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Essay Reminder
Assess the view that... FOLLOW THE STRUCTURE THAT WE WENT THROUGH LAST LESSON Work is posted on my blog so no excuses (e.g. I wasnt in the lesson when it was set...., etc)

Unit 1:

st 1

Theme

THE IDEA OF GOD

11th Jan 2012 50% of AS level

This section......
Our idea of God and whether it makes sense Gods characteristics that make him different from a human being (his divine attributes) Issues with saying that God has these characteristics Ways in which the characteristics can be seen to conflict with each other

Sample exam questions

15 mark questions Outline and illustrate how Gods transcendence might conflict with one of His other attributes. (Jan 2010) Briefly explain how, if God is immanent, this may conflict with three of his divine attributes. (June 2011) Explain two criticisms of the view that God is supremely good, the source of moral laws and moral goodness. (Jan 2011) 30 mark questions The concept of God is incoherent. Discuss. (June 09)

By the end of todays lesson

Know the meaning of the seven divine attributes (individual research and class feedback) Have begun to think about some philosophical problems thrown up by these attributes (group work)

What do we mean by.... ......GOD???

BRUCE ALMIGHTY CLIPS on YOUTUBE (links on AS Philosophy Moodle page): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjAM2J_D4UY&fe ature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VauzhTAuoFw

NOW: Research the key vocab

Can use:
Computers/internet Books Own knowledge

Make it at least as detailed as fits in the box Try to find examples from religious texts that back it up. The use of HYPOTHETICAL examples will also help If people have defined it differently, include the different options

Basically, the idea that God can do anything Potency = Power Omnipotent = All powerful. To say that God is omnipotent is to say that God can do anything. There is nothing that it is beyond Gods power to do.

Basically, the idea that God knows everything

Nothing in creation is hidden from Gods sight. Everything uncovered and laid bare before him (Hebrews 4:13)

i.e. There is nothing which God does not know.

God only knows how I got into this mess!

(Also called omni-benevolence)

God is supremely good This can mean that God is the source of moral laws and moral goodness. Or it can mean that God will only ever do good things (you can rely on him not to lie, or murder, etc.)

To say that God is everlasting is to say that he has always existed, exists now and will always exist. He exists throughout all time. i.e. There was never a time before God and never will a time come in which there is no God.

GOD

To say that God is eternal is to say that he is outside of time. i.e. He does not experience the world moment by moment in the way that we do, but experiences the worlds history all at once, as a continuous present.

GOD

To say that God is transcendent is to say that he is outside of the physical universe and can exist without it. i.e. It makes no sense to ask: So where is this God of yours? What is his exact location? He doesnt have a location, because all locations are inside the physical universe (e.g. College, your home, the moon, Pluto these are all places in the universe. God is outside the universe.)

To say that God is immanent is to say that he is within the universe.

i.e. The universe contains God and he is able to interfere with it. God is literally with us; he is around us. We seem to be appealing to the Immanence of God when we say things like I trust that God is here with me, looking after me.

Where are you on the spectrum?

ATHEIST AGNOSTIC...
...but leaning toward the atheistic side ...but leaning toward the theistic side

THEIST

I am sure that there is NOT a God (I know for certain that God doesn't exist)

I am sure that there is a God (I know for certain that God exists)

i.e. The traditional JudaeoChristian concept we have been looking at