Lecture 2
Systematic Theology-1
Theology Proper
(Doctrine of God)
Theology Proper
Is a term that refers to the study of God
Himself. It's a branch of theology that focuses
on the character of God, His attributes, His
nature, and His relationship with the world
and with humanity. It's all about
understanding who God is and how He
interacts with His creation.
The Existence of God
While the Bible assumes God’s existence (Gen. 1:1),
there are good reasons to believe that God exists,
even if His existence cannot be proven.
A) Cosmological Argument:
• Every event has a cause.
• The universe and all life had a beginning.
• The universe and life have a ‘cause’; that is God.
B) Teleological Argument:
• Design implies a designer.
• The universe and life have complex design.
• The universe and life must have a Designer.
The Existence of God
C) Moral Argument:
• Moral law implies a lawgiver.
• Moral law is universal.
• There must be a moral lawgiver.
2. The works of God are also evidence of His existence.
• Creation (Gen. 1:1-2:3; John 1:1-3; Job 38-39).
• Providence (Acts 14:17; 17:26-28; Matt. 5:44-45).
• Election (Eph. 1:4-5; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; 1 Cor. 1:26-29;
Rom. 9).
• Redemption (Gen. 3:21; Eph. 2:1-10; Rom. 3:21-26).
• Judgment (John 3:18-19; Rev. 20:10-15; 2 Pet. 3:10).
False Views About God
False Views About God
Atheism: Open denial of God (Psa 14:1)
• Absolute Atheist: “I have examined all the facts as to the
existence of God and I deny that they are sufficient to
believe God exists”
• Providential Atheist: “I doubt the existence of God, but deny
His providential dealings and care of world”. Also a “Deist”.
He wants freedom from accountability (Jn 3:19-20)
• Practical Atheist: “I don’t publicly deny God, but He is
irrelevant to me”. Deny Him by lifestyle, neglect,
indifference, denial of biblical absolutes and His rights over
me.
○ Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds
they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and
worthless for any good deed.
False Views About God
Agnosticism:
“Not sufficient proof to believe”, unwilling to
accept evidence (innate, tradition, nature,
revelation)
Materialism:
Tries to explain everything by physical observable
causes (like empiricism)
Polytheism:
“Belief in many gods”.
False Views About God
• Pantheism:
God is in everything and everything is God.
Confuses God with nature and matter with
Spirit.Note: God is everywhere, but not in
every thing.
• Deism:
Acknowledges existence of God, but denies
His sustaining power, and anything
supernatural.
• Tritheism:
Godhead is three independent gods.
What is the Evidence of God?
General or natural evidence — Nature
Ø General in scope—universal (Mt 5:45)
Ø General geographically—globe (Ps 19:1-4)
Ø General in methodology—varied elements of creation
like sun and human conscience (Rom 2:14-15)
Special or revealed evidence — Bible
Ø When walking through woods, the tracks of a deer
indicate that a deer had been there, even though the
deer is not visible
Ø In a court, the law only requires proof “beyond
reasonable doubt”—never absolute proof
Arguments for Exsistence of God
Moral Argument
• Man’s intellectual and moral nature demands a superior
origin (no explanation through Naturalism)
• Man’s conscience, a sense of right/wrong, demands a
Law-Giver Man’s free will implies a Great Will whom
we are like
• Though defiled by sin (1 Tim 4:2), universally man
wants to choose right and leave wrong.
• Some consciousness of a higher and holy Being
quickens the individual conscience and recognizes a
necessary accountability to such a Being.
Arguments for Exsistence of God
Teleological Argument
• Universe is not a chaos but a cosmos (organized
system)
• If you found a watch that kept good time must
conclude a designer (Isa 45:18).
• Major Premise: Design presupposes an
intelligent architect
• Minor Premise: World shows design in every part
• THEREFORE: World has a Designer or intelligent
Architect, who is God.
Arguments for Exsistence of God
Cosmological Argument
Cosmos: “an orderly arrangement”
Every effect must have its adequate cause
The universe is an adequate effect—the only sufficient
cause is God
Reason and probability side with creation—not chance or
mere force (Rom 1:20)
Major Premise: Every effect has an adequate cause
Minor Premise: The world is an effect
THEREFORE: World must have a cause outside itself
which produced it, namely GOD
Arguments for Exsistence of God
Onthological Argument
Man has an idea of a God, who is perfect,
independent and infinite.
Since belief in “God” is universal, must come from
within man, that is, it is innate.
Could it have come from civilization or education, when
uncivilized have same idea?
Major Premise: An intuitive and universal belief among
men must be true
Minor premise: The belief that there is a God is
universal and intuitive among men
THEREFORE: That there is a God, must be true
Arguments for Exsistence of God
Anthropological Argument
Man is more than a biological being, but has feelings,
thoughts, ideals, and impulses (not instincts!)
The Spiritual Dimension of man came from the image of
God (Gen 1:26-28)
Major Premise: Man is not just a physical being, but
also moral, intellectual, emotional and volitional.
