TheologyTheologyChristianityChristianity

Understanding the TimesUnderstanding the Times

What is Theism?What is Theism? The belief in the existence of a The belief in the existence of a

supernatural Godsupernatural God

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

The Two FoundationsThe Two Foundations General RevelationGeneral Revelation : God’s : God’s

communication of Himself –through communication of Himself –through nature and consciencenature and conscience

Special RevelationSpecial Revelation: God’s more : God’s more specific communication about who specific communication about who He is and how He saves– through the He is and how He saves– through the Bible and the person of Jesus Christ Bible and the person of Jesus Christ

General RevelationGeneral Revelation Through nature and a person’s Through nature and a person’s

conscienceconscience Brings us to a general knowledge of Brings us to a general knowledge of

GodGod Cannot bring us to a Cannot bring us to a saving saving

knowledgeknowledge of God of God

Argument from DesignArgument from Design If something exists that is designed If something exists that is designed

then it has a designerthen it has a designer““Many discover God through the Many discover God through the

general revelation of a structured general revelation of a structured universe; many more encounter God universe; many more encounter God in the general revelation of the in the general revelation of the purposeful nature of reality.”purposeful nature of reality.”

Special RevelationSpecial Revelation Answers the questions: Answers the questions: How can I be saved? From what must I How can I be saved? From what must I

be saved? Why will judgment occur?be saved? Why will judgment occur? Makes “sense” of general revelation. Makes “sense” of general revelation.

It explains the universe.It explains the universe. Special revelation is God Special revelation is God

communication through the Bible and communication through the Bible and through His Son, Jesus.through His Son, Jesus.

How is Jesus,How is Jesus,God’s special revelation?God’s special revelation?

He is the incarnate “Word”He is the incarnate “Word” When we look at Jesus Christ, we see When we look at Jesus Christ, we see

God…who He is, His nature and God…who He is, His nature and attributes.attributes.

See John 1:14,18See John 1:14,18““And the Word was made flesh,And the Word was made flesh,and dwelt among us, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory,(and we beheld his glory,the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. No man has seen Godfull of grace and truth. No man has seen Godat any time; the only begotten Son…at any time; the only begotten Son…He hath declared Him.”He hath declared Him.”

What does revelation “reveal” What does revelation “reveal” about God?about God?

It tells us God existsIt tells us God exists (as three separate (as three separate persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit)persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

It tells us who God isIt tells us who God is-He is a Personal God-He is a Personal God-He is the Judge of all-He is the Judge of all-He is the Redeemer (redemption is the -He is the Redeemer (redemption is the complete deliverance from all sin and complete deliverance from all sin and from all the effects it has brought upon from all the effects it has brought upon us)us)

Just another RELIGION?Just another RELIGION?CHRISTIANITY is either true or false. It CHRISTIANITY is either true or false. It

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