Characteristics of God

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Omnipresent
Present in all places- present in all sense of the world- in body, mind and spirit.
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Omnipotent
All powerful- closest biblical word is 'almighty'.- This represents Gods power as a creator and provider.
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Creator
The originator of that exists, sustainer of all that is present created from nothing 'ex-nihilo'.
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Omniscient
All-knowing derived form the biblical claim that God knows and sees the secrets of out hearts.
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Wisdom
Having the right attitudes, goals and values- more about the way we live our lives then the knowledge we gather.' Through wisdom God created the world.'
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Everlasting/Immortal
The idea of a God within time who has always existed and always will- Alpha and Omega ( beginning and end)
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Eternal
God is timeless and beyond time. St Augustine would argue that it makes no sense for God to sit around for years then decide to make the world.
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Immutable
Changeless- 'I am the lord, I don not change'- The emphasis is on Gods consistency and reliability in his dealings with humans- people see flaws in this- Plato sees change as imperfections.
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Impassible
Without feeling and suffering- God of the Hebrew scriptures is seen to suffer with us and find compassion for people who are in pain.
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Benevolant
The moral quality of God seen at the heart of the bible, God being good even though this image is changing throughout.' God so loved the world he gave his only son.'
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Infinite
Created by 'theologians' as a rational reflection of the scriptures- In- denying something- Infinite-not finite-not measurable-not limited. Negative theology based on the idea that God is a impenetrable mystery that we can say what he is NOT.
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Spirit
Not a ghost-like being, rather a relationship- There should be a spiritual relationship not just a surface level of doing religious things.
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Perfect
God is perfect in every possible way and respect- Anselm-'The being greater than which none can be conceived'- PERFECT
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Personal
God is not an 'it' rather a 'thou', someone whom a relationship can be personal.
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Holy
Different, other, pure- It is Gods holiness that separates him from humans -'Be holy as I am holy' this means set themselves apart from human gain and ideas.
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Metaphor
A poetic claim that X is Y, when in fact it both is and is not like it- Paradox- The biblical poetic imagery could have the ability to inspire us at a deeper level than intellect.
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Revelation
God showing himself to humans , what he is like and what he wants- usually through religious experiences.
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Revealed Theology
The idea that God emerges from revelation- direct experience.
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Natural Theology
The ideas about God that emerge from natural human reason from the reflections and workings of the natural world.
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Theism
The belief in God.
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Faith
Not just there being a God, but believing in a God.
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atheism
Believing that there is NO God.
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Agnosticism
'Don't-know-ism' Someone who is not intellectually certain/
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Monotheism
Belief in ONE God.
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Polytheism
The belief in many Gods- Romans- Greeks and Egyptians.
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Henotheism
The belief in a chosen God, this may not be the only God, however can be one's chosen and special God.
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Animism
The belief that things of the natural world have special spiritual relevance which can be worshiped.
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Pantheism
The worship of nature as sacred- how our lives are dependent on it for survival.
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Panentheism
An awareness and worship of God through nature - God is not the same however ever present within it.
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Transcendent
God is something beyond our ordinary experience and physical reality- beyond time and space.
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Immanent
God is present within and encountered through the world.
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Pluralism
The idea that all religions are equally valid paths to the same God.
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Exclusivism
The belief that one particular faith is the truth revealed by God.
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Inclusivism
The belied that ones own religious tradition holds unique truth or revelations, whilst accepting that God has not only revealed himself in that way.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

All powerful- closest biblical word is 'almighty'.- This represents Gods power as a creator and provider.

Back

Omnipotent

Card 3

Front

The originator of that exists, sustainer of all that is present created from nothing 'ex-nihilo'.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

All-knowing derived form the biblical claim that God knows and sees the secrets of out hearts.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Having the right attitudes, goals and values- more about the way we live our lives then the knowledge we gather.' Through wisdom God created the world.'

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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