PROPER THEOLOGY

LESSON 3 - PROPER THEOLOGY

The word “theology” comes from the Greek words, theos meaning “God” and logos meaning “the word about” or the “study of God” as He is revealed in the Scriptures.

Simple definition is that theology is an in-depth study of the Holy Bible to discover what God has said about Himself, His purposes, His plans, and His promises.

Paterology: Study of God, the Father

Christology: Study of the Son, Jesus Christ

Pneumatology: Study of the Holy Spirit

Angelology: Study of angels

Demonology: Study of Satan and Demons

Bibliology: Study of the Holy Bible, which is the revelation of God

Hamartiology: Study of Sin

Soteriology: Study of salvation, which is God’s provision for sin

Ecclesiology: Study of the Church

Eschatology: Study of biblical prophecy, the end-times, and eternity

THE CENTRAL THEME

·         The Bible reveals the mystery of God’s plan which is the unifying theme of the Bible.

·         It is the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Savior of sinful mankind.

·         Both the Old Testament and New Testament is centered to Jesus Christ, the OT prepares us for His coming, and the NT tells how it happened.

·         This unites the entire Bible and the study of Biblical theology in one major theme: Jesus Christ.

the importance of theology

For personal growth and development

·         for us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18)

·         Growth takes time in the natural world as well as the spiritual world. Some truth can only be understood over a period of time.

To avoid doctrinal error

·         the first sin resulted from the enemy questions “has God said?” if you do not know what God has said in His Word regarding foundation issues of faith, then you may fall into doctrinal error and ultimately into sin.

To be able to explain Biblical truths to unbelievers and to give answer for the hope which within you (1 Pet 3:15)

For your spiritual walk and ministry

·         You should seek heart knowledge, not just head knowledge, through application of what you learn. The purpose is not just to obtain information but to allow revelation to result in application to and transformation of your life.

paterology - god the father

Paterology comes from two Greek words which means “father” and “word” “discourse”, when combined it means the study of the Father.

the existence of god

a. God reveals Himself through the orderliness of the universe and the world

at a distance of 93 million miles from the earth, the sun provides exactly the right temperature environment for man to function on earth. If the sun were closer, it would be too hot to survive, and if the sun were father away, it would be too cold for man to function. If the moon were closer than 240,000 miles, the gravitational pull of the tides would engulf the earth’s surface with water from the oceans.

b. God reveals Himself through the magnificence of the Human Body

The human body (DNA) is perhaps the best evidence of the general revelation on earth. The entire human body – cardiovascular system, the bone structures, the respiratory system, the muscles, the nervous system – reveals an infinite God.

c. God reveals Himself through His Providential Control

it is His providential goodness in supplying people with sunshine and rain that enables us to live and function. This also includes Him giving discipline, restoration, and judgment to His people

d. God reveals Himself through man’s conscience

Romans 2:14-15 indicates that God has placed knowledge concerning Himself within the heart of man. 

the trinity - the triune god

The one true God is revealed in three distinct personalities of the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. They are one in essence, one God with three distinct natures. The doctrine of Trinity must be accepted by faith, as it is difficult to grasp with our finite minds.

The first person is God the Father.  He is the Father of:

Israel – Exodus 4:22

The Angels – Job 38:7

Jesus Christ – John 17:1

All believers – John 1:12-13

In the OT, the Hebrew word for God is “Elohim” is a plural world. Plural pronouns are used of God (Gen 1:26) and the angel of Jehovah or Angel of the LORD in OT deemed to be the appearances of Christ (Judges 2:1-5)

Trinity in the Old Testament:

“Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning.
From the time that it was, I was there. And now the Lord God and His Spirit
Have sent Me.” – Isa 48:16

In the New Testament, the Father, Son, and Spirit are confirmed to be divine, to do the works of God, and to be worshipped. Jesus is distinguished from the Father and the Spirit. The Spirit is also God but distinguished from the Father and the Son.

THE TRIUNE GOD

God has a triune nature with three distinct personalities, yet He is one God:

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! Deu 6:4

·         God the Father planned the redemption and sent His Son into the world. (John 3:16; Gal 4:4; Eph 1:9-10)

·         God the Son is the executor the Father and accomplished redemption for us. (John 6:38; Heb 10:5-7)

·         It is the Holy Spirit’s role to give us regeneration or new applying spiritual life, to sanctify and to empower us in service.

Confirmation of the Triune Nature of God.

Matthew 3:16-17; John 15:26; 1 Peter 4:14; Romans 8:2-3; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; Acts 2:33

the attributes of god

• Eternal – Psalm 90:2, Psalm 102:12

• Omnipresent – Present everywhere – Psalm 139:7-1

• Omnipotent – All Powerful – Jer 32:17, Gen 17:1

• Omniscient – All Knowing – Psalm 139:1-6, Mat 6:8

• Love – 1 John 4:8, 1 John 3:16

• Immutable – Does not change - Jam 1:17, 1 Sam 15:29

• Merciful – Heb 4L16, Rom 9:23

• Gracious – Eph 1:7; 2:8

• Holy – Psalm 11:4-6

• Just – Psalm 99:4, Rom 1:32

• A Spirit – John 4:24

• Sovereign – Eph 1 and Rom 8

• Faithful – Lev 19:2

• Benevolent – good and kind – Psalm 145:9

• Longsuffering – does not immediately judge sin but appeals to all men and patiently waits for them to acknowledge their sins and turn to Him.

• Wise – Prov 3:19

• Infinite – 1 Kings 8:27, Ex 15:18

the names of god

Jehovah – Lord

·         Jehovah Rapha – The Lord that healeth

·         Jehovah Nissi – The Lord our banner

·         Jehovah Shalom – The Lord our peace

·         Jehovah Ra’ah – The Lord is my shepherd

·         Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord our righteousness

·         Jehovah Jireh – the Lord who provides

·         Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is there

El – God

·         Elohim – means God and is used where the creative power of God is implied

·         El Shaddai – The God who is sufficient for the needs of His people

·         Elolam – The everlasting God

·         El Elyon – Most high God, exalted above all other gods.

Father – Abba – Heavenly Father

Adonai – means Lord or Master

god sovereignty and decrees

God’s decrees have been established since eternity past and have reference to God’s sovereignty.

The decrees of God are His eternal purpose according to the counsel and His will, for his own glory.  He fore-ordained whatsoever came to pass. Non is outside God’s control

Yet it must also be affirmed that man is responsible for his sinful actions.

God is never the author of sin, nor does He sovereignty eliminates man’s responsibility

The Directive Will of God

“Thelema” – author, actively brings about the events. He creates, controls, establishes, and elects.  Directive Will means He actively brought about an event.

Isa 45:18, Dan 4:35, Dan 2:21, Eph 1:4)

The Permissive Will of God

“Boule” permissive will is He may bring them about through secondary causes.

Sinful acts do not frustrate the plan of God, but neither is God the author of them. They are within the scope of God’s decree and are part of His eternal plan and purpose, nonetheless, man is responsible for his own sins because he’s given freedom to choose.

All acts conform to the eternal plan of God and purpose, but he is not directly the author of all acts. The final result of the boule of God is always for the glory of God.

the purpose of God

according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord….

having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. – Eph 3:11; 1:9-10

God wants to bring all men into right spiritual relationship with Him (2 Pet 3:9)

God purpose is that all people experience forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ, into right relationship with Him, and become part of the Kingdom of God.  (John 3)

The Bible assures that God’s purposes will be accomplished. (Isa 14:24; 14-26-27)

LESSON 3 QUIZ