Nature of God Flashcards
(18 cards)
5 Christian beliefs about god- Christian Monotheism
Monotheism
Ethical monotheism
Omnipotent Creator
Controller
Trancendant &Unknowable
God as omnipotent- Perspectives on God
For some, to say that God is omnipotent means that He can do absolutely anything, including the logically impossible.
Others think that this is just logical nonsense, and that to say God is omnipotent means that He can do anything that is ‘logically possible’. For many Christians it is important to accept this due to the problem of evil.
God as an omnipotent creator -3 points- Perspectives on God
1)Some believe the universe comes ex Deo (‘out of God’s own being’), but most reject this because it would suggest that God is a material being.
2)Most Christians think that God created the universe literally ‘from nothing’ (ex nihilo), a kind of mental construction by God.
3) Process theology
God- Controller,-2 points - Perspectives on God
If God is omnipotent, then it isn’t much of a leap to believe that God controls all things (or sustains it).
However, not all Christians agree how:
1) God as omniscient (all knowing). This means that all events are fixed and unavoidable (theological determinism). This theory comes in many forms - in its strongest form, it suggests we do not have free will.
2)God is timeless. Aquinas and Boethius both believe in a ‘timeless’ God. This means that God knows all of our choices, as he exists outside of time and can see them all at once.
Boethius- problem he had with God and his solution-Perspectives on God
Problem: If God is all knowing and all powerful, He should intervene rather than punish
Solution:God exists outside of time, so there is no ‘preventing’ anything.
God as trancendant and unknowable- Perspectives on God
God is not made of anything, and does not exist in anything (so cannot exist in time or in space, since to do so would limit him). God is eternal, having no beginning and no end.
God- The trinity
The Trinity makes it possible for humans to have a personal relationship with God.
The different aspects of the Trinity enable God to be both transcendent and immanent.
Moltman’s view on the trinity - Trinity
The Trinity is seen as a model of personhood –
The German Reformed theologian, Jürgen Moltmann, develops a ‘social’ account of the Trinity, where the three persons of the Trinity exist in a community of mutual giving and receiving love.
This concept of the Trinity is a model for human relationships, emphasising, for example, giving as well as receiving and accepting difference as well as sameness.
Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is the practice of giving human characteristics to non-humans.
Anthropomorphism in relation to God- Anthropomorphism
This is also used when talking about God, some passages of the Bible, for example, describe God in human terms.
For example when we have looked at Adam and Eve hearing the sound of God walking in the Garden (Genesis 3:8-9)
God is here portrayed as having human actions, emotions and a human body.
As a result of this, some Christians perceive God as a human like being
Issues of describing God as human- Anthropomorphism
If God has human actions, human emotions, and a human body, then God would face the same limitations we do and could not be all powerful.
How can such a God be the Creator of the universe if he is something which the universe created? – this would mean that he would be immanent and not transcendent
Freud argues that God is just ‘wish fulfilment’ – we use God as a way to forgive us/save us and heal us, when we cannot get this from anywhere else
Feminist critiques of gender specific language used in religion (God as a ‘man’)
God as the King- Anthropomorphism
This can be regarded as an example of anthropomorphism. With earth being referred to as the ‘kingdom’ of God, or God being referred to as “king of glory” etc.
God as father- Anthropomorphism
This is an example of anthropomorphism. Where God is seen as embodying stereotypical qualities of a father: strength, authority, love, wisdom etc. God is often referred to in this way in the Bible.
God ad personal- Anthropomorphism
This might not mean that God is literally a person, but rather that they can be related to as such - they understand our experience.
God as love- Anthropomorphism
Christianity puts an emphasis on God’s love, sometimes referring to God as love itself. This brings in issues with evil and suffering (inconsistent triad).
Creator of process theology- Process Theology
David Griffin
How did process theology develop- Process theology
Process theology has developed from process philosophy, which suggests substances don’t exist statically. Everything is undergoing a process. Only events and experiences are real.
Therefore, argues that God is not static. He, like everything else, is always in process.
The universe is made up of a set of relationships that constantly change and are never static. Including the relationship between God and the world
Beliefs of process theology- Process theology
God did not create out of nothing (ex nihilo)
Process Theologians follow an alternative translation of Genesis 1:1 “When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was without form and void…“
rejects God’s omnipotence.
God cannot perform miracles that violate the laws of nature, nor perform physical actions (such as causing or halting a flood or an avalanche.)
God suffers along with the world
A.N. Whitehead, that God is a “fellow sufferer, who understands.”
denies God’s immutability and impassibility.
Process theology denies a guarantee of the victory of God/ good over evil. God always does their best but cannot guarantee anything.
In this way, God is excused from the problem of evil as there is no claim of omnipotence.
