theme c

what is theme c?

study of arguments for and against the existence of god and revelation

what is theism?

belief that god exists

what is atheism?

belief that god does not exist

what is agnosticism?

belief that god’s existence is unknown or unknowable

what is the design argument?

argument that order and purpose in the universe suggest a designer (god)

who is william paley?

philosopher who used the watch analogy to support design argument

what is paley’s watch analogy?

a watch implies a watchmaker so the universe implies a creator

what is a key design quote?

“the heavens declare the glory of god” (psalm 19:1)

what does psalm 19:1 support?

design argument — nature shows evidence of god

what is the conclusion of design argument?

the universe is too ordered and complex to be random

what is the teleological argument?

argument from purpose and design in nature to a creator

what is the anthropic principle?

we observe a universe suitable for life because otherwise we would not exist to observe it

how do atheists use anthropic principle?

apparent design is explained by selection effect or multiverse, not god

what is the cosmological argument?

everything has a cause so the universe must have a first cause (god)

who is thomas aquinas?

philosopher who developed cosmological arguments

what is aquinas first cause?

nothing can cause itself so there must be an uncaused cause (god)

what is aquinas unmoved mover?

everything in motion is moved by something else so god is the first mover

what is aquinas contingency argument?

contingent things require a necessary being (god)

what is a key cosmological idea?

“nothing comes from nothing” (philosophical principle used by aquinas)

what does cosmological argument conclude?

the universe must have a necessary creator (god)

what is the problem of evil?

challenge that evil and suffering contradict an all-good and all-powerful god

who is epicurus?

philosopher who questioned compatibility of god and evil

what is epicurus’ problem of evil?

if god is willing but not able or able but not willing to stop evil, why does evil exist?

what is moral evil?

evil caused by humans (war, murder, cruelty)

what is natural evil?

suffering caused by nature (earthquakes, disease)

what is a key evil quote?

“is god willing to prevent evil, but not able?” (epicurus)

what is the free will defence?

evil exists because humans need freedom to choose good or evil

what is soul making?

irenaeus’ idea that suffering develops moral and spiritual growth

who is irenaeus?

theologian who believed suffering helps humans grow spiritually

what is a key irenaeus idea?

humans are created imperfect and develop through suffering

what is religious experience?

personal experience interpreted as contact with god

who is william james?

philosopher who studied religious experiences and their effects

what is james’ view?

if a religious experience changes a life positively, it may be valid

what is rudolf otto’s idea?

religious experience is “numinous” (awe and mystery)

what is numinous?

feeling of overwhelming awe and presence of something divine

what is a key religious experience idea?

“the feeling of presence beyond ourselves” (otto concept)

what is the argument from miracles?

unexplained events that suggest divine intervention

what is a miracle?

event that breaks natural laws and is attributed to god

what is a key miracle quote?

“with god all things are possible” (matthew 19:26)

what is david hume’s argument?

it is more rational to reject miracles than believe them

what is hume’s main point?

laws of nature are based on uniform experience so miracles are unlikely

what does hume say about testimony?

human witnesses are unreliable and prone to error or deception

what is general revelation?

knowledge of god through nature

what is special revelation?

direct revelation through prophets or holy texts

what is a scientific challenge to god?

science explains the universe without needing god

what is the big bang theory?

scientific explanation for origin of universe without god

what is evolution?

natural selection explains development of life

what is pascal’s wager?

argument that it is safer to believe in god just in case he exists

what is pascal’s key idea?

if god exists belief gives infinite reward, if not you lose little

what is a key evaluation quote for belief?

“the heavens declare the glory of god” (psalm 19:1)

what does psalm 19:1 show?

nature is evidence of god’s existence

what is the conclusion of theme c?

arguments are strong on both sides so belief depends on interpretation of evidence