Systematic Theology, Chapter 21.

The Creation of Man.

First of all, why didnt Grudem use a gender neutral term like, "The creation of mankind/humanity?"  He responds clearly that God himself sets this precedent to call all of his created humanity as "man" and this theologically even has significance to show roles of men and women from the start.

God did not "need" us, or create us because of "loneliness," but rather quite simply for his own glory.


Our purpose in life is to glorify him. We are significant IN that purpose.  We are also to enjoy God and take delight in him and our relationship to him.

John 10:10, I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.

As we rejoice in God, so he rejoices in us. "He will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love...." Zeph 3.

We are in the image of God, i.e. we are like God and represent God.  Throughout scripture we see an explanation of this idea.

Even after Adam and Eve sinned, man was still called to be "in God's image."  James 3:9 says that men generally, and not just believers, are made in the likeness of God.  Sin has distorted many aspects that were before more "like God."

When we are redeemed by Christ (become Christian), we can grow more into the likeness of God.  God's goal for redemption is that we might be "conformed to the image of his Son." Romans 8:29.

God's purpose for creating man in his image was completely realized in the person of Jesus Christ. 

How does mankind differ from the rest of creation?
1. We are morally accountable.
2. We have a spiritual aspect, we can pray, hear God speak to us, etc. And we have spiritual immortality.
3. We have mental aspects.  we can reason, speak various languages, we have creativity and inventiveness, we have much more complex emotions than animals.
4. We have a deeper relational ability than animals, such as a church which can be closer than family through the bonds of Christ, in marriage, and man's given right to rule over creation.
5. Our physical bodies allow us to reflect God's character through our actions.

All of creation in different ways reflects God, but only mankind is so like God that he can be said to be "In the image of God."

Since we humans are created in the likeness of God, we must treat each other with dignity and respect that is due to God's image bearer. That means that the elderly, ill, retarded, and those infants yet unborn, deserve full protection and honor as human beings.


Next week, "Man" as male and female. 

Systematic Theology, chapter 20

Satan and Demons.

They were angels, who sinned against God, and who now continually work evil in the world.

They are separated from God and in "eternal chains." (Jude 6 and 2 Peter 2:4).

Satan is the head of the demons, which means adversary in Hebrew.

Satan is the first one to sin historically.

Demons oppose and try to destroy every work of God.  They use lies, deception, murder, etc to try to cause people to turn away from God and destroy themselves.

Demons are limited in power, and can be successfully resisted by Christians through the authority Christ gives them.  They do not know the future, only God knows the future, and they cannot read our thoughts.

In the Old Testament, the false gods that people worshipped were demons, "they sacrificed to demons which were no gods." Deut 32.

Just as pagan worship of demonic idols leads to destructive practices such as sacrificing children, inflicting bodily harm, cult prostitution, so will worship of demons regularly lead towards immoral and self destructive practices.

Jesus was doing something new in history by casting out demons with authority, and this is a mark in history to bring in the reign of the kingdom of God in power.  Jesus speaks of "binding the strong man,"  Matt 12, and indeed Jesus triumphs over Satan.

There will be a final judgement, where Satan and his angels are decisively defeated and thrown into the lake of fire.

Are Demons active in the world today?   Modern society has a hard time admitting to something they cannot see or touch.
"However, if Scripture gives us a true account of the world as it really is, then we must take seriously its portrayal of intense demonic involvement in human society."
How do we recognize demonic activity today?

Demonic influences are far reaching around us, and yet the power of God and the gospel is what we are often encouraged to go to in the New Testament.

1 John 3:8 says, He who commits sin is of the devil....and yet the context is comparing who are children of God, those who do right, love his brother, etc.

Satan is the originator or father of lies, murder, deception, false teaching and general sin.  Not all sin is cause by Satan or demons, but it factors into almost all destructive activity that opposes the work of God in the world today.

The responsibility is ours as Christians to give no opportunity to the devil (Eph 4:26),  and also in 1 John 5:18 it says,  He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.  Demons can indeed influence us in our sinful areas, and we need to seek God's help.

No Christian can be so influenced by a demon (some say demon possessed) to the point that they dont have any power to chose to do right and obey God.   Romans 6:14 says, Sin shall have no dominion over us since we have been raised with Christ.

