Chapter 2 - The Doctrine of God

Question 1

What is Theology?

Answer 1

(1) The study of God and the relations between God and the Universe. The study of religious doctrine and matters of divinity.
(2) theos - God / logos - discourse or reasoning

Question 2

What are the 3 categories of Theology?

Answer 2

(1) Natural theology:
study of God as revealed in the universe and nature

(2) Biblical theology:
study of God as he has revealed himself to us in the scriptures

(3) Systematic theology: study of God from nature, philosophical reasoning and from reasoning made to fit a preconceived mold or system

Question 3

Can man know God?

Answer 3

(1) In one sense God is incomprehensible. How can finite beings comprehend an infinite, limitless God?

Romans 11:33
33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

(2) On the other hand, God is knowable. Is can and has revealed himself to man through the person of Jesus Christ. We must know him to be saved.

John 1:18
18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

(3) In heaven we will come to have a fuller knowledge of who God is.

1 Corinthians 13:12
12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Question 4

What are the 5 arguments for God’s existence?

Answer 4

(1) Argument from reason
Cause and effect world / God is the best explanation for the origin of matter

(2) The argument from nature
For almost everything in nature we find a designed purpose

(3) The argument from history
Rests upon the foundation of divine providence. You can see that while God does not cause every individual event, He controls the stream of events to carry out His purposes. (Letter: Napoleon to General Bertrand)

(4) The argument from the human soul
2 parts: (a) God’s image in man (b) man’s moral nature. Seen in Man’s dominion / man’s universal sense of right/wrong.

(5) The argument from scripture
Dr. W.F. Albright (Archeologists) wrote: “nothing tending to disturb the religious faith of Jew or Christian has been discovered…discovery after discovery has established the accuracy of innumerable details, and has brought increased recognition of the value of the Bible as a source book of history.”

Question 5

Theological definition of the nature of God?

Answer 5

“God is Spirit, Infinite, Eternal, Unchangeable in His being, Wisdom, Power, Holiness, Justice, Goodness and Truth.”

(West Minister Catechism)

Question 6

What were the 4 aspects of God’s divine nature mentioned in this Chapter?

Answer 6

(1) God is Spirit

John 4:24
24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

(2) God is Perfect

Matthew 5:48
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

(3) God is Personal

Romans 5:8
8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(4) God is One

Deuteronomy 6:4
4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

Question 7

What are the 7 erroneous theories about God mentioned?

Answer 7

(1) Atheism - no God
(2) Agnosticism - denies these possibility of knowing God
(3) Materialism - denies the spiritual realm. All reality is merely matter in motion.
(4) Pantheism - God is simply nature. The sum total of the universal system.
(5) Polytheism - belief in many gods
(6) Deism - belief in a transcendent but absentee god
(7) Dualism - belief in 2 opposite realms opposed to one another - one does not conquer the other.

Question 8

Elohim (pl) Eloah (sing)

Answer 8

(1) Strong and mighty one
(2) First name used of God in the Bible
(3) The plural form of this name gives a clear indication of the Trinity in Unity.

Genesis 1:2;26
2And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

26¶And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Question 9

El Elyon

Answer 9

The Most High

Deuteronomy 32:8
8When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

Question 10

El Olam

Answer 10

The Everlasting God

Genesis 21:33
33¶And Abraham planted a grove in Beer–sheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

Question 11

El Shaddai

Answer 11

The Almighty God

Genesis 17:1
1And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Question 12

Adonai

Answer 12

Lord, Master, Ruler

Old Testament form of Kurios

Genesis 15:1-2
1After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
2And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

Question 13

Jehovah

Answer 13

I AM

the unchanging, eternal, self-existent God

Exodus 6:2-3
2And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
3And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

Question 14

Jehovah Elohim

Answer 14

The Triune God of Creation and Redeemer of His people

Genesis 2:4
4¶These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,

Question 15

Jehovah Jireh

Answer 15

The Lord will provide

Genesis 22:14
14And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah–jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

Question 16

Jehovah Rapha

Answer 16

The Lord our Healer

Exodus 15:26
26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

Question 17

Jehovah Nissi

Answer 17

The Lord is my Banner

Exodus 17:15
15And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah–nissi:

The Lord is our banner of victory in the battle. Altar built after victory over Amalek where Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands.

