NATURAL THEOLOGY DISCUSSION POINTS
IS BELIEF IN GODS EXISTENCE SUFFICIENT TO PUT TRUST IN HIM?
IS NATURAL THEOLOGY/KNOWLEDGE THE SAME AS REVEALED?
HAS THE FALL COMPLETELY REMOVED NATURAL HUMAN KNOWLEDGE OF GOD?
acts passage might suggest the distinction between natural + revealed theology isn't as clear as we might think
is personal knowledge better than other types of knowledge or is it more subjective?
natural and revealed theology are similar in the way that they both involve God revealing something
Aquinas, revelation can come from reason as eg the Bible celebrates human reason as people are associated with the 'likeness of God'
beliefs eg the trinity, incarnation can only be explained through revealed theology
we gain knowledge in different ways and is also processed differently
BARTH
BRUNNER
It is possible for us to know God through natural theology- the conscience and the sensus divinitas
Humans recognise the point of contact between God and themselves and become aware of their own sinfulness
Natural theology cannot save people but adds to the debate of Gods existence
Natural theology can help us be aware there is a God but were limited of knowing about him
The fall damaged people but this couldn't affect their spirituality which means we can still be connected to God
God is so ‘radically other’ that we cannot use reason to know God
Human language came about to describe human things so we can never fully describe God or the human relationship to him
Human reason is unreliable, we shouldnt be putting ourselves on the same level as God
The Bible contains Gods revelation, but it is only ‘Gods word’ because it God allows revelation to occur through it
Human nature was completely corrupted by the fall so only through revelation can God interact with humanity
If reason allowed eg the Nazi party to take power, how could reason ever be useful?
We do not need natural theology as God has fully revealed all we need to know in salvation
important to ask whether faith is a sufficient reason to believe God exists
evidence of faith is logically private to that individual
faith can be tested through a persons lifestyle eg what's genuine however doesn't necessarily point towards God
Dawkins, rejects faith on the grounds that were simply attempting to asnwe the big questions but science is a better approach
does it matter what we have faith in?