CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES What We Believe and Why

Theology Proper Knowability Attributes Trinity Providence Miracles

Knowledge and Revelation Knowing God requires God reveal himself General revelation  Nature, conscience  Does not lead to salvation Particular/special revelation  Scripture, Christ  Leads to salvation

Knowledge and Revelation  Necessary because man misinterprets general revelation Romans 1:18, 21, 25 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,... For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks,

Knowledge and Revelation  Necessary because man misinterprets general revelation Romans 1:18, 21, 25 but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.... For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Types of Knowledge General knowledge (cf. general revelation)  Knowing God exists and a few of his characteristics, but not salvation  Discoverable by humans Romans 1:19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

Types of Knowledge Special/personal knowledge (cf. special revelation)  Comes only through salvation Matthew 11:27 “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

Types of Knowledge  Cannot be obtained through human reason or wisdom 1 Corinthians 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

Types of Knowledge  We know God himself, not merely about him or his attributes Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;

Types of Knowledge  We know God himself, not merely about him or his attributes Jeremiah 9:23-24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

Types of Knowledge John 17:3 “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings,

Limits to Our Knowledge Our knowledge of God is not comprehensive Reason: God is infinite, we are finite We will never fully understand God, even in eternity future

Limits to Our Knowledge Psalm 145:3 Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.

Limits to Our Knowledge 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.

Limits to Our Knowledge We will never fully understand any single thing about God His nature (e.g., greatness, understanding, wisdom, knowledge) His actions (e.g., will, ways)

Limits to Our Knowledge Job 26:14 “Behold, these are the fringes of His ways; And how faint a word we hear of Him! But His mighty thunder, who can understand?”

Limits to Our Knowledge Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Limits to Our Knowledge Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

Limits to Our Knowledge Limited knowledge has some positives We will never know too much about God We will never run out of things to discover about God We can forever delight in learning about him Even in eternity we will know God more and more