123…ABC… Theology

 

 

 

Biblical answers to questions you and those around you are asking or should be asking.

 

1 WHAT FOUR WAYS DOES GOD REVEAL HIMSELF?

Over the past four weeks, we have noted that:

  • In Nature God reveals He exists, He is incomparably glorious, He is almighty, and He will judge those who tarnish His glory (Ps. 19, Ro. 1:18-21);
  • In History God reveals His impartial goodness towards all people (the evil and the good), His provision, and His absolute authority over all people, including every ruler (Matt. 5:45; Acts 14:15-17, 17:24-27; Dan. 2:20-21);
  • In the conscience, God shows that His law is written upon the heart of each person (Ro. 2:14-15); and
  • In Christ God has revealed what He is like, the extent of His compassion, and the requirements for life (John 1:18, 3:16-18, 6:28-29; Mark 1:15)

 

Portions of this summary were adapted from Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology.  Chicago: Moody Press, 1989, p. 156

 

2 WHERE DOES THE BIBLE FIT IN?

In the Bible God has told us how to understand Nature, History, our Conscience and Jesus Christ.  The Scripture passages listed after each point in this series illustrates this fact.  The Bible can be thought of as God's written interpretation of His own revelation.  We know that our interpretation of the world, people and events is true when our interpretation agrees with God's. 

 

3 DOES THE BIBLE INTERPRET JESUS?

After His resurrection, Jesus connected with two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).  The disciples were saddened by the death of Jesus and had given up all hope that He was the promised deliver (v. 21).  Although they had walked with Jesus, they had misunderstood the meaning and significance of His life.  In order to correct their thinking, Jesus walked them through the Bible's testimony about Him (24:25-27).  By doing this, Jesus was basically saying "Hey, if you want to understand me, you need to understand the Scripture, because in the Scripture God has told you who I am and what I have done".   This underscores the point that in the Bible God gives us His authoritative interpretation of His revelation.