The Nature of God

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Questions and Answers

What significant event did the people of Israel experience due to their failure to worship God alone?

Conquest of Jericho

Babylonian captivity (correct)

Return to Canaan

Exodus from Egypt

Which of the following best defines omnipotence as described in the content?

God's power being perfect and unmatched (correct)

God’s power being variable according to situations

God's ability to act within a limited scope

God being more powerful than anything else

How is omnipresence characterized?

God being demonstrated through physical spaces

God’s presence being dependent on belief

God being present in only spiritual matters

God's quality of being everywhere (correct)

What does omniscience refer to?

Perfect knowledge of all things Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT describe God's nature as a person according to the content?

Ability to be impersonal Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a 'person' as per the text?

An individual being that is unified Signup and view all the answers

Which attribute is highlighted as the most fundamental divine attribute?

Aseity Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective suggests that humans are a union of fundamentally different entities?

Dualism Signup and view all the answers

What concept emphasizes the interconnectedness of different human aspects?

Wholism Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary view of sexuality according to the Christian perspective mentioned?

Sex is a good and purposeful aspect of life. Signup and view all the answers

How is 'soul' defined in the context provided?

The complete living organism or living being. Signup and view all the answers

What does anthropomorphism imply about God's description?

God is depicted with human characteristics Signup and view all the answers

Which view contrasts with the puritanical view of sexuality?

Playboy attitude Signup and view all the answers

What does John Donne's quote 'No man is an island' most closely relate to?

Human sociality Signup and view all the answers

Which term best describes the view that human beings have physical and social dimensions to sexuality?

Human sexuality Signup and view all the answers

What mistaken attitude views sex primarily as evil?

Puritanical view Signup and view all the answers

What does deism characterize God as?

An absentee landlord who does not influence worldly events Signup and view all the answers

In theism, how is God often viewed?

As a supreme entity that is distinct and involved in creation Signup and view all the answers

What does immanence refer to in the context of God's relation to the world?

God's involvement and closeness to the world Signup and view all the answers

Which concept identifies God and the world as the same reality?

Pantheism Signup and view all the answers

What is manly associated with the concept of prophecy?

God's perspective on the future Signup and view all the answers

How is transcendence best described?

God exists beyond and is distinguished from the world Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'ground of being' refer to according to Paul Tillich?

God representing ultimate reality from which everything emerges Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT one of the forms of God's activity in the world as described?

Revelation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following figures is NOT known for practicing polygamy in the Old Testament?

Moses Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of the Seventh-day Adventist church policy revision in 1950 regarding divorce?

It allowed remarriage for the 'guilty' party after evidence of repentance. Signup and view all the answers

What distinction is made regarding homosexual practices based on a person's sexual orientation?

Homosexual practices may express authentic affection if the orientation is homosexual. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best reflects the biblical perspective on sexual equality?

In Christ, gender distinctions are abolished. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of humanity is highlighted as remaining intact after the fall, according to the content?

Image of God Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated as the strongest biblical assertion of sexual equality?

Paul's statement in Galatians 3:28 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT describe the divine likeness of humanity?

It is a natural gift given at birth. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following women is NOT mentioned as significant in the history of God's people?

Rebekah Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of the image of God rule out?

Economic slavery Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT identified as a personal quality of a person?

Interdependence Signup and view all the answers

What type of freedom is described as the freedom to do right or wrong?

Moral freedom Signup and view all the answers

According to Martin Buber, what characterizes the 'I-It' relationship?

An objective examination of others Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following limits to freedom is mentioned as a characteristic of being a creature?

Finite nature Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated as a fundamental problem stemming from sin?

The human predicament Signup and view all the answers

Which quality is emphasized as making each person invaluable and incomparable?

Dignity Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of human freedom involves being accountable for behavior?

Personal responsibility Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

God's Identity

God's self-existence is a fundamental attribute known as "aseity"
God has life in himself.
God's attributes as creator include omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience.
Omnipotence means God is the most powerful and his power cannot be greater than it is.
Omnipresence describes God's relation to space and means he is everywhere.
Omniscience means God has perfect knowledge and knows all things.
Anthropomorphism describes God using human qualities, it is a figure of speech.