Question 18

Jehovah Shalom

Answer 18

The Lord is Peace

Judges 6:24
24Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah–shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abi–ezrites.

Peace in the midst of the battle or an impending battle. God brings peace to Gideon’s mind before fighting the Midianites.

Question 19

Jehovah Raah

Answer 19

The Lord is my Shepherd

Psalms 23:1
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Question 20

Jehovah Tsidkenu

Answer 20

The Lord our Righteousness

Jeremiah 23:6
6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Question 21

Jehovah Sabaoth

Answer 21

The Lord of Hosts

2 Kings 6:13-17
13¶And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.
14Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
15And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Question 22

Jehovah Shammah

Answer 22

The Lord is There

Ezekiel 48:35
35It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.

Question 23

What are the 2 categories of God’s Attributes?

Answer 23

(1) Absolute Attributes - attributes that only God has

(2) Moral attributes- attributes that can be shared with us

Question 24

List 7 Absolute attributes

Answer 24

(1) Self Existence - The uncaused cause - Col 1:17
(2) Immutability - Unchanging - Mal 3:6
(3) Eternal - Rev 1:8 / 1 Tim 1:17
(4) Omnipresence - Jer 23:23-24
(5) Omniscience - Psalms 139:1-4

(6) Omnipotence - Jeremiah 32:17
Can’t make a rock too heavy to lift - “This is not a limitation of His power but a self-limitation of His Will. God will not do what is contrary to Is nature, nor what is a contradiction in terms.”

(7) Sovereignty - read pages 72-74. Very good tho it’s on predestination

Question 25

List of Moral attributes:

Attributes of God shared with man to a limited degree

Answer 25

(1) Holiness - Separated from world and Dedicated to God
Leviticus 12:44-45

(2) Righteousness - He acts at all times in complete conformity with His Holy Nature and Will.
Deuteronomy 32:4

(3) Love (Mercy and Goodness) - motivates Him to do all that He does for us
Deuteronomy 7:6-8

(4) Truth - He cannot lie
1 Timothy 1:2

Question 26

What were the 3 “Works” of God mention in this chapter?

Answer 26

(1) Divine Purpose

Isaiah 14:26-27
26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth:
and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
27 For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it?
and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

(2) Creation

Genesis 1:1
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

(3) Providence - speaks of God’s sovereign control over His creation. God not only creates, He preserves His creation.

Matthew 5:45
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Colossians 1:16-17
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

(Read pages 84-85 to see areas of God’s providence broken down into 9 categories)

Question 27

Name of the 2 separatists groups that denied the doctrine of the trinity in the 2nd century?

Answer 27

(1) Monarchianism - Denied the Diety of Christ and the personality of the Holy Spirit.
(2) Sabellianism - Denied separate identities of the 3 persons, declaring that Jesus and the Holy Spirit were only different modes of 1 person, or different guises by which He manifested himself.

Question 28

What were the 3 councils held to formulate the Apostolic doctrines the church held in the 4th Century?

Answer 28

(1) Council at Nicea - 325 A.D.
Anthanasius prevailed against Arius in confirming the Diety of Christ.

(2) Chalcedon - 351 A.D.

(3) Constantinople - 381 A.D.
At this last council, the doctrines if the Deity of Christ and that of the Trinity were upheld and formulated into what we call the “Nicene Creed.”

Question 29

Trinity/Jesus is God in the Old Testament

Answer 29

(1) Plural names for God
Gen 1:26/Gen 3:22/Gen 11:7/Is 6:8

(2) The Angel of Jehovah is called God (Theophanies)
Gen 16:7-13 - Hagar/Gen 18 - Abraham and 3 men/Gen 22:1-19 - Lot and 2 men/Gen 32:30 - Jacob.

(3) Jesus is the captain of the Lord’s host
Joshua 5:13-6:2

(4) References in Psalms applied to Jesus
Psalms 110:1-Mk 12:35-37
Psalms 2:7-Acts 13:33

(5) Jesus is the Messiah (The Son of David)
Isaiah 7:14/Isaiah 9:6-7/Isaiah 53-Matthew 9:27 and 21:9
Luke 24:27

Question 30

Trinity/Jesus is God in the New Testament

Answer 30

(1) 3 in 1 seen in Jesus’ baptism - Matthew 3:16-17
The Son baptized / Holy Spirit descends as a Dove/ Father speaks out from Heaven

(2) Philip - John 14:16,26
(3) Baptismal formula - Mt. 28:19

(4) Apostolic benediction
Jude 1:20,21/2 Corinthians 13:14

Question 31

3 persons of the Trinity?

