Knowledge of God's existence

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What is natural theology?
Considers that God can be known through reason and observation of the natural world.
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What is Revealed theology?
Considers that God can only be known when he lets himself be known. Revelation might occur through a prophet, scripture, prayer etc.
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What does Calvin say about innate knowledge?
So many people believe in Gods, therefore there must be a god (Cicero). Human inclination to carry out religious practices.
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What is human sense of beauty and moral goodness?
Natural law- catholicism, inbuilt knowledge of what is good and fair. Conscience- protestant, our god given faculty as creatures made in the image of God.
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Human intellectual ability to reflect on and recognise God's existence?
Uncaused causer (aquinas). Provides strong reasons to believe. God exists in a different way than us.
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What does Calvin say about order and design?
God's existence is shown through the expression of the nature of creation. God manifests himself through creation in ways we can understand, such as a tree.
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What is said about purpose?
Paley- analogy of the watch. The world has a maker and that is God. Darwin- nothing in nature has purpose, just develops to survive.
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What is said about process?
Process theology. God and the world act in tandem; God is not independent from the natural processes but works with them to maximise potential. No end point to which nature is moving.
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Faith and God's grace- what is said about the fall and human finiteness (revealed).
The corruption caused by humanity caused God to only those who believed are worthy. It distracted us from our desire for God.
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What is said about faith?
Unformed faith- find intellectual reasons why, for example a person may believe in the afterlife, but wont can't accept it. Formed faith- this is faith which wills to accept what it can believe through the intellect.
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What does Calvin say in his protestant teaching about faith?
Faith is firm and certain knowledge- this is only possible as revealed by Christ and sealed by the holy spirit. Willingness to believe- faith is given to anyone who is willing to accept it.
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Revealed knowledge of God in Jesus Christ.?
Calvin describes Christ as the mirror and mediator of the divine- he reflects God's qualities.
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What does Brunner propose?
God's revelation in nature as a contact point enables humans to be aware of God's commands. God is exists uncorrupted in the spiritual state. nature provides a contact point. Conscience makes us aware of God's law. True knowledge- ultimate faith
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What does Barth reply with?
Human nature is completely corrupt due to the fall. The formal self cannot inform the material self- soul can't inform material. There are no points of contact and order of creation is only seen after it has been revealed to us.
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What does Platinga say?
Reformed epistemology- knowledge of God is a basic belief, is knowledge because it just is.
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What are some criticisms of Plantinga?
Assumes that christian beliefs are true. Supports any firmly held beliefs believers consider to be basic.
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What is fideism?
The requirement that revelation is essential for the human mind to know anything about God's existence or nature with certainty.
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Is natural theology Christian theology?
Natural theology reduces claims to the human rational level which then this means that, Jesus was no more than an inspired teacher and prophet, the resurrection is no more an experience of hope over despair, heaven is just a political goal of earth
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Natural theology and the imagination?
Imagination shares many of the characteristics of faith; it is intentional and conscious. Stories in the bible aren't true but make poetic sense.The use of symbols and analogy's help convey mysteries.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is Revealed theology?

Back

Considers that God can only be known when he lets himself be known. Revelation might occur through a prophet, scripture, prayer etc.

Card 3

Front

What does Calvin say about innate knowledge?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is human sense of beauty and moral goodness?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Human intellectual ability to reflect on and recognise God's existence?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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