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Unit 9 - Arguments for the Existence of God Flashcards

1
Q

Revelation definition

A

God making himself known to humanity

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2
Q

Natural revelation definition

A

God revealing himself through the natural world

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3
Q

Special revelation definition

A

God revealing himself through special means such as the Bible

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4
Q

Importance of revelation

A

Proof of God’s existence, meaning of life

Proof of God’s love

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5
Q

Types of special revelation

A

The Bible

Jesus

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6
Q

How Bible is type of special revelation

A

Apostles recorded the story of God’s revelation in the Bible
Bible is authoritative way of knowing God’s revelation

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7
Q

What Jesus’ revelation shows about God

A

God sent Jesus out of love for humans

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8
Q

Corporeal vision definition

A

When people physically see something

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9
Q

Imaginative vision definition

A

When people see something in their imagination or dreams

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10
Q

Importance of visions

A

Prompts someone to do God’s will
Strengthens faith
Shows God’s love as He offers us guidance
Shows mystery of God as may test person’s faith

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11
Q

New Testament vision example and importance

A

Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-13)
Shows Jesus is Son of God
Shows Jesus fulfils Old Testament prophecies as Moses and Elijah were present

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12
Q

Old Testament vision example and importance

A

God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:1)

Abraham is promised reward and protection for obedience

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13
Q

Non-biblical vision example and importance

A

Joan of Arc
Received instruction to force the English from her homeland
Burned at stake in 1431
Made a saint in 1920

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14
Q

Reasons why vision might lead people to believe in God

A

Can be powerful, giving strength and faith
Many examples allowing people to interpret them religiously
Private revelations can occur

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15
Q

Arguments against visions being proof of God’s existence

A

No lasting, physical proof of them happening
Can be seen as hallucinations, misunderstandings or made up
Even if genuine, no reason to see as proof of God’s existence
Dreams could be our subconscious wanting a religious experience

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16
Q

Conditions of visions being accredited by Catholic Church

A

Must not contradict Church teaching

Must be supported by sources of authority

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17
Q

Miracle definition

A

Something that seems to break laws of science

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18
Q

Importance of miracles

A

Shows Jesus’ divinity

Strengthens faith if seen

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19
Q

Healing miracle definition

A

Curing people from illness or injury

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20
Q

Natural miracle definition

A

Causing strange occurrences in the natural world e.g. calming the sea

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21
Q

Spiritual miracle definition

A

Changing someone’s mind or spirituality e.g. exorcisms

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22
Q

Biblical examples of miracles

A

Parting of the Red Sea
Feeding the 5000
Jesus healing blind man at Bethsaida

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23
Q

Non-biblical examples of miracles

A

Lourdes - many healing miracle instances e.g. Serge Francois who lost mobility in his left leg
Our Lady of Guadalupe - flowers fell from Juan Diego’s robe to reveal an image of Mary

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24
Q

Reasons why miracles might lead people to believe in God’s existence

A

No scientific explanation so could be God’s doing

Those who were a part of the miracle may feel they had a direction connection with God

