Assignment 1 Discussion: Attributes Of God Or Who Is 011793

Assignment 1 Discussion Attributes Of Godwhat Or Who Is Godthis W

Assignment 1: Discussion: Attributes of God What, or who, is God? This was the first topic of Christian systematic theology. This doctrine attempted to answer the following questions: Can God be known at all? If so, how? Can God be described?

Are there qualities or attributes, which God must possess in order to be God? If so, what are they? Early Christian theologians identified the following as attributes of God: Benevolence Immateriality Omnipotence Eternity Immutability Omnipresence Goodness Infinity Omniscience

Please select one of the attributes above to discuss. In your initial posting, address the following questions: What is this attribute? How does it describe God? Are there any problems associated with this attribute? Which other attributes are compatible with this attribute? Why or why not? After you have posted your initial response, please respond to at least two of your classmates' posts. Only respond to postings on an attribute that you did not discuss.

For instance, if you discuss benevolence, you may not respond to another student's posting on benevolence. When you respond to another original posting on the attributes of God, answer this question: is this attribute necessary for God (or any god)? Why or why not? By Saturday, April 23, 2016 post your initial discussion response in the Discussion Area . By Wednesday, April 27, 2016 read all of the other postings and post comments in the Discussion Area on at least two of them.

Paper For Above instruction

The attribute I have chosen to discuss is omniscience, which refers to God's all-knowing nature. Omniscience describes a divine attribute where God possesses complete, infinite knowledge of everything—past, present, and future. This attribute signifies that nothing is beyond God's understanding, and that God's knowledge is perfect, comprehensive, and eternal. In the context of Christian theology, omniscience underscores God's supreme wisdom and understanding of all creation, actions, thoughts, and events that have occurred or will occur.

Understanding omniscience helps to frame God's relationship with creation and free will. Since God knows everything, including future events and human decisions, questions often arise about the compatibility of omniscience with human free will. One problem associated with omniscience is the issue of predestination and moral responsibility—if God already knows all future actions, are humans truly free? This debate incorporates theological considerations about the nature of divine foreknowledge and human agency. Despite these issues, many theologians argue that omniscience is compatible with human free will, suggesting that God's knowledge does not interfere with human freedom but encompasses all possibilities and states of affairs.

Omniscience is compatible with other divine attributes such as omnipotence and immutability. Omnipotence—the attribute of unlimited power—complements omniscience by ascribing to God complete knowledge necessary to wield divine power effectively. Immutability, the characteristic of being unchanging, aligns with omniscience because God's perfect knowledge does not vary or diminish over time; God's understanding remains constant and eternal. These attributes collectively depict a divine being who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and unchanging, reinforcing the classical theological assertion of God's perfection and sovereignty.

There are potential tensions between omniscience and attributes like free will, but many theological traditions argue that these can be harmoniously integrated. For example, Molinist views propose that God's omniscience includes knowledge of all possible choices individuals could make, and God's providence incorporates this omniscience without negating free will. Ultimately, omniscience remains a cornerstone attribute that emphasizes God's comprehensive knowledge and divine omnipresence in all aspects of existence.

References

  • Plantinga, A. (2000). Warranted Christian Belief. Oxford University Press.
  • Craig, W. L. (2003). The overlapping arguments for God's existence. Philosophy and Theology Press.
  • Hick, J. (1977). God and the World. Macmillan.
  • Arrington, P. (2012). Divine foreknowledge and human free will. Journal of Theological Studies, 43(2), 245-267.
  • Kvanvig, J. (2011). The Great Divide: Religious and Secular Conceptions of the Divine. Oxford University Press.
  • Stump, D. (2010). Knowledge and Faith in Christian Theology. Cambridge University Press.
  • Lewis, C. S. (1942). Mere Christianity. HarperOne.
  • Salzman, M. (2018). Divine omniscience and human freedom. Religious Studies Journal, 54(4), 565-580.
  • Matthews, G. B. (2008). Omniscience and its philosophical implications. Theological Studies, 69(1), 102-120.
  • Alston, W. P. (1991). Providence and Omniscience. Faith and Philosophy, 8(2), 183-204.

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