THE FUNDAMENTALS: Who Is God? Theology Proper
November/December 2019 | VOLUME 29 | NUMBER 6
THE FUNDAMENTALS: Who Is God? Theology Proper
Charles Spurgeon said,
The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God who he calls his Father. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. But while the subject humbles the mind it also expands it.1
The doctrine of God is the very foundation of all other theology and is therefore called “theology proper.” The word “theology” itself refers to speech about God. Theos means “God” and logos means “word.”
In a sense, if you call the doctrine of God “theology proper,” all the other subjects you’re going to talk about in Christian doctrine are, in some ways, improperly theology— that is to say, we just extend the notion of theology to cover all the other fields because we talk about all the other things in light of their relation to the doctrine of God.2
Theology proper is a systematic, theological approach to the biblical teaching concerning God’s existence, His attributes, His deeds, His Persons, and His interaction with mankind. It is a vast and overwhelming subject because God is transcendent above His creation and totally indescribable with the finite words of men. Psalm 145:5 declares that “his greatness is unsearchable,” while Romans 11:33 asserts that “his ways [are] past finding out.” Job’s rhetorical questions about God (“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?” [Job 11:7]) demonstrate to us that only God is capable of revealing who He is.
Although the finiteness of men’s minds precludes their ever fully knowing God on earth, the fact that God has revealed Himself means that God is, in some way, knowable. God has revealed Himself generally through His creation (Acts 14:16–17; Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1) and more specifically through the Holy Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16–17) and His Son Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1–2). His revelation of Himself, however, cannot possibly be comprehended apart from faith in His Word leading to genuine salvation in Christ alone (Rom. 10:17). This knowledge of God is not for intellectual purposes alone but rather to empower a life that is worthy of His Name.
The goal of the contributors to this issue of FrontLine magazine is to connect intellect with devotion. The deeper a believer’s understanding of theology, the greater his commitment should be to live in a way that honors God. The bookend articles in this issue, written by Dr. Matt Walker and Dr. Bryan Brock respectively, speak to the necessity and significance of theology proper. Two articles by Dr. Larry Oats and one by Dr. David Saxon speak concerning the historic Trinitarian position of Christian theology. Dr. Preston Mayes’ article presents one key aspect of practical application of theology as seen in the Book of Job.
May God alone be praised as our understanding of Him grows. May each reader be motivated to greater awe and adoration for the great God who alone is worthy!
Mark Herbster
FEATURES
Is the Doctrine of God Passé?
Matt Walker
Modern man—including many Christians— has marginalized God to the outer fringes of his thoughts.
The Trinity: The Uniqueness of Christianity
Larry Oats
There is no other religion in the world that has a god like our God.
Is Nicaea Still Relevant?
David Saxon
The mystery and complexity of the Trinity are not a reflection on God’s inability to communicate clearly.
God the Holy Spirit
Larry Oats
There can be some significant problems with a study of the Holy Spirit.
Job: How Not to Talk about God and Theology
Preston Mayes
Are Job’s perspectives on suffering the primary contribution of the book?
Our Desperate Need for the Doctrine of God: Deuteronomy 32
Bryan Brock
The point of every narrative and every name in the Pentateuch is God!
DEPARTMENTS
On the Home Front
Filtering Feminism: Reaffirming God’s Good Plan for Women
Amy D. Herbster
Regional Reports
On Language & Scripture
Mark L. Ward Jr.
At a Glance: A Visit with the Magi
Layton Talbert
Chaplain Ministry to the United States Coast Guard
Trenten Long
A Biblical Focus When Facing Difficulties
Jerry Sivnksty
FrontLine • November/December 2019. Click here to subscribe to the magazine.