Knowledge of God's existence Flashcards
Sensus Divinitatis
Innate sense of the divine
Natural theology
Natural knowledge of God is gained by humans reaching up to God, using reason, by observation of the world , or through an inbuilt sense of divine (sensus divintatis)
Revealed theology
Revealed theology of God is about revealing himself through faith, grace and a person of Jesus Christ as portrayed in the Bible and/or church
Some believe that revealed knowledge of God leads to knowing God personally - a relationship
Knowledge through faith (revealed)
God reveals himself in the gift of grace to an individual, who then responds to faith
Knowledge through faith (revealed)
Aquinas
Knowing God through faith means making an intellectual decision to believe
Knowledge through faith (revealed)
Calvin
It is more of an emotional experience. Faith is given by God, through the Holy Spirit, who helps those who are willing to believe
Knowledge of Jesus Christ (revealed)
Calvin
Recognized that natural theology/ knowledge of God was limited and that salvation requires revealed knowledge through Jesus, the redeemer, and mediator bridging the gap between God and humans, allowing reconciliation and full knowledge
Referred to Jesus as a ‘mirror’ revealing the heart of God to the world through his teachings and actions
Knowledge of Jesus Christ (revealed)
Church
The church reveals knowledge of God through its liturgy and community projects
Knowledge of God through creation (Natural)
Calvin
Sees creation as God’s theater, revealing his goodness
Knowledge of God through creation (Natural)
Romans
Paul 1 : knowledge of God is available to all through the natural world
Knowledge of God through creation (Natural)
Psalm 19
“The heavens declare the glory of God”
-expressing awe and wonder we feel when looking at creation
Knowledge of God through creation (Natural)
Brunner
Brunner calls these ‘points of contact’ between God and humans or ‘sparks of glory’ that hep us engage with and begin to know God
Knowledge of God through creation (Natural)
Teleological arguments
Teleological arguments reference observation of the natural world
Paley’s analogy, Aquinas’ 5th way, Tennant’s anthropic principle
Natural theology
Criticisms
Too vague: it only leads to knowledge about God or what he may be like- no empirical knowledge
Barth: human reason is so corrupt due to the Fall that natural knowledge of God is impossible (Calvin’s rejection)
Brunner: natural theology is limiting- salvation requires revelation
Calvin: Sensus divintatis is a simple knowledge through revelation of Jesus Christ
Natural theology
Criticisms - Brunner’s response
Brunner argues that Barth is wrong and that humans are not corrupt on a spiritual level so they can access God through reason and conscience
Sensus Divinitatis
Calvin
Calvin claims that humans are made imago dei and have an in built sense of and desire to know God
This can be seen in:
The ‘seeds of religion’ that are found in all cultures
An apparent human intellectual ability to reflect on and recognize God’s existence
Sensus Divinitatis
Aquinas
The principle of accommodation- God has accommodates himself in humans so they can know God
Is faith enough? NO
Barth- Humans are corrupt and too finite to know God though Natural theology
God would need to reveal knowledge accessible through faith
Emphasizes the importance of faith led him to suggest that sensus divinitais comes only after a response to faith
Calvin & Catholic church- emphasizes that faith alone (fideism) is not enough- God’s grace is also needed
Is faith enough? YES
Aquinas- ‘faith seeking understanding’ reason and faith
Christians- value Natural theology as a first step towards knowing God as a confirmation that faith is reasonable
