Horizontal & Vertical Consequences

Think back...maybe a year, maybe 5, maybe yesterday:

What was the worst punishment you ever received?

I've heard stories of parents forcing kids to eat things they didn't like, washing mouths out with soap, whippings with switches, doors removed from rooms, semester-long groundings and more. But, here's a question for you:

Why do parents punish?

We punish our kids because we know that actions have consequences. The older our kids get, the more those consequences will impact their lives. We want to teach them the reality of their sinfulness and their need for a savior and the truth that sin has consequences.

But what kind of consequences come from sin?

Horizontal Consequences

1. Sin effects the sinner

Sin enslaves! (Romans 6:17; John 8:34)

“Sin has a disintegrating, damaging impact upon the person committing the sin” (Norman, A Theology for the Church, p472)

The good news is that Jesus pulls us free from slavery to sin (John 8:35-36)

Here are a couple of signs that you're enslaved to sin:
Self-Centeredness (James 3:16)
Denial of Sinfulness (Matthew 7:3; 2 Samuel 12:1-15)

Sin effects our relationship to others

In Galatians 5:19-21 we see a list of actions associated with sinfulness. All of these acts destroy relationships and bring disharmony. They tear at the fabric of society. Just think about reasons couples break up and friends go separate ways. You can see so many of those reasons in Galatians 5:19-21.

Sin destroys relationships

While horizontal (relational) consequences of sin are serious, the first and most serious consequence of sin is neither in ourselves or in our relationship to others, but in our relationship to God.

Vertical Consequences

Sin effects our relationship to God

Sin brings the wrath of God (Ephesians 2:3; Exudus 32:10-11; Judges 2:14; Psalm 30:5; Jeremiah 10:24; Romans 1:18)

Wrath is "God's appropriate displeasure and resistance to human sin"

“God’s anger should not be equated with being excessively emotional or uncontrollable. He exercises patience and longsuffering toward human sinfulness. The nature of God, however, demands that he respond with holy disapproval to that which is contrary to his very being.” (Norman, ATFTC, p467)

The good news is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:10: Jesus delivers us from God's wrath!

Sin makes man hostile toward and alienated from God (James 4:4; Romans 5:10; Romans 8:7; Ephesians 4:18)

Kind of like what we see happening here:



Our sin is hostile toward God and that results in him expelling us from his presence. This is what we see happening to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:7, 22-24.

“We no longer seek or yearn for his presence; rather, we flee and hide from him. We live in fear of God and rebel against him. We express our hostility toward God in that we defy him. In the sense that he actively works to thwart our disobedience and rebellion, God can be said to be “hostile” to our intentions. Although we were created to live in harmonious dependence upon God, we contemptuously pursue paths that lead us away from the only one who can fulfill our deepest needs.” (Norman, ATFTC, p467)

Sin brings guilt

As we grow in our understanding of who God is and what he expects of us our responsibility to obey grows.

Sin results in punishment

Sometimes this punishment is the natural cause of the sin (STD's, cirrhosis of the liver, etc.) In every instance punishment is meant to draw us to God and the understanding that we are sinful and need a savior. (Hebrews 12:10-11) Especially for believers.

“Although a panful consequence of sin, God’s discipline of believers is a sign of their adoption and an encouragement toward sanctification.” (Norman, ATFTC, p469)

Sin causes death

Physical death (Genesis 3:19; 1 Corinthians 15:55-56)
Spiritual death (Genesis 2:17; Eph 2:1-3)
Final death (Revelation 20:14-15)

Recognize, with gratitude, what God, in Christ has saved you from. Recognize the reason for his discipline in your life. Recognize the impact your sin has on your relationships. Repent and be restored.

iSin

A few quick thoughts from Romans 5:12-19

1. Sin produces death (v12)
2. All die because all sinned (v12)
3. Adam's sin brought condemnation for all (v16)
4. Death originated in man because of the sin of Adam (v17)
5. Life is in Christ (v17-19)

The idea of original sin is seen in the last word of v12: "sinned". The word that Paul chose (hemarton), and is translated "sinned" represents a single past action, not an ongoing or present action (which he could have said by using the word hamartanousin). We face the consequences of sin because of Adam's single past action.

Here's another way to think about it:

We are not sinful because we sin, we sin because we are sinful.

6. Sin is universal
Just look at the spread of sin: Genesis 3:4-6; Genesis 6:13; Genesis 8:21; Psalm 143:2; 1 Kings 8:46. The sinfection is immediate and total. Romans 3:10-18 reminds us that no one is without sin.

Not only does sin infect everyone, but it infects every part of who we are.

Sin infects the physical body (Romans 6:6, 12; 7:24; 8:10, 13)
Sin infects the Mind or Reason (Romans 1:21; 2 Corinthians 3:14-15; 4:4)
Sin infects the emotions (Romans 1:26-27; Galatians 5:24; 2 Timothy 3:2-4)
Sin infects the Will (Romans 6:17; 2 Timothy 2:25-26)

Sin is pervasive. It is a part of everyone's life. We all sin, and because we all sin, we all need a savior. As Paul says in Romans 5:16-17 the source of the cure of sin and death is Jesus. The life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is our cure.

Target Missed-Doctrine of Sin Part 1

A few notes to start our discussion of sin:

Belief in one area always impacts belief in other areas. What we believe about the doctrine of sin effects what we believe about other doctrines.

Sin & what we believe about God:
-If God, being holy, expects holiness, then we are in deep trouble in our sin

“If, on the other hand, God is himself rather imperfect, or if he is an indulgent, grandfatherly type of being and perhaps a bit senile so that he is unaware of much that his going on, then the human condition is not so serious.” (Erickson, p580-581)

Sin & what we believe about humanity:
-If people are judged in comparison to the holiness of God then anything other than holiness is sin and deserves punishment.
-If people are judged in comparison to people, then just don’t kill anybody and you’ll be alright.
-If humans are free beings then they are responsible to bear the consequences for their sin
-If humans are basically good then the problems in this world can be fixed by a change in environment and behavior modification. There is no need for a savior
-If humans are basically sinful then the problems in this world are only solved by changing the nature of people. There is need for a perfect savior.

“If intended to reflect the nature of God, a human is to be judged not by comparison with other humans, but by conformity to the divine standard. Any failure to meet that standard is sin. If humans are free beings...then they are responsible for their actions, and their shortcomings will be graded more severely than if some determining force controls or severely limits the capability of choosing and doing.” (Erickson p581)

"Our approach to the problems of society will also be governed by our view of sin...if we feel that humanity is basically good or, at worst, morally neutral, we will view the problems of society as stemming from an unwholesome environment. Alter the environment, and changes in individual humans and their behavior will follow. If, on the other hand, the problems of society are rooted in radically perverted human minds and wills, then the nature of those individuals will have to be altered, or they will continue to infect the whole.” (Erickson, p581)

Sin & what we believe about salvation:

“If a human is basically good with intellectually and moral capabilities essentially intact, then any problems with respect to his or her standing before God will be relatively minor. Any difficulty may be merely a matter of ignorance, a lack of knowledge as to what to do or how to do it. In that event, education will solve the problem; a good model or example may be all that is needed. On the other hand, if humans are corrupt or rebellious, and thus either unable or unwilling to do what is right, a more radical transformation of the person will be needed. Thus the more severe our conception of sin, the more supernatural the salvation needed.” (Erickson, p581)

Sin & what we believe about the church:

“Our belief about sin also determines in large measure our view of the nature and purpose of the ministry of the church. If human beings are essentially good and capable of accomplishing what God requires, then the mission of the church is to exhort persons to achieve what is already in their ability to do. Appeals to kindness, compassion, generosity, and charity would be sufficient to move people in the right direction. If human beings are sinful, then our message is to proclaim the good news of salvation that comes by faith in Jesus Christ. in this case, the ministry of the church would engage sinful humans with calls to repent of sin, place one’s trust in Christ and be born again.” (Norman, A Theology for the Church, p411-412)

How does the Bible define sin?