The question of how much a demon can influence a Christian is similar to the question, how much can a genuine Christian let his life be dominated by sin and still be a born again Christian? Yes, both sin and demonic attacks can happen to true Christians.

How do we recognize it?  Satanic  activity always tends toward the ultimate destruction  of parts of God's creation and especially of human beings who are made in the image of God.  Demonic influence will lead to blatantly false doctrinal statements, such as exclaiming "Jesus be cursed."

The Bible mentions a spiritual gift to be able to discern between spirits.  Sometimes Christians can sense both other Christians and distinct evil before discussing what it is.

Jesus gives all believers authority to rebuke demons and command them to leave.
Many examples are given of believers casting out demons in Jesus name.
Eph 6 says, Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The work of Christ on the cross is the ultimate basis for our authority over demons.  Because of Christ's death on the cross, our sins are completely forgiven, and Satan has no rightful authority over us.  We are also members in God's family, and when Satan picks on one of us, he picks on God our father!

1 John 4:4, You are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Why should Christians get involved at all?  Can't God just solve it if we pray to him?  (in the same thought line, why do we need to speak to people in evangelism and not just pray for them from a distance?)  The answer is that God has given us a very active role in carrying out his plans.

Paul speaks about not just wrestling with flesh and blood but also against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph 6).

When dealing with evil spirits, we shoudl remember that we who have the Holy Spirit have a spirit of gentleness and peace (1 Cor 14:33). If we pray for a person and command an evil spirit to leave, often the person can express a feeling of relief, freedom, joy, and peace.  The power to cast out demons comes not from our own strength or power of our own voice, but from the Holy Spirit.

A non-Christian who has had an evil spirit removed should be encouraged to come to Christ as soon as possible, so there is no foothold for the devil to return.

In summary, demons are around, and God is triumphant over all of them and protects his children.  He has given us weapons and power to stand fast in Christ Jesus.

Next week, "The creation of man."

Systematic Theology, Chapter 19

Angels.

They are:  created, spiritual, have moral judgement, have high intelligence, but without physical bodies.

1. Created. All things except God himself were created.
2. Moral judgement. We know they have ability to choose, because some of them chose to rebel.
3. High intelligence. We can see through how they speak to people and sing praises to God.
4. Spirits.  God can and has given them the ability to be seen, but they otherwise guard and protect us and worship God in a way that is invisible to us.

Three other types of heavenly beings include:
1.  Cherubim,who guard the garden of Eden and work in God's "chariot" often in scripture
2.  Seraphim, worship God.
3. and the Living creatures, lion, ox, man, eagle, etc, who worship God.


Michael is an archangel, in a higher rank.

Angels are not omnipresent, but can be in one place at a time. There is a large number of angels (scripture often says, "thousands of thousands."

Guardian angels may exist, but there is no convincing support that each and every person have their own specific angel for life.

Angels do not marry.  They are very powerful. They were made sometime before the first 7 days of creation were done.

The "Angel of the Lord," in scripture, seems to be God himself revealing himself to people, especially in the old Testament.

Humans compared to angels.
We are created in the image of God, not necessarily angels.
We procreate and have families, not angels.
God shows a salvation plan for us but not the angels (who were rebellious).

When we compare God's mercy on mankind, that he would save some of us, even though ALL have sinned, while meanwhile he does not have that same mercy on the angels, should make us more and more thankful for God's graciousness.

Angels are an example to us, in their glad immediate obedience and joy in worshiping God as they do in heaven.

Angels are messengers for God, bring God's judgement on people, and will accompany Christ in his return.  They also patrol the earth and fight the enemy.  They glorify and worship God, and rejoice over new believers.

How does this apply to our daily lives?  When we worship, a whole group of angels worships with us, they are watching our obedience or disobedience, and they are also cheering along in our service of God.  Our hospitality to all could be some angel unaware, they guard us and bear us up so we don't fall.

The Bible also warns of false "angels." Any new insight or revelation contrary to Scripture should be suspect. (Moroni angel to Joseph Smith).  We should not worship, pray to, or seek angels.


Angels may make appearances today, as they did throughout the Bible.  If God could send a human being to warn us of danger or encourage us, there is no reason he could not send an angel, but we should be very careful to discern if this is from God and in accordance with scripture.

