was, I am” suggesting he previously existed before Abraham, pre-existent so one with God
What are the problems with the gospel of John?
Jesus would be speaking in Arabic and John was writing in Greek so translation was a bit dodgy and change the meaning.
John was also the latest of gospellers and would have been writing many years after the events took place
