Theme C - Exisrence Of God And Revelation

Question 1

Design argument

Answer 1

Argument for the existence of God, because the world around us is too detailed and intricate to be a coincidence, so there must be an intelligent creator behind it.

William Paley - watchmaker argument (if you found a watch in the gras, you would assume its intricate mechanism came by accident, so someone must have created it!

Question 2

Natural selection and evolution

Answer 2

The opposing argument to the design argument and William Paley’s watchmaker theory

States life’s intricacy is due to milionsof years of evolution

Question 3

The first cause argument

Answer 3

THOMAS AQUINAS - argues there had to be a an uncashed cause which created everything, which must be GOD.

Nothing moves without first being pushed (dominos), and God is the only possible cause for this because he is ETERNAL

However Atheists argue that with this logic, God must have a cause too, so the universe could be eternal

Question 4

Argument from miracles

Answer 4

MIRACLES PROVE THAT GOD EXISTS.

HUMES miracles, which are miracles which cannot be explained by science, so must therefore be the result of God’s intervention

However atheists argue that miracles, such as RF Holland miracles are simply coincidences that benefit people and those who claim they are not explained by science are Delusional or lying

Question 5

Special revelation

Answer 5

A form of revelation where God reveals himself through remarkable experiences to an individual or small group of people

These could be visions, dreams or miracles

Eg, Saul experiencing a vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus

Question 6

General Revelation

Answer 6

A form of revelation where God reveals himself through ordinary experiences which are open to all people to experience.

For example, through nature, including the intricacy of a human eye.

Or through scripture

Question 7

Problem of suffering

Answer 7

The paradox whereby if God is omnibenevolent and omnipotent, then evil should not exist, inconsistent triad.

Epicurus is a Greek philosopher who claims that the existence of evil proves there is no God.

Question 8

Personal God

Answer 8

A god who has human characteristics and Christians can form a relationship with them through prayer.

Question 9

Impersonal God

Answer 9

A mysterious force almost with no human characteristics, making it hard to relate to him which makes it difficult to form a loving relationship with him

Question 10

Transcendent

Answer 10

Exists beyond our universe and is not limited by the laws of physics, rules of time or space

Question 11

Immanent God

Answer 11

Active and involved in every action on earth, including Holy Spirit answering prayers