Podcast
Questions and Answers
According to the Via Negativa theory, we can only meaningfully say what God is ____.
According to the Via Negativa theory, we can only meaningfully say what God is ____.
not
Negative language describes what a thing is ___.
Negative language describes what a thing is ___.
not
Positive language describes what a thing ___.
Positive language describes what a thing ___.
is
Pseudo-Dionysius suggests that we should focus on describing God through ___ language.
Pseudo-Dionysius suggests that we should focus on describing God through ___ language.
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The Via Negativa approach helps in avoiding anthropomorphising God by ensuring we do not apply any concept we humans can understand to God, thus emphasizing what God is ___.
The Via Negativa approach helps in avoiding anthropomorphising God by ensuring we do not apply any concept we humans can understand to God, thus emphasizing what God is ___.
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The Bible supports the use of ___ language to describe God, as seen in statements like 'God is love' and 'God is spirit'.
The Bible supports the use of ___ language to describe God, as seen in statements like 'God is love' and 'God is spirit'.
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Aquinas believes that his theory captures everyday Christian meaning better than ______ negativa.
Aquinas believes that his theory captures everyday Christian meaning better than ______ negativa.
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The analogy of attribution and proportion in Aquinas' theory are ideas that the average Christian accepts when speaking about ______.
The analogy of attribution and proportion in Aquinas' theory are ideas that the average Christian accepts when speaking about ______.
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According to Aquinas, when Christians say 'God is love', they understand that God's love is beyond human understanding but is still analogous to human love, though proportionally ______.
According to Aquinas, when Christians say 'God is love', they understand that God's love is beyond human understanding but is still analogous to human love, though proportionally ______.
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Tillich's theory is successful in understanding that religious language is about deep spiritual feelings and experiences, which are the most significant and meaningful things to everyday ______.
Tillich's theory is successful in understanding that religious language is about deep spiritual feelings and experiences, which are the most significant and meaningful things to everyday ______.
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Alston criticized Tillich for not adequately accounting for the cognitive element of religious ______.
Alston criticized Tillich for not adequately accounting for the cognitive element of religious ______.
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According to Alston, when using religious language, Christians express beliefs about God which can be true or ______.
According to Alston, when using religious language, Christians express beliefs about God which can be true or ______.
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Religious language aims to connect a religious person's mind to ______ - like a religious experience.
Religious language aims to connect a religious person's mind to ______ - like a religious experience.
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When a religious person speaks or hears religious language, their mind feels connected to ______ in that moment.
When a religious person speaks or hears religious language, their mind feels connected to ______ in that moment.
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A crucifix is a symbol for Jesus' ______.
A crucifix is a symbol for Jesus' ______.
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Symbolic language works by pointing to something beyond itself, participating in what it points to, and opening spiritual levels of reality and dimensions of our ______.
Symbolic language works by pointing to something beyond itself, participating in what it points to, and opening spiritual levels of reality and dimensions of our ______.
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The words of religious language are meant to connect our ______ to God.
The words of religious language are meant to connect our ______ to God.
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Tillich says that God is a symbol for the 'ground of ______.'
Tillich says that God is a symbol for the 'ground of ______.'
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Religious language involves symbols which help us spiritually connect to the mystery of existence - the ground of ______.
Religious language involves symbols which help us spiritually connect to the mystery of existence - the ground of ______.
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Tillich is an ______ - they think to be human is to be faced with mysteries about the meaning and purpose of life that we can't really answer.
Tillich is an ______ - they think to be human is to be faced with mysteries about the meaning and purpose of life that we can't really answer.
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Religious language helps us to connect to questions about the ultimate meaning and ground of ______.
Religious language helps us to connect to questions about the ultimate meaning and ground of ______.
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The Via Negativa approach prevents the mistake of anthropomorphizing God, helping Christians realize that God is beyond anything they can ______.
The Via Negativa approach prevents the mistake of anthropomorphizing God, helping Christians realize that God is beyond anything they can ______.
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Aquinas rejects univocal and equivocal language about God, proposing that we use __________ language.
Aquinas rejects univocal and equivocal language about God, proposing that we use __________ language.
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According to Aquinas, when we say 'God is loving,' the word 'loving' has a meaning that is __________ to human love.
According to Aquinas, when we say 'God is loving,' the word 'loving' has a meaning that is __________ to human love.
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Aquinas' theory of analogy suggests that we are __________ to God.
Aquinas' theory of analogy suggests that we are __________ to God.
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The analogy of attribution implies that God's qualities are __________ to human qualities.
The analogy of attribution implies that God's qualities are __________ to human qualities.
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Aquinas' solution to describing God's qualities is to use __________ language.
Aquinas' solution to describing God's qualities is to use __________ language.
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Tillich proposes that religious language is __________, not literal.
Tillich proposes that religious language is __________, not literal.
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According to Maimonides, interpreting the Bible requires careful __________.
According to Maimonides, interpreting the Bible requires careful __________.
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Aquinas argues that univocal language fails because God is __________ our understanding.
Aquinas argues that univocal language fails because God is __________ our understanding.
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Aquinas states that equivocal language fails because we wouldn't know the meaning of words when applied to God if it is __________ different from human use.
Aquinas states that equivocal language fails because we wouldn't know the meaning of words when applied to God if it is __________ different from human use.
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Tillich suggests that symbolic language tries to connect a person's mind to a __________.
Tillich suggests that symbolic language tries to connect a person's mind to a __________.
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