sf1019 - Developing A Biblical Theology (Isaiah 55 8-9)
Isaiah 55:8-9; Proverbs 8:17; Jeremiah 29:13
Introduction
Most Christians have never truly developed a Biblical understanding of God. Most of our theology is a hodgepodge of Bible lessons, sermons, and songs that we have heard over the years. The thought that we are to “know” God is daunting to say the least.
Yet, God has commanded us to seek Him, to know Him. Therefore it is imperative that we seek to develop an understanding of God that is informed by His revelation of Himself, the Bible.
1A. Define Key Terms
Religion is man-centered; the subject matter of religion is man.
Theology is God-centered; the subject matter of theology is God.
Two approaches:
God-Centered View of Theology
Man-Centered View of Theology
2A. Develop A Biblical Approach – How are we to study Theology?
1B. By studying the Bible
The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The message of the Bible is about God and from God.
2 Peter 1:20-21 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
2B. By the study of history
Studying what others have learned about God.
3B. By the study of nature - “Natural Theology”
Two categories
Ø Special revelation: information about God that cannot be found in nature.
Ø General revelation: reveals general truths about God, the audience is universal.
General (natural) cannot save, however it does bring condemnation. (Romans 1:18-21)
Ø Because mankind represses natural revelation.
Ø Natural revelation yields knowledge of God and it is that knowledge men reject.
Ø Men refuse to honor God or be grateful to Him. (1:28)
“The sin of mankind is in refusing to acknowledge the knowledge they have.” (Sproul)
3A. Maintain A Biblical Focus - God - Centered
1B. God is supreme.
How we understand the nature and character of God influences how we understand all other aspects of life.
Theology is called the Queen of sciences.
Does being God-centered reduce the value of man? – No!
Ø In fact it establishes man’s value
Ø A lofty view of God will cause you to care about the one created in His image.
Ø Sin is serious because it offends God and violates man.
Is the goal of redemption the manifestation of the glory of God or is it the manifestation of the value of fallen humanity? – Both!
Ø God’s glory is manifested in and through His work of redemption.
Ø It is even manifested in the punishment of the wicked. (Romans 9:17-18)
Does God sovereignty impact man’s freedom?
Ø Our freedom is always and everywhere limited by God.
Ø God is free and we are free. But God is more free than we are.
Ø If God never violates human freedom, it is because He sovereignly decrees not to.
Ø If God is not sovereign over the entire created order, then He is not sovereign at all. If God is not sovereign, then He is not God.
2B. God is incomprehensible
The finite cannot grasp (or contain) the infinite.
Ø The emphasis is on the distance between the transcendent Creator and His mortal creatures.
We have an apprehensive knowledge of God, but not a comprehensive knowledge.
Ø Even in our glorified state in heaven, our knowledge of God will not be comprehensive.
Ø Infinity is an incommunicable attribute of God.
We can know many things about God!
Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
3B. God is self-sufficient
God derives His being from nothing outside Himself.
Ø God is not made. He has no prior cause.
Ø God is therefore eternal.
He not only has being, He is Being.
4B. God is holy
Refers to God’s “otherness”
Ø He is different from and higher than man.
Refers to God’s purity
Ø The perfection of His righteousness is displayed in His holiness.
Application
An unbiblical view of God leads to idolatry. The very essence of idolatry involves the distortion of God’s character. And the ultimate form of idolatry is humanism, which regards man as the measure of all things.
Are you guilty of idolatry or do you have a proper (Biblical) view of God.
Isaiah 55:8-9; Proverbs 8:17; Jeremiah 29:13
1A. Define Key Terms
____________________________ is man-centered; the subject matter of religion is man.
__________________________ is God-centered; the subject matter of theology is God.
Two approaches:
2A. Develop A Biblical Approach – How are we to study Theology?
1B. By studying the ________________________________
The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The message of the Bible is about God and from God.
2 Peter 1:20-21 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
2B. By the study of _________________________________
3B. By the study of _________________________ - “Natural Theology”
Two categories
Ø Special revelation: information about God that cannot be found in nature.
Ø General revelation: reveals general truths about God, the audience is universal.
General (natural) cannot save, however it does bring condemnation. (Romans 1:18-21)
Ø Because mankind represses natural revelation.
Ø Natural revelation yields knowledge of God and it is that knowledge men reject.
Ø Men refuse to honor God or be grateful to Him. (1:28)
“The sin of mankind is in refusing to acknowledge the knowledge they have.” (Sproul)
3A. Maintain A Biblical Focus - God - Centered
1B. God is supreme.
Does being God-centered reduce the value of man?
Is the goal of redemption the manifestation of the glory of God or is it the manifestation of the value of fallen humanity?
Does God sovereignty impact man’s freedom?
2B. God is ___________________________________
The finite cannot grasp (or contain) the infinite.
We have an apprehensive knowledge of God, but not a comprehensive knowledge.
We can know many things about God!
Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
3B. God is _______________________-sufficient
God derives His being from nothing outside Himself.
He not only has being, He is Being.
4B. God is ________________________
Refers to God’s “otherness”
Ø He is different from and higher than man.
Refers to God’s purity
Ø The perfection of His righteousness is displayed in His holiness.
