ultimate reality Flashcards
1
Q
one god
A
- ‘the lord is one’ - deuteronomy 6:4
- foundation of ethical monotheism
2
Q
god is the creator of the universe in its entirety
A
- god takes chaos and brings order
- created the world out of nothing - ex-nihilo
- cause and power behind the universe
- created the world with intention
- god is eternal
- genesis 1:27 ‘God created man in his image’
- genesis 1:1 ‘in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’
3
Q
god is transcendent (big god)
A
- beyond and above
- superior, supreme
- incorporeal - without physical form
- infinite, omniscient
- all knowing
- omnipresent
- ‘master of the earth’ - adon olam
4
Q
god is immanent (close god)
A
- inherent - within humanity
- ingrained in human existence
- loving, close, personal, accessible
- redeemer, protector
- ‘my god’ Adon Olam prayer
5
Q
god is the lawgiver
A
- gives rules - halacha, mitzvot
- defines right/wrong
- single standard - applies to all humanity
- underpins moral and ethical society (noahide)
- ‘you shall observe all my statues’ - levitcus 19:37
6
Q
god is just and merciful
A
- underpin idea of a equitable society - strict god of human behaviour
- how one enforces it
- will judge you but kindly
- justice must always be tempered with compassion
- ‘blessing if you obey the commandments…curse if you do not obey the commandments of the lord your god’ - Deuteronomy 11:26