God's Attitude Toward the World

God can be described as a “person” as he is free and self-determined.
God is a unity and a distinct individual being.
God is characterized by self-consciousness, relationships, and freedom to a degree.
God has dignity and value.

Christian View of God

Deism views God as a master craftsman or absentee landlord.
Deism believes in a single God who created world but doesn't intervene in events.
Pantheism identifies God with the world.
Pantheists believe that God and world are the same, and they represent one reality.

Immanence and Transcendence

Immanence refers to God's involvement in the world, indicating his closeness to the world.
Transcendence refers to the difference or distinction between God and the world.
Theism encompasses the belief in a divine power or supreme entity.
Deism views God as completely transcendent.
Pantheism views God as completely immanent.

God's Activity in the World

Providence refers to God's continuous involvement in the world.
God sustains and guides the natural order.
God maintains the universe.
Paul Tillich defines God as the "ground of being," or the "power of being."
Prophecy expresses God's perspective on the future.
Miracles are events that happen as a direct result of God's power, often interrupting the normal course of events.
C.S. Lewis wrote about miracles.

Humanity: Created in God's Image

Humans are complex beings with different views on their nature, including wholism and dualism.
Wholism views humans as a complex unity of many facets.
Dualism views humans as a composite being, a union of different parts.
Soul refers to a living organism, not just a part of it.

Human Sociality

Humans need social connection.
John Donne said "No man is an island."

Human Sexuality

Sexuality encompasses physical and social aspects.
Sex is used to express intimate emotions and create life.

Mistaken Sexual Attitudes

The puritanical view sees sex as evil and something to avoid.
The playboy attitude celebrates sex as a reason for living.

Christian View of Sex

The Christian view sees sex as a good and purposeful part of human life.

Sexual Behavior

Marriage is one form of sexual behavior.
Old Testament figures practiced polygamy, such as Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon.
The seventh commandment prohibits adultery.
Paul admonished Christians to avoid fornication.
Divorce was addressed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 1950s.

Premarital Sex

Premarital sex refers to sexual intercourse before marriage.

Homosexuality

Engaging in homosexual practices can be considered a perversion for heterosexual individuals.
Homosexual practices can be a legitimate expression of affection for those with a homosexual orientation.

Relations Between the Sexes

Women like Miriam, Deborah, Ruth, and Esther played important roles in the history of God's people.
Women like Lydia, Prisca, and Phoebe were influences in the early church.
Paul stated "in Christ there is no longer ...male and female" (Gal 3:28).

Human Development

Humans are developmental creatures who grow and are nurtured.

Humanity as the Image of God

Humans were created in the image and likeness of God.
Divine likeness was a supernatural gift that included powers to know God and retain immortal life.
The image of God remains intact after the fall, while likeness was lost.
Protestant reformers believe the image of God was corrupted after the fall.
John Calvin called the image of God “so corrupted that whatever remains is frightful deformity.”
The concept of the image of God rules out slavery in all forms such as economic, political, and sexual.

Human Uniqueness

Humans are unique because they are capable of reason, symbolism, and self-determination.

Human Freedom

Freedom allows decisions to make a difference.
There are limits to freedom, such as human finiteness, heredity, and environment.

Types of Freedom

Moral freedom allows humans to choose right or wrong or obey or disobey God.
Responsibility is linked to freedom.

Personal Qualities

Freedom is a key characteristic shared by God and humans.
A person is characterized by unity, self-consciousness, capacity for relationships with other persons, dignity, responsibility, and mystery.
Martin Buber distinguished “I-It” and “I-Thou” relationships in his book “I and Thou.”
An “ I-It” relationship treats objects as things to be examined, analyzed, and used.
An “I-Thou” relationship views the other as a counterpart not merely as something to be analyzed.

Human Tragedy: God's Reign Interrupted

Sin interrupted God's reign.

The Meaning of Sin

Sin is a moral predicament, stemming from human actions rather than human nature.

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Description

This quiz explores the identity and attributes of God, including concepts like aseity, omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience. It also delves into God's attitude toward the world and various theological perspectives, such as Deism and Pantheism. Test your understanding of these profound theological concepts.