God Flashcards
Monotheism
Monotheism is the belief held by all Christians that there is only one God
Isaiah 44:6
“I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.”
What is the view of Descartes on omnipotence?
Descartes believes that omnipotence means God can do absolutely anything
What is the view that the Universe was created by God out of nothing?
ex nihilo
What is Process Theology?
Process theology is a philosophical and theological framework that views the universe as an ongoing and interconnected process rather than as a static and unchanging entity
working in partnership with the world to bring about positive change and emphasizing the importance of free will and moral responsibility
What does panentheistic mean?
God and the universe exist together in the way that human minds and bodies exist together - everything is in God and God is immanent in the universe
God as Personal
The idea of God as personal suggests that God is not just an abstract force or distant deity but a relational and approachable entity who can be known and interacted with in a personal way
Evidence of God as Personal
- God is immanent, i.e. involved in the world and accessible
- God hears and answers prayers
- This is seen in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the spirit of a believer
1 Corinthians 6:19
“… your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you…”
God as Father
The idea of God as Father emphasizes God’s nurturing and caring qualities, as well as His role as the ultimate authority figure who provides guidance and protection to His children
God as Love
The idea of God as love highlights the Christian belief that God’s essential nature is characterized by unconditional love and compassion for all of creation, and that this love is expressed through His actions and interactions with the world
God as King
The idea of God as King emphasizes God’s ultimate sovereignty and authority over all creation, as well as His role as a just ruler who upholds moral and ethical principles and brings order to the world
What is the problem with anthropomorphic language?
The problem with anthropomorphic language is that it attributes human characteristics and limitations to an entity (such as God) that is beyond human comprehension and thus may lead to misunderstandings or limitations in one’s understanding of the nature of that entity
Summarise the debate about gender-specific language in the Bible
The debate about gender-specific language in the Bible centres around the use of masculine pronouns and nouns to refer to God, and whether this is exclusionary or limiting in terms of how people can relate to and understand the divine, with some arguing for a more inclusive use of language that includes feminine pronouns and nouns
