Theology Proper Series

“Our Great God”

Introduction

We now live in a culture where even those who claim to be evangelical Christians know very little about what they believe or what the Bible teaches. A common faith is essential to unity.

It is not necessary to agree upon all the little details but now more than ever, those who call themselves Christians must know what and why they believe. Jude encourages us to contend for the once for all delivered faith or system of beliefs.

Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. Jude 1:3

As I pondered this critical deficit in the church today, I decided to do something about it, at least in our church family. I have decided to reserve the first Sunday of each month to teach on our fundamental beliefs. I want you to know the basic truths of the Christian faith. We are part of a denomination called the Christian and Missionary Alliance which has an official statement of basic beliefs. I will use that statement of beliefs as the basis for our monthly theology focus.

“Theology” is a good word. It is a vital necessity for every good Christian. It is the “study or gathered knowledge” (ology) of God (Theo). Theology is the Study of God and what He has revealed to His creatures. It used to be considered the queen of all the possible courses of study. All of our Ivy League schools began as institutions devoted to the training of Pastors in the knowledge of God.

Systematic Theology is the gathering of the basic facts about God into some sort or organized system. Now God did not inspire a systematic theology. He revealed Himself in the context of history and relationships. There is a great deal of literature written by “theologians” (God experts). There are a number of Systematic Theologies. Each one organizes their findings under different topics. There are some commonalities between them. I have chosen to use the most common nine categories over this next year.

We will take one of the categories each month.

One could spend and entire year of at least and extended series on each of these categories.

It would be impossible to cover the topic in just one message. My intention is to present the brief doctrinal statement, provide an overview or outline of the topic and encourage a response or personal commitment.

THEOLOGY PROPER

There is one God, who is infinitely perfect, existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

There are some essential elements of this statement. We worship one God. The God we worship is perfect in every way. The God we worship has no limitations; He is infinite. The God we worship has existed from eternity in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There is obviously much more to learn and know about the God we worship. These are the essential elements that distinguish us from many other groups.

I. The Existence of God

A. Detected (Sensed) by Intuition

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. Romans 1:18-19 NLT

B. Delivered (Passed on) by Tradition

We must not dismiss the power of the knowledge of a God passed down or not passed down from one generation to the next.

"His purpose in all of this was that the nations should seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As one of your own poets says, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17:27-28 NLT

C. Deduced by Reason

1. Cause/Effect (Cosmological)

Everything we know has a cause. It is reasonable to assume that behind everything we see must be an initial cause.

2. Design (Teleological)

The intricacy of the universe from the furthest star in space to the tiniest microscopic atom leads one to logically assume there must be a master designer. Illustration: the watch and the watch maker. Three stones staked up on the beach. Romans 1 indicates that God has revealed himself in what he has made. Early science dedicated themselves to understand God better by understanding what he made.

From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. Romans 1:20

3. Morality (Anthropological)