GCSE Religious Studies: Existence of God Revision

Existence of God is a core part of GCSE Religious Studies. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

TrinityDoctrine of one God in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; affirmed at Council of Nicaea 325 AD.

IncarnationBelief that Jesus is God made flesh; 'the Word became flesh' (John 1:14); central to Christmas and Christology.

Crucifixion and ResurrectionJesus' death by crucifixion under Pontius Pilate and rising on the third day; 1 Corinthians 15 calls it 'of first importance'.

AtonementReconciliation between God and humanity through Christ's sacrifice; Romans 5:8 'God showed his love while we were still sinners'.

SinDisobedience to God's will; original sin (Augustine) inherited from Adam and Eve; redeemed through Christ.

EschatologyDoctrine of last things: Second Coming, Final Judgement, heaven and hell; Apostles' Creed affirms resurrection of the body.

Design argumentThe argument that order and complexity in the universe, like the workings of a watch, point to God as designer; challenged by evolution and suffering.

First Cause argumentThe argument that everything caused needs a cause, so the universe requires an uncaused First Cause, which believers identify with God.

MiraclesEvents that seem to break the laws of nature and are attributed to God; Hume argued testimony for miracles is never strong enough to be believed.

General revelationGod made known indirectly and to everyone, through the natural world, conscience and the words of scripture.

Special revelationGod made known directly to individuals or groups, through visions, dreams and personal religious experience.

Arguments against God's existenceChallenges include evil and suffering, science explaining the universe's origins, and explanations of religious experience as illusion or wish-fulfilment.

Cosmological argumentUniverse must have a first cause — God

AquinasMedieval theologian — five ways to prove God

Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

Does the cosmological argument prove God exists beyond doubt?✗ Yes, it is absolute proof. ✓ No — it is a reasoned argument with recognised strengths and criticisms.

Does the problem of evil completely disprove God?✗ Yes, it settles the question entirely. ✓ No — it is a serious challenge to which believers offer responses (theodicies).

Are religious experiences accepted as proof by everyone?✗ Yes, everyone accepts them as proof. ✓ No — they convince some but are debated and open to other explanations.

Practise Existence of God — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie ▶ Reveal Race ▶ Connections Grid ▶ Falling Words ▶ Word Web

See all 17 games in the Subjects Arcade →

Existence of God

Key concepts

Common mistakes to avoid

Practise Existence of God — free games

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