Knowledge of God - DCT

Question 1

What is natural theology?

Answer 1

The theory that knowledge of God can be gained by the power of human reason.

Question 2

What are the two main forms of natural theology?

Answer 2

Through reasoning about the natural world and through sensing God.

Question 3

What is natural theology through reasoning?

Answer 3

Discovering God’s revelation in creation using human reason.

Question 4

What is natural theology through sensing God?

Answer 4

Gaining knowledge of God through an innate sense rather than reason.

Question 5

Which group typically supports natural theology through reason?

Answer 5

Catholics.

Question 6

Which group is more sceptical of natural theology through reason?

Answer 6

Some Protestant theologians.

Question 7

What is revealed theology?

Answer 7

The idea that knowledge of God comes from God’s self-revelation (e.g., Bible, Jesus).

Question 8

What is the basis of revealed theology?

Answer 8

Faith.

Question 9

Who typically supports revealed theology?

Answer 9

Both Catholics and Protestants.

Question 10

What did Aquinas believe about reason and God’s nature?

Answer 10

Reason cannot fully know God’s infinite nature but can know lesser truths.

Question 11

Which arguments did Aquinas use to support faith?

Answer 11

Teleological and cosmological arguments.

Question 12

What is the goal of Aquinas’ natural theology?

Answer 12

To support faith, not replace it.

Question 13

Why did Aquinas reject the ontological argument?

Answer 13

It aimed to prove God’s existence, which could undermine faith.

Question 14

What effect does reflecting on creation have according to Aquinas?

Answer 14

It increases reverence, admiration, and love for God.

Question 15

Who said ‘faith and reason are like two wings’?

Answer 15

Pope John Paul II.

Question 16

What did Karl Barth believe about human reason?

Answer 16

It is too corrupted by original sin to know God.

Question 17

What did Barth mean by ‘the finite has no capacity for the infinite’?

Answer 17

Human reason cannot grasp God’s divine nature.

Question 18

What does Barth believe happens when we try to use reason to know God?

Answer 18

We risk idolatry.

Question 19

What historical movement did Barth warn theology could support?

Answer 19

Nazism.

Question 20

What is Aquinas’ view on reason post-Fall?

Answer 20

It is weakened but not destroyed.

Question 21

What three goods did Aquinas say pre-fall human nature had?

Answer 21

Rationality, inclination to good, original justice.

Question 22

What is synderesis?

Answer 22

The rational inclination toward goodness.

Question 23

Why can only rational beings sin according to Aquinas?

Answer 23

Because sin requires rational moral awareness.

Question 24

What is Aquinas’ view on concupiscence?

Answer 24

It can be natural if ruled by reason.

Question 25

How does Aquinas defend natural theology?

Answer 25

By arguing reason can still incline us to the good.

Question 26

Why does Barth say natural theology is dangerous?

Answer 26

It assumes fallen reason can lead us to God.

Question 27

What is the risk of trusting in reason for morality?

Answer 27

It may justify arrogance or evil.

Question 28

What did Barth say natural theology does to revelation?

Answer 28

It makes it seem unnecessary.

Question 29

Why did God send Jesus according to Barth?

Answer 29

Because revelation is necessary.

Question 30

How does Aquinas respond to Barth’s critique?

Answer 30

Natural theology only shows reasonableness of belief, not proof.

Question 31

Does Aquinas think natural theology replaces faith?

Answer 31

No, it supports faith.

Question 32

What can reason tell us about God's existence according to Aquinas?

Answer 32

That a designer or necessary being likely exists.

Question 33

What is needed to know the Christian God according to Aquinas?

Answer 33

Faith and revealed theology.

Question 34

What is Calvin’s sensus divinitatis?

Answer 34

An innate sense of God placed in all people.

Question 35

What does Calvin say about atheism?

Answer 35

It is irrational because everyone senses God.

Question 36

How does Calvin explain remote people believing in God?

Answer 36

They still have the sense of divinity.