1. Sin is missing the mark
2. Sin is going beyond an established limit
3. Sin is the absence of righteousness (sin is wickedness)
4. Sin is a departure from what is right and true (sin is lack of integrity)
5. Sin is rebellion
6. Sin is a breach of trust (treachery and unfaithfulness)
7. Sin is perversion
8. Sin is abomination

Sin is our active opposition to God

“Sin, biblically speaking, is not only the absence of good. it also entails our active opposition to God. it is, then, the defiance of his authority, the rejection of his truth, the challenge to his sovereignty in which we set ourselves up in life to live the way we want to live. It is the way we wrench ourselves free from obedience to him, cut ourselves off from his grasp, and refuse to let him be God. It is therefore all the ways we live life on our own terms, to our own ends, with accountability to no one but ourselves.” (David F. Wells, The Courage to Be Protestant, p102)

Systematic Theology Part 25-Equal Yet Different

You have $15 in your pocket. What will you spend it on? Your choices abound. There are so many things that cost $15. You can buy a DVD of The Simpsons Movie, a package of Alium flower bulbs (really crazy big purple ball-like flowers), a Five Iron Frenzy album, a steak, a rake or 8 boxes of Shake n' Bake. The choices are too many. Each of these items has their own benefits due to their differences. You may not know what to buy, but you know one thing: each of these choices have equal value despite their differences.

From the very beginning of creation man and woman have been seen as equal.

There are two main views in Christianity regarding the equality of men and women. They are defined by Alexander Strauch in the book Equal Yet Different.

Complementarian: God created men and women as equals with different gender-defined roles...the role differences promote godly manhood and womanhood and marvelously enrich family life as well as life in the local church...the fall of mankind into sin...created the battle of the sexes. (Strach, p6-7)

Evangelical Feminism (Egalitarian): The submission of the woman in marriage and womanly restrictions in Christian ministry are inconsistent with the true picture of biblical equality. They consider the equal-yet-different doctrine taught by complementarians to be a contradiction in terms...true biblical equality assures that both men and women are full and equal partners in life...men hold no unique, leadership-authority role solely because of their gender...one's gender does not determine one's status or role in life, nor does it limit spiritual giftedness and ministry opportunities. (Strauch, p8)

Any debate over godly/biblical manhood and womanhood has to start in the beginning. Genesis 1-3 provide a foundation for ANY conversation on the roles, relationships and authority of men and women.

Genesis 1:27: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27 establishes the equality of men and women as they are both made in the image of God. What kind of equality does the image of God imply?

Men and women have equal personhood
Men and women have equal value
Men and women have equal dignity
Men and women have equal responsibility to God

But does the equality proclaimed in Genesis 1:27 go beyond these 4 things? Does the equality extend to all areas and arenas of life?

We have to realize (as we will see in Genesis 3) that sin has marred the relationship between men and women and the understanding of equality. Thankfully we have Genesis 1 & 2 which are the only pre-fall (perfect/before sin) references to men's and women's roles, differences and extent of equality.

The reality is that men can do, for the most part, anything women can do. Movies like Mr. Mom, Mrs. Doubtfire and Daddy Day Care have shown this aptitude in men to take care of roles that are traditionally for women. Of course, men can't have babies-that is something uniquely female.

In the same way women can do, for the most part, anything men can do. (If you'd like to read a humorous story of Caroline's realization that she can't do everything a guy can do check out her blog)

But just because someone can do something doesn't mean they were intended or designed to do it. I can dig a hole with a spoon, but it doesn't mean the spoon was designed (or ideal) for that task. And if the spoon is occupied with digging a hole, what's helping eat the soup?

Genesis 2-3 give clear indication that men and women, while equal, were designed for different purposes. This doesn't mean they can't do things they were not designed for, but that would not be ideal. And if men and women are busy doing what they were not designed for, who is taking up the slack?

Genesis 2 establishes men as leaders:

1. God created Adam first
-Genesis 2:15: God placed Adam in the garden to care for it before Eve was formed
-Genesis 2:16-17: God gives Adam the first divine revelation and instruction before Eve was formed and trusts the man to pass that revelation and instruction on to the woman after she is created
-Genesis 2:19-God gave Adam responsibility (naming the animals) before Eve was formed

2. God formed woman out of man

3. God created woman for man

"She had her own biology, physiology, and psychology. She was made to coplement the man, to help him populate and rule the earth, and to unite with him as a loving companion-partner. This is the first statement in the Bible concerning the woman's role; she is to be a help to the man." (Strauch, p 23)

Now, before you get up in arms over the idea that women were created to be "helpers", look a little more closely at the idea of helper.

Helper or support is not a demeaning term. This term is often used of God as a "help to his people."

"To be a helper means that the woman has the necessary ability, fitness, resources, and strenght to be a help...for the Christian man or woman, whatever God calls us to do or be is just, good, holy and desirable." (Strauch, p23)

4. God gave Adam the right to name Eve

Feminists will say that submission and authority are introduced in Genesis 3 and are therefore a result of sin and the fall. Everyone agrees that sin has changed the male/female relationship for the worse, but the basic structure of authority, that, as we have seen, begins in Genesis 2, is still in-tact today. The differences are still there, though they have been marred by sin.

Genesis 3 recognizes differences in roles

1. Eve's Penalty afflicted her (and all women) with pain in her chief roles as mother and wife (3:16)

2. Adam's Penalty afflicted him (and all men) in his key roles as worker, protector and provider for his family.

Adam's penalty also brought death for all that Adam had authority over: his entire family, which includes us!

Notice also that in Genesis 3:9 Adam is the first one called to account for sin even though he was the 2nd to sin. This again speaks to his authority and responsibility over Eve.

People tend to get up-in-arms over teaching on gender in the New Testament. This is because they either reject or do not fully understand the foundation of gender equality, and differences, as they are defined at the beginning.

Let us understand and live the biblical truth of equality and differences and demonstrate this better way to the world.

Systematic Theology Part 23-A Sweet & Sour Creation that Matters Part 2

What if you woke up one morning and some important truths were suddenly no longer true?

What if, instead of bringing life, water now brings death?
What if, instead of remaining constant, the force of gravity was subject to change at any moment?

Would life change? You better believe it would!

What if one morning you woke up and scientists had proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God DID NOT create humanity? What if even the biggest advocates of creationism were jumping ship due to the new discovery? Would it change our beliefs? Is God's creation of humanity in the way the Bible accounts for it really foundational to other beliefs?

The Bible continually points to the truth that God created man, and not just in Genesis 1 & 2. We've already seen what happens when we don't believe in a common ancestry through a historical Adam and Eve, but what happens if we altogether reject the truth that God is the creator of mankind?

6 Significant Changes if Creation is Not True

1. Genesis 6:7-So the LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them."

Have you ever built a sand castle, block tower or house of cards and as you step back to admire your work of art someone comes along and destroys it? That can be upsetting...but why is it so upsetting? Because that person had absolutely NO authority to knock down your creation. You created it, so you have authority over it: to keep it intact or wipe it out.

If Creation is True, the creator God has authority.
If Creation is false, God's authority over man is undermined.

2. Malachi 2:10-Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?

Blood is thicker than water. If it is true that God crated humanity then there should be a unity among all people. No racism because we are all the same race...the human race.

If Creation is True, the creator God unifies.
If Creation is False, divisions between men increase.

3. Psalm 100:3-Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

We do not exist independently, roaming around freely with no protection. We have a shepherd who loves us and cares for us...even better than this shepherd:



If Creation is true, the creator God provides security.
If Creation is false, security is overcome by worry and fear.

4. Psalm 139:13-15-For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

If Creation is true, the creator God cares about life from the beginning
If Creation is false, respect for all life (no matter how small) diminishes

5. 1 Peter 4:12-13, 19-Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed...Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

I love the idea that we can still do good, even in the midst of suffering. A realization that we can still do good and that our creator has everything in hand will sustain us through suffering. Without that hope we succumb to despair and hopelessness.

If Creation is true, the creator God gives hope in suffering.
If Creation is false, hopelessness in suffering overcomes peace.

6. Revelation 4:11-"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

If Creation is true, the creator God is worthy of worship.
If Creation is false, idolatry surpasses the worship of the true God.

A loss of the truth of creation puts man on top.

