Types of Theism
Monotheism
Monotheism
Belief in a single, all-powerful God.
- Christianity: God as the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
- Islam: Allah as the singular, indivisible deity.
- Judaism: Yahweh as the one true God.
In Islam, the Shahada (declaration of faith) states: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger," emphasizing strict monotheism.
Polytheism
Polytheism
Belief in multiple gods, each with distinct roles and attributes.
- Hinduism: Deities like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
- Ancient Greek Religion: Gods like Zeus, Athena, and Apollo.
Polytheistic systems often feature a hierarchy of gods, with some deities holding more power or significance than others.
Pantheism
Pantheism
Belief that God is identical to the universe and everything in it.
- Spinoza: God as the substance of all reality.
- Eastern Philosophies: Concepts like Brahman in Advaita Vedanta.
Think of pantheism like a vast ocean: every wave, current, and drop of water is part of the ocean, just as everything in the universe is part of God.
Characteristics and Attributes of God
Omniscience
Omniscience
God's ability to know everything — past, present, and future.
Philosophical Implications:
- Free Will: If God knows the future, can humans truly have free will?
- Moral Responsibility: Does God's knowledge of our actions absolve us of responsibility?
In Christianity, God's omniscience is often linked to divine providence, guiding the world according to a perfect plan.
Omnipotence
Omnipotence
God's ability to do anything that is logically possible.
Philosophical Challenges:
- Paradox of the Stone: Can God create a stone so heavy that even He cannot lift it?
- Logical Limits: Most philosophers agree that omnipotence does not include doing the logically impossible, like creating a square circle.
- When analyzing omnipotence, consider the distinction between logical and physical impossibilities.
- This helps clarify what omnipotence truly entails.
Timelessness
Timelessness
God exists outside of time, unbound by past, present, or future.
Philosophical Implications:
- Eternality: God's actions and knowledge are not constrained by temporal sequences.
- Relationship with Creation: How can a timeless God interact with a temporal world?
Some philosophers, like Boethius, argue that God perceives all of time simultaneously, like an eternal "now."
Benevolence
Benevolence
God's perfect goodness and moral integrity.
