Natural knowledge of God's existence

• what is meant by revelation?

  refers to how God makes himself known to people.
• what is meant by general revelation?


  how God reveals himself through nature, the world and the human conscience (observing the universe)
• what is special revelation?


  when God directly communicates to humanity like through Bible or Jesus
• what is natural theology?


  the study of what we can learn about God by using general revelation.
• what is revealed theology?


  looks at what we can learn about God through special revelation.
• what does the Christian belief Genesis 1:27 suggest about human?


  it suggests that humans share qualities of God that reflect aspects of his nature.
• what are 3 reasons why some Christians argue human have an innate capacity to know there is God?


  Reason and think spiritually, Rational ability and Moral awareness
• what is meant by reason and think spiritually?


  human's have intellect and reason allowing us to understand God's nature and the deep meaning of life.
• what is meant by relational ability?


  humans are made in God's image and as God is relational, we are also relational beings. We have capacity for meaningful relationships with God.
• what is meant by moral awareness?


  we are made in God's image giving us the idea of right and wrong. The moral compass guides us toward God and justice. We are naturally inclined to seek God.
• what are 3 ways humanity have an inbuilt desire to know God?

  spiritual longing, quest for purpose and meaning and recognition of transcendence
• what is meant by spiritual longing?


  Augustine of Hippo said "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart are restless until they rest in you.". reflecting belief that humans have inner longing for something greater- which can only be satsfied by knowing God.
• what is meant by quest for purpose and meaning?


  human are driven by a desire to understand purpose of their existence which points to desire to know God. True fulfillment are only found in relationship with God.
• what is meant by recognition of transcendence?


  humans are naturally inclined to seek the transcendent, we should look beyond the physical world and seek answer in the divine.
• Why do Christians believe humanity's innate capacity to know about God is imperfect?


  because of the fall- original sin disrupts humanity's and God's relationship.
• How do Christians believe this aspect of human imperfection is overcome?


  Human imperfection is overcome through revelation: special revelation
• what did Calvin call the universal knowledge of God present in all humans?


  sensus divinitatis
• how is Roman 1:18-21 relevant to the belief that having knowledge of God is part of humans?


  "for although they knew God, they never glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him"- suggests that we have knowledge of God regardless of sin
• how is Act 17:16-34 relevant to the belief that having knowledge of God is part of humans?



  "for in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poet have said,' We are his offspring.' this suggests God made humans in his image and therefore we are a reflection of him.
• how is Psalm 3:3-9 relevant to the belief that having knowledge of God is part of humans?



  it states that "You have made them" this suggests since God created us we can gain knowledge of God.
• how is 1 Corinthians 13:12-15 relevant to the belief that having knowledge of God is part of humans?



  it states "for we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known," this suggests we are a reflection of God and therefore gain knowledge of him.