Theme C

Question 1

What is Revelation?

Answer 1

Revelation is how God makes Himself known to humanity. It can be general (indirect) or special (direct). Believers argue revelation is proof of God’s existence.

Question 2

What is General Revelation?

Answer 2

General Revelation is available to everyone through nature, reason, and morality.

Question 3

What are examples of General Revelation?

Answer 3

1. Nature – The beauty and complexity of the universe suggest a creator.
2. Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God.”
3. Conscience – Some believe moral awareness is God’s way of guiding humans.
4. Isaac Newton – The human thumb’s unique design suggests intentional creation.

Question 4

What is Special Revelation?

Answer 4

Special Revelation is when God communicates directly to individuals or groups through visions, miracles, or prophecy.

Question 5

What are examples of Special Revelation?

Answer 5

1. Moses and the Burning Bush (Exodus 3) – God speaks directly to Moses.
2. Saul’s Conversion (Acts 9) – A vision of Jesus transforms Saul into Paul.
3. Muhammad’s Revelations (Qur’an) – Divine messages received by the Prophet Muhammad.
4. Bernadette of Lourdes – Visions of the Virgin Mary led to a site believed to have healing powers.

Question 6

What is the transformative impact of revelation?

Answer 6

Religious experiences often lead to deep spiritual commitment.

William James argues that true religious experiences bring long-term change, suggesting a real divine encounter.

Question 7

What challenges exist regarding revelation as proof of God?

Answer 7

1. Subjectivity and Psychological Explanations – Richard Dawkins argues that religious experiences can be neurological responses.
2. Contradictory Religious Claims – Different faiths report conflicting revelations.
3. Scientific Skepticism – David Hume states that miracles often rely on unreliable testimony.

Question 8

What is the definition of the existence of God debate?

Answer 8

The question of whether God exists is central to philosophy and religion. Arguments for and against God’s existence rely on logic, experience, and scientific reasoning.

Question 9

What is the Design Argument?

Answer 9

The Design Argument (Teleological) suggests the universe’s complexity indicates an intelligent designer.

Question 10

What are examples of the Design Argument?

Answer 10

1. William Paley’s Watch Analogy – Just as a watch has a designer, so must the universe.
2. Anthropic Principle – The universe is finely tuned for life.
3. Isaac Newton – The human thumb’s intricate structure suggests purposeful creation.

Question 11

What is the First Cause Argument?

Answer 11

The First Cause Argument (Cosmological) states that everything has a cause, and the universe must have a first cause—God.

Question 12

What are examples of the First Cause Argument?

Answer 12

1. Thomas Aquinas – An infinite regress of causes is impossible; there must be an uncaused cause (God).
2. Big Bang Theory – Some argue that the Big Bang aligns with the idea of a first cause.

Question 13

What is the Moral Argument?

Answer 13

The Moral Argument posits that humans have an innate sense of right and wrong, suggesting a divine lawgiver.

Question 14

What are examples of the Moral Argument?

Answer 14

1. C.S. Lewis – Moral law exists because there is a moral lawgiver (God).
2. Conscience – Many believe moral awareness is God’s way of guiding humans.

Question 15

What is the argument from Religious Experience?

Answer 15

Personal encounters with God (visions, miracles) strengthen belief.

Question 16

What are examples of Religious Experience arguments?

Answer 16

1. Saul’s Conversion (Acts 9) – A vision of Jesus transforms Saul.
2. William James – Religious experiences are deeply meaningful.
3. Bernadette of Lourdes – Visions of the Virgin Mary led to a site believed to have healing powers.

Question 17

What is the Problem of Evil and Suffering?

Answer 17

If God is all-loving and all-powerful, why does suffering exist?

Question 18

What are examples of the Problem of Evil?

Answer 18

1. Epicurus’ Inconsistent Triad – If God is omnipotent and benevolent, evil should not exist.
2. Natural Disasters – Events like earthquakes challenge the idea of a loving creator.

Question 19

What are Scientific Explanations against God’s existence?

Answer 19

Evolution and the Big Bang provide natural causes for life.

Question 20

What are examples of Scientific Explanations?

Answer 20

1. Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution – Life developed through natural selection.
2. Stephen Hawking – The universe can be explained through physics without needing a creator.

Question 21

What are conflicting religious claims?

Answer 21

Different religions claim different truths about God.

Question 22

What are examples of conflicting religious claims?

Answer 22

1. Christianity vs. Islam – Christians believe in Jesus as God, while Muslims see him as a prophet.
2. Polytheism vs. Monotheism – Some religions believe in multiple gods, contradicting monotheistic beliefs.