The Extistence Of God And Revelation

Question 1

The Design Arguement

Answer 1

William Paley - this says that because everything in the universe is so intricately made, it must have been created by God. Therefore, God exists.

William Paley - the watch

Isaac Newton - the thumb

F. R. Tennant - the Goldilocks arguement

Question 2

The First Cause Arguement (or cosmological arguement)

Answer 2

Thomas Aquinas-

1. Everything that exists or begins to exist must have a cause.
2. As the universe exists and had a beginning, it too must have a cause.
3. There must be something existing with no cause, which is eternal (has no beginning or end) to cause everything else that exists.
4. The eternal first cause can only be God.
5. This means God must exist.

Question 3

Miracles

Answer 3

Theists argue that:

1. If there is no scientific explanation for an event, it must be caused by something outside
   nature.
2. God is the only thing that exists outside nature.
3. These events must be the result of God’s intervention in the world.
4. Therefore, God must exist.

Atheists and agnostics may argue that:

1. Miracles are no more than luck coincidences.
2. They may have scientific explanations we do not yet know about.
3. Miracle healings could be the result of mind over matter or misdiagnosis.
4. Some miracles are deliberately made up for fame or money.
5. Therefore, what appears to be a miracle have nothing to do with God, so they cannot prove God exists.

Question 4

Evil and suffering

Answer 4

Atheist responses:

1. Christians believe God to be all-knowing, all-powerful and all-loving.
2. If this is true, God should be aware of evil and use his powers to prevent it because he loves his creation.
3. God doesn’t do this, so he doesn’t exist.

Christian responses:

1. Adam was given free will to make choices by God.
2. If God constantly intervened against evil, humans would have less freedom.
3. If there was no good and evil, people would not be able to show their human qualities, e.g. compassion.
4. Allowing suffering means people can make mistakes and learn from them.

Muslim responses:

1. Adam was given free will to make choices by God.
2. If God constantly intervened against evil, humans would have less freedom.
3. Shaytan (the source of evil) was given the job of testing people’s faith and character through suffering. God does not allow more suffering than a person can bear.
4. God allows evil but he doesn’t will it. He has reasons for allowing it that humans cannot know.