Theology

During this class, which took longer than anticipated, because of unforeseen events, but overall, I enjoyed learning about those philosophers who questioned the norm and sought better understanding. Among those people early on in civilization, life must have been simple, because of a vague understanding of our natural world or any other supernatural questions. Today we can attribute many of our beliefs, customs, and traditions to these people who influenced religion and philosophy. Certainly,…

The existence of God has always been, and remains to be, one of the most widely debated and divisive philosophical issues. Arguments surrounding God’s existence are timelessly important. For many who follow belief systems rooted in monotheism, these arguments support their belief and validate the faith they follow. Others draw comfort from proof of God’s existence, as they feel protected and cared for, and often this can reaffirm a belief in the afterlife too. For some, the arguments are…

In The Consolidation of Philosophy Book III Prose X Boethius claims that if there is a God it would have to be identical with Goodness and Happiness. Firstly, I will further explain Boethius’s claim that the three things we most seek are equal to one another. Stepping away from Boethius’s claim, I will refute Boethius's argument with by arguing that God, Goodness, and Happiness can not be the identical. Lastly, I object to my own objection that although they can not be identical there is a…

David Hume's argument on miracles is flawed both in what he defines as a miracle and his arguments about the assessment on the evidence of miracles. There are many weaknesses in his theory which will be outlined and one of his strengths will be refuted. Hume defines a miracle as a break in the laws of nature as in his book he states "a miracle is a violation of the laws of nature". He also tells us it is not rational to believe in miracles as it is more logical to believe that the natural laws…

There are various philosophical issues that are mere intellectual exercises that have been debated for many years in our history’s past. These issues range in topics from the meaning of life to free will, but the topic about the existence of God is certainly one that many can possibly relate to. The existence of God can be easily recognized from a theist as true and from an atheist as not true. There are people who are agnostic and believe that something exists through the evidence provided.…

There are many different beliefs and arguments that people have made throughout time about whether or not God exists. Some believe there is only one God, some think there are many, and some think there is no God. There are three main arguments that people tend to make about this subject. There is the ontological argument, the cosmological argument, and the design argument. With this paper I will discuss the different beliefs behind these arguments, my thoughts on this topic, as well as my…

Rene Descartes work ‘Meditations on First Philosophy’ is filled with his many ideas on God, the relationship between the mind and body and the trustworthiness of things we believe to be true. The main focus of this essay is his arguments for distrusting the senses. These are the dreaming argument and the evil demon argument. Meditations begins with Descartes casting doubt on everything he once believed to be absolutely true. It is a search for absolute certainty. In order to do this he uses…

The word “atonement” simply means to receive reparation for something you did wrong. In the way of the Christian doctrine of atonement, the very same definition can be applied. It would mean to receive reparation for your sins. The general understanding of the doctrine of atonement is that “humans sin, [which] causes debt we are unable to pay, [therefore] we deserve punishment. Instead of our being punished, God sends his Son to be punished in our place. We are forgiven” (Senor 4). This…

In Mary Doria Russell’s novel The Sparrow, the complexities of social and structural sin, as well as fate and free will are evident. In class, we defined free will as making the conscious decisions of the choices in one’s life, and fate as very one-dimensional, where one’s outcome is already pre-determined (Theodicy PPT). In a story where God is present, it is hard to decide whether following what you believe to be Gods path is fate or free will, which is challenged in The Sparrow. Furthermore,…

The article H. J. McCloskey wrote, On Being an Atheist, discusses how arguments presented are proof that God does not exist. As I learned from Dr. Foreman’s presentation, Arguments for God’s Existence, there is nothing that can be proven with one-hundred percent certainty. We need not use arguments, but we should use evidence, just as an attorney in building a case against or for an accused. (Foreman, Approaching the Question of God 's Existence n.d.) Evidence sometimes is circumstantial, full…