1. Recap task
Think of fifteen key terms associated with analogy Choose nine and add to the bingo grid Play bingo

2. Recap Aquinas on analogy
Language is _____________ if it has the same meaning in each case e.g. _________
Language is ______________ if it has a different meaning in each case e.g. ____
An analogy is ______________
It is correct to say God is good because God is the _______ of goodness – analogy of _______
An analogy of _________ says that God has the same qualities in different __________ to humans

3. Analogy: Ian Ramsey 1957 book Religious Language: an Empirical Placing of Theological Phrases
Objective
To know the theory of Ian Ramsey
To explain how it can be said to effectively provide a solution to the problem of religious language
Ian Thomas Ramsey was Professor of the Philosophy of Religion at the University of Oxford, and Bishop of Durham from 1966 until his death in 1972

4. “Models and Qualifiers”
Ramsey tried to explain the way in which religious language could usefully describe God
A “model” is an analogy which enables us to express something of God.
In this sentence, good is a model for God
God is good
God is good

5. When we apply a human understanding of “good” to God, it is a model for understanding God’s goodness.
‘Good’ is a word we use in ordinary life e.g.
CAMERON WISHES
MURRAY GOOD LUCK

6. Explanation
To understand God’s goodness the model needs qualifying (adjectives and adverbs).
The qualifier, that God is “infinitely good”, has to be added to the expression God is good.
Such qualifiers will deepen our understanding of what it means that God is good.
We might not understand and comprehend exactly the nature of God, because qualifiers such as ‘infinitely’ or ‘perfectly’ are in many ways beyond our imagination, but it is a method of speaking about God positively which aims to avoid either limiting God or speaking incomprehensibly.
Ramsey claimed that qualifies can lead to the light dawning and penny dropping. What does this mean mean?
What does Ramsey mean by ‘odd’ words? Give an example

7. DIL - Consolidation task
Read the booklet pages 4-6 and the John Hick extract pages Complete tasks 4 a and b and 5 Summary of analogy Write a one page revision summary of ‘Religious language as non-cognitive and analogical’ Include an explanation of Analogy of Being – why can we make a comparison between God and humanity. Write an essay plan for – Explain the concept of religious language as an analogy. 20 marks

8. AO2 Evaluating analogy
Analogy – In Aquinas’ view, it was important to remember that God cannot be wholly understood, and that we will never reach a clear understanding where we comprehend exactly what God is.
Read the statements
Decide if they support or reject the use of analogy in religious language
Can you match any together in pairs or small groups
Complete tasks 6 and 7

9. Can you add any other ideas?
Weaknesses
Strengths
It is not always clear exactly in what respects two different things are being considered similar – in what respects might the love or the justice of God resemble our own, and how they are different
Blackstone – analogies are not helpful
C. Stephens Evans – mystery . . .
Useful in many contexts, especially when used to communicate complex or new ideas.
They help us to form pictures in our minds, and to associate ideas and draw conclusions