KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S EXISTENCE

Question 1

NATURAL THEOLOGY: BACKGROUND

Answer 1

• In Christian theology, one might learn about God by observing the world and by using their own reason
• For most Christians, natural theology has played a large role in forming + supporting belief; looking at the beauty of the world leads many to the conclusion that there must be a creator God

Question 2

NATURAL THEOLOGY: PALEY’S TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENT

Answer 2

• Analogy of the Watch

Question 3

NATURAL THEOLOGY: THE BIBLE

Answer 3

• PSALMS 8:3-9: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place… Lord, our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth!
• ROMANS 1:20: For since the creation of the world , God’s invisible qualities have been clearly seen
• The Bible offers the view that the natural world demonstrates truths about God

Question 4

NATURAL THEOLOGY: THOMAS AQUINAS

Answer 4

• Aquinas argued natural theology was important in demonstrating that Christian belief was reasonable and therefore couldn’t be replaced by common sense thinking
• Reason and observation could be used to support Christian belief

Question 5

NATURAL THEOLOGY: AQUINAS’ COSMOLOGICAL ARGUMENT

Question 6

NATURAL THEOLOGY: RICHARD SWINBURNE

Answer 6

• Argued that human reason and powers of observation provide us solid grounds for supporting the probability that there is a God
• The world shows signs of order, regularity and purpose. Reason, therefore, leads us to conclude that there is probably an intelligent being who is the author of the universe (God)

Question 7

JOHN CALVIN: SENSUS DIVINITAS