Question 37

What does anthropology say about tribal beliefs?

Answer 37

They often believe in magical spirits, not necessarily God.

Question 38

What modern trend challenges Calvin’s view?

Answer 38

The rise of atheism in modern, educated societies.

Question 39

Who defends sensus divinitatis against this critique?

Answer 39

Plantinga.

Question 40

What is Plantinga’s defence?

Answer 40

Sin has a noetic effect that blocks the sense of God.

Question 41

What is the noetic effect of sin?

Answer 41

The corruption of knowledge and understanding.

Question 42

What is the counterargument to Plantinga?

Answer 42

Atheists are often moral and live in peaceful societies.

Question 43

What does Romans 1:20 say about God?

Answer 43

His qualities can be seen in creation.

Question 44

What type of argument does Romans 1:20 support?

Answer 44

A posteriori arguments like teleological and cosmological.

Question 45

How did Calvin interpret Romans 1:20?

Answer 45

As support for sensus divinitatis.

Question 46

What does the word ‘understood’ suggest in Romans 1:20?

Answer 46

That reason is involved, not just sensing.

Question 47

What does Romans 1:25 warn about?

Answer 47

Worshiping created things rather than God.

Question 48

What danger does Barth see in natural theology?

Answer 48

It can lead to idolatry.

Question 49

What do Grenz and Olson say about Barth?

Answer 49

Natural theology can subvert theology into human thinking.

Question 50

What evil did Barth associate with idolatry in theology?

Answer 50

Nazism.

Question 51

How does Barth interpret Romans 1:25?

Answer 51

As a warning about natural theology’s dangers.

Question 52

What does 'so that people are without excuse' imply?

Answer 52

We are expected to understand God from creation.

Question 53

What does Calvin say about glorifying God?

Answer 53

True knowledge is knowing how to glorify Him.

Question 54

Why does Calvin reject natural theology alone?

Answer 54

It cannot reveal God's full nature or moral will.

Question 55

What is Calvin’s view of the mind?

Answer 55

It should passively receive revelation.

Question 56

What is the classic Protestant position?

Answer 56

Rely on faith and revelation, not reason.

Question 57

How do some defend natural theology against original sin?

Answer 57

By denying original sin entirely.

Question 58

Who denied original sin?

Answer 58

Pelagius and some liberal Christians.

Question 59

What story did Augustine tell about sin in childhood?

Answer 59

He stole a pear for the pleasure of it.

Question 60

What is Pelagius' view of evil tendencies?

Answer 60

They come from upbringing, not nature.

Question 61

What does Pelagius mean by 'educated in evil'?

Answer 61

People are taught to sin by their environment.

Question 62

What evidence supports Pelagius' view?

Answer 62

Human moral progress over history.

Question 63

What did Martin Luther King say about moral progress?

Answer 63

'The arc of the moral universe bends toward justice.'

Question 64

What did Steven Pinker argue?

Answer 64

Human reason has reduced violence and improved life.

Question 65

What does this suggest about reason?

Answer 65

It may not be corrupted by sin.

Question 66

Who is Emil Brunner?

Answer 66

A theologian who defends natural theology alongside revelation.

Question 67

What is the material imago dei?

Answer 67

Our relationship with God.

Question 68

What is the formal imago dei?

Answer 68

Reason, language, and moral awareness.

Question 69

What did Brunner believe about reason?

Answer 69

It survived the Fall and allows knowledge of God.

Question 70

How is God's preserving grace known?

Answer 70

Through the continued order of the universe.

Question 71

Does Brunner believe natural theology is enough?

Answer 71

No, we still need revelation for full knowledge.

Question 72

What is Barth’s criticism of Brunner?

Answer 72

He contradicts himself by saying reason is corrupted.

Question 73

Why is corrupted reason a problem?

Answer 73

It may distort any knowledge gained about God.

Question 74

What is Brunner's main idea?

Answer 74

We can know God exists, but not fully understand Him without revelation.