rs theme c syllabus notes

• What is the Design Argument?

  God designed the universe due to its complexity
• What does the Design Argument suggest about the universe?

  The universe is intricately designed, not random
• Who is a theist?

  A person who believes in God
• Who is an atheist?

  A person who believes there is no God
• Who is an agnostic?

  Someone who thinks evidence for God is insufficient
• What does the Design Argument claim about the world's functionality?

  The world works well, indicating design
• Give an example of how the world is designed to function properly.

  Trees take in carbon dioxide, release oxygen
• How is Earth uniquely positioned in the solar system?

  It supports life by being at the right distance from the sun
• What does the Design Argument reject?

  The idea of random chance or the Big Bang
• What is another term for the Design Argument?

  The teleological argument
• How do Christians view Genesis 1 in relation to the Design Argument?

  It supports the idea that God planned the universe
• Who was William Paley?

  A Christian who supported the Design Argument
• What is a weakness of the Design Argument regarding complexity?

  Complexity does not necessarily imply design
• What does the Design Argument suggest about the designer?

  It cannot be assumed the designer is God
• How does the existence of evil challenge the Design Argument?

  Evil suggests God may not be entirely good
• What does natural selection imply about design?

  Species evolve over time without a designer
• What does the argument about imperfections in the world suggest?

  God may not be omnipotent or omnibenevolent
• What is the Goldilocks effect in relation to the Design Argument?

  The universe is perfectly suited for life
• What does the First Cause Argument seek to prove?

  The existence of God through cause and effect
• Who proposed the First Cause Argument?

  1. Thomas Aquinas
• What is the basic premise of the First Cause Argument?

  Everything that exists has a cause
• What does Aquinas argue about infinite regress?

  It cannot exist; something must be first
• How do biblical passages support the First Cause Argument?

  They indicate God created the universe
• What is a strength of the Cosmological Argument?

  It provides a logical explanation for existence
• What is a common criticism of the Cosmological Argument?

  It does not explain who created God
• How do atheists view the concept of an eternal universe?

  It suggests the universe does not need God
• What is the significance of the Big Bang in this context?

  It can be explained by science alone
• What does the argument from miracles claim?

  Miracles indicate a supernatural explanation: God
• What is a miracle?

  An event unexplainable by natural laws
• What are the two types of miracles?

  Events breaking natural laws and happy coincidences
• Give an example of a miracle.

  Jesus turning water into wine
• How do Christians view Jesus' miracles?

  As signs of his divinity and power
• What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about miracles?

  They attest to Jesus' divine nature
• What is a common atheist argument against miracles?

  They may have scientific explanations
• What does David Hume argue about miracles?

  Witnesses to miracles are often unreliable
• What is a strength of the Miracle Argument?

  Some events seem to respond to prayer
• How do Christians view God's involvement through miracles?

  As evidence of God's love and power
• What is the First Cause Argument also known as?

  The Cosmological Argument
• What does the First Cause Argument state about existence?

  Everything that exists must have a cause
• What does Aquinas argue about the eternal first cause?

  It is God, who caused everything to exist