We had a great Theology study this morning about our great God. For two weeks we are studying the attributes of God. Next week we are going to study the attributes that God shares with others. This morning we studied the attributes that belong to God alone. He shares these with none.
We studied 5 of these. God is 1. Independent; 2. Unchanging; 3. Eternal; 4. Everywhere Present; 5. Unified. Will you read one paragraph about each of these, beginning with Wayne Grudem’s (the author of our textbook) definition?
Independence. God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation glorify him and bring him joy. (ref. Acts 17:24-25; Job 41:11; Psalm 50:10-12). Both sides of this attribute are awesome. Our God is so great and powerful that he can exist totally by himself, but he allows his creation to bring him joy. I want to serve a God that is not like me. And I am thrilled that my worship brings him glory.
Unchanging. God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises, yet God does act and feel emotions, and he acts and feels differently in response to different situations. (ref. Psalm 102:25-27; Malachi 3:6; Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29). If God could change, he would either change for the better or for the worse. And that is all I am going to say about that. If you need explanation send me a message. The fact that God does not change means that we can trust his promises, they will not change.
Eternity. God has no beginning, end, or succession of moments in his own being, and he sees all time equally vividly, yet God sees events in time and acts in time. (ref. Isaiah 46:9-10; Psalm 90:2; Job 36:26; Revelation 1:8; 4:8). There are two kinds of existence. We all live in time and space. God exists outside of time and space in eternity. Because God sees all time at once, he sees even the future that for us hasn’t been written yet. Depending on your trust in God this is either a very comforting statement or a horrifying one.
Omnipresence. God does not have size or spatial dimensions, and is present at every point of space with his whole being, yet God acts differently in different places. (ref. Deuteronomy 10:14; Jeremiah 23:23-24; Psalm 139:7-10). Just as God is unlimited or infinite with respect to time, so God is unlimited with respect to space. As David understood in Psalm 139, God is present to punish, to sustain, or to bless. Once again, how you feel about this attribute depends on your desire to be holy. Wholly his, or selfishly yours, it is your choice.
Unity. God is not divided into parts, yet we see different attributes of God emphasized at different times. (ref. Compare 1 John 1:5 with 1 John 4:8). One attribute of God is not more important than the rest. God is not partly light, partly love, partly just, partly merciful, etc. God is all of these things completely. God is not loving at some point, or wrathful at some point. The little boys statement that Jesus is really nice but he has a mean father is far, far, from the truth.
This was a great study. But it was the study of a great God.
(the book, if you are interested is Grudem, Wayne, “Bible Doctrine; Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith, Zondervan, 1999 which is an abridgment of Grudem’s Systematic Theology Book)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Red Sky at Morning
Red Sky at Morning: A Novel by Richard BradfordMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Looking at New Mexico magazine's issue on books, this book was listed as a favorite of most of the people, (authors) interviewed. So we ordered it.
It was a delight to read. If you have ever lived in New Mexico or wondered why we New Mexicans are so strange, this is a great read. Warning, you may have some trouble understanding some of the language even though it is all English.
View all my reviews.
On the Origin of Species
In the current edition of World Magazine editor Marvin Olasky gives four key themes to remember when Christians are responding to evolutionists. I think these are good points to remember.
1. There is a difference between types of evolution. That there is change within a species is obvious. To say that all dogs had a common ancestor is an example of microevolution. It is false to say evolution does not exist, because microevolution is observable. But what Darwin and Darwinists want to do is to expand the concept of microevolution to evolution beyond species. That is saying that some other kind of organism became a dog. That kind of evolution is called Macroevolution and this is what we oppose.
2. DNA is complicated. “Bill Gates has said, ‘DNA is like a computer program, but far, far more advanced than any software we’ve ever created.’” When you see a computer program, one thing you know is that some intelligent being created it. The same can be said of DNA.
