Download Philosophy of Religion

UNIT TWO: THE CHARACTERISTICES OF GOD
This unit explores the language that is often used to describe God. It
investigates what these common words suggest about the nature of God and
whether it is helpful to use them to understand what God is like.
Most human beings would have some kind of understanding about what the
word ‘God’ actually means but because God is infinite (limitless) it is difficult to
use words about God that would actually make sense and that would fully
explain what God is like. (To put in another way – Because God is God and is
so above and beyond anything that humans can actually imagine, there are
no words that would fully explain or express the nature of God)
Handy Tip: In the exam, think
about words and ideas about God
that are found in Christianity. For
example, Father, King, Shepherd
etc. What do these words suggest
about the nature of God?
God in picture form
Some people will use pictures
to help them try and convey their idea
of God. The problem with this though
is that quite often it is the picture that
gets described as opposed to God.
Some religions such as ISLAM believe
it is an offence to attempt to capture God in
any way.
Some examples of God in art form: What do they suggest about what God is
like?
To summarise this first wonderful page then:
 Human words cannot express much about the unlimited God
 However, despite the above, all humans have words that are used to
describe God.
 Some people prefer to show God through images but these are also limited
and can be misleading.
God in one form
Let’s investigate in a bit more detail the different religious beliefs on God.
Most religions have a belief in one God. They are monotheistic. God can be
presented in many different ways:
Judaism
- The name of God is so holy it can never be written down in its completed
form
- God cannot be limited in any way and this includes his title.
- God can not be shown in any painting or figures as this would limit God.
“God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am. This is what you are to say: I AM has
sent me to you’” (Exodus)
Islam
- The oneness of God is esential in the religion
- Muslims believe that God is so different to our experience as humans
that it is wrong to try and portray God in any way. Any attempt to do so
would give a false idea of God.
- Allah is represented through 99 beautiful names. More on that later.
Christianity
Christians also only believe in one God but that God has been revealed to the
world. How is this? (clue – look at the picture)
Trinity: Three in one:
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The trinity states that
God is both absolute and personal. Even though God is above and beyond, it is
still possible to have a personal relationship with him.
Make sure you fully understand that in Islam there is one God who is just
God. In Christianity, there is one God but they have the concept of the trinity;
3 in 1.
God in many forms
It is possible to represent God using a variety of characteristics and attributes.
The most well known religion that does this is …………………………………
Hindu’s would say that there is only one God called Brahman but that he is
seen in many forms. An example of this would be the Trimurti.
Explain here what the Trimurti is:-
What are the positives and negatives of believing in God in this way?
Words used about God
What words can you give that people use to describe God? Give 5 here:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
‘HE’: There has always been a lot of debate around the masculine HE. Why
may God be described as HE? (What does it suggest?)
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
‘FATHER’ Christians follow the example of Jesus who regularly used the
word Father when talking about God. (There are plenty of quotes you could
use here) Why might people use the word Father?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
‘KING’ The idea of God as King goes back to early times when people were
ruled by a King. In the Jewish Torah there is plentiful reference to God as
king. In the Christian Bible there is also reference to God as King. What does
the word King suggest?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Should more inclusive words be used to describe God? Some people say
that referring to God using these words can give people the wrong impression
about God. What problems or misunderstandings can you think of that may
arise as a result of this type of language?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
The 99 beautiful names of Allah (I did say we would be coming back to this)
Most Muslims would believe that Allah is the creator of everything that exists
and that everything belongs to him. Therefore, it is wrong to try and copy
anything in an exact way. The most special way in which Muslims can show
the nature of Allah is through the 99 beautiful names.
-
God is eternal, unique and unlimited.
Any attempt to capture Allah in an image is an attempt to limit God. (No
image would fully show what Allah is like)
Muslims will often use calligraphy and geometric forms to decorate
anything to do with Allah. In particular in the Qur’an.
Define the Omni’s
Omnipotent
Omnibenevolent
Omniscient
These words have been developed to try and help people understand the
nature of God. The Omni words act as a reminder to how different God is.
All powerful: God can do anything that can be done. There is nothing above
his ability.
All loving: God creates all things in his loving and caring nature so there is
nothing outside concern.
All knowing: God knows everything there is to be known.
The difference between Transcendent and Immanent
These two words are used to suggest God’s closeness and distance.
Transcendent – God goes far beyond all things that exist in the universe.
What might positives and negatives of this be?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………....
Immanent – God is very close and involved in what goes on in the world.
What might the positives and negatives of this be?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
When thinking about and using the words transcendent and immanent,
remember they are to do with God being above and beyond and also very
close. You need to understand that God is outside of creation and is greater
than creation. He is not changed by anything. However, God is still intimately
involved in an individual’s life.
Possible exam questions
Explain how God could be described as a transcendent God (3 marks)
‘More inclusive words should be used when referring to God’ Do you agree (6
marks)
Explain how one religion depicts God (6 marks)