Introduction to Knowledge of God

For the last eleven weeks, plus one to go, I have been teaching a class at Trinity Worship Center, my home church, called "Knowledge of God". It is a theology class. Many people have asked me how they could get this information if they miss a class or just can't make it. So, I decided to record the lectures and put them on the blog. I will release one a week until they are finished. I have made the lectures a bit smaller by chopping up my original outlines. Each lecture ends up being 20-30 minutes rather than the hour I spent talking at church. I really hope that you stick with the series and learn something about God. We will be discussing 2 main topics throughout: the Doctrine of Revelation (not the book, but the way God reveals Himself to us) and the Attributes of God. The first lecture and outline below is an introduction.

Introduction to Knowledge of God    

I. What do you think God is like?

II. Where do you get this information from?

A. the Bible → some might say that we treat the Bible as an idol, but it contains the very words of God in the fullness of his written revelation to us; everything he wanted us to specifically know about His person and work is in the Bible

III. Theology: theos means God and logos means knowledge

            A. Theology is knowledge of God

            B. Faith has 2 parts

                        1. faith that…this is knowledge of who God is (breadth)

2. faith in…this is trust in the person and work of Jesus on a relational level (depth)

IV. We should imitate Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). He was a theologian

A. Matt 7:28, 29: And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

B. Acts 1:3: He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

V. The New Testament witness about theology

A. Acts 2:42: And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

B. Romans 16:17: I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

C. Colossians 1:10: so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

D. 2 Thessalonians 2:15: So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

E. 1 Timothy 1:10: the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine

F. 1 Timothy 6:20: O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

G. Titus 1:4: This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

H. Hebrews 2:1: Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

I. 1 John 2:24: Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.

J. Jude 3: Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

K. The collection that makes up the New Testament epistles was written to correct false teaching or bad thinking.

    1. To understand our relationship to the law and Christ’s superiority: Romans, Galatians, Colossians, Hebrews

                2. To correct divisions, church practice, and matters of Christian living: 1&2 Corinthians

                3. To give an understanding of the cosmic implications of salvation: Ephesians

                4. To correct misunderstandings about the end times: 1&2 Thessalonians

                5. Pastoral instruction: 1&2 Timothy, Titus

                6. As a correction against laziness and a Christian Proverbs: James

                7. To both exhort and encourage holy living: 1&2 Peter

                8. To reinforce the deity and superiority of Christ: 1&2 John

                9. To warn against unbelief: Jude

VI. Outline for this semester

            A. Doctrine of Revelation

                        1. Importance of revelation

                        2. What is it?

                        3. 2 kinds: General and Special

                        4. Theories of inspiration of the Bible

                        5. 4 characteristics of the Bible

                                    a. Authority (including inerrancy and infallibility)

                                    b. Clarity

                                    c. Necessity

                                    d. Sufficiency

                        6. The canon of scripture: Which books belong and why?

            B. Doctrine of God: The Attributes of God

                        1. Incommunicable Attributes

a. Necessity

                                    b. Aseity

                                    c. Immutability and Impassibility

                                    d. Infinity

                                    e. Simplicity or Unity

                                    f. Eternity

                                    g. Omnipresence and Immensity

                        2. Communicable Attributes

                                    a. Attributes Describing God’s Being

                                                i. Spirituality (Incorporeality)

                                    b. Mental Attributes

                                                i. Omniscience

                                    c. Moral Attributes

                                                i. Goodness

                                                ii. Holiness

                                                iii. Love

                                                iv. Righteousness or Justice

                                    d. Attributes of Purpose

                                                i. Omnipotence (including Sovereignty and Providence)