Doctrine of God Flashcards
Theology Proper: the attributes of God. (20 cards)
In (some) Reformed thinking, God’s _____ implies fatalism.
Foreknowledge
God’s knowledge of all true propositions, including those currently in the future.
This is one major objection to the belief that God predestines every human choice.
God would be the author of sin.
Under this theory, fatalism is escaped by removing God’s knowledge of future events.
Open Theism
How does WLC propose human freedom can remain, in light of God’s omniscience?
While human choices are CHRONOLOGICALLY post God’s foreknowledge of them, they are LOGICALLY prior. God’s foreknowledge is not an active force affecting change.
Molinism includes the theory that God possesses _______, or knowledge of subjunctive conditionals.
Middle-Knowledge
i.e. God knows how x would freely act in hypothetical situation y.
Under this theory, God’s sovereignty and human free will can coexist. Everything that happens is either WILLED or ALLOWED by God.
Middle-Knowledge/Molinism
The _____ objection is one of the main objections to Molinism’s view of God’s knowledge.
Grounding
The argument that God has no means of knowing our hypothetical freely-made choices.
What are some practical implications of God’s omniscience?
- We can have total trust in God’s guidance and will for our lives. He knows the end, and all factors.
- God knows us and our troubles, even when others fail to understand. We are fully understood.
- God knows our hidden sins and every flaw, yet He loves us still.
The creation of the universe from nothing is one of the greatest displays of God’s Almighty power.
Universe
Out of nothing, God creates - calling into existence that which does not yet exist.
God can do all things, and nothing is beyond His power. However, there are some ‘non-things’ that God cannot (or will not) do.
Examples include:
- contradict His own nature
- actualise logical impossibilities
What are some practical implications of God’s omnipotence?
- God’s Almighty power is in us - there is nothing He cannot do through us, including bringing us through trials and unto salvation.
- Nothing can defeat God or His sovereign will. His promises are certain, His foes hopeless.
- God is adequate to all our needs, and can handle all our problems.
God is the _____ standard of Goodness.
Ultimate
There is no higher court to appeal to.
This attribute of God exposes Man’s sinfulness and separates Man from God.
God’s holiness
How does WLC (among others) resolve the Euthyphro Dilemma?
God’s morality is rooted in His attributes - an expression of Who He is, and thus are not arbitrary and will never change.
Which ethical system does WLC hold to?
Divine Command
What are some practical implications of God’s holiness?
- We should strive for personal holiness, for God hates sin.
- In Christ, we are justified through God’s holiness - it becomes our protection.
In light of God’s holiness and love being equal, how is humanity viewed?
Our sin is hated, even while the sinner themselves are loved.
God is love, and His love is ________.
Unconditional
‘Agape’ love - selfless, unmerited and interested in the subject’s best interests.
God’s love is immutable, never ceasing. It is also ______, offered to all.
Universal
Potentially an Arminian (or non-Reformed) distinctive.
What are some practical implications of God’s love?
- Rejoice in God’s love, that is endless and cannot be severed from us. Let us not forget our first love.
- With God’s acceptance for us, we can accept ourselves - overcoming any unhealthy self-image hangups.
- As God loves us, we can love others - loving even our enemies, as Christ died for those who were enemies of God.