Answer 31

(1) Father
(2) Son
(3) Holy Spirit

Question 32

The Nature of the Second person of the Trinity - The Son.

Answer 32

(1) His Virgin Birth
(2) His Dual Nature
(3) His Work

Question 33

Biblical proof for the Virgin birth

Answer 33

(1) New Testament: Directly declared in scripture.
Mat 1:20-25/Lk 1:26-28

(2) “By whom” in the Greek, “ex hes,” is singular, feminine gender, making the birth to be by Mary only in Matthew 1:16.

(3) Old Testament: Progressive revelation of the supernatural virgin birth of Jesus.
Gen 3:15 - seed of woman/Gen 22:15-18 - Blessing upon Abe’s seed - Paul interprets as ref to Christ - Gal 3:16/Isaiah 7:14, Mat 1:22-23 - Virgin birth predicted by Isaiah.

Statement from book on pg. 93: “It could be shown, if space permitted, that rejection of the doctrine of the Virgin Birth, would weaken practically all other basic historic Theology.

Question 34

Biblical proof for Jesus’ HUMAN nature

Answer 34

Statement: Jesus has a divine nature AND a human nature, yet He was one person, not two. (pg. 94)

(1) born naturally (Lk 2:7)
(2) grew as a normal child (Lk 2:39-40)
(3) subjection to parents (Lk 2:51-52)
(4) traced through 2 human genealogies (Mt 1/Lk 3:23-38)
(5) tempted like us (Heb 2:18;4:15)
(6) calls himself a man (Jn 8:40/1 Tm 2:5)

Statement: “The Son of God became the Son of man in order that the sons of men might become the sons of God.” (pg. 96)

Question 35

Biblical proof for Jesus’ Divine nature

Answer 35

Statement: Jesus has a divine nature AND a human nature, yet He was one person, not two. (pg. 94)

(1) In Old Testament the prophets give Him divine names: Isaiah - Might God; Everlasting Father; Immanuel (Isaiah 9:6-7;7:14)/ Jeremiah - The Lord our Righteousness (Jer 23:6)/ David - My Lord (Psalms 110:1-11)
(2) He is called God and Lord in the New Testament: Thomas - (John 20:28)/ John - (1 John 5:20)

(3) Declared the “only begotten” - monogenes means “unique of the very same kind.”
Jesus was not created as the Son of God, He was eternally the Son.

(4) Jesus declared Himself to be one with the Father - (John 10:30/John 14:9/John 14:7-11)
(5) Jesus had pre-existence: (John 1:1-5;14/John 17:5/Philippians 2:5-11/John 1:15/Heb 1:1-3)
(6) Absolute attributes ascribed to Christ
(7) Worship ascribed to Jesus - (Exodus 34:14 - Mt 14:33/Heb 1:6)

Question 36

What 3 headings is the Work of Christ studied under?

Answer 36

(1) His work as Prophet
(2) His work as Priest
(3) His work as King

Question 37

Proof that Jesus is a worker

Answer 37

(1) My Father work, I work (Jn 5:17)
(2) My meat is to do His will and finish His work (Jn 4:34)
(3) I must work the works while day (Jn 9:4-5)
(4) I have finished the work (Jn 17:4)

Question 38

How is prophet defined in book?

Answer 38

(1) A prophet is one commissioned by God to make known His will to man.
(2) Predicting future events

Question 39

What were the 5 characteristics of the ministry of a prophet mentioned and provide scripture that show these elements were present in Christ’s work.

Answer 39

(1) Preaching - Mark 1:14/Mark 1:48
“He did not come primarily to preach the Gospel; He came that there might be a Gospel to preach”

(2) Teaching - Mk 1:21-22
Jesus had an authority that was absent in the religious teachers.
“He did not quote authorities, He was the authority!”

