Topic 22 Nature + Character of God Flashcards
What is ultimate reality?
Absolute nature of all things
- Personal being (personal + loving God)
- Impersonal being (origin + target of all personal beings)
- Eternal truth that governs universe eg in Buddhism
What is existentialism?
- no value in life or universe- no purpose
- no ultimate reality/ God
Why do Christians believe that Ultimate Reality is founded on God?
More ‘real’ than anything else - eternal + creator
Life after death links with God + ultimate reality
What do Christians believe about God’s omnipotence?
- Creatio ex nihilio (only all powerful God can create universe)
God must be all powerful to be god (anselm’s ontological argument ‘nothing greater can be conceived’) - Choosing what to reveal + not to reveal
Hebrews ‘God cannot lie’ omnibenevolence but doesn’t counter omnipotence
- Miracles
What are problems with God’s omnipotence?
- doesn’t prevent evil and suffering
- performs miracles but doesn’t heal all people
Three ways belief in omnipotence of God affects Christian’s life?
- prayer (thank him for comfort + acknowledge power)
- control thoughts + actions (some live in fear of god’s punishment)
- feel more safe + protected - comfort to know God is in control
What are Christian beliefs on omniscience?
- humans limited free will
(God knows everything + predestined) - god chooses to limit own knowledge so we can have free will OR god knows all possible outcomes but not one we will take (limiting)
- Matt 10, God knows number of hairs on head
- god has to know everything to be transcendent (differ himself from humans)
- Christians live good moral life since can’t hide our motives from God
- confidence when faced with dilemma - god has plan
What are problems with God’s omniscience?
- god knows everything - we don’t need to pray
- evil suffering argument
- compromises human free will
What do Christians believe about benevolence of God?
- loves sinner not sin
- unconditional + not dependent on anything
- sent son to die for sake of humanity + giving life to universe
- love = parent -> judgement when they go against him
- Luke 15 parable prodigal son - God = parent that welcomes us back even if we reject him
- Christians are comforted that they will receive forgiveness
Problems with God’s benevolence
- Evil Argument
- doesn’t answer prayers
- doesn’t intervene
What do Christians believe about God being ‘almighty’
Can’t be stopped from achieving his purpose
Deserves respect
- god has always been there + consistent
