Knowledge of God's existence Flashcards
Natural Theology
Considers that God can be known through reason and observation of the natural world
Revealed Theology
Considers that God can only be known when He reveals himself e.g. through a prophet, scripture, prayer
General Revelation
Available to all people, at all times and in all places, e.g. the beauty of creation or conscience
Special Revelation
God reveals himself to particular persons at definite times and places, e.g. revealing of Torah to Moses
Regeneration
The process of renewal, restoration and recreation – this is enabled by knowing God fully and having a complete relationship with him
Trinity
Christian doctrine that God is one but reveals himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Fideism
The belief that revelation is essential for the human mind to know anything about God’s existence or nature. Humans can know nothing about God except what He chooses to reveal.
Imago Dei
In the image of God
Principle of Accommodation
The principle that God shows himself through creation in ways that finite human minds can understand
Sensus divinitatis (Calvin)
Latin phrase meaning a ‘sense of God’ of a ‘sense of the divine’
Point of contact (Brunner)
God’s revelation in the world which provides humans with a first step towards knowing God as Redeemer
Immanent
God is involved with and participates in the world
Faith
Voluntary commitment to a belief without complete evidence to support it
