OUTLINE
I. Theology Proper: Definition of
II. Existence of God: Theories
A. God exists
1. Cosmological Argument
2. Teleological Argument
3. Anthropological Argument
4. Moral Argument
5. Ontological Argument
B. God does not exist
1. Atheism
2. Agnosticism
3. Evolution
4. Materialism
5. Polytheism
6. Idealism and realism
7. Pantheism
8. Deism
9. Positivism
10. Monism
11. Dualism
12. Pluralism
III. Revelation of God
A. Types of Revelation: Definitions of
1. Revelation as a general term
2. General revelation
3. Progressive revelation
4. Specific revelation
B. Purpose of God’s revelation
1. General revelation
2. Specific revelation
IV. Essence and attributes of God
A. His essence (The nature or properties of God)
1. Aspects
a. Listed
b. Contrasted to man
2. Aspects expanded
a. Spirit
b. Self-existent
c. Immense
d. Eternal
e. Immutable
B. His attributes (Qualities or characteristics of God)
1. Aspects
a. Listed
b. Contrasted to man
2. Aspects expanded
a. Omnipresence
1) Proof of this doctrine
2) Comfort from this doctrine
b. Omniscience
1) Proof of this doctrine
2. Comfort from this doctrine
c. Omnipotence
1) Proof of this doctrine
2) Comfort from this doctrine
d. Holiness
1) Proof of this doctrine
2) Comfort from this doctrine
e. Righteousness
1) Proof of this doctrine
2) Comfort from this doctrine
f. Goodness
1) Proof of this doctrine
2) Comfort from this doctrine
g. Sovereignty
1) Proof of this doctrine
2) Comfort from this doctrine
C. Godhead’s triune nature
V. Names of God
A. Names
B. Thoughts relating to the names of God from Psalm 23
C. Other thoughts on the names of God
D. Other names for God
E. Symbolic designations of God
VI. Decrees of God
A. Definition of God’s decrees
B. Scriptural proof of God’s decrees
C. Characteristics of God’s decrees
1. Eternal
2. Good
3. Wise
4. Unconstrained
5. Complex
D. Purpose of God’s decrees
E. Realms of God’s decrees
1. Material and physical realm
2. Moral and spiritual realm
3. Social and political realm
BODY
V. Names of God
“Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I
shall say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they
may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?'” Exodus 3:13
A. Names
1. Elohim — Plurality in Unity
It is used in the O.T. some 3000 times; over 2300 of them are in
reference to God. This name is in the plural form, though not
always used that way. It is plurality in unity in that the God of
Israel is one, in the plural form (cf. Gen. 1:26) Elohim is
generally used in conjunction with God’s creation, judgment,
deliverance, and punishment of evildoers.
Use(s) of: Every reference for God from Gen. 1:1 to Gen. 9:27,
and many more.
2. El — The Strong One
It is translated some 250 times as God. Most frequently used in
passages where God’s power is indicated.
Use(s) of: Deut. 10:17 (last ref.); Gen. 17:1; 35:11; cf. Num.
23:22
3. Elah, Eloah — The Adorable One
Elah is used some 90 times, whereas Eloah is used some 60 times.
Elah means “oak,” after a tree which represents durability.
Use(s) of: Ezra 4:24; Jer. 10:10; Dan. 6:23
Eloah signifies the Adorable or Worshipful One.
Use(s) of: Deut. 32:15-17; II Sam. 22:32
4. El Elyon — God Most High
Use(s) of: Gen. 14:18-22; Num. 24:16; Psa. 18:13; II Sam. 22:14;
Psa. 73:56; Dan. 4:25
5. El-Roi — The Lord That Seeth
Used once, it comes from the root meaning, “that seeth” or “of
sight,”
Use(s) of: Gen. 16:13-14
6. El-Elohe-Israel — God of Israel
This title is a combination of God and Jacob’s (Israel’s) name.
He is stating that God is his God.
Use(s) of: Gen. 33:20
7. El-olam — God of Eternity
Though used only once in this form in Scripture, this name gives
us an important look at God’s eternality.
Use(s) of: Gen. 21:33 — cf. Isa. 26:4; 40:28; 63:16; Jer. 10:10;
Psa. 90:2
8. El Shaddai — The Almighty, All-Sufficient God
This word is used 8 times in the O.T. This name shows God’s
omnipotent love and His sufficiency in the areas of His grace,
goodness and government.