Minor Premise: Since no other being in the universe
posses these qualities, they must have came from
outside the universe
THEREFORE, Since the only Being outside the
universe is God, He must be the source of man
Biblical Evidence for God’s Existence
Existence of God is assumed in Bible
It is a fact taken for granted—never argued
Those who come to God believe that He is (Heb 11:6)
Biblical Theism
What the Bible says about the reality, essence and
works of God
Either God is all that the Bible says or it is the
biggest and most deceptive hoax ever compiled
The strongest evidence comes from Christ, which,
if in error, repudiates the nature of Christ
In spite of the evidence, without the illumination of
the Spirit, man will not believe or understand.
Revelation of God
The Attributes of God
“Those distinguishing characteristics of the divine
nature which are inseparable from the idea of God
and which constitute the basis and ground for His
various manifestations to His creatures.”
His attributes are different from His works
His attributes do not “add” anything to God; but
rather reveal His nature.
Classified in two categories:
Absolute: incommunicable (Intransitive) ((Moral))
Relative: communicable (Transitive) ((Non-moral))
Important not to exalt one attribute above another
The Attributes of God
Absolute Attributes
Spirituality involving:
• Life—God is life and ultimate source of all life
• Personality—He has self-cognizance, will, intellect,
emotion and self determination– (the image given to
man)
Infinity, involving:
• Self-existence—Free from the succession of time
• Immutability—Unchanging and unchangeable in being
• Unity—God is one
Perfection, involving:
• Truth—Agreement and consistency with all that is God
• Love—God seeks the highest good of humans at His
cost
Holiness—God is righteous, set apart or separate from sin
The Attributes of God
Relative Attributes
In relation to Time and Space:
• Eternity—Free from the succession of time
• Immensity—His power and presence is bigger than
universe
Creation and Essence:
• Omnipresence—Present everywhere
• Omniscience—Knows all actual and possible things
• Omnipotence—All powerful
Moral Being:
• Truth or Veracity, Faithfulness
• Mercy, Goodness
• Grace, Justice, Righteousness
Conclusion of Existence
1. Knowledge of existence of God means man is put
here by design
2. Knowledge of God means responsibility
3. Knowledge of God’s existence means that we have
the responsibility to search and seek to know God
personally, to be thankful and worship Him
• Problem is sinful man does not search for God on his own
(Jn 1:9; 6:44; 7:17; Ac 17:27-28; Ro 2:4)
• Even when many believe in God, they live like practical
atheist, as though He didn’t exist or were indifferent to man.
v God is incredible patient and slow to act against man (Ps
50:21; Ecc 8:11-12). God hopes man will repent and learn
wisdom.
v Man tends to believe God is Santa-Claus-type who only spoils
kids
The Name of God
The Names of God
1. Yahweh(YHWH) Wrongly translated “Jehovah”—The
Independent Self-existent One: “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex
3:14-15)
Others see Faithfulness of God: “I am (or will be) who I have
been”,the “always being or present God”. This name is the
personal and proper name for God
2. Adonai—Lord, Master; Most common name when
Yahweh thought to be too sacred to pronounce (Ex
4:10-12)
3. Elohim—Mighty One; a plural term for God (El)
usually speaking of His majesty or plenitude (Gen 1:1),
not a reference to Trinity
Compound Names of God
El Shaddai: Almighty God or All Sufficient God (Gen
17:1- 20)—Who promises and keeps each one.
El Elyon–Most High [“Strongest Mighty One”] (Gen
14:18)— Who delivered Abram from Lot’s enemies
El Olam—Everlasting God or God of Eternity (Gen
21:33)— Abimelech made a covenant with Abraham,
because “God is with you in all that you do.”
Yahweh-Yireh—Yahweh will provide (Gen 22:8-14)
Yahweh-Sabboth—Yahweh of hosts [armies] (1 Sam
1:3; 17:45)—David and Goliath
Yahweh-Maccaddeshcem—Yahweh your sanctifier
(Ex 31:13)—As they sanctify Him, He sanctifies them!
Yahweh-Tsidkenu—Yahweh our righteousness (Jer
23:6)—The name He is to be called when He saves
Judah
Yahweh-Shalom—Yahweh is peace (Judg 6:24)
New Testament Names of God
Yeshua—Jesus, “Yahweh is Savior or
salvation (Mt 16:13-16; Jn 6:42)
Cristos—Messiah or Anointed One (Jn 1:41;
20:31)
Kurios—Lord, Master (Lu 1:46; Acts 2:36)
Soter—Savior; One who delivers from
danger and death (Lu 1:47)
Theos—God; used of the Lord Jesus astrue
God (Jn 20:28; Tit 2:13; 2 Pet 1:11)
Evaluation Questions
1. Can you explain the concept of God’s
omnipresence, omnipotence, and
omniscience? Give the references verses from
the Bible for each attributes and application to
your ministry
2. Give the examples from the Bibe regarding the
existence of God for each argument
a. Cosmological Argument (verses) and
example
b. Teleological Argument (verses) and example
c. Moral Argument (verses) and example
Evaluation Questions
3. Explain the absolute and relative attributes of
God as described in the Bible and explain each
of them
4. How does the concept of God in Christianity
differ from other religions? Explain the detail
comparison with other religion (eg. Islam)
5. Can you explain the significance of God's love
and justice in Christian theology?
6. The names of God is sacred and holy. What
does it mean the statement in Exodus 20:7?
(Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy
God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him
guiltless that taketh his name in vain). Explain it
