Summer Seminar | Attributes of God

Introduction/Divine Simplicity

Read through Syllabus first/Intro to the study of doctrine

Let me start with a question: What is eternal life? What is eternal life according to Jesus?

Answer: to know God (John 17:3)

This is where we are going when we say the word “Theology”

When we explore topics of Theology, that word should not scare us or cause us to be intimidated. Rather, Theology, which is the study of God, is what eternal life consists of and the enjoyment of it right here and now.

For many Christians, words such as doctrine and theology -and especially systematic theology -conjure up images of intellectual pride, divisiveness, and the presumption that we can put God in a box, neatly explained by our categories and formulations. However, it is the goal of good theology to humble us before the triune God of majesty and grace… Theology simply means "the study of God," and doctrine means "teaching." Since the main message of Scripture is the unfolding mystery of Christ, who reveals his Father and reconciles us to him, theology is a central concern of every believer. It would be odd if we told our spouse or other loved ones that we wanted to spend time with them and experience their fellowship regularly but did not want to know anything about them - their characteristics, accomplishments, personal histories, likes and dislikes, and plans for the future. // Micheal Horton

To say “To know God” and “study God” presupposes something. It presupposes that God can actually be known. If there is a God who really exists and who really created the world, has this God revealed Himself?

the 19th century Dutch Theologian Herman Bavinck, said “To know God is to live. Knowing God is possible for us because God is personal, exalted above the earth and yet in fellowship with human beings on the earth.”

So we study doctrine because we get to experience the beauty of eternal life when we do, and that’s only possible because God has revealed Himself.

We humans are finite. So when coming to study what is inifinite we must come with humility and meekness knowing that God truly is incomprehensible. He cannot be known fully by human minds. But just because we cannot know God fully or exhaustively does not mean we cannot know Him truly and personally.

Thankfully this God has given us not only creation and nature by which we can have some semblance of the knowledge, He has given us His word in the form of writing. This is special revelation. It is redemptive revelation. This is a pure act of His love and grace.