Knowledge 11

Knowledge of the Existence of God

• Subject matter presented by Alvin Plantinga.

Alvin Plantinga

• Born in 1932; former professor of philosophy at Notre Dame University.

• Identifies as a Reformed Christian and theologian.

• Advocates ‘Reformed epistemology,’ positing that knowledge of God can be rational and justified without requiring arguments or evidence.

• Describes knowledge of God as a ‘basic belief’ emerging from a worldview that inherently implies God's existence.

Basic Belief

• Plantinga asserts that knowledge of God is not contingent on natural or revealed knowledge.

• Belief in God is properly classified as basic, standing independently from other beliefs, arguments, or evidence.

• Such beliefs are not arbitrary; they are rooted in personal experiences, rendering them rational.

• Draws on Descartes' principle, "I think, therefore I am," to highlight foundational beliefs.

• Acknowledges that certainty in knowledge is unattainable, yet posits that basic beliefs can be warranted and recognized as ‘true.’

• A proposition is ‘true’ if it can comprehensively explain an experience.

Examples of Basic Beliefs

• The notes encourage contemplation of personal experiences to identify basic beliefs.

God as a Basic Belief

• Exemplifies that natural and revealed knowledge is not inherently basic, as they depend on other foundational presumptions.

Knowledge of God

• Claims based on natural theology can introduce doubt about God's existence.

• Plantinga emphasizes that knowledge of God is rooted in a universal religious sense allowing for valid basic religious assertions—termed sensus divinitatis.

• Disagrees with the notion of a separate, independent natural theology; instead, frames religious understanding as a God-given capacity to know Him.

Sensus Divinitatis: Comparison

• John Calvin construed sensus divinitatis as the ability to know God; Plantinga contends it embodies knowledge of God.

• Argues that if God did not exist, there would be no assertions about knowing Him, thus the prevalence of belief in God substantiates its proper basic status.

The Role of Jesus

• Plantinga asserts that while sensus divinitatis provides basic knowledge of God's existence, it does not render the knowledge of God’s nature complete, which is revealed through Christ.

• Clarifies that full knowledge of God’s characteristics—such as his triune nature—requires Christ’s revelation and is available to Christians post-salvation and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Extensions

• Clarifies what a ‘properly basic belief’ entails, alongside examples of basic beliefs.

• Justifies Plantinga's rationale for grounding God's existence in ‘basic belief’ rather than natural or revealed knowledge.

• Contrasts Plantinga's use of sensus divinitatis with Calvin’s interpretation.

• Discusses the significance of Jesus Christ in accessing a deeper understanding of God, as proposed by Plantinga.