Judaeo Christian God

Question 1

How did god create the world and how is it countered

Answer 1

creatio ex nihilo
Logos spermatikos - gods words give life

but

aquinas said
ex nihilo, nihilo fit (out of nothing, nothing comes)

Question 2

explanation of creatio ex nihilo

Answer 2

• doesn’t appear in jewish writing
• gnostics - they believed all matter was evil but God cannot create something evil

So augustine of Hippo’s argument
1215 Latern Council - his doctrine/christian views of creatio ex nihilo was explained
- said yes God made devils and demons but they turned evil/formless themselves
- there was darkness before god created -genesis - so creation from nothing

Question 3

Yahweh / Prime mover similarities

Answer 3

1. Y - god creates out of nothing (creatio ex nihilo)
   PM - aristotle stated there was nothing before the PM
2. Y - God is an intelligent designer like Paley and purpose - intelligent designer (watch maker)
   PM - aristotles PM was the final cause - must be some purpose to universe
3. Y - Genesis 1 - transcendent (before everything)
   PM - aristotle says PM is immaterial/ not personal so transcendent - it is spiritual energy

Question 4

Whats prime mover

Answer 4

• aristole
• God is the final cause of the universe
• Aristotle says we are in a constant state of flux- agreeing with Heraclitus= basically says that we need a final goal
• His conclusion: what causes everything to be, or started off the chain of cause and effect must therefore be aspatical and atemporal
• doesn’t move - it attracts according to jerry Hughes uses cat analogy
• The milk does not act in anyway but, by the virtue of existing the cat is attracted to it.

Question 5

Yahweh / Prime mover differences

Answer 5

1. Y - God seems involved in creation (A and E) his walks in garden - immanent
   PM - is never involved directly in the world as it cannot move - not immanent
2. Y - God is personal and can be influenced by us (prayers, miracles)
   PM - can never be changed - great attracter

Question 6

How do we know that God is a creator?

Answer 6

• Creed - creator of heaven and earth
• Gensesis 1 - omnipotent, god creates out of nothing, creates world in 7 days
• Isaiah 40 - god sitting above the earth - transcendent
• Jeremiah 51 - commands by his will (omnipotent)
• Genesis 2/3 walks in the garden - omnibenevolent - relationship with humans and banishes A & E - shows power
• Job 38 - lays the foundations, like a potter - omnipotent
• aquinas - god is like an active power - immanent?

Question 7

How do we know God is a craftsman

Answer 7

• Job 38 - God saw as a potter/builder
• Genesis - God hovering over the waters
• psalm 8 - work of gods fingers
• genesis - breath of God creates the world

Question 8

Whats the euthyphro dilemma

Answer 8

things are good because god commands them or god commands what is good

Question 9

What is the divine command theory

Answer 9

things are good because god commands them

issues with murder and rape

Question 10

God is good? - examples

Answer 10

1. noahs arc - genocide
2. 10th plauge - first born
3. Isaacs sacrifice - give to take away
4. book of Job - loses everything, home, job… i game with satan

but
we are saved through jesus - he allowed son to be sacrificed
- decalouge - lawgiver - just

Question 11

to what extent are things only good because god commands them?

Answer 11

1 - god is omnibenevolent/just, banished a and e from Eden but reconciles the world to him through Jesus sacrifice
BUT
God commands things that aren’t morally good such as rape/murder. E.g Noahs flood

2. Things good because god commands them. 10 commandments to help guide us. it is the basic of our moral compass way God guides us. Ultimate act as a good lawgiver.
   BUT
   God seems to give and take away in example of Abraham and isaac