What humans are understood to be will color our perception of what needed to be done for them, how it was done, and their ultimate destiny. (Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, p481)

God's creation of mankind is not just foundational to the doctrine of humanity but also to our beliefs about God, the world, revelation, Jesus and salvation.

Systematic Theology Part 22-A Sweet & Sour Creation that Matters Part 1

People are sweet.

People are sour.

Humans are capable of great acts of love, can create majestic works of art, and can even enter into a relationship with an infinite God; yet they are equally capable of horrific evil and cruelty and share many features in common with other animals. In the end, despite all their efforts to resist it, they die, and most are quickly forgotten. Scripture compares us to a mist 'that appears for a little while and then vanishes' (James 4:14). No wonder the psalmist marvels in amazement that God is mindful of us (Psalm 8:3-4).
(John S. Hammet, A Theology for the Church, p340)

And it is amazing that God is mindful of us, and even created us, knowing how sinful and rebellious we would be. But we do see special attention given to man in the Bible starting with the creation account.

There is a change in language used in Genesis 1 from "let there be" to "let us make" when God is making man. This shows that in some way the act of creating man is special and deserves special attention. The creation of man is described in much greater detail than any other act of creation. Animals and plants are mentioned in large groups, we don't even see the creation of the angels and the universe, galaxies, and planets are mentioned in just a few words.

So, what is man that God is mindful of him? Why did God bother creating us?

When people create or invent it is usually to fill a need, for convenience or for happiness. But God did not need to create us. It certainly didn't make things more convenient for him, so why did he create us?

4 Reasons God Created Man

1. God created man that man may glorify God (Isaiah 43:7)
2. God created man that God may delight in man (Isaiah 62:3-5; Zephaniah 3:17)
3. God created man that man may delight in God (Psalm 16:11; Psalm 27:4; Psalm 73:25-26; Psalm 84:1-2)
4. God created man that God may share life with man (John 10:10)

But when God created did he really just start with one man and one woman, Adam and Eve?

The Hebrew word "adam" actually means "dust, man, or mankind" and the Hebrew word for eve, or "hawwa" means "living one". These generic terms have led some to translate Genesis 1 & 2 as "mankind" and "human race" instead of the specific people Adam and Eve.

Does this mean that Adam and Eve are just metaphorical representations of all men and women? Are the two people that we know as Adam and Eve actually historical or did God create the whole human race at one point in time?

Paul (in Romans 5, 1 Corinthians 15 and Acts 17) certainly taught that Adam and Ever were actual people and the belief in Adam and Eve as real people provide an important foundation for other doctrines, beliefs and traditions. If we lose the foundation of Adam and Eve the actual historical beginning of the human race then an tower of beliefs crumble around it.

If Adam and Eve are not the historical beginning of the human race then...

...Traditional marriage collapses (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9)
Jesus points back to Adam and Eve as the starting point of marriage. God institutes marriage immediately after creating eve from Adam. Without Adam and Eve marriage dissolves.

...Racist ideals are strengthened (Acts 17:26)
If God created Adam and Eve first then the rest of us are descended from the same family line. This is part of Paul's argument in Athens. There are no races, only the human race. We are one big family. No one color is better than another because we all come from the same gene pool. Without Adam and Eve racism explodes.

...The universal sinfulness of mankind and the need for a savior disappear (Romans 5:12, 19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22)
Paul points back to Adam as the source of all sinfulness and the need for Jesus. Without Adam and Eve there is no universal sin or need for a savior.

The creation of Adam and Eve as real people, and the first people through which the rest of mankind came, is foundational to important social concerns and eternal truths. We have seen the crumbling of marriage and family, the strengthening of racial tension and the loss of personal responsibility and understanding of sin. Much of this can be tied to a loss of the belief in the historical Adam and Eve which then turns into a rejection of the rest of God's revelation to man: the Bible and Jesus.

Systematic Theology Part 21-Do Angels Do What You Think They Do?

A few notes on what angels do:

Angels are ministers to God:

1. Angels are the first line of God's worshipers (Psalm 148:1-2; Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 5:11-14)

2. Angels are the first line of God's workers (Psalm 103:20-21)
-Angels patrol the earth (Zechariah 1:9-11)
-Angels assist Christ (Matthew 4:8-11; Luke 22:42-43
-Angels deliver messages (Daniel 9:20-23; Mark 16:4-10; Luke 2:8-14; Acts 8:26; 1 Thessalonians 4:16) They had the pleasure of announcing Christ's birth and resurrection and will announce his return!
-Angels administer wrath (2 Chronicles 32:21)
-Angels care for believers (1 Kings 19:1-8)

As we see in these last three (messages, wrath and care) angels also minister to believers. It is important to remember that, even when they are ministering to people, everything they dio is in worship and obedience to God.

Angels are ministers to Men:

1. Angels are ministers of God's judgment to man
-when a command of God is directly disobeyed (1 Chronicles 21:7-17)
-When God's people are surrounded by enemies (2 Chronicles 32:16-22)
-When God is not given the glory (Acts 12:20-24)
-In the final separation of the righteous and the unrighteous (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; Matthew 13:36-43)
-In the final judgment of the earth (Revelation 16:1-21)

2. Angels are ministers of God's favor to man
-The favor of divine revelation (Galatians 3:19; Daniel 8:15-17; Luke 1:11-20, 30-32)
-The favor of divine protection (Genesis 19:1, 15-17; Psalm 91:11)

This brings up a question. If God uses angels as protectors of man, does this mean that guardian angels are real? Are there really individual angels charged with guarding individuals? If we could see into the spirit world, would it look something like this?



The bible gives clear examples of God using angels to protect believers (2 Kings 6:15-17; Psalm 91:11-12; Acts 5:19; Luke 16:22), and there is the traditional Jewish belief in guardian angels that carried over to the early Christians (Acts 12:6-5), but here are a couple of quotes to help balance the belief in guardian angels with what we know to be true:

There is insufficient evidence for the concept of guardian angels...A report indicating that certain disciples believed in guardian angels (Jewish tradition) does not invest the belief with authority. Some Christians still had mistaken or confused beliefs on various subjects.

Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, p469

Angels are great ministers from God and are important, but do not live in awe of the angels of God or fear of the fallen angels. Instead live in surrender, awe and worship of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Don't let your conversations always be about the side issues but about the most important issue-salvation in Jesus Christ.

I love the way the angel in Revelation 22 wraps this up:

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, 'You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!'

Revelation 22:8-9

Systematic Theology Part 20-Wings, Harps, Weapons & Halos?

I’m beginning to think that people have a bit of an obsession with angels...

angel gifts
angel cults
praying to angels
angel guides
angel tattoos
angel sports teams
hells angels
angels with harps
baby angels
love angels
Highway to Heaven
Angel
Touched by an Angel
Angels in the Outfield
The Prophecy
It’s a Wonderful Life
Constantine
Legion
Dogma
City of Angels
guardian angels
animal angels
Blue Angels

It seems that what most people believe about angels they have learned form popular culture:

All angels have wings (and earn them). Angels look like people. Angles fall in love with humans. Angels really want to be human. People become angels. Angels hold the fate of the world in their hands.

But what is really true about angels? What are they like? What do they do?

According to the Bible, Angles are:

-Created, not eternal (Psalm 148:1-6)

-Personal
-have emotions (Job 38:7), they worship (Psalm 148:2); they have conversations (Luke 1:13-17); make moral choices (Matt 25:31; John 8:44).

-Spirit (do not normally appear in bodily form)
-Hebrews 1:14; Matt 22:30 (don’t marry); Luke 20:36 (don’t die)
-occasionally reveal themselves in bodily form (Gen 18-19; Matt 28:5; Heb 13:2)
--2 Kings 6;17; Numbers 22:31-cannot be seen unless God opens our eyes to them.