Wayne Grudems systematic theology, Chapter 18

Prayer.

What is it, why do we do it?

"Prayer is personal communication with God."

He already knows what we need, BUT prayer can express our trust in God, and a way to increase trust in him.

In true humble dependence, we can show we truly believe in the good and true attributes of God, and God delights in this.


The Lord's prayer starts by putting things in the right perspective.  We are praying to God, a loving and wise Father who rules over all.

Prayer then takes us into a relationship of love and fellowship with God.

And finally, we can thus be involved in activities of eternal importance.

How effective is prayer?
1. It changes the way God acts.
2. Jesus Christ is an effective mediator between us and God. ....can God then hear the prayers of those who do not trust in Jesus?  Although God hears everything, and might act in mercy to non-believers' prayers, he speaks clearly that his will is for us to pray with Jesus as a mediator.
3. Praying in Jesus name, what is that? It is not just a magical line at the end of a prayer, "in Jesus name, Amen," but rather to pray in accordance with his will, and under his authority.

The Holy Spirit has a big role in prayer, as Romans 8 expresses, "Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs to deep for words."

We need to pray in accordance with God's will.

When the Bible is clear on a topic, it is easy to know God's will, for he always wants his word to be obeyed and commands kept.  When it is not so clear, we may add in our thoughts and words, "if it is your will,"which shows our submissiveness to God's will over all our own wishes.

Praying with faith.
   God wants us to pray in the knowledge and and assurance of his ability and omnipotence.  We cannot force these feelings, but God can give us a sense of assurance and readiness to rest in Him.

Obedience. Things that displease God are a hindrance to prayer/relationship with Him.  Prayer and holy living must go together.

Confession of Sins. It is a good habit to pray in confession of sins when we pray, and even remember James 5, which encourages us to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another."


Forgiveness.  We can not be holding a grudge or stand in unforgiveness and approach the throne of God.

Humility. This is the right attitude to have in praying to God.

Continuing in prayer over time. Repetition of the same prayer requests is shown in several examples in scripture to be ok.  Persistence shows God that we truly take the issue/prayer request to him in his sovereignty.

Praying earnestly. As we read many Old Testament prayers, we can almost hear the intensity of their hearts as they pour out their prayers to God. We cannot fool God by faking this genuineness, but when we start to see the world which is hurting and dying, we often cannot help but have an emotional involvement in what God is doing.

Waiting on the Lord. What a joy when we can come before the Lord, and wait in his presence after we have spoken to him.  Sometimes we are rushed, but in general, this is an ideal way to come before the Lord.

Praying in private. There are many examples of this, and it is important that we are not out to impress others through our public prayers and words.
 

Praying with others. There are also many examples of group prayer in the scriptures, and this is also right and good.

Fasting. This is often linked with supplication (asking the Lord for something).  We learn dependence on God in our weakness, self discipline which can branch out into other aspects of life, a focus less on the material things of this world, and an urgency in our prayers.

What about unanswered prayer? we cannot see God's plan in everything.  The Jews prayed and waited for centuries before the Messiah came. Sometimes what we don't understand, "God has meant for good." (Gen 50:20).

Regardless of if our "desired prayers" are answered, God's grace is sufficient for each day.

In everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. Phil 4:6.

Next week, Angels.

Systematic Theology, Chapter 17

I am reorganizing the numbering of this little blog to match up with the chapter I am reading....in Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology book.

Chapter 17, Miracles

Miracle:  "A less common kind of God's activity in which he arouses people's awe and wonder and bears witness to himself."

Terms such as signs, wonders, miracles, or mighty works, are often used. And God himself is the one who does these.

Some miracles in the Bible are obvious, such as Jesus resurrection, Moses and the exodus from Egypt, Jesus healing the blind, lepers, etc.

An unusual answer to prayer can also be considered a miracle.   But we have to find the balance between making everything into a miracle, and not believing anything to be a miracle, thus failing to glorify and thank God for what he has done.

Miracles are characteristic of the New Testament church, and show the work of the Holy Spirit.  They may be expected to continue through the age of the church.



Cessationists hold that miracles were an affirmation of a true apostle, and died out with the death of the original apostles. But the Bible points out many times where non-apostles did miracles, even among the body of Christ generally.

