Knowledge of God's existence- criticism

Question 1

Natural theology- criticisms

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Natural theology

Brunner’s response to Barth

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Is faith enough?

NO

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Is faith enough?

YES

Answer 4

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