(3) Discipling - Mark 1:16-17
The men the Jesus discipled were with Him and saw Him live out what He preached and taught.

(4) Predicting - Mat 24:14
(See pg. 101 for list of predictions made by Christ)

(5) Miracles - (Mat 28:18-20/Jn 14:12/2 Peter 1:3-4)
May 28:18-20 - Miracles were not meant to pass away but to be increased!

Question 40

What were the 3 characteristics of the ministry of a Priest mentioned and provide scripture that show these elements were present in Christ’s work.

Answer 40

(1) He is one with, and is taken from among, those whom He represents to God
- Jesus emptied Himself of the outward manifestation of equality with God - (Phil 2:5-8/Heb 2:17-18)

(2) He offers to God sacrifices to atone for sin
- Jesus was both the Priest and Sacrifice in one person. (1 Tim 2:5/Jn 1:29/1 Peter 1:18-19)

(3) As mediator, He makes intercession for the people
- Jesus not only does for us, He perpetually represents us at the Father’s right hand. (Heb 10:12/Heb 7:24-25/Rom 8:34)

(See pgs. 103-105 - For info on Melchizedek and Christ)

Question 41

What were the 3 characteristics of the ministry of a King mentioned and provide scripture that show these elements were present in Christ’s work.

Answer 41

(1) Past - Christ came as a King - (Mat 2:2/Mat 3:2/Mk 11:1-11/Jn 19:19)

(2) Present - Christ represented His Kingdom as a present Kingdom - (Mk 1:14-15/Lk 17:21)
Some say “that the Kingdom of God is entirely future. First, the Greek word for “kingdom,” basileia does not mean the sphere over which Christ rules, but the rule itself. Wherever Christ Jesus is sovereign, there is His rule (kingdom). Wherever Christ is Lord, there His Kingdom is present.”

(3) Future - He will come again to reign on earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! - (Rev 19:16;20:6;22:5,16;1:5-6/Col 1:13)

Question 42

Proofs of the personality of the Holy Spirit

Answer 42

(1) Personal pronouns are used in relation to Him - (Jn 16:15/Eph 1:14)
(2) Personal characteristics are ascribed to Him (Intelligence/Emotion & Feeling/Will) - (1 Cor 2;10-12) (See pg. 108-109)
(3) Personal actions are attributed to the Holy Spirit - (Acts 13:2/Jn 14:26)
(4) Personal reactions are ascribed to the Holy Spirit- (Eph 4:30)
(5) Personal relationships are maintained by the Spirit - (Mat 28:11/Jn 16:14/Acts 15:28)

Question 43

Proof of the Deity of the Holy Spirit

Answer 43

(1) He is called God - (Acts 5:3-4/1 Cor 3:16)
(2) Divine attributes are ascribed to Him - (Eternal - Heb 9:14/Omniscience - Jn 14:26/Omnipresence - Ps 139:7/Omnipotence - Lk 1:35/Holiness - Eph 4:30/Foreknowledge- Acts 1:16/Love - Romans 15:13
(3) Divine works are attributed to the Holy Spirit - Creation - Job 33:4, Ps 104:30/Prophecy - 2 Samuel 23:1-3/Intercession - Romans 8:26-27/Inspiration of Scripture - 2 Pt 1:21/Divine Guidance - Mk 13:11.

Question 44

Approximately how many references are made to the Holy Spirit in scripture?

How many different names or titles are there?

Answer 44

About 350 references and more than 50 names titles discerned.

(Pages 111-112)

Question 45

What are the 6 symbols employed in scripture to reveal characteristics of the Spirit?

Answer 45

(1) Wind - Jn 3:8 - Symbolizes the invisible, everywhere present, power and life sustaining influence of the Spirit.
(2) Oil - Lk 4:14-18 - Anointing/ Speaks of the Holy Spirit’s endowment of power for the work of God
(3) Dove - Mat 3:16 - Qualities of gentleness, purity, love, innocence, and beauty.
(4) Water - Jn 4:14 - Spirit’s refreshing, satisfaction, and fertilization.
(5) Fire - Acts 2:3 - Soirit’s power and ability to purge and cleanse
(6) Wine - Eph 5:18 - Calls attention to the spiritually stimulating and joy giving characteristic of the spirit’s indwelling presence.