Use(s) of: Gen. 17:1; 43:14; Exo. 3:15; 6:3
9. Adon-Adonai — Jehovah our Ruler
Adon means “lord,” whereas Adonai means “master or owner.” This
is the name used by the Jews in place of the personal name of God,
Yahweh or Jehovah. This was done since the Jews did not want to
transgress Leviticus 24:16. So to take no chances, they spoke or
wrote Adonai. This title is used to express God’s authority,
power, deity, reverence, relationships and responsibility. An
example of each is given below.
Use(s) of: Ezk. 2:4; 3:11 (over 200 times in Ezk.) ; Isa. 61:1;
Psa. 35:23; Dan. 9:19; Psa. 16:2; Isa. 6:8,11
10. Jah — The Independent One
This name is a shortened version of Jehovah. It too was used as
Adonai since the transcribers dared not to write it in full. This
name signifies “He is” and can be made to correspond to “I AM.”
It is used over 40 times in Isaiah, Psalms, and Exodus.
Use(s) of: Psa. 68:4; Exo. 15:2; Isa. 26:4; Psa. 46:1
11. Jehovah — The Eternal, Ever-Loving One
Because of the reverence given to this name as described earlier,
it is often called Tetragrammation. This means the “four-lettered
name,” YHWH, which is a shortened version of Yahweh meaning
Jehovah. This name occurs over 7000 times in the O.T. Psalm 102
is addressed to Jehovah, using this name in it 8 times. This Psalm
is a tribute to God as being eternal, immutable, the Creator,
covenant God. It comes from the word Havah meaning “to be or
being.” This reveals Gods absolute self-existence, His
eternality. The fact that this name signifies that God is the
Ever-Loving One is seen in its use in His redemptive plan for
mankind.
Use(s) of: Exo. 3;14; Mal. 3:6; Psa. 102
12. Jehovah-Elohim — The Majestic Omnipotent God
Jehovah expresses the I AM, while Elohim expresses the Creator,
the Almighty God. We get The Majestic Omnipotent God from this
combination.
Use(s) of: Gen. 2:4-5; Zech. 13:9; Psa. 118:27
13. Jehovah-Hoseenu — The Lord Our Maker
This title does not refer to God’s creation of something out of
nothing, but instead of His ability to fashion something out of
what already exists. So God, The Lord Our Maker, takes us and
fashions us into the image of Christ.
Use(s) of: Psa. 95:6; Titus 2:11-14
14. Jehovah-Jireh — The Lord Will Provide
This name that Abraham called God brings out God’s provision in
our lives. This can especially be seen in the context of Genesis
22. God’s provision of a replacement sacrifice for Isaac is a
foreshadow of His provision of the Lamb of God for all mankind.
Use(s) of: Gen. 22:14 — cf. Gen. 22:8
15. Jehovah-Rophi — The Lord, The Physician
He can heal us of our physical and spiritual diseases (Psa.
103:3), our broken hearts (Psa. 147:3), our backslidden conditions
(Jer. 3:22), and our bodily infirmities (Gen. 20:17; II Kings
20:5).
Use(s) of: Exo. 15:26
16. Jehovah-Nissi — The Lord Our Banner
The word Nissi has been rendered standard, sign and pole. Banners
have long been used as signs of loyalty and the surrender of them
would mean dishonor. Moses was willing to die for his Banner,
God, the One under which they would fight.
Use(s) of: Exo. 17:15-16
17. Jehovah M’Kaddesh — The Lord Doth Sanctify
Kodesh, the root of M’Kaddesh, has the meaning of holiness and can
be related to the word sanctify. So God is the One who sanctifies
or sets apart His people.
Use(s) of: Exo. 31:13; Lev. 20:8; 21:7-8
18. Jehovah-Eloheenu — Lord Our God
This name is used over 19 times in the book of Deuteronomy. This
title suggests the fact that God is the Lord their God who is over
them.
Use(s) of: Deut. 1:6,19; 2:37; 4:7; 6:4
19. Jehovah-Eloheka — Lord Thy God
This name denotes God’s relationship to His people and is more
personal than the previous one. It is used mainly in Deuteronomy
and Exodus in the following ways: In redemption by, relationship
to, responsibility to and reward by the Lord.
Use(s) of: Exo. 20:2,5,7,10,12; Deut. 16 (used 20 times)
20. Jehovah-Elohay — The Lord My God
This title is used in an individual sense as seen by the
word “my.” It shows the exclusive, personal relationship we have
with Him.
Use(s) of: Jos. 14:8; Ezra 7:28; Psa. 18:28; 30:2,12
21. Jehovah-Shalom — The Lord Our Peace
God is the procurer of our peace (Isa. 53:5), personification
(Isa. 9:6), publisher (Isa. 52:7), perfection (Isa. 25:3), power
(Isa. 26:12), promise (Isa. 32:17), and perpetuator (Isa. 9:7) of
it.