-Appear w/ the brightness of God’s glory (Luke 2:9; Rev 18:1; Luke 1:19)-They are reflecting/manifesting the “glorious brilliance of the holy God from whose presence they have been sent.” (p296-A Theology for the Church)

-Wise but not omniscient-Matt 24:36 (don’t know the end time);

-Strong but not omnipotent
-Ps 103:20; Matt 28:2; Acts 5:19; Acts 12:7; Rev 10:1)-superhuman power (Col 1:16; Eph 6:12)

-Authority comes from God-Jude 9

"Angels derive their great power from God and remain dependent on his favorable will or permission to exercise it. They are restricted to acting within the limits of his permission.” (Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, p465)-even Satan

-Not omnipresent-Job 1:7; Dan 9:21; Dan 10:10-14; Luke 1:26

-Innumerable (Heb 12:22, Deut 33:2; Ps 68:17; Rev 5:11-12

-Ordered
-Michael, the archangel of Jude 9 “conveys some degree of authority and leadership over other holy angels. Michael exercises his authority as he leads a host of angels into battle against the great dragon, Satan, when war breaks out in heaven (Rev 12:7)”’
-Daniel 10:13-there are other princes
-Col 1:16-presumably the terms thrones, dominions, principalities and powers indicate order and ranking in the angels.

-Susceptible to evil-2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6;

Angels are amazing creatures, but as Millard Erickson says in Christian Theology:
"Every reference to angels is incidental to some other topic...When they are mentioned, it is always in order to inform us further about God, what he does and how he does it." (p459)

I find it interesting that people are often more willing to have a conversation about angels than about Jesus. People are obsessed with knowing more about angels and don't care to know more about Jesus. People give credit to angels and none to Jesus.

Hebrews 1:3-9 is very clear that Jesus is superior to the angels. Angels are created beings, and while powerful, they are not worthy of worship, praise or honor, especially when they are receiving praise and honor instead of Jesus.

As 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, we have built the study and belief of angels up against the truth of God. One particular area where this happens is in our beliefs about satan and fallen angels. While evil angels are real and Satan is surely real they are still angels. They are still subject to God. They are still limited in the same way other angels are. They cannot be everywhere. They are not all powerful. They don't know everything.

And most importantly, Jesus has already defeated them.

Angels are great ministers from God (as we’ll see next week) and are important. But do not live in awe of the angels or fear of the fallen angels. Instead live in surrender, awe and worship of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Don’t let your conversations always be about the side issues (angels and demons and such) but about the most important issue (salvation in Christ alone).

Systematic Theology Part 19-Creating Confidence

Have you ever noticed the differences between people that are confident and people that lack confidence? See if you agree with these:

Confidence means we make choices faster, easier, more boldly, without doubt and with certainty.

Lack of confidence shows itself with hesitation, uncertainty, doubt and fear.

The Doctrine of Creation gives us confidence, specifically in 3 areas. But why?

When you look at the story of creation in Genesis 1 and further into the Old Testament you see the creative act attributed to God. As you go through the Old Testament and into the New Testament you see that God created with ALL of who he is in that the Spirit and Son also contributed to the creative act along with the Father.

Genesis 1, Isaiah 37:16, Isaiah 44:24 and Isaiah 45:12 speak of the Father's Authority as the AUTHOR of creation.

John 1:1-3, 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16 and Hebrews 1:2 show how the Father created THROUGH the son.

And Genesis 1:2, Genesis 2:7, Psalm 33:6, Psalm 104:30, Job 26:13 and Job 33:4 talk about the Father giving life THROUGH the Spirit.

While we don't see the word "trinity" in the Bible creation is one of the doctrines in which the truth and reality of the Trinity is revealed and confirmed.

"It appears from scripture that it was the Father who brought the created universe into existence. But it was the Spirit and the Son who fashioned it, who carried out the details of the design. Although creation is from the Father, it is through the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, p399)

The doctrine of creation supports the truth that the Son and Spirit are eternal and the Son and Spirit are God.

God poured all of who he is into the act of creation and that can give us all kinds of confidence.

1. We can confidently WORSHIP God because he created

Remember that God is one. He does not need anything outside of himself. He is self-existent and self-sustaining. Understanding that, we know he did not have to create.

Worship goes back to the original purpose for which we were created. Creation helps us know that God is real, true and faithful...so we can worship him as real and true.

As you read the Old Testament you see examples of worship arising from the great acts of God, and you see those acts tied back to a common theme: his act as creator.

In Psalm 96:1-5 and Isaiah 43:1 God is worshiped as the Creator who Saves
In Psalm 121 and Psalm 124 God is worshiped as the Creator who Protects
In Isaiah 40:28-31 and Isaiah 42:5-6 God is worshiped as the Creator who Sustains
In Genesis 1:22, Genesis 1:28, and Psalm 115:15 God is worshiped as the Creator who Blesses

The writers of the Old Testament expressed worship to God not just for what he was doing but what he had done, in the beginning, in Creation.

When we reject or ignore the Doctrine of Creation we reject and ignore a foundation of true Worship.

2. We can confidently pray to God because he created

In Acts 4:23-30 we see the early church praying fervently for the brothers who are sharing Christ in the face of great persecution. What's interesting about their prayer is that it begins with faith, trust and hope in God as CREATOR.

As they pray to the creator God they are praying for boldness to witness. As Paul ministers he also appeals to God as creator as a foundation of his witness. (Acts 14:15; Acts 17:24)

3. We can confidently talk about God because he created

When you talk about God you are talking about a real and true God as evidenced in creation. This should give you confidence.

There is a lot at stake in the Doctrine of Creation. Without a proper biblical understanding of the doctrine certain things are bound to happen (and are as many, even in our churches, reject the doctrine of creation)

Idolatry increases
True worship decreases

Fear of man increases
Fear of God decreases

Confidence in us increases
Confidence in God decreases

Belief in the goodness of man increases
Belief in the sinfulness of man decreases

Talk of man and what he's done increases
Talk of God and what he's done decreases

A biblical understanding of creation is foundational to right biblical belief about God, man, life, worship, salvation and eternity.

Systematic Theology Part 18: From Nothing to Something

God's creation is amazing. We've all experienced that to some extent. Whether it's the fog on the fog rolling across the lake, a shooting star, snow on the fields or a woodpecker in the back yard, you can see how amazing God's creativity and power are. There are some amazing images out there, and the further you go the more you can see the creative power of God. Modern technology has given us some incredible views of the universe. Here are two of those views:

Images from the Hubble Telescope


Planet Earth


We are not going to take on the Creation/Evolution debate here. We've talked about that at length before and will again in the future. Instead we are going to look at the ACT of creation. We'll find out why its important, what it means and how it affects our lives and our faith.

Creation is not just a thing but is also an act. Here's a definition of Creation as an act:

"The Christian doctrine of creation is the free act of the triune God to create the entire universe from nothing, as well as every creature for his own purposes and glory. (David Nelson, A Theology for the Church, p243)

But, why study creation as an act?

1. The doctrine of creation is fundamental to faith.

Hebrews 11:3 says: "By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."

The beginning of a chapter on people that believed and acted in faith is grounded in the belief and faith that the world was created exactly the way Genesis one depicts it. Belief in creation is the first great belief in faith and, as we will see, is foundational to EVERYTHING else we believe.

2. The doctrine of creation is a significant part of the whole of scripture.

The theme of creation runs through the entire text, from the original creation in Genesis 1 to God's recreation, the new heaven and new earth, in Revelation 21-22. We will see this as we discover the key truths about creation. The doctrine of creation is not limited to Genesis 1 and 2.

"God's creative work plays a prominent role in the biblical presentation of God." (Millard Erickson, Chrisitian Theology, p393)

3. The doctrine of creation has historically been a highly important part of the teaching and preaching of the church.

The first part of the Apostle's Creed says, "I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth." The church fathers knew that our understanding of the doctrine of creation affects our understanding of other doctrines.

"Alter the doctrine of creation at any point, and you have also altered...other aspects of Christian doctrine." (Erickson, p393)

The church, in recent years, has lost much of this distinction. It's time to intelligently get it back.
Let's start by looking at 4 key truths that generate from this doctrine of creation and see how they affect our lives as Christians.

Truth 1: God created everything

Everything is a tough concept because when we often say "everything" we don't really mean everything. Someone might remark that they left "everything" out on the court or field, but they obviously still have something. Someone might promise to give "all they have" for someone else, when in reality they will hold something back. A mugger might tell someone to give them "everything" but they probably don't want the coupon for toothpaste or the grocery list that's in their pocket. They just want money and valuables.

