Theology
Theologians attempt to explicate (and in some cases systematize) beliefs;
some express their own experience of the divine. Theologians ask questions
such as, 'What is the nature of God?' What does it mean for God to be
singular? If people believe in God as a duality or trinity, what do these
terms signify? Is God transcendent, immanent, or some mix of the two?
What is the relationship between God and the universe, and God and mankind?
Theism holds that God is both transcendent and immanent; thus, God is
simultaneously infinite and in some way present in the affairs of the
world. Catholic theology holds that God is infinitely simple and is not
involuntarily subject to time. Most theists hold that God is omnipotent,
omniscient, and benevolent, although this belief raises questions about
God's responsibility for evil and suffering in the world. Some theists
ascribe to God a self-conscious or purposeful limiting of omnipotence,
omniscience, or benevolence. Open Theism, by contrast, asserts that, due
to the nature of time, God's omniscience does not mean he can predict
the future. "Theism" is sometimes used to refer in general to
any belief in a god or gods, i.e., monotheism or polytheism.
Deism holds that God is wholly transcendent: God exists, but does not
intervene in the world beyond what was necessary for God to create it.
In this view, God is not anthropomorphic, and does not literally answer
prayers or cause miracles to occur. Common in Deism is a belief that God
has no interest in humanity and may not even be aware of humanity.
Monotheism holds that there is only one God, and/or that the one true
God is worshipped in different religions under different names. It is
important to note, however, that monotheists of one religion can, and
often do, consider the monotheistic god of a different religion to be
a false god. For instance, many Christian fundamentalists consider the
God of Islam (Allah) to be a false god or demon. However, theologians
and linguists argue that "Allah" is merely the Arabic word for
"God," and not the literal name of a specifically Muslim God
(this is more clearly shown by the fact that Arabic-speaking Christians
and Jews refer to God as "Allah" with no problem whatsoever).
To Muslims, the Bible is a holy scripture and Jesus is a Holy Prophet,
so Islam is considered a continuation of Christianity. Many Jews consider
the messiah of Christianity (Jesus) to be a false god and some monotheists
(notably fundamentalist Christians) hold that there is one triune God,
and that all gods of other religions are actually demons in disguise (as
in 2nd Corinthians 11 verse 14). Eastern religious believers and Liberal
Christians are more likely to assume those of other faiths worship the
same God as they. Muslims believe that Jesus is not the son of God, because
relating God to any partners or spouses or offspring is considered blasphemy
and apostasy. They believe that Jesus is the Messiah and a Holy Prophet.
Pantheism holds that God is the universe and the universe is God. Panentheism
holds that God contains, but is not identical to, the Universe. The distinctions
between the two are subtle, and some consider them unhelpful. Kabbalah,
Jewish mysticism, paints a pantheistic/panentheistic view of God, which
has wide acceptance in Hasidic Judaism, particularly from their founder
The Baal Shem Tov. It is also the view of the Liberal Catholic Church,
Theosophy, Hinduism, Ayyavazhi some divisions of Buddhism, and Taoism,
along with many varying denominations and individuals within denominations.
Dystheism is a form of theism which holds that God is malevolent as a
consequence of the problem of evil. Dystheistic speculation is common
in theology, but there is no known church of practicing dystheists. See
also Satanism.
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