Systematic Theology, Post 13

I am finally moving on to Part 2 of Systematic Theology (a 7 part book).

 This part is called, The Doctrine of God.

(I will just remind readers that I am not teaching anything here, just summarizing, quoting, and pointing out what is interesting from Wayne Grudems Systematic Theology.)

Allright, here we go.  Chapter 9, the Existence of God. 

We can know God exists through
1. An inner sense of God
2.  Believing the evidence found in Scripture and in nature.

Paul points out in Romans 1 that non believers "knew God," but did not honor him, give thanks to him, and have willfully rejected some truth about Gods existence.

Quite simply, sin or irrationality cause people to say, There is no God.

"As a Christian, we have such an inner awareness of God our father, the Holy Spirit bearing witness that we are children of God, and Jesus Christ living in our hearts, that though we have not seen our Lord Jesus Christ, we indeed love him."

The evidence of God is seen through his creation, and especially in creation of fellow human beings that are intricately and skillfully made.


Psalm 19, David says, "the heavens are telling the glory of God."  

Every leaf, blade of grass, star in the sky, and all of creation cry out continuously, "God made me! God made me!"

4 traditional proofs for the existence of God:
1.  Cosmological, everything has a cause, and the cause of such a great universe can only be God.
2. Teleological, the harmony of the universe give evidence to intelligent design.

3. Ontological, God who is greater that his created creation cannot be himself created.
4. Moral, God is the source of mans sense of right and wrong.

"Finally, it must be remembered that in this sinful world God must enable us to be persuaded or we would never believe in him."

Sytematic Theology part 13

The four characteristics of scripture, or it's Sufficiency (Chapter 8)

IS the Bible enough for us to know what God wants us to think or do?  Fantastic question for this chapter!

Sufficiency of Scripture: The Bible has all we need for salvation, trusting God perfectly, and obeying him perfectly.  

"WE should be CONTENT with the GREAT REVELATION GOD HAS GIVEN US. "



Paul says in 2 Tim 3:15, "the sacred writings...which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." 

2 Tim 3:16-17 also speaks about how Scripture leads to "that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." 

Imagine if God did NOT say that scripture was sufficient....we Christians would spend our lives searching history, our own subjective feelings and impressions, etc...just to find out what God requires of us. 

(For example, Systematic Theology book points out that Roman Catholics we also have to listen to the official teaching of the church throughout its history.)  Although history might help us to understand, Scripture is indeed sufficient on its own. 

Another cool thought from this book, "The amount of Scripture given was sufficient at each stage of Redemptive history." 



In addition, the Bible says at different stages that what has been revealed so far is sufficient, and in Deuteronomy, Proverbs, and Revelations, warns to not add or take away from what was given. 

What about all the stuff that was not written about? (for example smoking cigarettes).

Wayne Grudem says that with the Sufficiency of Scripture, we see that nothing is sin that is not forbidden by Scripture either explicitly or by implication. 

The result?  When seeking Gods will, we should seek his word first as our guide, and then be able to live like Psalm 119:44-45, "I will keep your law continually, for ever and ever; and I shal walk at liberty, for I have sought your precepts...Great peace have those who love your law, nothing can make them stumble."

Some good questions:
1. When trying to know Gods will for our lives, do we seek Scripture itself or many Christian books/sermons, etc, or even worldly influences?  What is it that feeds us?