We have to get past this limited understanding of everything and realize that when Genesis 1:1 says that God created "the heavens and the earth" this means he created EVERYTHING. Not just most, but all.

Genesis 1 isn't the only place we see this truth proclaimed. Check out Acts 17:24; Ephesians 3:9; John 1:3; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 10:6; Acts 4:24; and Acts 14:15.

The Bible is clear about the extent of God's creating. He created it all.

And since he created it all, there couldn't have been anything to begin with, so

Truth 2: God created everything out of nothing (Ex Nihilo)

Hebrews 11:3-What is seen was not made out of things that were visible
Colossians 1:16-everything has its existence because of Jesus
John 1:3-if it was made, it was made by Jesus
Romans 4:17-He calls into existence the things that do not exist."

God created "without the use of preexisting materials...he did not fashion and adapt something that already existed." (Erickson, p394)

Again, this is hard for us to fathom. We have all participated in the act of creation: a piece of art, a meal, a song, an essay. We've all made something, but everything we make is limited to the material that we have.

The original act of divine creation is unique. It cannot be compared to how we create. It is not limited to what exists. It "brings into existence what does not exist."

Erickson helps us see why this is important to other doctrine, namely the doctrine of God:

"He brought into existence the very raw material he employed. If this were not the case, God would not really be infinite. There would be something else that also was, and presumably had always been...God brought the raw material into being and endowed it from the beginning with the characteristics he wanted it to have." (Erickson, p400)

Truth 3: God created everything good

One word repeats itself over and over again in the act of creation: "good". But, what does God mean by good? Our understanding of good is often just "adequate". For God, who is also good in the most perfect sense, good means perfect. God created the world PERFECT!

Being infinitely good, God could not have created something that was not perfectly good. This carries a few implications:

1. There was nothing evil within God's original creation
2. God created the world with order and purpose
3. The goodness of creation places the responsibility for sin and evil on us. Human sin is an exercise of human freedom and therefore our responsibility, not just and outgrowth of our environment or society.

Since everything was created perfectly good, then it follows that

Truth 4: God created everything with intrinsic value

Matthew 6:26-30 shows God's love and care for a world with value.

"God loves all of his creation, not just certain parts of it. Thus we should also have concern for all of it, to preserve and guard and develop what God has made...Christians should be at the very forefront of the concern for the preservation and welfare of creation, because it is what God has made." (Erickson, p411)

This intrinsic value is lost on many of us. We value things that we want, and if we don't want it or care about it then it has no value to us. So, then, if we don't want it, we just throw it out. That's how babies end up in the trash. They have no intrinsic value in someone's mind. For God, though, his whole creation is of great value. He values us so much that he has rescued us from sin and suffering for all eternity through Jesus' very own suffering on the cross.

These truths should, in some way, impact how we live as Christians. Here are 4 ways we should be changed.

Since God created everything, we should love open-handed, realizing that we really own nothing. It's all his. He has blessed us with what we have so we can bless others.

Since God created everything out of nothing we should live humbly, realizing that, even in our greatest moments of inspiration and creativity we cannot compare to the creativity and power of God.

Since God created everything perfectly good we have to take responsibility for our sin, not excusing it by saying we are "just human".

Since God created everything with value we must respect and care for life. Recognize the dignity that even the elderly and disabled have. Protect the unborn. Care for the world God has given us.

If you're struggling with the science and the "proof" of evolution and all that you've learned that hits against the doctrine of creation, here are a few books to help your further study:

Systematic Theology Part 17(2)-He's Got the Whole World in his Hands Part 2

Think about all the people that play at least some role in your school:

Teachers, subs, bus drivers, coaches, principals, secretaries, students, janitors, lunch ladies, parents, superintendent, safety officer, secretary of education and even the President of the United States.

If we were to order these individuals from greatest authority to least authority there might be some disagreement, but I think we would all have much the same list. We know whose in charge. We know who has authority.

But put everyone at the ball-field and things change. Now coaches move much higher in authority and new authority is introduced, such as umpires. Take this same group of people and put them at a community pool. Their authority has changed once again. Now the pool lifeguard takes a greater place of authority than most others.

Even the President has checks and balances on his authority. But what about God's authority...his governance?

Check out what King Nebuchadnezzar says in Daniel 4:34-35 when confronted with the absolute authority of God (to see what led to this statement of belief, read Daniel 4:28-33):

"I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, 'What have you done?'"

Truth: God answers to no one in his governance.

While we have to answer to a variety of people and levels of authority change depending on location and situation, God's Providence as Governance places him in a transcendent position above all others, never to be challenged.

But God's governance is also an immanent governance. As we have seen before God directs nature, rulers and nations, and individuals. Let's look at 3 more areas where God's providence governs.

I love board games, but they can be frustrating because they rely, at least to some extent, on chance. You can have all but one cherry off your Hi-Ho-Cherry-o tree and spin right into a spilled bucket and you're back to square one. You can be 3 spots from the finish of Candy Land and draw a card that sends you back nearly to the beginning. An opponent draws a "Sorry" card and that pawn that was just about to enter the safe zone is suddenly back in the start circle.

Chance. It can be cruel, but it can also deliver at just the right time.

Proverbs 16:33 shows us that God's providence governs over even accidents. In this case the casting of lots, a chance activity. Jonah 1:7-10 was a time when God intervened in the casting of lots to show the ship crew whose fault the storm was. The disciples used the casting of lots to determine (after prayer) who would take Judas' place as a disciple.

Does this mean that every time a coin is flipped or dice are rolled or black jack is played that God is directly affecting the outcome? Not necessarily, but he can if he wants to. Also we have to remember who created the physics of the dice and coin and the probabilities of the cards.

The great news for us is that we don't have to depend on games of chance to know God. The casting of lots takes place 70 times in the old testament and only 7 times in the new. God has given us the Holy Spirit, prayer, his word and the church to help where lots may have been depended on in the past. But know that God still governs over those things often counted as "luck" or "coincidence".

God's providence also governs over free actions.

Proverbs 19:21
"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

If this is true, are people really free to act or is God always "pulling the strings?" Sincere Christians 0n both sides of the issue have disagreed on this for centuries. What we do see in scripture are people acting freely and God directing them to act.

Here's a word for you: Concurrence. Concurrence is when "both God and his creatures work together to accomplish God's sovereign purposes in the world." (A Theology for the Church, p280) Here are a few passages that contain some concurrence: Gen 1:11-12; Psalm 127:1; 1 Kings 9:9; 2 Chron 9:13; Neh 13:18; Acts 8:1-4; Acts 4:27-28; Phil 2:12-13; 1 Cor 12:11; Rom 12:6; Acts 1:8. There are more but this is enough to show that, as Wayne Grudem says, "we make willing choices, choices tha thave real effects."

Our freedom and God's providence. There will always be a tension here.

One obvious area of human freedom is our persistent run toward sin. But God is not absent in this either.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 shows us one example how God's providence governs over sinful actions.

But wait. How can this be? Does this mean that God causes sin? Remember our interpretation principles. We have to start with what's clear. James 1:4 and 1 John 2:16 are clear that God does not cause sin. But he does act in relation to it.

4 Ways God acts in Relation to Sin

1. God prevents sin (Genesis 20:6; Psalm 19:13)

2. God permits sin (Acts 14:16; Rom 1:24-28; Mat 19:8; 2 Chron 32:31; Psalm 81:12-13)

3. God directs sin (Gen 50:20; Rom 8:28-29; Rom 11:13-15)

"God is...like a judo expert who redirects the evil efforts of sinful human beings and Satan in such a way that they become the very means of doing good. We must recognize here the amazing nature of divine omnipotence...our omnipotent God is able to allow evil humans to do their very worst, and still accomplish his purposes." (Erickson, p426)

4. God limits sin (Job 1:12; Job 2:6; Psalm 124:1-3)

"There are times when he does not prevent evil deeds, but nonetheless restrains the extent or effect of what evil humans and the devil and his demons can do...Even when God permits sin to occur, he imposes limits beyond which it cannot go." (Erickson, p426)

God's providence is something we have to wrestle with. The answers will not always be comfortable. I encourage youto wrestle with questions of God's providence, but be sure of this:

God's providence "means that we are able to live in the assurance that God is present and active in our lives. We are in his care and can therefore face the future confidently, knowing that things are not happening merely by chance. We can pray, knowing that God hears and acts upon our prayers. We can face danger, knowing tha the is not unaware and uninvolved." (Erickson, p413)

Systematic Theology Part 17-He's Got the Whole World in His Hands Part 1

Last week we talked about God's sovereignty as it relates to pain and suffering. Here is a video that encourages us with regard to suffering. This man, a pastor named Matt Chandler who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, is showing us the ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE OF TRUST in the midst of his suffering.



