Knowledge Of Gods Existence Flashcards
Define natural theology
God can be known through reason + observation of the natural world
Reveal theology
God can only be known when he lets himself be known – E.G profit, scripture, prayer
Example of reveal theology in religion
Christianity knows god through the person of Jesus Christ
Islam, prophet Muhammad
define Apaphenia
applying meaning to somewthing unnecisarily
E.g douglas adams puddle arguement
How does natural theology suppose humans know God? (conscience)
Because God created the universe + human conscious, humans have a natural predisposition to know God as creator
Argument for innate knowledge of God
Every civilisation has had some form of religious practice
—> therefore must be naturally predisposed to god
Biblical support for the sensus divinatatus?
St paul to the Athenians
What is the universal consent argument? (who)
Because so many people believe in God, belief in God must therefore be reasonable
—> presented by cicero
how does Conscience relate to knowledge of god
Calvin —> Conscience is our God given faculty as creatures made in the image of God
—> gods presence gives us a moral judgement
What are the issues related to arguments for gods existence?
Most arguments dont approve his existence, but rather provide reasons to believe
What is duplex cognitio domini
Calvins, distinction of knowing God as creator, and God as redeemer
(“Two fold knowledge of god”)
What is “Argument from design”
The world’s complexity makes it reasonable to infer that it has a designer
—> Paley watch maker analogy
Define the principle of accommodation
Because humans have finite minds, god manifests himself through creation in ways that we will understand
2 objections to the design arguement
- Nature is more brutal than beautiful
—> means god is also cruel (naturalistic fallacy) - Darwins + evolution
—> world has adapted
What do process theologians believe?
God and the world act in tandem
—> there isn’t an end point for nature, it is an end in itseld
Dawkins view on faith in relation to knowledge of god
Viewed it as a “cop-out” for not having to give reasons for religious belief
What is the trinitarian view of God?
reveals himself as three persons: father, son, holyspirit
What is the anonymous Christian argument?
people who have never heard the gospel may still be saved through christ (Rahner)
What does the catechism say about use of the Bible?
Christianity must not be reduced to the Bible alone
What is the Barth and Brunner Debate
Brunner: need both natural and reveal theology
Barth: just need revealed
Brunner on knowledge of god
—> god reaches humans through nature
—> conscience and guilt make humans aware of gods natural law
Barth on knowledge of god
Man is completely corrupted by the fall, thus only god can choose to reveal himself to sinful man
—> no contact between god and humanity
—> conscience and guilt are only apparent after man has felt gods grace
What does Plantinga argue about knowledge of god
If there were no god, there would be no claims to know him
However, people believe in god, thus knowledge of God is foundational
2 criticisms of plantinga
- Just because people believe in god, doesn’t mean its correct
- Plantinga assumes the incarnation + holy spirit is true
What is fediesm
Knowledge of god depends on faith / revelation
