A. Beliefs about God 1. Atheist - does not believe in God 2. Agnostic - cannot prove Gods existence 3.

Monotheism - belief in one God 4. Polytheism - belief in many gods 5. Deism - belief in God creating universe but that He left it (universe) on its own 6. Theism - God is intrinsically involved in His creation 7. Pantheism - doesnt believe in a personal God 8. Henotheism - belief in one main God and other lesser gods B. Intellectual Proofs for Gods existence, by St. Thomas Aquinas 1. God is an unmoved mover; 2. First Cause (Uncaused Cause); 3. Everything comes from something; 4. God is the supreme model; and 5. Intelligent Design (God is the Grand Designer)

C. Heartfelt Proofs for Gods Existence 1. There is an unquenchable thirst for joy and happiness 2. Experience of truth and beauty 3. There is a sense of personal conscience, moral goodness, and justice 4. LOVE!!! D. An Understanding God 1. Divine Revelation= the free gift of Gods self-communication by which He makes known to us His divine plan. a. Salvation History= Gods saving activity for mankind. 1) Covenants open-ended connections of love between God and humans

Covenant with Noah (After the Flood) Covenant with Abraham (and his descendants) Covenant of Sinai (this formed Israel as Gods people) The new covenant of Jesus (Jesus= fullness of Gods revelation)

*Note: Covenants are deeper than contracts (covenants are everlasting) b. Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition 1) Scripture - the library of divinely inspired writings that teach the truth of what God wanted to confide in us. 2) Tradition= the living transmission or handing on of - the Churchs found gospel message through Church teaching, life, worship, and dogma.

E. Creator of Heaven and Earth 1. Truths a. God freely created an orderly and good world out of nothing. b. God is totally beyond but at the same time present to us upholding and sustaining creation. c. God guides creation in a loving and watchful way. d. God created human beings in His image and likeness and thus we have great dignity as His people. e. God created us male and female out of love and for love. f. God is the creator of all that is seen and unseen g. Though we are essentially good because God made us, we humans are still tainted with sin. h. Through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, God invites us into a personal relationship with Him. F. Fall and Original Sin 1. Original Sin fallen state of human nature into which all generations are born 2. Concupiscence inclination to commit sin that can be found in human desires and appetites 3. Belief in God leads to a. Knowledge of Gods greatness and love for us; b. Life having meaning; and c. God always caring for us.

Vocabulary: Monotheistic Religions that believe that there is only one God. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are the three great monotheistic world religions Religions that believe in multiple gods and goddesses. The ancient Greeks and Romans were polytheistic as is the Hindu faith. The belief that God did create the universe but that he takes no further interest in it. People who claim that Gods existence cannot be known. A trait of God that refers to Gods total otherness and being infinitely beyond and independent of creation. A trait of God which refers to Gods intimate union with and total presence to his creation. A Church writer of great learning and holiness whose works the Church has highly recommended for studying and living the faith. The open-ended contract of love between God and human beings. Jesus death and resurrection sealed Gods new covenant of love for all time. Testament translates to covenant. The inspired word of God; the written record of revelation. The living transmission of the Churchs gospel message found in the Churchs teaching, life, and worship. It is faithfully preserved, handed on, and interpreted by the Churchs Magisterium

Polytheistic

Deism Agnostics Transcendence Immanence Doctor of the Church

Covenant

Bible Sacred Tradition

Dogma Yahweh Blessed Trinity

A central truth of revelation that Catholics are obliged to believe The sacred Hebrew name for God which means I am who am I am or I am who I am The central dogma of the Christian faith that there are three divine Persons Father, son, and holy spirit in one god. An Aramaic term of endearment meaning Daddy. Jesus used this word to teach the God is a loving Father. Gods loving and watchful guidance over his creatures on their way to their final goal and perfection. The fallen state of human nature into which all generations of people are born. Christ Jesus came to save us from original sin.

Abba Divine providence Original sin

Original holiness and justice The state of man and woman before sin. From their friendship with God flowed the happiness of their existence in paradise Concupiscence An inclination to commit sin that can be found in human desires and appetites as a result of original sin.