RS a level DCT - knowledge of God's existence

ao1 and ao2

what are the two types of theology in this topic

natural and revealed

what is natural theology

gaining knowledge of God through reasoning and observation

what is revealed theology

god choosing to reveal himself to humans directly e.g. through scripture

quote from Boyle unifying natural and revealed theology

the Bible and the natural world are “God’s two books”

example of natural theology from argument from observation topic

Paley’s teleological argument

two scholars that use natural theology

Aquinas, Swinburne

Swinburne’s argument for natural theology

reason and observation of design and order leads to the belief that there is a high probability there is a god

what does Calvin mean by “sensus divinitatis” and how does this apply to natural theology

innate human sense of the divine, no excuse not to believe in God

what does Cicero argue about innate sense of God

cultures across time have had a sense of an infinite and divine being

2 examples of truths that have to come about through revelation rather than logic or observation

the holy trinity, ideas about life after death

what does revelation require that natural theology does not

faith

3 ways in which God is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ

incarnation, sacrifice on cross shows God’s love, miracles

3 ways God is revealed through life in the church

holy communion ‘body of Christ’

protestants ‘sola scriptura’

mission

quote from Calvin supporting natural theology

there is “by natural instinct an awareness of divinity” in humans

quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church supporting natural theology

“the desire for God is written in the human heart”

quote from Calvin in ‘Institutes of the Christian religion’ showing the significance of God’s grace in theology

“The grace of God has no charms for men till the holy spirit gives them taste for it”

why does Barth suggest natural theology is not sufficient

God is too “radically other” and human’s are too limited by the fall and sin to know God in away way other than revelation

what is atheistic critique

there cannot be innate knowledge of God if atheists exist

2 elements of Aquinas’ theology that exemplify natural knowledge of God

5 ways, analogy (proportion and attribution)

what is Aquinas’ 4th way

the argument from degrees of perfection: humans understand things to be more or less good/perfect by comparing them to some ultimate standard, which must be God

how does Dawkins criticize Aquinas’ 4th way

human understanding of different attributes and their degrees comes about through evolution not some divine ultimate

Cardinal Newman (influenced by Augustine and Aquinas) on conscience

"the “voice of God” in human minds

how does acts 17:16-34 support natural theology

Paul tells the Athenians that the altar marked to an ‘unknown God’ is really a worshipping of the Christian God - “So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship,” perpetuating an idea of an innate sense of the divine

Hebrews 1:1-2 supporting revealed theology

“God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son”

how does C.S. Lewis support the innate human sense of the divine

argues there is universal moral law that can be understood by virtue of the fact that humans are created by a divine lawmaker

Barth’s criticism of all theology

theology itself is inherently sinful because humans should be totally reliant on the incarnation and divine revelation

how does the Catholic church’s theology being cumulative show knowledge of God does not have to be complete to be sufficient

the Catholic Church’s teachings are added-to as time goes on by more of history and scholars, acknowledging that theology is not yet complete

Colossians 1:16-17 supporting Aquinas’ natural theology (particularly the first 3 ways)

“by him all things were created… and he is before all things, and in him all things hold together”

Genesis 1:1 supporting natural theology (particularly Aquinas’ first 3 ways)

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”; the universe is not infinite

How does the life of the Church uniquely reveal God

Explores God in the present day and makes him accessible in daily life

Rituals like sacraments reveal aspects of God to believers

The Magisterium for Catholics are the official, correct interpreters of texts and NML because it has received grace

Quote from Augustine on revelation through the spirit

“The gift of god is the Holy Spirit”

John 14:25-26 on the Holy Spirit

‘The Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and bring rememberance of what I have said to you’

what is Calvin’s Principle of Accommodation

 a loving God would establish points of contacts with humans through which he can be known e.g. in the created world

what example does Aquinas use to demonstrate knowledge of God is gained holistically

natural theology tells us God exists, while revealed shows he is a trinity

example of atheist who would criticize knowledge of God through faith

Dawkins