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25
Arguments against miracles as proof that God exists
May be seen as coincidences or unusual/uncommon events Science is constantly developing so miracle may be debunked in the future It doesn’t have to be God
26
Miracles Catholic beliefs
Method used by God for communication Shows God’s love Not unreasonable to see them today Things people desire may not happen due to a bigger plan only God understands
27
Numinous experience definition
Seeing something beautiful | Feeling God’s presence and being filled with awe and/or fear
28
Why aren’t religious experiences seen as revelations
Jesus was the final and complete revelation | Private revelations are recognised by the Church
29
How private revelations are interpreted
Secondary to the revelation of Jesus | Only provides insight to what’s already been revealed (no new revelations)
30
Principle of Credulity
Richard Swinburne | Unless there is specific reason to question religious experience, it should be accepted that they are possible
31
Why religious experiences may not be proof of God’s existence
``` Laws of nature are unbreakable with evidence and miracles etc. contradict them Lack of evidence Use of stimulants Hallucinations Subconscious wish fulfilment ```
32
Catholic responses to question of proof of God’s existence
God is not bound by laws of nature as omnipotent Faith doesn’t require proof or evidence The Church don’t recognise religious experiences as private revelations lightly
33
Classical design argument summary
Teleological argument Much of the natural world appears to have deliberate order so there must be a designer The designer is God
34
Earliest record of teleological argument
Roman philosopher Cicero | “What could be more clear.. when we look up to the sky.. that there is some divinity”
35
St Thomas Aquinas on teleological argument
Things that lack knowledge still have direction or purpose - must be guided by God Arrow can’t know where to aim but archer gives it purpose
36
Paley’s watch
William Paley A watch is so complex that you don’t assume that it came together by chance The universe and its order shouldn’t be seen as accidental but as something made with purpose
37
Strengths of teleological argument
Based on own experience of design Complements Christian view of God Encourages scientific examination of universe
38
How teleological argument complements Christian view of God
Suggests purpose for human lives, strengthening faith Designer must be omnipotent and omniscient, supporting Catholic view of God Provides complete explanation of design in universe
39
How teleological argument encourage scientific examination of universe
Argument brings science and religion to argument Encourages and deepens study of science and nature Underlying rules of universe make sense if they were created by an intelligent designer
40
Evidence against teleological argument
David Hume says universe is unique so can’t use an analogy to explain it Evil exists Richard Dawkins says people looking for order will see order (biased) Evolutionary theory shows extinction (design failures)
41
Catholic arguments against evidence against teleological argument
Experience and evidence can still be used to explain unique things Humans can learn goodness from experiences of evil Science and evidence support concept of order Science suggests would could not exist without specific evolution so it must have been directed
42
Cosmological argument summary
Cause and effect are key features of universe There must be a first cause (prime mover) Without first cause, chain of cause and effect would stretch backwards infinitely and illogically (infinite regress)
43
Strengthens of cosmological argument
Based on own experience More logical than believing in an infinite chain of cause and effect Compatible with scientific evidence (Big Bag Theory)
44
What cosmological argument reveals about God
His omnipotence as he has power to do all things
45
Evidence against cosmological argument
Bertrand Russel says total explanation of everything is impossible (all explanations rely on other earlier explanations) The universe is unique so there is nothing wrong to claim things existed without a cause First cause doesn’t have to be God
46
Why evil exists despite God being benevolent and omnipotent
Lactantius says God is also omniscient and knows that we can’t know good unless we know evil Isaiah 45 says there is a reason for the suffering of good people that only God knows
47
Inconsistent triad
God is omnipotent God is benevolent Evil exists Any combination of two makes the third logically impossible
48
Natural evil definition
Suffering that comes from natural events (humans can’t control)
49
Natural evil examples
illness and disease | natural
50
Why natural evil exists
Humans can’t know good without knowing evil | Ways to test faith
51
Moral evil definition
Suffering caused from actions carried out by humans
52
Moral evil examples
Murder Terrorism Arson
53
Why moral evil exists
Price to pay for having true free will
54
Main Catholic belief to evil
Evil is not a thing itself (just absence of good) | Evil is necessary to know good
55
Book of Job’s response to evil
Reasons for suffering can’t always be understood by humans | “Should a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?” Job 40:2
56
Psalms main teachings about evil
Christians can learn from previous suffering | “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn thy statutes” Psalms 119:7
57
St Irenaeus response to suffering
2 stages of humans 1) imago dei but incomplete 2) growing towards perfection by exercising free will Evil is the best way for humans to develop
58
St Augustine of Hippo response to suffering
Evil exists in the world as humans have abused free will and corrupted goodness Humans should choose right actions to improve their soul
59
Practical responses to evil
Prayer | Charity
60
Why prayer helps against suffering
Shares suffering with God (sense of relief) | Prayers of intercession help those in suffering
61
Why charity helps against suffering
Helping others is the same as helping Christ | Parable of Sheep and Goats says this those who help others will be rewarded with heaven

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