Knowledge Of Gods Existence

Question 1

Define natural theology

Answer 1

God can be known through reason + observation of the natural world

Question 2

Reveal theology

Answer 2

God can only be known when he lets himself be known – E.G profit, scripture, prayer

Question 3

Example of reveal theology in religion

Answer 3

Christianity knows god through the person of Jesus Christ

Islam, prophet Muhammad

Question 4

define Apaphenia

Answer 4

applying meaning to somewthing unnecisarily
E.g douglas adams puddle arguement

Question 5

How does natural theology suppose humans know God? (conscience)

Answer 5

Because God created the universe + human conscious, humans have a natural predisposition to know God as creator

Question 6

Argument for innate knowledge of God

Answer 6

Every civilisation has had some form of religious practice
—> therefore must be naturally predisposed to god

Question 7

Biblical support for the sensus divinatatus?

Answer 7

St paul to the Athenians

Question 8

What is the universal consent argument? (who)

Answer 8

Because so many people believe in God, belief in God must therefore be reasonable
—> presented by cicero

Question 9

how does Conscience relate to knowledge of god

Answer 9

Calvin —> Conscience is our God given faculty as creatures made in the image of God
—> gods presence gives us a moral judgement

Question 10

What are the issues related to arguments for gods existence?

Answer 10

Most arguments dont approve his existence, but rather provide reasons to believe

Question 11

What is duplex cognitio domini

Answer 11

Calvins, distinction of knowing God as creator, and God as redeemer
(“Two fold knowledge of god”)

Question 12

What is “Argument from design”

Answer 12

The world’s complexity makes it reasonable to infer that it has a designer
—> Paley watch maker analogy

Question 13

Define the principle of accommodation

Answer 13

Because humans have finite minds, god manifests himself through creation in ways that we will understand

Question 14

2 objections to the design arguement

Answer 14

1. Nature is more brutal than beautiful
   —> means god is also cruel (naturalistic fallacy)
2. Darwins + evolution
   —> world has adapted

Question 15

What do process theologians believe?

Answer 15

God and the world act in tandem
—> there isn’t an end point for nature, it is an end in itseld

Question 16

Dawkins view on faith in relation to knowledge of god

Answer 16

Viewed it as a “cop-out” for not having to give reasons for religious belief

Question 17

What is the trinitarian view of God?

Answer 17

reveals himself as three persons: father, son, holyspirit

Question 18

What is the anonymous Christian argument?

Answer 18

people who have never heard the gospel may still be saved through christ (Rahner)

Question 19

What does the catechism say about use of the Bible?

Answer 19

Christianity must not be reduced to the Bible alone

Question 20

What is the Barth and Brunner Debate

Answer 20

Brunner: need both natural and reveal theology
Barth: just need revealed

Question 21

Brunner on knowledge of god

Answer 21

—> god reaches humans through nature

—> conscience and guilt make humans aware of gods natural law

Question 22

Barth on knowledge of god

Answer 22

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

Question 23

What does Plantinga argue about knowledge of god

Answer 23

If there were no god, there would be no claims to know him

However, people believe in god, thus knowledge of God is foundational

Question 24

2 criticisms of plantinga

Answer 24

1. Just because people believe in god, doesn’t mean its correct
2. Plantinga assumes the incarnation + holy spirit is true

Question 25

What is fediesm

Answer 25

Knowledge of god depends on faith / revelation