Knowledge of God Flashcards
Natural theology
Knowledge of God through reason and observation
Revealed theology
Knowledge of God through revelation – e.g. scripture, Jesus, miracles
John Calvin Sensus Divintatis
He believes that humans have an innate sense of the divine, meaning knowledge of God is naturally imprinted in us.
Thomas Aquinas
Supports natural theology – we can know God exists through reason.
“The existence of God can be demonstrated through reason.”
William Paley
Design argument - the world has so many complexities it must have a designer. the natural world — with its intricate systems shows elements of design
John Calvin Duplex Cognitio domini
Twofold knowledge of God
- God as Creator natural revelation
- God as Redeemer revealed through Christ and Scripture
Karl Barth
Strongly against natural theology, believes that sin has corrupted our innate sense of God. we cannot know God without revelation
John Calvin’s critique
Sin has damaged our ability, but not taken it away completely, our innate sense of God still exists.
Sigmund Freud
He argued that belief in God is a projection of human psychological needs — especially the need for a father figure to cope with fear and helplessness.
C.S Lewis
just because a belief is comforting it doesn’t make it false.
Emil Brunner
Brunner believed that natural theology is possible, but only in a limited way. although humans are sinful they still have enough reason and conscience to recognise that god exists.
Barths response
“We must hold fast to the revelation in Jesus Christ as the only means of knowing God”
