Unit 9

Question 1

Revelation as proof of God

Answer 1

It is important to understood Christians do not believe God is trying to prove he exist: revelation is about God communicating and teaching. I’m doing so however, Christian’s believe revelation inevitably provides proof of his existence

Question 2

Biblical examples of revelation

Answer 2

1.Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan – God the Father says ‘This is my Son,
in whom I am well pleased’.
2.Pentecost – the Holy Spirit descends on the Apostles like tongues of fire. 3.Moses and the Burning Bush – Moses here’s God speak to him.

Question 3

Jesus as the most important type of revelation

Answer 3

1.Jesus is the Incarnation (God made man) therefore He is God revealing
himself on earth.
2.Jesus is the Messiah – the chosen one sent to free us from our sins.

Question 4

Examples of visions

Answer 4

• Biblicalvision-Annunciation(AngelGabrielappearstoMary). • Non-biblical vision – Lourdes.

Question 5

Why may visions lead to belief in God?

Answer 5

• When they occur they give evidence that God exists.
• Proves that God is omnipotent.
• They defy science and so need another explanation – God.

Question 6

Why may visions not lead to belief in God?

Answer 6

• Someone may be lying.
• They may be hallucinating.
• They may have seen something natural but mistaken it for being
something from God.

Question 7

Why may religious experiences not lead to belief in God?

Answer 7

• No physical proof that anything happened.

* Someone may have mistook a feeling for a numinous experience. • Someone may be hallucinating.

Question 8

Why may religious experiences lead to belief in God?

Answer 8

When they occur they give evidence that God exists.
• Often people who have numinous experiences have deep and
long-lasting conversions.
• Many times numinous experiences help a person to grow closer to
God.

Question 9

Biblical miracles

Answer 9

• Feeding of 5000
• Jesus turned water into wine
• Resurrection

Question 10

Why may miracles lead to belief in God?

Answer 10

• When they occur they give evidence that God exists.
• Proves that God is omnipotent.
• They defy science and so need another explanation – God.

Question 11

Why may miracles not lead to belief in God?

Answer 11

Someone may be lying.
• They may be hallucinating.
• There may be a scientific explanation (just no one that has been found
yet).

Question 12

What is the design argument

Answer 12

Created by William Paley

1.The universe is so complex and orderly it must have been designed by someone. 2.This designer is God.

Question 13

Why might the argument lead to belief in God?

Answer 13

1. The universe is an incredibly complex thing.
2. Complex things seem to need a designer.
3. Life is so detailed and works with such precision it must need someone that created it.

Question 14

Why might the argument NOT lead to belief in God?

Answer 14

1.If God made the world surely it would be perfect. (Why does Natural Evil exist?) 2.The world is complex and beautiful but it also seems to be cruel and at times causes
suffering.
3.There is no scientific proof that any designer/God exists.

Question 15

What is the cosmological argument?

Answer 15

Created by St. Thomas Aquinas

1. Nothing comes into existence without a cause.
2. The universe exists.
3. Therefore it must have a cause.
4. This cause is God.

Question 16

Why might the Causation argument lead to belief in God?

Answer 16

• Nothing comes from nothing, the universe exists so it does need an explanation.
• The argument is based on science. Things need to be explained and given a cause for existing.
• It doesn’t make sense to say that the universe is eternal

Question 17

Problems with the Causation argument

Answer 17

Some people may argue that the universe could have been caused by the Big-Bang without God.
• If the universe needs an explanation or a reason for existing surely God also needs an explanation for where
He came from.
• Some people argue we will never know what caused the universe as we were never there – so it’s pointless
to even talk about it.

Question 18

Problems with the Causation argument

Answer 18

Some people may argue that the universe could have been caused by the Big-Bang without God.
• If the universe needs an explanation or a reason for existing surely God also needs an explanation for where
He came from.
• Some people argue we will never know what caused the universe as we were never there – so it’s pointless
to even talk about it.

Question 19

What is the Problem of Evil?

Answer 19

• If God is omnibenevolent why is the world full of pain and
suffering?
• If God is also omnipotent surely he would have the power to
stop evil and suffering.
• If God is omniscient he would know how to stop evil and
suffering.
• If God is perfect then why did he make a world with natural
evil? (e.g. Natural Disasters).

Question 20

Catholic responses to the problem of evil

Answer 20

1. Moral evil is caused by humans misusing their free-will.
2. Jesus suffered a lot in his life. This tells Catholics that they may also have to suffer, but
   that God understands what it’s like for us when we suffer.
3. Some Christians believe suffering is a test that we have to face in this life.

Question 21

Philosophical responses to the problem of evil

Answer 21

Augustine’s theodicy

2. Irenaeus’ theodicy

Question 22

Biblical responses to the problem of evil

Answer 22

1. The Book of Job – suffering cannot be understood by humans but God has a plan.
2. Jesus suffered – we have to follow his example.
3. Genesis – suffering is caused by the Fall.