Knowledge Of God

Question 1

Key quotes

Answer 1

Calvin - all people recognise that there is a god and that he is their creator
John.14:9 - whoever has seen me has seen the father
Dawkins - faith is the great cop out the great excuse to evade the need to think.

Question 2

Natural knowledge

Answer 2

Natural knowledge of gods existence gain by human use of reason, observing the natural world or through a inbuilt sense of the divine

Question 3

Do humans have a innate sense of divinity? Calvin?

Answer 3

Calvin claims that humans are made in the image of god and have sensus divinitatis a inbuilt desire to know god
Examples
Religion found in different cultures
Human ability to reflect

Question 4

Does Calvin reject these forms of natural theology?

Answer 4

It’s up for debate, sensus divinitatis is simple knowledge superseded by revealed knowledge through redeemer Jesus Christ

Question 5

Bruner on natural theology?

Answer 5

Argues that natural theology is limited in pointing towards god, salvation requires revelation through Jesus. Natural theology is a starting point.

Question 6

Barth on natural theology?

Answer 6

Barth believes Calvin totally rejects natural theology. Sensus divinitatis comes after a person has responded to gods grace through faith, revealed knowledge is more important.

Question 7

How can god be known through creation? Calvin?

Answer 7

Sees creation as gods theatre as it is like a stage revealing gods goodness

Question 8

Issues raised from natural theology?

Answer 8

• Natural theology can be accused of being to vague
• Barth argues that human reason is to corrupt from the fall and so natural knowledge is impossible
• however Brunner disagrees, argues that humans are not corrupt on a spiritual level so can access god through reason and conscience

Question 9

Revealed knowledge of gods existence

Answer 9

This knowledge of gods is more about god revealing himself through faith, grace and person of Jesus as portrayed in the bible

Some argues this leads to knowing god personally like a relationship

Question 10

Knowledge through faith and gods grace?

Answer 10

• god reveals himself in the gift of grace to individuals who respond with faith
• for Aquinas knowing god through faith means making an intellectual decision to believe
• for Calvin more of a emotional experience Holy Spirit given to help those who are willing to believe.

Question 11

Knowledge of god in Jesus Christ?

Answer 11

• Calvin recognises natural knowledge of gods is limited and that salvation requires revealed knowledge through Jesus. Jesus bridges the gap between god and humans allowing reconciliation
• Calvin also refers to Jesus as a mirror revealing the heart of god through his teachings and actions

Question 12

Is faith enough?

Answer 12

• if his is infinite and radically other as Barth suggests, gods would have to reveal knowledge which humans could access through faith alone
• Barthes view on sensus divinitatis
• faith alone could lead to irrational and dangerous believes, aquinas pushes use of reason along side
• natural theology is valued as a first step to understanding god
• Calvin and Catholic Church emphasis that faith alone is not enough gods grace is also needed

Question 13

Example questions?

Answer 13

• assess the view that god can be known through reason alone
• is natural knowledge the same as revealed knowledge of god?
• assess the view that the fall completely removed all natural human knowledge of god