Knowledge Of God Flashcards
What are the main arguments for the existence of God
- Ontological
- Cosmological
- Teleological
- Moral arguments
What is the Ontological Argument for God’s existence?
The Ontological Argument, formulated by Anselm, claims that since God is the greatest conceivable being, He must exist in reality because existence is a necessary quality of perfection.
What is the main criticism of the Ontological Argument?
Critics, including Kant, argue that existence is not a predicate (a defining quality), meaning that simply defining God as existing does not prove His actual existence.
What is the Cosmological Argument for God’s existence?
The Cosmological Argument asserts that everything that exists has a cause, and since the universe exists, it must have an ultimate, uncaused first cause—identified as God.
How does Aquinas’ version of the Cosmological Argument support God’s existence?
Aquinas’ argument includes the “First Mover” and “First Cause” reasoning, stating that an infinite regress of causes is impossible, so a necessary being (God) must exist to initiate everything.
What is the Teleological Argument (Argument from Design)?
This argument suggests that the complexity and order in the universe point to an intelligent designer, much like how a watch implies a watchmaker.
How does William Paley’s watch analogy support the Teleological Argument?
Paley argues that just as a watch’s complexity implies a designer, the intricate order of nature and life must indicate an intelligent creator—God.
What are some criticisms of the Teleological Argument?
Critics, including Darwin, suggest that natural selection can explain apparent design in nature, while others argue that imperfections in nature challenge the idea of an all-powerful designer.
What is the Moral Argument for God’s existence?
This argument states that objective moral values require a moral lawgiver, and since moral values exist universally, they must originate from God.
How does the Moral Argument respond to atheistic moral systems?
It argues that without God, morality would be subjective and relative, lacking any ultimate foundation for concepts like good and evil.
What is the Problem of Evil, and how does it challenge the existence of God?
The Problem of Evil questions how an all-powerful, all-good God can allow suffering and evil to exist in the world.
What is the Free Will Defense in response to the Problem of Evil?
It argues that God allows evil because free will is necessary for genuine love and moral responsibility, even if it results in suffering.
What is the Soul-Making Theodicy?
This theodicy, proposed by John Hick, suggests that suffering helps humans develop virtues such as courage and compassion, contributing to spiritual growth.
What is general revelation?
General revelation refers to knowledge of God gained through nature, reason, and human conscience, accessible to all people.
What is special revelation?
Special revelation includes knowledge of God given directly through scripture, miracles, and divine encounters, such as prophets and Jesus Christ.
How does religious experience serve as evidence for God’s existence?
Many believers claim personal encounters with God through visions, prayer, or mystical experiences as direct evidence of His presence.
What are some criticisms of using religious experiences as proof of God?
Critics argue that religious experiences are subjective, vary across cultures, and could be explained by psychological or neurological factors.
What role does faith play in knowing God, according to the document?
The document states that while reason can support belief in God, faith is essential for a complete relationship with Him, as some truths transcend human understanding.
How does Pascal’s Wager relate to belief in God?
Pascal argues that believing in God is the most rational choice because if God exists, the believer gains eternal happiness, whereas disbelief risks eternal loss.
How does the document conclude on the question of knowing God’s existence?
It acknowledges that while philosophical arguments provide strong support, ultimate knowledge of God often requires a combination of reason, faith, and personal experience.