Use(s) of: Judges 6:24
22. Jehovah-Tsebaoth — The Lord Of Hosts, All-Sovereign One
This could also be stated, Jehovah-Sabaoth. Sabaoth means host or
hosts, with special reference to warfare or service, so it is
often translated the Lord of hosts. It proclaims the Lord as
controller of all created agencies and ruler over all. Tsebaoth
can also be translated as armies, the service and appointed
times. But it generally has the idea of God’s gathered ones.
This name occurs 260 times in the O.T.
Use(s) of: I Sam. 1:3; Jer. 11:20; Zech. 14:21
23. Jehovah-Rohi — The Lord My Shepherd
This name declares God as a shepherd who loves, cares and supplies
needed resources for them in all untrodden and unknown pathways of
the future. This is what God is to His people.
Use(s) of: Psa. 23:1
24. Jehovah-Tsidkenu — The Lord Our Righteousness
Tsidkenu is derived from the word Tsedsk, which means straight or
right. It can also be translated as righteous, righteousness,
just, justify, and declared innocent. This name does not focus in
on God’s righteousness, but instead on God’s command of right and
just relationships among ourselves. Use(s) of: Jer. 23:6; 33:16
25. Jehovah-Makkeh — The Lord Shall Smite Thee
This name signifies that God brings judgment upon His people for
disobedience if they do not repent.
Use(s) of: Ezk. 7:9 — cf. Ezk. 22:13; Mal. 4:6
26. Jehovah-Gmolah — The God of Recompenses
Though recompense can be either dealing out judgment or reward,
the focus of this name is on God’s judgment of those who mock
and scorn Him.
Use(s) of: Jer. 51:56 — cf. Jer. 51:25; Deut. 32:35
27. Jehovah-Shammah — The Lord Is There
This name focuses on God’s omnipresence, also having a view of the
millennial kingdom where God the Son will reign.
Use(s) of: Ezk. 48:35 — cf. Isa. 12:6; Jer. 3:17; Zeph. 3:15
B. Thoughts relating to the names of God from Psalm 23
Verse 1 — Jehovah-Rohi, “Jehovah is my shepherd.”
Verse 1 — Jehovah-Jireh, “I shall not want.”
Verse 2 — Jehovah-Shalom, “He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters.”
Verse 3 — Jehovah-Ropheka, “He restoreth my soul.”
Verse 3 — Jehovah-Tsidkenu, “He leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for His name’s sake.”
Verse 4 — Jehovah-Shammal, “Thou art with me.”
Verse 5 — Jehovah-Nissi, “Thou preparest a table before me in the
presence of mine enemies.”
Verse 5 — Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, “Thou anointest my head with oil.”
C. Other thoughts on the names of God
If our experience is to meet poverty, in any form, may our trust be in
Jehovah-Jireh, “The Lord Provides.”
If we are called upon to bear sickness or disease, let us put
ourselves in the care of the Great Physician — Jehovah-Rophi, “The
Lord who heals.”
In our battle with the world, the flesh, and the devil, it is
essential to keep our eye on Jehovah-Nissi, “The Lord our Banner.”
If Satan tempts us to dishonor God by sins of omission or commission,
then let us remember our Jehovah M’Kaddesh, “The Lord who sanctifies.”
If trouble overtakes us, and the tendency to agitation of heart and
mind appears, let us whisper Jehovah-Shalom, “The Lord my Peace.”
If we are privileged to gather with the saints, let it not be to meet
man, but God who is Jehovah-Tsebahoth, “The Lord of Hosts.”
If tempted to wander from the “green pastures” of the Word, may we
quickly retrace our steps to Jehovah-Rohi, “The Lord my Shepherd.”
If it be in private communion or public service may we be found with
our eyes on Jehovah-Heleyon, “The Lord Most High.”
If tempted to depend on our own righteousness forgetting that we are
complete in Christ, may we see Him anew as Jehovah-Tsidkeenu, “The
Lord our Righteousness.”
If persecuted, ill-treated, let us not recompense evil for evil, but
leave our reputation with our Jehovah-Gmolah, “The Lord our
Recompense.”
If unconfessed sin is upon our conscience, let us seek immediate
cleansing for it lest we meet Jehovah-Makkeh, “The Lord who smites.”
If our sphere is at home or abroad, wherever we are and whatever we
do, may we remember Jehovah-Shammah, “The Lord is there.”