We know from our study that God rules over everything, even over pain and suffering. The eternal perspective of trust we talked about in Part 16 is necessary when dealing with pain and suffering is also necessary in our entire study of God's providence.

Before we can fill our our discussion of God's providence we need to quickly understand two more of God's attributes: his transcendence and is immanence.

Transcendence is seen in God's infinity, holiness and in the reality that he is incomprehensible. He is above, other than and distinct from all that he has made. We cannot be like him or come close to being like him in his infinity. He is, in a very real way, separate from us. Isaiah 55:8-9 and Psalm 97:9 are just two examples of God's transcendence seen in the Bible.

God's transcendence has led some to a system of belief that rejects the notion of divine intervention in human affairs. Deists, as they are known, typically reject most supernatural events and tend to assert that God has a plan for the universe that is not altered by God intervening in the affairs of human life. In other words, God got things started, set some rules, and now is letting them play out however they will.

While God certainly is distinct from his creation, the Bible is also very clear that he is near, and actively involved. (Isaiah 57:15; Ephesians 4:6; Jeremiah 23:23-24). This is God's immananece. God is near and sustaining all that he has made. God is actively near to us and cares deeply about us.

The immanence of God is clearly seen in his providence

Providence is "the continuing action of God by which he preserves in existence the creation he has brought into being, and guides it to his intended purposes for it." (Millard J. Erickson, Systematic Theology, p413)

Providence is God's continuing relationship to the world he created. He deeply cares about his creation, down to teh smallest details. He shows that care in his providence, specifically in his preserving providence.

Look at Colossians 1:16-17

¹⁶For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. ¹⁷He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Not only did God create everything (and Jesus was very active in that creation) but he is holding everything together.

The continued existence of this world depends on God.

This is also clearly seen in Psalm 104.

NO part of creation is self-sufficient.

Not only does God keep the world going 'round, but his providence as preservation is also more personal.

God's providence preserved the nation of Israel (see Joseph, Moses and the Jewish midwives, Joshua, Shadrach, Meeshach and Abednego, among others)

God's providence preserves us through life and death. (Matthew 10:28; John 10:27-30; Psalm 91)

We can have confidence because of God's preserving providence!

We don't have to live in terror and anxiety! As Millard Erickson says, we can have "confidence that physical death is not the most significant factor because not even it can separate us from God's love" (p419)

Yes, pain and suffering are going to come, but praise God there is preservation even in the midst of that. And should that pain and suffering lead to death, an eternal perspective of trust will guard our hearts, our peace and our hope.

God is a God who preserves his creation in his providence!

Systematic Theology Part 16-Hurts So Good

The argument goes something like this:

"If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy, and if God were almighty He would be able to do whatever he wished. But the creatures are not happy. Therefor eGod lacks either goodness, or power, or both."

Is this true? Is God lacking in goodness or power because there is pain and suffering in the world? How do we deal with this question in our own lives, as Christians, when we experience or observe suffering in the world?

Genesis 3 gives us a great backdrop for our look into pain and suffering. In fact it is an essential backdrop. It is where pain and suffering get their start.

As soon as man chose to sin, things changed. Here are 3 specific areas sin changed things:

Sin changed man: Man was now fearful of God and creature. Man would have to work hard for things that God intended him to have easily. Labor is a new concept that comes from sin.

Sin changed nature: Animals are now an enemy that can hurt and destroy. Childbirth will be with great pain as a result of sin entering the world. Thorns and thistles will spring from the earth and make life more difficult for the farmer. Romans 8 reminds us that the world has been subjected to bondage and decay (v21).

Sin changed relationships: The relationship between man and woman changed. The relationship between man and animal/nature changed and the relationship between man and God changed (see Genesis 3:10)

We cannot ignore these changes when considering the question of pain and suffering. If you were to list out all the pain and suffering you have endured in your life, physical and emotional, you may find that they can all be categorized in one of these three areas that sin changed things.

A proper understanding of what sin has done is essential if we are going to understand pain and suffering side-by-side with God's goodness.

"A recovery of the old sense of sin is essential to Christianity...We lack the first condition for understanding what He is talking about. And when men attempt to be Christians without this preliminary consciousness of sin, the result is almost bound to be a certain resentment against God [asking], 'What harm have I ever done Him?'" (C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, p50-51)

Sin has started a downward spiral, but is it a downward spiral that God has no control? Here are a few truths that might help us understand things a little bit better.

Romans 8:28-29
Truth: God works in all things for the good (v28)
Truth: The greatest good is being conformed to the image of Jesus (v29)

These two truths are foundational. These truths, when believed, will help us accept the other truths clearly presented in scripture about God's role in pain and suffering.

Deuteronomy 32:39, 1 Samuel 2:6-7, Isaiah 45:7
Truth: Bad things are not outside of God's control

"God is just as much in control of bad things that happen in the world as he's in control of all of the good that takes place...we ought to accept this as true even though we may not be able to understand full just how it can be true...we should not turn away from this teaching just because we find it hard to understand...If God is not in control of bad things, then we would be led to deep sadness, thinking that a bad thing that is happening will serve no good purpose. But it is not so!" (Bruce Ware, Big Truths for Young Hearts, p70-72)

Job 41:1, Psalm 29:10
Truth: God easily controls thing man cannot control

"God keeps the chaos under control...Here the powerlessness of Job is set in marked contrast to the power of God. God's power over evil is so great that he casts for the primordial sea monster and catches him with a five-pound test line." (R.C. Sproul, Renewing Your Mind, p59-60)

Galatians 6:7-8
Truth: Sin has unpleasant consequences

Matthew 5:29
Truth: Pain and suffering sometimes rescue us from something worse

"Love may cause pain to its object, but only on the supposition that that object needs alteration to become fully lovable." (Lewis, p48)

"His suffering is not punishment. It is not a sigh of God's anger. Job's pain is not the pain of the executioner's whip but the pain of the surgeon's scalpel. The removal of the desease of prides is the most loving thing God could do, no matter what the cost.

"Remember the words of the Lord: Better to suffer the excruciating pain of a gouged out eye than to let any sin remain in your heart. If this does not seem obvious to you--namely, that sanctification is worth any pain on this earth--it is probably because you don't abhor sin and prize hliness the way God does and the way you should." (John Piper on Job)

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
Truth: Pain and suffering sometimes give us something better.

What would be better for Paul: physical comfort or perfect power in Christ?

Genesis 45:4-8; 50:20
Truth: What man means for evil, God means for good.

An Eternal Perspective of Trust
This all comes down to an eternal perspective of trust. Watch this video an then think with me what this means.



We are willing to go through so much for such simple pleasures as money. In fact a lot of reality TV depends on that willingness to suffer pain and humiliation.

But at the first sing of trouble in life we run from, get angry at or blame God, not seeing that he gives us EVERY good and perfect gift and that the eternal pleasures he is preparing for us are far greater than the simple pleasures we endure pain and suffering for here on earth.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 is a great promise of home in the eternal perspective of trust. This eternal perspective of trust is ESSENTIAL to surviving pain and suffering.

"God is not defined in terms of what brings personal pleasure to humans in a direct fashion. Good is to be defined in relationship to the will and being of God. Good is what glorifies him, fulfills his will, conforms to his nature...this then is the good, not personal wealth or health, but being conformed to the image of God's Son, not our short range comfort, but our long-range welfare." (Millard Erickson, Systematic Theology, p450)

Systematic Theology Part 15-Who put Him in Charge?

A Ship Captain.

A Prison Guard.

A Lunch Lady.

A Lifeguard.

A Head Elf.

A King.

