Phil in Lit Christian Theism (Sire)

“Basic Presuppositions” of Christianity that shaped the Western World

a. the god of the bible exists

b. he revealed himself to humans and could be known

c. he created the universe

d. humans were his special creation

For a person, “obedience to God was ____ since that was what people were made for”.

true freedom

Absurdism

“the belief that life is inherently meaningless, without purpose and chaotic”.

Prime reality (WVQ1)

Prime Reality is the infinite, personal God revealed in the Holy Scriptures. This God is triune, transcendent, and immanent, omniscient, sovereign and good.

More characteristics of the prime reality

(God)

God is infinite.

God is personal.

God is transcendent and immanent.

God is omniscient.

God is sovereign.

God is good.

external reality (wvq2)

External Reality is the cosmos God created ex nihilo to operate with a uniformity of cause and effect in an open system

what is a human being? (wvq3)

Human Beings are created in the image of God and thus possess personality, transcendence, intelligence, morality, gregariousness and creativity

Why is it possible to know anything at all? (wvq5)

Human beings can know both the world around them and God himself because God has built into them the capacity to do so and because he takes an active role in communicating with them

How do you know what is right and wrong? (wvq6)

Human beings were created good, but through the fall the image of God became defaced, though not so ruined as to not be capable of restoration; through the work of Christ, God redeemed humanity and began the process of restoring people to goodness, though any given person may choose to reject that redemption.

Essence of fallen humanity

human alienation from god, themselves, and others as result from the fall

attributes of redeemed humans

the process of restoration of all parts of a human being

death (wvq4)

For each person death is either the gate to life with God and his people or the gate to eternal separation from the only thing that will ultimately fill human aspirations

How do you know what is right and wrong? (wvq6)

Morality is transcendent and is based on the character of God as good (Holy and Loving)

What is the meaning of human history? (wvq7)

History is linear, a meaningful sequence of events leading to a fulfillment of God's purpose for humanity

What personal, life-orienting core commitments are consistent with this worldview? (wvq8)

Christian Theists live to seek first the kingdom of God, that is, to glorify God and enjoy him forever