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?