Why this strange list of individuals (and mythical creatures) here? Well, they all have something in common. Each of these people/mythical creatures has authority in a particular arena. They are the uncontested ruler of that arena. If you contest their authority or their rule then you will face consequences. You could even say that they are sovereign over that arena.

But, their sovereignty is limited. You won't find the lunch lady telling you to "only take one" in the dairy section of the grocery store. You won't find a lifeguard standing in your living room telling you to get out of the pool because it's "adult swim."

God's sovereignty, however, is unlimited. Let's start by defining sovereignty.

A sovereign is an unlimited and uncontested ruler, superior to all others in power, rule and authority.

In Revelation 19:16 God is defined as King of kings and Lord of lords. If there is anyone who is ultimately sovereign-superior to all others-it is God. Here are a few more verses you can look up that talk about God's sovereignty:

Acts 4:24; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 6:10; Philippians 2:9-11; Psalm 59:13; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Colossians 1:16.

These passages make it clear that God is in charge; that he is sovereign. But why? Who put him in charge? Why is he the one who gets to be sovereign.

Could you imagine:

A mime as a radio dj?
A blind man as a brain surgeon?
A janitor that vomits at the smallest bad smell?
A Mob boss as a police chief?
A chef that can't taste or smell?
A lion tamer that looks and smells like a raw steak?

Of course not! Because there are specific characteristics needed for every position. Especially for the position of King of kings and Lord of lords! BAsed on his attributes, God is the ONLY ONE capable of absolute sovereignty.

We've spent 10 studies talking about the attributes of God because those attributes help us recognize and understand HOW God can and is the only true sovereign.

According to A.W. Tozer in his book The Knowledge of the Holy, "to be sovereign God must be all-knowing, all-powerful, and absolutely free...Were there even one datum of knowledge, however small, unknown to God, His rule would break down at that point."

God's sovereignty flows naturally from his infinity!

He is infinite in all his attributes. No one else is infinite so no one else can be King of kings. We can rule in certain arenas over certain groups of people, but only God is capable of ultimate sovereignty. Here are a couple more quotes to think about:

“Can we imagine the Lord God of Hosts having to request permission of anyone or to apply for anything to a higher body? To who would God go for permission? Who is higher than the Highest? Who is mightier than the Almighty? Whose position antedates that of the Eternal? At whose throne would God kneel? Where is the greater one to who He must appeal? ‘Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is not God.’” (Tozer, p171)

”Since God has created all that is, this means that God owns everything. Everything is God’s because God made it all. If some other god had made some part of creation, then that part of creation would belong to that god. But there are no other gods, and everything in creation has been made by the one true and living God. Since God created all things, then God (alone) is the rightful owner of all things. To take it one step further, we can see that since God created all that is, and since he, then, is the rightful owner of all that is, God also is the rightful ruler of all that is. Everything that God made is his, and he alone has rights to rule over it and use it however he wishes.” (Bruce Ware, Big Truths for Young Hearts, p63-64)

What does God do with this sovereignty that he has?

1. God provides
God always provides what is Good (James 1:17, Psalm 34:10, Psalm 84:11). But we have to eep eternal perspective in defining “good”. Remember that God is eternal and all-knowing.

God provides ultimate protection(Romans 8:31-32). Now and eternally in salvation. Even in the death of those who love and follow God ultimate good is provided.

God provides exactly what we need (Matthew 6:30-34). "The God who sees the needs in his creation is the God who will exercise his power wisely to provide for his creation.”(David Nelson, A Theology for the Church, p268)

This relates to something we all tend to do...a lot. Grumble and complain. God’s sovereignty as provider is the number one reason we should not grumble or complain.

”A grumbling spirit is sinful, because it fails to recognize God’s goodness and kindness in providing for us every good thing in life that we enjoy. Instead of grumbling, we should accept both what God gives us and what he chooses not to give us, because in both cases he does what is best for us.” (Ware, p69)

“The Lord Jesus Christ has shown an enormous degree of favor on us by providing for our every need, and to complain is to offend Him to the same degree.” (Ken Ham)

2. God Directs
"God has a plan for the world he made. he didn’t create the world wondering what might happen. He didn’t create the world and then leave it alone to run by itself. Rather, God created the world with a very complete plan for how the world would develop and what would be accomplished through it.” (Ware, p65)

In Daniel 2:21 we see God's sovereign direction in 3 areas.

A. God directs Nature
“He Changes the times and seasons”
Psalm 135:5-7; Psalm 29:8-10; 1 Kings 17:4

B. God Directs the Rulers of the Earth
“He removes kings and sets up kings”
Romans 13:1; Isaiah 10:5-13

C. God Directs YOU
“He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding”
1 Samuel 2:6-7; Galatians 1:15-16; Psalm 31:14-15



God’s sovereignty is total and complete: He rules over ALL! (Psalm 103:19)

So God is infinite in all his attributes and this demands his sovereignty. His sovereignty means he has complete rule over all of life. What does this mean for you in everyday life?

1. You can trust him fully
2. You don’t need to worry
3. You can be confident in his sovereignty even when we don’t understand everything.

Stay tuned as we tackle two of the "sticky" topics that always come up in a discussion of God's sovereignty: The problem of pain, evil and suffering and the human will.

Systematic Theology Part XIV-Does God have a Dark Side?

We all have a dark side. You know, those characteristics that are ugly and mean and get us in trouble when they show up. Those characteristics we don't want anyone else to see. Those characteristics that lead us toward sin and evil.

Just for fun, check out this link if you want to see an example of a battle between these two sides (the light and the dark) from one of the greatest movie trilogies of the last decade (Gollum vs. Smeagol)

Does God have a dark side? Does ha have attributes that aren't very attractive, at least in the way that people live them out? Let's look at a few attributes of God that, when lived out by those made in his image, usually only show up on the dark side.

Exodus 20:3-5-God is jealous
Isaiah 48:11-God is selfish
Romans 1:18-God is wrathful

We know that God is perfect and that he does not sin, so if he is jealous, selfish and wrathful he must be able to hold those attributes sinlessly. But how?

To understand how God can be jealous, selfish and wrathful and still be sinless we have to try to understand another, all-encompassing attribute of God: Holiness

According to Exodus 15:11 Holiness is uniqueness. The Hebrew word "qadosh" means "marked off", "withdrawn from common, ordinary use", and "to separate."

"God's holiness is not simply the best we know infinitely bettered, we know nothing like the divine holiness. It stands apart, unique, unapproachable, incomprehensible and unattainable." (A.W. Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy, p163)

In Habakkuk 1:13 we also see that holiness is Absolute Purity.

God is "untouched and unstained by evil in the world." (Millard Erikson, Systematic Theology, p311)

God is Holy. What can we know about God's holiness?

Truth 1: God’s Holiness is a distinct characteristic (Revelation 15:4)
“Holy is the way God is. To be holy He does not conform to a standard. He is that standard. He is...incapable of being other than he is.” (Tozer, p163)

(Hosea 11:9)-Holiness distinguishes God from Man

Truth 2: God’s holiness contrasts perfectly to man’s sinfulness (Isaiah 6:1-5)

“We cannot grasp the holiness of God without at the same time recognizing our own unworthiness and sinfulness before such a God.” (ATFTC, p224, George)

Isaiah’s reaction in verse 5 tells us something else about God’s holiness.
Truth 4: God’s holiness makes sinners fear (Psalm 96:9)

“These two are inseparable linked: a high sense of God’s majesty and holiness, and the apprehension of radical depravity and human sin.” (Timothy George, A Theology for the Church, p225)

Not only do we need to have a sense of fear in the midst of God’s holiness, but sin should disturb us more than it does.

“Until we have seen ourselves as God sees us, we are not likely to be much disturbed over conditions around us as long as they do not get so far out of hand as to threaten our comfortable way of life. We have learned to live with unholiness and have come to look upon it as the natural and expected thing.” (tozer p162)

It’s not often that something goes from scary to joyful, but one place where you can see this clearly happen is on a roller coaster. Check out this video:



It should be the same way for those who have been rescued from sin. That fear we once felt in the presence of God's holiness should give way to joy!

