Theology Christianity Understanding the Times

What is Theism? The belief in the existence of a supernatural God The belief in the existence of a supernatural God “Theism, the belief that God is, and atheism, the belief that God is not, are not simply two beliefs…They are two fundamental ways of seeing the whole of existence. The one, theism, sees existence as ultimately meaningful, as having some meaning beyond itself; the other sees existence as having no meaning beyond itself.”

The Two Foundations General Revelation : God’s communication of Himself –through nature and conscience General Revelation : God’s communication of Himself –through nature and conscience Special Revelation: God’s more specific communication about who He is and how He saves– through the Bible and the person of Jesus Christ Special Revelation: God’s more specific communication about who He is and how He saves– through the Bible and the person of Jesus Christ

General Revelation Through nature and a person’s conscience Through nature and a person’s conscience Brings us to a general knowledge of God Brings us to a general knowledge of God Cannot bring us to a saving knowledge of God Cannot bring us to a saving knowledge of God

Argument from Design If something exists that is designed then it has a designer If something exists that is designed then it has a designer “Many discover God through the general revelation of a structured universe; many more encounter God in the general revelation of the purposeful nature of reality.”

Special Revelation Answers the questions: Answers the questions: How can I be saved? From what must I be saved? Why will judgment occur? How can I be saved? From what must I be saved? Why will judgment occur? Makes “sense” of general revelation. It explains the universe. Makes “sense” of general revelation. It explains the universe. Special revelation is God communication through the Bible and through His Son, Jesus. Special revelation is God communication through the Bible and through His Son, Jesus.

How is Jesus, God’s special revelation? He is the incarnate “Word” He is the incarnate “Word” When we look at Jesus Christ, we see God…who He is, His nature and attributes. When we look at Jesus Christ, we see God…who He is, His nature and attributes. See John 1:14,18 See John 1:14,18 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son… He hath declared Him.”

What does revelation “reveal” about God? It tells us God exists (as three separate persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit) It tells us God exists (as three separate persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit) It tells us who God is It tells us who God is -He is a Personal God -He is the Judge of all -He is the Redeemer (redemption is the complete deliverance from all sin and from all the effects it has brought upon us)

Just another RELIGION? CHRISTIANITY is either true or false. It isn’t just true for some people and not for others. If it is true, then anyone who lives in disbelief should be fearful. There is ONLY one way to God and it is through Jesus Christ who declared: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. Whoever believes in me shall not perish but have everlasting life.”