16 Questions
What is the definition of belief in the context of belief systems?
The acceptance or conviction in something considered true or valid.
What is the origin of the term 'theism'?
The term 'theism' originates from the Greek term 'theos', meaning 'god'.
What is the common teaching of theism regarding the existence of God?
A firm belief in the existence of God or gods.
What is the difference between absolute monotheism and qualified monotheism?
Absolute monotheism believes in one Creator-God with no association with His divinity, while qualified monotheism believes in one God who appears or takes expressions in other forms.
What is the significance of the First Commandment in Jewish Monotheism?
It emphasizes that God is the only Lord who freed Israel from Egyptian rulers and that no other gods and goddesses were before Him.
What is the concept of 'Chosen Community' in Jewish Monotheism?
God is in favour of one man, one family or one party, without any reason.
What is the prohibition in Jewish Monotheism?
Any sort of idol worship is prohibited.
What is the relationship between God and the universe in theistic belief systems?
God exists beyond time and space, but sustains and nourishes the universe.
What is the basis of the Jewish people's belief that they are better than the rest of humanity?
Their belief that they are better than the rest of humanity is based on the idea that they are chosen by God and that they have a special relationship with Him.
How does the Jewish concept of monotheism differ from the Christian concept of monotheism?
Jewish monotheism is community-centric, meaning that their God is not for everybody, whereas Christian monotheism is more universal in scope.
What is the key difference between Unitarian and Trinitarian conceptions of monotheism in Christianity?
Unitarianism believes in the Father as the only God, while Trinitarianism believes in God as one but three in one: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
How does the Trinitarian conception of monotheism in Christianity understand the relationship between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit?
They are believed to work in different ways, but together, with God the Father as the creator, God the Son as the Saviour and Redeemer, and God the Holy Spirit as the Sanctifier.
What is the basis for classifying Unitarian and Trinitarian conceptions of monotheism as 'shared divinity'?
Both Unitarianism and Trinitarianism give a certain degree of divinity to Jesus, and in Trinitarianism, the three persons have different tasks, and no one god has power over everything.
How does the Jewish concept of monotheism understand the relationship between God and humanity?
In Jewish monotheism, God is seen as having a special relationship with the Jewish people, and they are believed to be better than the rest of humanity.
What is the significance of the concept of 'Uzayr in Jewish theology?
In Jewish theology, 'Uzayr is believed to be the son of God, which reflects a shared divinity between God and humanity.
How does the Trinitarian conception of monotheism in Christianity reconcile the concept of one God with the idea of three persons?
Trinitarianism argues that the three persons of God work together in different ways, but are ultimately one God, which is a mysterious concept that cannot be fully understood.
Study Notes
Meaning of Belief Systems
- Belief is the acceptance or conviction in something considered true or valid.
- Belief system is an organised set of cognitive acceptance and conviction in what is right and wrong and what is true and false.
Types of Belief Systems
Theism
- Originates from Greek term 'theos', meaning 'god'.
- Basic teachings of theism:
- Firm belief in the existence of god or gods.
- God exists beyond time and space, but sustains and nourishes the universe.
- Need for divine revelation as a guide to life and foundation of moral values.
Monotheism
- Defined as the belief in one god.
- Categorised into different forms:
- Absolute monotheism: belief in one Creator-God with no association with His divinity.
- Qualified monotheism: belief in one god who appears or takes expressions in other forms.
- Shared divinity: belief in one god who shares his divinity with other gods.
- Pantheism: a belief in one creator-god who pervades in his creations.
Monotheistic Religions
Judaism
- God, YHWH (Yahweh), is the Sole creator of everything.
- Creatures must worship Him by following His commandments of revelation.
- First Four Commandments are exclusively related to the unity of God.
- Idol worship is prohibited.
- Jewish Monotheism believes in a Chosen Community and shared divinity.
Christianity
- Concept of monotheism is expressed through two major sects: Unitarian and Trinitarian conceptions.
Unitarian
- Belief in the Father as the only God, with Jesus as a messenger of God.
- Jesus is considered lower than God but above other human beings, with some share in the divinity of God.
Trinitarian
- Belief that God is one but three in one: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
- They work in different ways, but together.
- God the Father is the creator, God the Son is Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier.
- Classified into shared divinity monotheism due to the separation of powers of authority.
Explore the concept of belief systems, including theism, and understand the meaning and types of belief systems. Learn about the common teachings of theism and its significance.
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