Theology Proper

Why Theology?

Teacher: There is a sad reality in American Christianity. Many within our churches do not know what they believe, why they believe it, or they are so confused or ignorant about the teachings of the Bible that you could hardly call their faith Christianity at all. Indeed recent studies done by Ligonier show that 66% of U.S. adults between 18 and 34 believe God accepts multiple religions as a means of salvation. This is problematic if God has wrath like Matt describes in the video and if the Bible reveals Jesus as the only way to God and all other forms of worship Idolatry, then those who believe there are other ways to worship and know him are in danger.

Discussion Question: Can you think of a relationship in your life where you were expected to treat someone in a very specific way?

Teacher: Luckily, God has revealed himself to us plainly, both in nature and more specifically in scripture. Bible scholars have worked for thousands of years to understand how he has revealed Himself by categorizing into broad categories different studies on the nature of God, man, and other biblical topics of importance in what has been called Systematic Theology. The first category is simply called Theology Proper and it helps us understand who God is and how we should worship him.

Transition: Each of these categories is firmly rooted in scripture and in order to have a better understanding of who God is and how we should worship him we will consider Paul’s words in Romans 1.

Biblical Lordship

Teacher: One word pops into my mind as I read this passage, Lordship, and while it is not present in this text the description of God lends us to see God through this lens. There are four observations from this text that will help us better understand God’s Lordship and why it is vital we submit our worship to him and him alone.

Wrath is revealed from heaven suggesting supremacy over all things.

Biblical Lordship: Ex. 3:14-15: God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

John Frame: This name indicates God’s sovereignty. God is very different from us as he is one who determines his own nature, choices, and being without consulting or depending on anyone or anything else.

Since God created the world he is its best “interpreter,” what he says about it goes.

Discussion Question: How would you define Biblical Lordship

God is Divine

Θειοτης

θεος

The Romans were a very religious people but they worshiped ancestors and “special gods.” The Romans tended to worship what they perceived as “divine activity,” not transcendent deities but the functions of the world that in their minds must have been gods.

This word divine was not used to describe false gods.

Our God is not defined by what he can do for us, he is defined within himself. He gets to determine who he is and how he operates.

God is Glorious

God is glorious because of who he is and creation.

God is glorious because of how he has revealed himself in salvation.

Human worship

Honor (Δοξαζω)

Glory (Δοξα)

We glory God when we simply acknowledge his innate glory as it has been revealed to us.

To not do so is to be ungrateful and exchange this glory for something else, for a lesser idol, not worthy of honor because it isn’t glorious

Discussion question: With this framework how do you understand the justice of God?

Transition: When we consider the majesty of God our hearts are moved to dash our idols and worship him.

Took: At the end of the lesson have the students close their eyes and consider a place in nature where they feel the presence of God in a special way. After some time I will have them vividly describe that place to a neighbor. (Play Shane and Shane’s Psalm 46 in the background).

Teacher: Perhaps a lesson on Lordship and idolatry feels foreign to you. There are no temples and statues of animals, stars, or false deities in our world. However, from time to time we too need to set our priorities straight. We can put jobs, relationships, status, and pleasure above our pursuit of God, and in so doing we too incur his wrath. So, think often of where God stands over all of creation and move your heart, mind, and actions to worship and serve him and him alone.