Knowledge of God - DCT Flashcards
What is natural theology?
The theory that knowledge of God can be gained by the power of human reason.
What are the two main forms of natural theology?
Through reasoning about the natural world and through sensing God.
What is natural theology through reasoning?
Discovering God’s revelation in creation using human reason.
What is natural theology through sensing God?
Gaining knowledge of God through an innate sense rather than reason.
Which group typically supports natural theology through reason?
Catholics.
Which group is more sceptical of natural theology through reason?
Some Protestant theologians.
What is revealed theology?
The idea that knowledge of God comes from God’s self-revelation (e.g., Bible, Jesus).
What is the basis of revealed theology?
Faith.
Who typically supports revealed theology?
Both Catholics and Protestants.
What did Aquinas believe about reason and God’s nature?
Reason cannot fully know God’s infinite nature but can know lesser truths.
Which arguments did Aquinas use to support faith?
Teleological and cosmological arguments.
What is the goal of Aquinas’ natural theology?
To support faith, not replace it.
Why did Aquinas reject the ontological argument?
It aimed to prove God’s existence, which could undermine faith.
What effect does reflecting on creation have according to Aquinas?
It increases reverence, admiration, and love for God.
Who said ‘faith and reason are like two wings’?
Pope John Paul II.
What did Karl Barth believe about human reason?
It is too corrupted by original sin to know God.
What did Barth mean by ‘the finite has no capacity for the infinite’?
Human reason cannot grasp God’s divine nature.
What does Barth believe happens when we try to use reason to know God?
We risk idolatry.
What historical movement did Barth warn theology could support?
Nazism.
What is Aquinas’ view on reason post-Fall?
It is weakened but not destroyed.
What three goods did Aquinas say pre-fall human nature had?
Rationality, inclination to good, original justice.
What is synderesis?
The rational inclination toward goodness.
Why can only rational beings sin according to Aquinas?
Because sin requires rational moral awareness.
What is Aquinas’ view on concupiscence?
It can be natural if ruled by reason.
How does Aquinas defend natural theology?
By arguing reason can still incline us to the good.
Why does Barth say natural theology is dangerous?
It assumes fallen reason can lead us to God.
What is the risk of trusting in reason for morality?
It may justify arrogance or evil.
What did Barth say natural theology does to revelation?
It makes it seem unnecessary.
Why did God send Jesus according to Barth?
Because revelation is necessary.
How does Aquinas respond to Barth’s critique?
Natural theology only shows reasonableness of belief, not proof.
Does Aquinas think natural theology replaces faith?
No, it supports faith.
What can reason tell us about God’s existence according to Aquinas?
That a designer or necessary being likely exists.
What is needed to know the Christian God according to Aquinas?
Faith and revealed theology.
What is Calvin’s sensus divinitatis?
An innate sense of God placed in all people.
What does Calvin say about atheism?
It is irrational because everyone senses God.
How does Calvin explain remote people believing in God?
They still have the sense of divinity.
What does anthropology say about tribal beliefs?
They often believe in magical spirits, not necessarily God.
What modern trend challenges Calvin’s view?
The rise of atheism in modern, educated societies.
Who defends sensus divinitatis against this critique?
Plantinga.
What is Plantinga’s defence?
Sin has a noetic effect that blocks the sense of God.
What is the noetic effect of sin?
The corruption of knowledge and understanding.
What is the counterargument to Plantinga?
Atheists are often moral and live in peaceful societies.
What does Romans 1:20 say about God?
His qualities can be seen in creation.
What type of argument does Romans 1:20 support?
A posteriori arguments like teleological and cosmological.
How did Calvin interpret Romans 1:20?
As support for sensus divinitatis.
What does the word ‘understood’ suggest in Romans 1:20?
That reason is involved, not just sensing.
What does Romans 1:25 warn about?
Worshiping created things rather than God.
What danger does Barth see in natural theology?
It can lead to idolatry.
What do Grenz and Olson say about Barth?
Natural theology can subvert theology into human thinking.
What evil did Barth associate with idolatry in theology?
Nazism.
How does Barth interpret Romans 1:25?
As a warning about natural theology’s dangers.
What does ‘so that people are without excuse’ imply?
We are expected to understand God from creation.
What does Calvin say about glorifying God?
True knowledge is knowing how to glorify Him.
Why does Calvin reject natural theology alone?
It cannot reveal God’s full nature or moral will.
What is Calvin’s view of the mind?
It should passively receive revelation.
What is the classic Protestant position?
Rely on faith and revelation, not reason.
How do some defend natural theology against original sin?
By denying original sin entirely.
Who denied original sin?
Pelagius and some liberal Christians.
What story did Augustine tell about sin in childhood?
He stole a pear for the pleasure of it.
What is Pelagius’ view of evil tendencies?
They come from upbringing, not nature.
What does Pelagius mean by ‘educated in evil’?
People are taught to sin by their environment.
What evidence supports Pelagius’ view?
Human moral progress over history.
What did Martin Luther King say about moral progress?
‘The arc of the moral universe bends toward justice.’
What did Steven Pinker argue?
Human reason has reduced violence and improved life.
What does this suggest about reason?
It may not be corrupted by sin.
Who is Emil Brunner?
A theologian who defends natural theology alongside revelation.
What is the material imago dei?
Our relationship with God.
What is the formal imago dei?
Reason, language, and moral awareness.
What did Brunner believe about reason?
It survived the Fall and allows knowledge of God.
How is God’s preserving grace known?
Through the continued order of the universe.
Does Brunner believe natural theology is enough?
No, we still need revelation for full knowledge.
What is Barth’s criticism of Brunner?
He contradicts himself by saying reason is corrupted.
Why is corrupted reason a problem?
It may distort any knowledge gained about God.
What is Brunner’s main idea?
We can know God exists, but not fully understand Him without revelation.