D. Other names for God
1. Father — Psa. 83:26
2. Lord of All the Earth — Mic. 4:13
3. God of Heaven — Dan. 2:37; Jonah 1:9
4. Jealous — Exo. 34:14
E. Symbolic designations of God
1. Ancient of Days — The God of Eternity
Use(s) of: Dan. 7:9,13,22
2. Rock — God in His Strength and Permanency
Use(s) of: Deut. 32:15,18,30,31,37; Isa. 26:4
3. Covering, Protection — God as Our Protector and Comforter
Use(s) of: II Kings 16:18; Job 38:40; I Sam. 25:20; Isa. 4:5-6
4. Refuge — God is Our Haven from the Avenger
Use(s) of: II Sam. 22:3; Psa. 46:1
5. Fortress — God as Our Defense Against the Foe
Use(s) of: II Sam. 22:2,33; Psa. 91:2
6. Shield — God a Preserver and Protector of His Children
Use(s) of: Psa. 3:3; 28:7; 33:20
7. Sun — God Is the Source of Light and Life
Use(s) of: Psa. 84:11
8. Crown and Diadem — God in His Sovereignty and Radiance
Use(s) of: Isa. 28:5
9. Wall of Fire — God Who Encompasses Our Path
Use(s) of: Zech. 2:5
10. Refiner, Purifier — God as the Remover of Dross
Use(s) of: Mal. 3:3
11. Husband — God in His Role of Guidance
Use(s) of: Isa. 54:5
12. Governor (Ruler) — God Who Rules by Love
Use(s) of: Psa. 22:28
13. Redeemer — God Is the One Who Releases the Captives
Use(s) of: Pro. 23:11; Isa. 47:4
14. King — God in His Unequaled Majesty
Use(s) of: I Sam. 12:12; Psa. 5:2; 10:16
(NOTE: The material for point V above was summarized from All the
Divine Names and Titles in the Bible by Dr. Herbert Lockyer, Zondervan
Publishing House, pgs. 5-86.)
VI. Decrees of God
A. Definition of God’s decrees
The decrees of God are the eternal purpose of God which He
predetermined in eternity past in regards to His sovereign control
over everything and every realm — material and physical, moral and
spiritual, social and political.
B. Scriptural proof of God’s decrees
The Bible speaks of God’s predetermined, eternal plans. It also
clearly shows its reader that God acts according to His will, that He
is sovereign in ll things, and that His plans cannot be thwarted.
Proofs of God’s decrees are seen in the following verses:
God is sovereign over all — I Chr. 29:11-12
God’s predetermined will cannot be thwarted — Isa. 14:24-27
God acts according to His will — Dan. 4:35
God carries out His predestined will — Eph. 1:9-11
God does things in accordance with His predetermined purpose —
Rom. 8:28
God does things in accordance with His eternal purpose — Eph. 3:11;
2 Tim. 1:9
God foreknew (Christ) before the foundation of the world — 1 Pet. 1:20
God made decisions in eternity past — Eph. 1:4
C. Characteristics of God’s decrees
As we look at the characteristics of God’s decrees, we need to keep in
mind the character of God. We need to remember that God is all-wise,
good, righteous, sovereign, perfect, and omniscient. Knowing these
things about God, we can know that whatever God decreed in eternity
past would be within the confines of, and reflected by, His character.
1. Eternal
God’s decrees are done in accordance with His eternal purpose.
Second Timothy 1:9 says:
“who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according
to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was
granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity”
In eternity past, according to His purpose, God predetermined to
save and call us to be His own. Therefore, God’s decrees are
eternal.
2. Good
God’s decrees are good. Isaiah 46:10 says:
“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times
things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be
established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'”
And Philippians 2:13 says:
“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for
His good pleasure.”
In God’s decrees He accomplishes His pleasures or desires which
are good. God cannot do anything less than this since He is good,
and no evil dwells in Him (Psa. 5:4; Jas. 1:17).
3. Wise
We see that God does the things that He does out of His wisdom.
Psalm 104:24 says:
“O LORD, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them
all; the earth is full of Your possessions.”
And Proverbs 3:19 tells us:
“The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He
established the heavens.”
Proverbs 8 also tells us that God created all things through His
wisdom and that wisdom was with God in eternity past.
4. Unconstrained (uninhibited)
God’s decrees are carried out unconstrainedly. We see this in
Daniel 4:35 (verse 32 in the Russian Bible) which says:
“All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He
does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the
inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand or say to
Him, ‘What have You done?”
No thing nor being (human or angelic) can restrain God and His
will. He does as He pleases when He pleases. (cf. Rom. 9; Isa.
40:12ff)
5. Complex
The decrees of God are complex. As we consider the death of
Christ, we see that though this event happened as the result of
the sinfulness of wicked men who will be held responsible for it,
this event was the fulfillment of the eternal purpose and the
predetermined plan of God (cf. Acts 2:23). Therefore, those who
were responsible for His death will be held accountable, though
God predetermined that this event would take place and be
necessary for the salvation of man.
