Everything Starts with God!  

We begin the year with what theologians refer to as Theology Proper. In other words, everything starts with God! Some treatments of theology begin with a study of the Bible itself. In fact, the first article in the Baptist Faith and Message is dedicated to the scriptures. However, I think the discussion begins with God.  

Certainly we are dependent upon the Bible to ascertain any understanding of Almighty God. We believe in the principal doctrine of revelation. We only know what He has revealed! His revelation protects us from ourselves. Harold Kuhn makes a salient point in this regard: “There is, moreover, a general tendency to insist that God must conform to the demands of the human self and so be a sort of super-projection of it. Thus, apart from revelation, men usually form and hold a truncated or distorted notion of God.” (“God: His Names and Nature, in Fundamentals of the Faith, Carl F. H. Henry, Ed., p. 37)  

God has given us a glimpse of Himself through general and specific revelation. Creation, human conscience (thanks, Immanuel Kant!) as well as natural laws all demonstrate the general revelation of God. The Word of God, the Incarnation and the Holy Spirit all represent the specific revelation of God.  

God’s self-revelation has aided us in understanding truths about His nature, essence, character, attributes and actions. Obviously, volumes have been written on these subjects. There is no way to address all of this in a month’s worth of sermons! However, I intend to address the major aspects of Theology Proper on Sunday mornings. I also intend to produce a study guide that can be an additional resource for further reflection and information for those who are interested in an expanded conversation.                

   I have chosen to address 4 basic truths about God:
           1. Immensitas – God is! He exists independently of place and space.

           He is sine mensura – without measure.
           2. Immutability – God’s essence and His nature are perfect. He is pure

           and holy. His character does not change. His attributes are absolutely

           perfect.
           3. Personal – God is not an abstract notion or a scientific calculation.

           He is not the “prime mover” or the “first cause” who simply set reality

           in motion. He is a personal God who has expressed a desire to live

           in relationship with mankind.

           4. Trinity – There is a complexity to the very nature of God Himself.

           He has revealed Himself as Father, Son and Spirit.  

These messages are intended to offer an introduction to our understanding of God. I hope to both challenge and inspire our people to deepen their awareness of, dependence upon, appreciation for and general perspective of God.