Theology Proper Flashcards
What is the Trinity, (define it so as to avoid Modalism and Tritheism)?
The Trinity is the Christian doctrine that God is one being who exists eternally in three distinct and co-equal persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This belief emphasizes the unity of God while recognizing the unique roles and relationships within the Godhead.
Avoiding Modalism and Tritheism:
- Modalism: Modalism (also known as Sabellianism) is a heretical view that suggests that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are merely different modes or manifestations of the same God, rather than distinct persons. To avoid this, the Trinity emphasizes that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist simultaneously and eternally as distinct persons.
- Tritheism: Tritheism is the belief in three separate and independent gods, essentially denying the unity of God. To avoid this, the Trinity emphasizes the oneness of God in nature, essence, and being.
Biblical Support for the Trinity:
1john 5:7
Acts 5 Ananias and sapphira
- Matthew 28:19 (KJV): “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” This verse highlights the three distinct persons within the Godhead.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 (KJV): “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” This verse mentions the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a context that suggests their distinct roles.
- John 14:16-17 (KJV): “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth.” In this passage, Jesus speaks of Himself (the Son), the Father, and the Holy Spirit as distinct entities.
- John 1:1-3 (KJV): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This verse refers to the pre-existence of Jesus (the Word) with God (the Father) and the divine nature of Jesus.
These verses, among others, highlight the coexistence, co-equality, and distinctness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit while affirming the unity of the Godhead. The doctrine of the Trinity strives to maintain this intricate balance, avoiding both Modalism and Tritheism.
Can God die?
Christian doctrine teaches that Jesus, as the Son of God, took on human nature and became fully human while also being fully divine. In this sense, Jesus experienced physical death on the cross, but it’s understood as a temporary state. His divine nature did not cease to exist but remained intact.
So, while the divine nature of God cannot die or cease to exist, the human nature of God died.
1. God’s Eternal Nature:
- Psalm 90:2 (KJV): “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”
- Malachi 3:6 (KJV): “For I am the Lord, I change not.”
These verses emphasize the eternal and unchanging nature of God.
2. The Death of Jesus:
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Philippians 2:6-8 KJV
- Hebrews 2:9 (KJV): “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
These verses refer to Jesus’ death on the cross as part of His earthly incarnation.
Can God change His mind?
1. God’s Immutable Nature:
- Malachi 3:6 (KJV): “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
3. God’s Foreknowledge and Unchanging Plan:
- Numbers 23:19 (KJV): “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”
How would you describe God in relation to His creation (In relation to Pantheism, and Deism)?
Biblical View:
In the biblical view, God is the Creator of the universe, distinct from it, and yet deeply engaged with His creation. He interacts purposefully with humanity and the world, displaying love, care, and involvement. This perspective differs from Pantheism’s identity of God with creation and Deism’s distant creator who does not intervene.
Creation and Distinctness:
- Genesis 1:1 (KJV): “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” This verse establishes God as the Creator of the universe, emphasizing His distinction from the created world.
Sustaining Creation:
- Colossians 1:17 (KJV): “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” This verse highlights God’s ongoing role in sustaining and upholding the created order.
Personal Involvement:
- Psalm 139:7-10 (KJV): “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” This passage speaks of God’s intimate knowledge of and presence with His creation.
Purposeful Interaction:
- John 3:16 (KJV): “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse illustrates God’s active involvement in the world through the sending of Jesus for salvation.
Name and define God’s (non-communicable) attributes.
Non-Communicable Attributes of God:
Non-communicable attributes are aspects of God’s nature that are unique to Him and not shared with His creation. Here are some of these attributes along with supporting KJV Bible verses:
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Eternity:
- Psalm 90:2 (KJV): “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”
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Immutability (Unchangeableness):
- Malachi 3:6 (KJV): “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
- James 1:17 (KJV): “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
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Omnipotence (All-Powerful):
- Job 42:2 (KJV): “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.”
- Jeremiah 32:17 (KJV): “Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.”
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Omniscience (All-Knowing):
- Psalm 147:5 (KJV): “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”
- Isaiah 46:10 (KJV): “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”
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Omnipresence (Everywhere Present):
- Psalm 139:7-8 (KJV): “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”
These non-communicable attributes highlight God’s uniqueness, His unlimited power, knowledge, and presence, and His unchanging nature. They set God apart as the eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present Creator and Sustainer of all things.
Name and define God’s moral attributes (communicable) attributes.
God’s communicable moral attributes are qualities that reflect His character and are shared to some extent with humanity. These attributes provide a moral standard for human behavior. Here are some of these attributes along with definitions:
1. Love:
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
4. Holiness:
- 1 Peter 1:16 (KJV): Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
6. Grace:
- Ephesians 2:8 (KJV): “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
8. Patience:
- 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV): “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
10. Truthfulness:
- John 14:6 (KJV): “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
11. Righteousness:
- Psalm 145:17 (KJV): “The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”
These verses underscore the moral attributes of God as reflected in His Word and encourage believers to aspire to these qualities in their own lives.
Explain sovereignty as an attribute of God.
Sovereignty as an Attribute of God:
Sovereignty refers to God’s supreme authority and control over all of creation. It encompasses His power to govern and direct everything according to His divine will and purposes.
Supporting Bible Verses:
2. Daniel 4:35 (KJV): “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”
- This passage underscores God’s absolute authority to carry out His will and the inability of any being to thwart His plans.
3. Romans 9:21 (KJV): “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”
- Using the analogy of a potter, this verse illustrates God’s authority to shape and determine the destinies of His creation.
4. Ephesians 1:11 (KJV): “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”
- This verse highlights God’s orchestration of all things according to His will and purpose.
5. Isaiah 46:9-10 (KJV): “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”
- These verses emphasize God’s unique authority to declare the future and bring His plans to fruition.
6. Proverbs 16:9 (KJV): “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.”
- This verse speaks to God’s guidance and control over the paths of individuals, even as they make their own plans.
God’s sovereignty assures believers that His purposes are being fulfilled, and nothing can ultimately thwart His will. It provides a foundation for trust, worship, and obedience to a God who is not only all-powerful but also loving and wise in His rule over the universe.
Are all attributes of God equal, or is there one that would govern over all the others?
Can you show that the Trinity is found in the Old Testament?
in Genesis 1:26 (KJV), “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,” the plural pronouns “us” and “our” have been seen as potential references to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Similarly, in Isaiah 6:8 (KJV), “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” the use of “us” can be seen as suggestive.
How would you define God?
God, as understood in Christian theology, is often defined as the eternal and all-powerful Creator of the universe. The Bible provides various verses that highlight God’s attributes and nature.
For example, Psalm 90:2 (KJV) states, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” This verse emphasizes God’s eternal nature and His role as the Creator of everything.
Isaiah 46:9 (KJV) reinforces the uniqueness of God: “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.” This verse underscores God’s singularity and unparalleled status.
Additionally, 1 John 4:8 (KJV) describes God’s essence: “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” This verse emphasizes God’s nature of love, which is a central attribute in Christian understanding.
These verses, among others, contribute to the Christian concept of God as an eternal, omnipotent, unique, and loving Creator.