Truth 4: God’s holiness makes the rescued joyful (Isaiah 41:13-14, 16)
In his holiness God has set us free from sin. We no longer need to fear his holiness but have the confidence to come to him joyfully. (Hebrews 10:22)


Truth 5: God’s holiness spreads to all of his attributes (Psalm 77:13)
“Because He is holy, His attributes are holy; that is, whatever we think of as belonging to God must be thought of as holy.” (Tozer, p163)
Which means that his jealousy, selfishness and wrath are holy...but how?


How can God be jealous and still be holy? People are jealous when they have a rival. God's jealousy shows up in the same circumstances. The difference is that, for God, there is no worthy rival. He is the ultimate, so anything that challenges for his glory is challenging the supreme. While there are many "gods" and "lords" in this world there is only one TRUE God. The God who gives us life and sustains our life. (1 Corinthians 8:4-6)

God is jealous to defend His own honor. He will not accept any rivals! His jealousy preserves his holiness and shows his love for us in wanting us to have the best.

How can God be selfishness and still be holy? People are selfish about what they love most...themselves. Selfishness is seeking your own comfort and well-being “to the disregard and even the detriment of others.” (Erickson p314) We are taught that selfishness is a terrible sin...that it is possibly the root of many/all other sins.
According to Luke 10:27 what is to be loved most is God. That is the first and greatest commandment. Selfishness only becomes sin when it causes us to prefer something more than we prefer God.

“Even an unselfish preference of some other person rather than God is wrong.” (Erickson, p314)
Even God obeys this first commandment which means he has to love God most...in his selfishness he preserves his holiness in obeying the first and greatest commandment: to love the Lord God. The bible says time and again (example in Ezekiel 20) that God does what he does for his names sake. The good thing for us is that we often benefit for his name's sake.

How can God be wrathful and still be holy? Because true wrath is a perfect hatred for all sin
We talked on Sunday night about what makes you angry...what brings out your wrath. We said that God’s wrath comes when he’s insulted. This helps us understand how his wrath remains holy and sinless, unlike our wrath.

Exodus 32:9-10-An unwillingness to repent brings out the wrath of God
Deuteronomy 9:7-8-Rebellion brings out the wrath of God
John 3:36-Rejection of Jesus brings out the wrath of God
Romans 1:18-Suppression of the the Truth brings out the wrath of God

The wrath of God is always in response to sin and ultimate rescue for us all.

“Every wrathful judgment in the history of the world has been a holy act of preservation.” (Tozer, p166)


In 1 Peter 1:15 we are encouraged to be Holy because God is holy and it is an attribute that he has given to us and is perfecting in us. Jealousy, wrath and selfishness are hard ones for us to put in the holiness category, so don’t think you can do it easily. But here are a few ways you can and should practice holy jealousy, holy selfishness and holy wrath

Practicing Holy Jealousy: We should also be jealous to defend God’s honor when we see other people and things receiving the worship that should be for him alone.

Practicing Holy Wrath: Defend God’s honor. Don’t let the jokes about Jesus, God, or the church go uncontested.

Practicing Holy Selfishness: Honor God with your time, your money, and your mind.

Systematic Theology Part XIII-Now These...I Like!

There are some things that everyone can agree about liking. The look of fresh snow on the ground. The first day of summer break. The smell of baking cookies. Bacon. With God there are some attributes that everyone likes. These attributes are his Love, Goodness and Righteousness.

God's Love

1 John 4:8, 16 tells us that God is love. Often when we talk about God’s love we are thinking in a people-centered way. We think about God’s love as it relates to us. It’s true...God does love us (as we are about to see) but it’s important to understand that God’s love did not start with the creation of the world and people. According to John 17:24 God's love extends to eternity past. Before the foundations of the world he loved Jesus.

Love is a attribute of God. It always has been and always will be. God takes great joy in loving us, his creation, but before we existed he still loved.

“Had God chosen never to create the world or human beings within it, he would not suffer a deficiency of love.” (Timothy George, A Theology for the Church, p226)

God expresses the full essence of love within himself...within the trinity.

God has perfect love within himself. He receives and gives love perfectly within the Trinity. God was not obligated to share this love with us, but he has! How does God love?

Jonah 4:2-God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love
Zephaniah 3:17-God rejoices over us, quiets us in his love
John 3:16-Loved us and sent his son to save us
Romans 5:8-While we were still sinners Christ died for us

God has passed down this love to his children. John 13:35; 1 John 2:9-11; and 1 John 4:8, 16
remind us that if you are in Christ and Christ is in you your first instinct should be one of Love.

God's Goodness

We use the word "good" to describe a myriad of actions and objects. A person can be called good if they don't do what is considered bad. A basketball shot or football field goal can be called good if it is accurate. A movie, book or cd is called good if it's enjoyable. Food is good if it tastes good and satisfies.

The multiplicity of definitions for "good" may confuse us or limit our understanding of what it means for God to be good. Here's a definition:

“The goodness of God is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will toward men.“ (A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy, p127)

How is God good?

God is Gracious
“God’s expression of goodness in His not giving us our due punishment” (David Nelson, Systematic Theology Class Notes, p83)

God is a great gift giver. Gift givers don’t give gifts based on how good you’ve been. Gift givers give gifts out of love and grace. If gifts were based on how good we’ve been, all of us would get boxes full of coal, or maybe even angry spitting cobras. That’s what we deserve. In the case of eternity we deserve hell, but that’s not what we get. Instead...

Ephesians 2:5-9-gift of God for salvation shown in Christ Jesus
Titus 2:11-results in salvation
Titus 3:4-7-gives us an inheritance in eternity

“If God gave to all what they deserve, none would be saved.” (Millard Erickson, Systematic Theology, p322)

God is Merciful
“God’s pity and goodness expressed toward those in distress.” (Nelson, p83)

What's the difference between grace and mercy? According to Erickson:
"if grace contemplates humans as sinful, guilty, and condemned, mercy sees them as miserable and needy.” (Erickson, p322)

and

“God deals with his people not on the basis of their merit or worthiness, what they deserve, but simply according to their need” (Erickson, p320-321)

Psalm 103:13-mercy as compassion-the way a father has compassion to a child
Exodus 3:7-8-delivering Israel from slavery
Mark 1:40-41, Matthew 14:14-mercy in healing

As a pastor I see a lot of need. People without food, without homes, without heat, without hope. We should show mercy when we see these needs, but we always need to remember:

The greatest need any person has is rescue from sin!

And God is patient in providing this rescue from sin!

God is Patient
“The expression of God’s goodness in withholding due punishment over a period of time.” (Nelson, p83)

Psalm 86:15-slow to anger, steadfast love
Romans 2:4-his patience is for the purpose of leading us to repentance
2 Peter 3:15-count the patience of the Lord as salvation

God is “withholding judgment and continuing to offer salvation and grace over long periods of time” (Erickson, p322)

Our culture is built AGAINST patience. People get upset when the satellite stalls or the light doesn’t change at the right time or the lady in front of you at Wal-Mart decides to write a check instead of sliding the card. We can't believe it when our fast food order doesn't come in under 3 minutes or when our waiter doesn't refill our sweet tea the moment we drink the last drop. Our understanding of patience is largely gone, so don't think of God's patience as human patience. His patience has lasted thousands of years and continues today. May we take on a more Godly patience with those around us.

God is Righteous

Psalm 11:7 tells us that God is righteous. How does God show his righteousness?
His Law is Perfect (Psalm 19:7)
His Actions are Perfect (Jer 9:24-practices righteousness)

“God commands only what is right, and what will therefore have a positive effect on the believer who obeys.” (Systematic Theology, p313, Erickson)

God is Just

God's righteousness leads to his justice (Job 34:12). How is God just?

God punishes sin (Gen 2:17; Rom 6:23)
God rewards righteousness (Psalm 58:11)


All of these attributes all come together and are revealed in their fullness at the cross (Romans 5:8). The cross of Christ is the ultimate display of love, grace, mercy, patience, righteousness and justice. Are you grateful for that?

Write a letter of thanksgiving to God for each of these attributes:
Why are you thankful for God’s love?
Why are you thankful for God’s goodness?
Why are you thankful for God’s righteousness?
Why are you thankful for God’s justice?

Tell Him!