Practical Theology The Wonder of God
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Apr 3, 2024
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Practical Theology: The Wonder of God Assignment
Thought Journal Submitted to Dr. Garry Graves
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the completion of
THEO 525
Systematic Theology I
By
Tyler Rutherford
February 12, 2024
1
Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………….3
God Can Be Known……………………………………………………………………….3
God Can Be Heard………………………………………………………………………...4
God is Holy and Good…………………………………………………………………….5
God is Sovereign…………………………………………………………………………..7
God is Eternal……………………………………………………………………………..7
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………8
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………10
2
Introduction
Theology can be described as the study of God and His relationship with all of creation including humanity. It is imperative that we view theology through the lens of practicality when we are seeking to share it with those around us. For the purpose of this paper, I will share several
thought journal entries that reflect both my understanding of and how various aspects discussed can be applied within discipleship. This paper will focus on Theology Proper, namely the attributes of, and theology directly related to God. God is Knowable
In verses eighteen through twenty of Romans chapter one, we read, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God
has made it plain to them.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
1 As I ponder on the words of the Apostle Paul, I am reminded that God reveals himself in a general sense in all that is created. In nature, in humanity,
and in the world at large, we see the general revelation of God on full display. We also see a more targeted revelation through God’s Word and His people. We are created in the Imago Dei. With that in mind, we are image bearers of God. Through scripture, God has used the hands of those image bearers to convey His word to the world at large. 1 Holy Bible, NIV
3
God shares two distinct forms of revelation with His creation. Those forms of revelation are special revelation and general revelation. In reference to this Millard Erickson writes, “There are two basic classifications of revelation. General revelation is God’s communication of himself
to all persons at all times and in all places. Special revelation involves God’s particular communications and manifestations of himself to particular persons at particular times, communications and manifestations that are available now only by consultation of certain sacred writings.”
2 These two forms of revelation are the means by which God has made Himself known.
This means that general revelation is available to all while special revelation is for specific people at specific times. This comes through the word of God and through prayer. Erickson further shares, “Because humans are finite and God is infinite, if they are to know God, that knowledge must come about by God taking the initiative to make himself known.”
3 This leads us to draw the conclusion that God is knowable. God created us in the Imago Dei for the purpose of relationship with Him. The character of God does not lead me to believe that He would have created relational beings with no intent of having a relationship with them. For that relationship to take place, God must be known. If God could not be known, it would only be because He chose not to make Himself known.
God Can Be Heard
In verses sixteen and seventeen of chapter three in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we read, “All
Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
so that the servant of God
may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
4
2 Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology
, 3
rd
ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 122.
3 Ibid. 122.
4 Holy Bible, NIV
4
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