Thorsen Guide ch 6,7, and 8 rev.
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THE 101: Introduction to Christian Theology Reading Guide– Thorsen chapters 6-7-8 Chapter Six: Who is God?
1.
Both Old and New Testaments contain varied attributes of God. Many are in sharp contrast and/or contradiction with others. According to our author, how are we to understand the fact that the Bible presents us with such different and even opposing attributes for God?
a.
According to the author we should look at the attributes of God in the context in which they are referenced in the Bible. The context and cultural clues surrounding the events of the context will help you define what is meant by the certain attributes named. The author also suggests that God wants to challenge us to think and mature as we consider these attributes as the process of self-reflection benefits more than presumed conclusions. 2.
Would greatness and mystery be good examples or ways to understand God’s transcendence? Why or why not?
a.
I think that greatness and mystery are two great examples to describe Gods transcendence. God is great for all the things he has done and continues to do every day. However, Gods divinity will always in many ways be a mystery to us. God exists beyond the scope of human experience, perception, and comprehension. 3.
How could understanding God as immanent matter to someone’s prayer life and spirituality? a.
Understanding God as immanent means recognizing that God is actively involved in every aspect of creation, including our personal lives. Believing that God is immanent gives us the faith that our prayers are heard, and that God is aware of our needs and desires. It supports our belief that God is not disconnected from our lives and that our prayers are heard. 4.
In Christianity, what are some questions raised by believing in God’s immutability?
a.
If God is unchanging and unaffected by human experiences, then believing in Gods concern for the problems and feelings of people. It may lead some people to question whether or not God truly cares about the difficulties and emotions that we go through. This can lead to some people believing that God created the world and set everything in motion only to leave it to function by itself. However, every day we see miracles and more showing us that God is attentive and actively engaged with us. 5.
In chapter five it reads, “Christians recognized that all language of God is analogical or symbolic in nature” (68). Give an example of how this statement is true.
a.
“God is love” is an example of this. We can use God as an example to translate the love God has for us into our relationships with other and our relationship with God. 6.
When people say God is father, are they implying that God is actually male? Explain your response.
a.
When referring to God as a male people are not implying that he is a male in a biological sense but that it is used metaphorically. The term father is used as a universal term for important figure or leader. 7.
What would you say to someone who said that we should replace all male pronouns for God with female pronouns? Explain
your response.
a.
Depending on the religious tradition, God has been referred to as both male (father), and female (mother). I would
say that our need to gender God just exemplifies our human limitations. We have to associate familiar concepts and imagery in order to better understand God since we cannot fully grasp Gods divinity as humans. 8.
Moving well beyond the agenda of political correctness, why is the matter of using a variety of titles and pronouns for God important?
a.
In today’s society it is crucial to use a variety of titles and pronouns because for many people the way they refer to God is an essential aspect of their faith. Allowing a variety of titles and pronouns ensures that everyone can express their beliefs in a way that is true and meaningful to them. 9.
How could Christian leaders and ministers settle the debate over what gender-specific nouns and titles are best for God?
a.
The best approach would be to leave the gender-specific nouns and titles for God unchanged, but acknowledge and understand that these texts were written in a different time and it may not be appropriate to change them based on today’s understanding of gender. This approach acknowledges the historical significance of these terms while also recognizing that language changes over time. 10.
Rather than risk making a mistake, some believers argue that we should focus attention on what God IS NOT. Is this a worthwhile solution able to settle the debate for God titles? Why or why not?
a.
Simply focusing on God is not a viable solution to settle this debate. It is important to focus on what both God is and is not. This allows for a more well-rounded understanding and appreciation for God. By considering both aspects we can get a more comprehensive perspective of God. Chapter Seven: The Trinity
11.
Why does it take the church so long to define the Trinity?
a.
The Trinity is a complex concept to explain and understand. Finding the appropriate terminology to explain this concept (which is hard as it is divine and beyond our true comprehension) avoiding misconceptions or incorrect interpretations takes time. 12.
Imagine Christianity had to confront the questions, “why is the complex doctrine of the Trinity so important? Can’t it just be forgotten once and for all?” There are two main responses or two main types of relevance: apologetic relevance and constructive relevance. In your own words, what are these responses saying? a.
Apologetic relevance pertains to the idea that the doctrine of the Trinity defends how individuals understand God within Christianity. Whereas constructive relevance refers to how the concept of the Trinity is useful in understanding and interpreting the Bible as it sets boundaries and guidelines for Christian beliefs about God. 13.
Do you think Christianity and/or Christian lives could be just fine (i.e., not hurt, lessened, incorrect, etc.) if we just dropped the whole (complex and confusing) doctrine of the Trinity once and for all? Take a stand and explain your reasons and/or reasoning.
a.
No. While the doctrine of the Trinity is complex and confusing, it helps individuals to develop a more comprehensive understanding of Christian beliefs. The Trinity helps us to see how God interacts with humanity, the church, and creation itself. Chapter Eight: Knowing God
14.
How are rational arguments for God’s existence different from empirical arguments for God’s existence? Explain.
a.
Rational arguments rely on logical reasoning and philosophical principles to show that Gods existence is rationally self-evident. Empirical arguments rely on evidence from observation and experience and state that Gods existence cannot be proven by rational arguments alone. 15.
In plain words that you can understand, explain each of these arguments: the cosmological and the teleological.
a.
Cosmological arguments focus on observations about the universe. God is the cause and mover behind the existence and order of the universe. Teleological arguments are based on the idea that there is a purpose or design
for the universe. 16.
The arguments against God’s existence arise during the Enlightenment period. What are some characteristics in this period make it especially possible for these arguments to arise? Do we still see such characteristics present today? Explain.
a.
Arguments against Gods existence arose during the enlightenment period because there was a shift in thinking. People had a rise in confidence regarding their human reasoning and the ability to discover truth through rationality, observation, and experience. We still see these characteristics today as people continue to challenge traditional beliefs and authority figures. 17.
Rewrite the arguments of Hume
, Kant
, Feuerbach
, Marx
, and Freud
in your own words. Next, for each argument name and explain what you identify as a strength and/or weakness. (Ask yourself: what is appealing or convincing in the argument, and why? What is unappealing or unconvincing about the argument? And why?)
a.
Hume argues that the world lacks clear evidence for Gods existence, challenging traditional religious beliefs. Strength: this argument highlights the problem of evil. If God exists then why is there pain and suffering in the world. Weakness: the problem of evil does not disprove the existence of God but rather challenges theological interpretations.
b.
Kant rejects all arguments for the existence of God stating that God exists to make sense of the human moral conscience. Strength: appeals to skeptics. Weakness: too rigid. It does not prove that God doesn’t exist, but rather human reason cannot establish Gods existence with certainty. c.
Feuerbach argues that God is an illusion created by humans. Strength: Feuerbach's perspective can be convincing to those who see religion as a product of human psychology and culture. Weakness: Feuerbach's argument is criticized for reducing religion to a mere psychological illusion, potentially oversimplifying the complex cultural, social, and existential aspects of religious beliefs.
d.
Marx contends that religion is a cause of social and economic problems. Strength: Marx's argument resonates with
those who view religion as a tool used by powerful elites to maintain control and exploit the masses.
Weakness: Marx's argument may overlook the positive aspects of religion, such as providing a sense of community, comfort, and ethical guidance to individuals. e.
Freud suggests that religious beliefs are unconscious illusions. Strength: Freud's argument offers a psychological perspective on religion, highlighting how deeply rooted beliefs can be in the human psyche. Weakness: Freud's theory may be seen as reductionist and dismissive of the profound personal and spiritual experiences that individuals attribute to religion.
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