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Year 8 - Religious education

God of classical theism

Suffering: Can Christian theology overcome the problem of evil?

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will examine the question of evil. They will look at various ways in which Christians have answered this question such as the existence of the devil, free will and the story of Job.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the nature of God within classical theism, with specific reference to Christian beliefs and teachings.

Key Notes

  • Religions aligned with classical theism teach that there is one God who possesses particular characteristics.
  • Most Christians uphold classical theism and describe God as omnibenevolent, omnipotent and omniscient.
  • Omnibenevolent refers to the belief that God is all loving.
  • Omnipotent refers to the belief that God is all powerful.
  • Omniscient refers to the belief that God is all knowing.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • omnibenevolent: the belief that God is all loving and infinitely good
  • omnipotent: the belief that God is all powerful
  • omniscient: the belief that God is all knowing
  • theism: the belief in the existence of at least one god who is personal, active in the world, and distinct from the universe

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The God of classical theism is distant and not involved with creation.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Religions aligned with classical theism teach that there is one God who possesses particular characteristics. Most Christians uphold classical theism and describe God as omnibenevolent, omnipotent and omniscient.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'omnibenevolent'

the belief that God is all loving and infinitely good.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: The God of classical theism is distant and not involved with creation. Correction: For most theists whose beliefs align with classical theism, such as Christians, God is personal and active within the world and is powerful, loving and all knowing by nature.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 8 Religious education guide library.