cataphatic way (analogy)

aquinas 3 models

• univocal (meaning same no matter context)

• equivocal

• analutical

analogy

aquinas

• middel way

aquinas 2 anaologyies

• analogy of attribution

• analogy of proper proportion

analogy of attribution

• our qualities (like love and wisdom) are reflections of qualities of God 

• “God created mankind in his own image”

e.g. bull and urine example: if the urine is good, the bull (creator) is good 

BUT, atheists reject God as cause of all good (evolution shows humans developed over time)

• Analogy of Attribution only works if God is creator

analogy of proper proportion

• God and mankind have the same properties, but in different proportions

e.g. humans’ finite goodness vs God’s infinite goodness

BUT, degree of God’s qualities still impossible to know

• beyond comprehension, metaphysical

HICK

develops the analogy of proper proportion (same properties, but in different proportions)

• dog is faithful to owner

• God’s is faithful to human beings

pros

• no annihilation (INGE) or anthroprorormsim - middle way

• uses huamn experiences to understand god

  • god is creator, logical

  • HICK

• emphasises differences, ineffability

• supported by scripture

  • “God created mankind in his own image

cons

• BRUMMER - analogy = illusion of saying something

• still limited understanding of God

  • Analogy of Proper Proportion = degree of God’s goodness / faithfulness (beyond comprehension, metaphysical)

• Via Negativa = meaning cannot be carried from human to divine

• unacceptable to compare God to human qualities - he is far greater

• atheists = reject God as cause of all good things in humans 

  • evolution = humans developed over time 

  • Analogy of Attribution only works if God is creator