Another example was when Israel chose a king. This too was sin
for the nation of Israel (1 Sam. 8:5-9,19-22), though it was
nonetheless the result of God’s eternal will (Gen. 17:6; 35:11).
And though Israel was warned by God in Deuteronomy 28 that if they
did not obey Him, they would be taken into captivity, which
occurred (2 Kings 17:6-23; 1 Chr. 9:1), God judged the two
nations — Assyria and Babylon — for doing this to Israel (Jer.
50:1-2,9-18). Also see Habakkuk 1:6,11.
Does this make God inconsistent or the author of sin? No. As
James 1:13 states, God is not tempted by sin and does not tempt
anyone. God is perfect, holy, and righteous, as we have already
looked at in this course. Therefore, God is able to decree events
in eternity past that result from the wicked desires of man.
This then brings us to the issue of God’s perfect and permissive
will. God’s perfect will consists of those things that God has
determined will happen as the result of His eternal purpose, such
as creation of the universe, earth, angels and people; salvation;
writing of the Law of Moses; the millennial kingdom; etc.
God’s permissive will on the other hand are those things that God
allows to happen which are a part of His eternal decrees, such as
sin, the crucifixion of Christ, Israel electing a king, the
captivity of Israel, etc. Therefore within the eternal decrees of
God, there are those things that God determined and those things
which God allows.
D. Purpose of God’s decrees
All things that believers do are to be done for the glorification of
God (1 Cor. 10:31). Therefore, God Himself will do nothing that will
not bring Him glory. God created the world for His glory (Psa. 19:1),
predestined believers for His glory (Eph. 1:5-6,11-12), shows
unconditional grace to believers for His glory (Rom. 9:23; 2 Cor.
4:15), and one day every person will bow the knee to Jesus confessing
Him as Lord for God’s glory (Php. 2:9-11). God is worthy of receiving
glory for all of His works (cf. Rev. 4:11).
E. Realms of God’s decrees
God’s control is over various realms which we will look at next. The
realms are:
* Material and physical
* Moral and spiritual
* Social and political
1. Material and physical realm
God created, and is in control of the material things of the earth
and the physical aspects of it. Let’s look at Scriptural examples
that show us this.
God determined to make man and determine his rule — Gen. 1:26
God determined the seasons — Gen. 8:22
God determined never again to destroy all life with a flood —
Gen. 9:8-17
God created the heavens, controls nations and people — Psa. 33:6-
11
God established the earth and maintains it — Psa. 119:90-91
God predetermined creation from His wisdom — Pro. 8:22-31
God determined the boundaries of Israel — Deut. 32:8
God created the heavens and earth — Isa. 45:18
God determined man’s time and boundaries — Acts 17:26
God determines man’s life span — Job 14:5
God determines how man will die — John 21:19
God determines when a man will die — 2 Tim. 4:6-8
2. Moral and spiritual realm
God is also in control of the moral and spiritual realm, both of
men and/or the angelic hosts.
God determined the penalty for man’s sin — Rom. 1:24-28
God does not tempt — Jas. 1:13
God restrains sin — 2 Thes. 2:7
God predestined the fate of Jesus — Acts 4:27-28
God controls the demonic realm — Job 1:6-12
God predestined believers to eternal life — Eph. 1:4-5
God called people to salvation according to His own purpose —
2 Tim.1:9
God predetermined salvation through Jesus in eternity past — Eph.
3:11
God causes all things to work together for good to those who love
Him — Rom. 8:28
God who is all wise and knowledgeable determined all things —
Rom. 11:33
3. Social and political realm
God is in control of the social and political realm of mankind.
No person or group of people or nation can do anything without
God’s approval.
God determines kings and kingdoms — Dan. 2:21,31-45
God determined the family — Gen. 2:18
God determined that man should not divorce — Mat. 19:1-9
God determined that man should multiply upon the earth — Gen.
1:28; 9:1,7
God determined that man should be in subjection to governments —
Rom. 13:1-7
God does according to His will in the realm of mankind — Dan.
2:21; 4:35
God determined nations and how He will deal with them — Gen. 12:1-
3
God determines the conditions under which a nation will exist —
Exo. 19:5-6
God determines the fate of nations — Joel 3:1-21
God determines the future of nations — Zech. 14:1-11
God determines the status of nations — Psa. 2
God will judge nations — Zech. 14:12-21
NOTE: Life is like a puzzle, and only the designer of the puzzle knows
how everything fits together and what the completed puzzle looks
like.