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Theology Proper

  1. The existence of God can be supported by many arguments. The two most important are the arguments from Scripture.

    1. The writers of the Scriptures assumed the existence of God. (Gen. 1:1)
       

    2. Scripture states that knowledge of God is universal. (Rom. 1:19-21)
       

  2. The existence of God is further corroborated by several other arguments. None of these arguments alone are conclusive, but their force is cumulative.

    1. The cosmological argument. Simply stated, this argument states that every effect must have an adequate cause. The universe exists, and therefore must have an adequate cause. (Hebrews 3:4)
       

    2. The teleological argument. Again, very simply stated, this argument states that order and useful arrangement in a system is proof of an intelligent and free cause. (Ps. 8:3; Ps. 19:1)
       

    3. The ontological argument. This argument says that the very idea of the existence of God in the mind of man is proof of God's existence.
       

    4. The moral argument. This argument says that the existence of man's conscience is evidence of the existence of God. The notions of morality, right and wrong, and our feeling of responsibility to do what is right do not come from within us. Conscience recognizes the existence of a Great Lawgiver. (Mic. 6:8)
       

  3. The Nature of God.

    1. God is Spirit. (John 4:24; Col. 1:15)

    2. God is a Person.

      1. God possesses a will. (1 Thess. 4:3)

      2. God possesses intelligence. (Is. 55:8-9)

      3. God possesses emotions.

        1. God repents. (Gen. 6:6)

        2. God loves. (Rev. 3:19)

        3. God hates. (Prov. 6:16)

        4. God grieves. (Gen. 6:6)

        5. God is sometimes angry. (I Kings 11:9)

        6. God is jealous. (Deut. 6:15)
           

    3. God created the universe and everything in it in six, literal, twenty-four hour days. (Gen. 1:1; Gen. 1:31-2:3; John 1:1-3)
       

    4. God is one God, eternally existing in three equal Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (I Tim. 2:5; Isa. 45:5; Deut 6:4)

      1.  The doctrine of the Trinity is revealed in the Old Testament in four ways.

        1. In the plural name of God. (Elohim)

        2. In the personal pronouns used of God. (Gen 1:26; 11:7; Isa. 6:8)

        3. In the theophanies (The Angel of the Lord, Gen. 16 and 18 )

        4. In the work of the Holy Spirit. (Gen 1:2; Judges 6:34)
           

      2. The Doctrine of the Trinity is taught in the New Testament.

        1. The baptism of Christ. (Matt. 3:16-17)

        2. Matt. 28:19 , "Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

        3. Jesus teaches it in John 14:16 , "I will pray the Father . . . He will give you another Comforter."

        4. All three Persons of the Trinity are referred to as God.

          1. The Father is God. (Rom. 1:7)

          2. The Son is God . (Heb. 1:8)

          3. The Holy Spirit is God. (Acts 5:3-4)
             

  4. The Attributes of God

    1.  God is Omniscient: He is all-knowing. (Job 37:16)
       

    2. God is Omnipresent: He is everywhere. (Jer. 23:23-24)
       

    3. God is Omnipotent: He is all-powerful. (Job 42:2)
       

    4. God is Immutable: He is unchanging. (Mal. 3:6)
       

    5. God is Eternal. He had no beginning and will have no end. (Psalm 90:2)
       

    6. God is Holy. God is completely without sin. (I Pet. 1:15-16)
       

    7. God is Just and Righteous. God always does what is right. (Psalm 11:4-7)
       

    8. God is Loving and Merciful. God is patient, for the present time withholding the judgment due us, and offering us salvation instead. (Psalm 103:8; II Pet. 3:9; I John 4:8-16)