Even if a person has an ability/gift of doing miracles, they will be dependant on the Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts "as he wills." 1 Cor 12:11.

What about false miracles, done by non-Christians? The Bible is clear that these false miracles will happen, but what is important is to see what happens to non-Christians who are deceiving others.  They will perish without Christ.  The power of God is greater than the power of Satan.

Should we Christians seek miracles today?  Not for our own advancement, not for entertainments sake, etc. Jesus never rebukes anyone who comes in faith, in need, seeking healing, deliverance, or another miracle.

Paul reminds us that signs and wonders do not save us, but the gospel saves people.

Let us have faith, seek God for miracles, and delight in what he is doing!

Systematic Theology, part 20

A continuation on the topic of God's providence in Wayne Grudem's book, Systematic Theology.

This book is a brick, but just about every page has had real treasures of truth and explanation of doctrine!

The importance of our human actions. (regarding free will).
    God DOES work through human actions, so our actions and choices DO make a difference.  This is not just a fatalistic system!

God ordains all things, yet holds us responsible for our actions.  It is RIGHT for God to rebuke and discipline and punish evil.

Prayer is one action that has definite results and does change the course of events.


2 Samuel has a good example where Joab says, "Be strong and let us show ourselves courageous....and may the Lord do what is good in His sight."    There is a great blend of being active, and knowing that God's providence will stand strong.

Wayne Grudem says, "A hearty belief in God's providence is not a discouragement but a spur to action."

Three practical applications:
1. Do not be afraid, but trust in God. Our sovereign Lord watches over us, even more than the birds of the air, the flowers of the field, etc.
    David was able to sleep in the midst of his enemies, because he knew that God's providential control made him "dwell in safety," and he could say, "in peace I will both lie down and sleep" (Psalm 4:8)
2. Be thankful for all good things that happen.
3. There is no such thing as luck or chance.  All things come to pass by God's wise providence.

The Arminian view rather says that God responds to human choices and actions, instead of being kind of pre-involved in every detail in his providence.  They maintain that God's will cannot include evil. "The fall of man is an eloquent refutation to the theory  that God's will is always done."
Here are four of their major points:
1. Verses showing God's providential control are exceptions and do not show how God normally works.
2. The calvinistic view wrongly makes God responsible for Sin.
3. Choices caused by God cannot be real choices. Man is totally free in his choices, otherwise he would just be a puppet.  Yet, the Arminian view says that prayer can influence and affect men and their wills.  The free offer in the New Testament to repent and come to Christ for salvation requires a free will to choose to take up that offer.

4. Arminian view encourages responsible Christian living, while the Calvinistic view encourages a dangerous fatalism.

A response to the Arminian position:  *see the four points above which this is responding to*
1. Are those scripture passages exceptions or the rule? The examples are so numerous and general to apply to all things, that it would be strange if they were just specific exceptions.  God knows every word not just on David's tongue, but on all our tongues before we speak it.  God did not just make some rain to fall but all the rain to fall, etc.  "He accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will." Ephesians 1:11.
2. Is God responsible for sin?  God himself never sins but always brings about his will through secondary causes, agents who voluntarily, willingly do what God has ordained. God preserves his holiness, and the theology is true to events of the Bible.
3. Can choices ordained by God be real choices?  If God says our choices are real, then they are real. "Scripture repeatedly affirms that our choices are genuine choices, and that they have real results, and that those results last for eternity."  God both pre-ordained things from before the creation of the world, and at the same time reacts in time to things we do.  He is grieved at our sin, he delights in our praise, he answers our prayers.  Wow!

We have to be careful not to make our theology based on what we THINK should be the case, and rather look at what God has made, and know that even if it is "hard to swallow,"  he knows best and has decreed things in the perfect way.

4. Does a calvinisti view encourage a dangerous fatalism? Both calvinists and arminians believe our actions have real results, are eternally significant, and we are responsible for our actions.
The calvinist will live with a far more comprehensive trust in God in all circumstances and a far greater freedom from worry about the future.... They are thankful for God's providence in all things as a result of the goodness of God himself.

A few more objections to the arminian position:
a. If God responds in real time to all events, how can he know the future (as Scripture shows he clearly does). This puts into question God's omnipotence.  Maybe he knows what will happen in the future but did not plan or cause it. (Thus our future is predetermined by something?)
b. How can evil exist if God did not want it (in the Arminian view)?  Was God not actually all powerful to avoid or stop the entrance of evil? And then, if we have free will all the time, does that allow for us to rebel against God in heaven and then lose our salvation?
c. How can we know that God will triumph over evil? If evil came into the world even though God didnt want it, and if we have total freedom over our choices, how can we know things will all pan out in the end as God predicted?

Do our theologies bring us in awe of the greatness of God, or in fear of the greatness of man and his free choices?

next week, the chapter on miracles!

Systematic Theology, Part 19

The Providence of God.   What does that really mean?

The biblical doctrine of providence teaches that God created us, and is actively involved at each moment.   Chance and fate do not determine the future, but God, who is the "personal yet infinitely powerful Creator and Lord."



1.  Preservation.  God, according to Hebrews 1:3, upholds the universe by his word of power. He keeps things steady and preserves them, so to say.  I can put gas in my car, with the knowledge that God has preserved it for what it is, and that the gas today wont turn magically into water tomorrow.  God preserves things in their ways on this earth.

2. Concurrence.  Ephesians 1:11, God accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will.
     a. Inanimate creation. God makes even inanimate things occur (i.e. cause the snow to fall on the earth).
     b. Animals. Matt 6:26, Look at the birds of the air...you heavenly Father feeds them.

     c. Random events. Proverbs 16:33, the lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly from the Lord.
     d.  Events fully caused by  both God and the creature. Scientists can point to what makes grass grow, etc, yet the scientist can not bring about the rain/sun to make the grass grow, and in all things we should thank God.
    e. The affairs of the nations. Job 12:23, God makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away.
    f. All aspects of our lives.  "Give us this day our daily bread."  It might come about by natural means, but God makes that food get from seedling to our plates.   God plans our days before we are born (psalm 139), knows the number of our days.  God also knows/ordains our success/failure, our steps and our path, our children, talents, abilities, our hearts, etc.

At the same time, we do cause events to happen, we ARE responsible, we DO have choices, etc.
Wayne Grudem puts it like this:  "It seems better to affirm that God causes all things that happen, but that he does so in such a way that he somehow upholds our ability to make willing, responsible choices, choices that have real and eternal results, and for which we are held accountable."



What about Evil? What then, is the relationship between God and evil in the world?  Scripture never blames God for evil or shows God as taking pleasure in evil....AND scripture never excuses human beings for the wrong they do.

Scripture shows in many places that God indirectly brings about some kind of evil. Yet in all those examples, the evil is actually done not by God but by people or demons who choose to do it.
Job 1:21, The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
   
    g. Analysis of Verses relating God and Evil (for example when God hardened Pharoah's heart or allowed his prophets to sin)
1. God uses all things to fulfill his purposes and even uses evil for his glory and for our good. Joseph, for example, says to his brothers, "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."
2.  God never does evil, and is never to be blamed for evil. "James 1 says, Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God', for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one; but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire."
3. God rightfully blames and judges moral creatures for the evil they do.  Take Isaiah 66, for example, "These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations;"  The blame for evil is always on the responsible creature, and that creature is always worthy of punishment.
4. Evil is real, not an illusion, and we should never do evil, for it will always harm us and others.  There is an analogy of a parent using a sharp knife but not allowing his child to use it, and that shows that God himself can use evil to bring about good purposes but never allows his children to do so.
5.  We have to come to the point where we see that God does not give us all the whys and hows of this mystery, but he is totally right in what he does.


Are we really Free?  Do we really have free will?
What a great question. Calvin explains it as we do not have free choice equally of good and evil, but we act wickedly by will, not by compulsion.  Our choices DO matter, yet God is providentially in control of all things.

Government. God governs and directs all things in order that they accomplish his purposes. Psalm 103.

There are two aspects to the will of God.  1. His moral "revealed" will: This is all the parts of the Bible that tell us how we should conduct ourselves if we would act rightly before him.  Another aspect, 2. is his providential government "secret will", where God ordains events to come about throughout history, including Christ's crucifixion.

The decrees of God. This is where God, before the creation of the world, determined to bring about everything that happens.  God does not make up plans suddenly as he goes along. He knows the end from the beginning, and he will accomplish all his good purposes.


More on God's providence next week....