3. Irreducible complexity. Here is what that means. “We know that cells have complex circuits, sliding clamps, energy-generating turbines, rotors, stators, O-rings, U-joints, and drive shafts. . . Each little engine depends on the coordinated function of many protein parts and doesn’t work unless all the parts are present. Could all those innovations arise sequentially, or would they all have to happen at once? Irreducible complexity says they all have to happen at once and it is a killer for Darwinists.
4. We need to debate with the evolutionist with compassion. They know there is no hope for them. They are going to die. We can share our hope in Jesus Christ. “Whosoever believes in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
If you would like to read Olasky's article it is online at http://www.worldmag.com/articles/14943. However, to access it will cost you $5.00 but you also get two issues of World Magazine. If you are not familiar with World I would highly recommend it to you. It is a biweekly magazine that looks at world events through a Christian worldview.
1. There is a difference between types of evolution. That there is change within a species is obvious. To say that all dogs had a common ancestor is an example of microevolution. It is false to say evolution does not exist, because microevolution is observable. But what Darwin and Darwinists want to do is to expand the concept of microevolution to evolution beyond species. That is saying that some other kind of organism became a dog. That kind of evolution is called Macroevolution and this is what we oppose.
2. DNA is complicated. “Bill Gates has said, ‘DNA is like a computer program, but far, far more advanced than any software we’ve ever created.’” When you see a computer program, one thing you know is that some intelligent being created it. The same can be said of DNA.
3. Irreducible complexity. Here is what that means. “We know that cells have complex circuits, sliding clamps, energy-generating turbines, rotors, stators, O-rings, U-joints, and drive shafts. . . Each little engine depends on the coordinated function of many protein parts and doesn’t work unless all the parts are present. Could all those innovations arise sequentially, or would they all have to happen at once? Irreducible complexity says they all have to happen at once and it is a killer for Darwinists.
4. We need to debate with the evolutionist with compassion. They know there is no hope for them. They are going to die. We can share our hope in Jesus Christ. “Whosoever believes in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
If you would like to read Olasky's article it is online at http://www.worldmag.com/articles/14943. However, to access it will cost you $5.00 but you also get two issues of World Magazine. If you are not familiar with World I would highly recommend it to you. It is a biweekly magazine that looks at world events through a Christian worldview.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Do You Want To Be Happy?
I think I always knew this. About 25 years ago I decided that most Television was pretty much a waste of time. Since then my viewing is limited to news and sports. (24 doesn’t count because Jack Bauer sent me a message and said, “watch!” You had better do what Jack Bauer says.)
A recent study of the activities of happy people collected data from the last 34 years on social activity and media usage. What do happy people do? Well, they read, they socialize, and they go to church.
What is surprising is what happy people do not do. In the study it was determined that out of 10 activities happy people were more active in all but three. Those three were socializing at a bar, surfing the internet, and watching TV. What the study does not tell us is if those three activities contribute to our unhappiness or if they are the refuge of unhappy people.
Robinson, John P. and Martin, Stephen, What Do Happy People Do? Social Indicators Research, Vol 89: Issue 3, 12/01/2008, p. 565
So if you want to be happy, why are you surfing the blogs? Happy people are those who are serving not surfing, interacting with other people not the remote control. God did not create us to be hermits, but to make a difference in the lives of others. Countless times in the New Testament, believers are called to participate in the lives of others. Paul tells us to “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NASB95).”
Now, turn off this computer and go visit a friend. Only if it is after 9:30 don’t come over here, we are trying to be happy and happy people get plenty of sleep.
A recent study of the activities of happy people collected data from the last 34 years on social activity and media usage. What do happy people do? Well, they read, they socialize, and they go to church.
What is surprising is what happy people do not do. In the study it was determined that out of 10 activities happy people were more active in all but three. Those three were socializing at a bar, surfing the internet, and watching TV. What the study does not tell us is if those three activities contribute to our unhappiness or if they are the refuge of unhappy people.
Robinson, John P. and Martin, Stephen, What Do Happy People Do? Social Indicators Research, Vol 89: Issue 3, 12/01/2008, p. 565
So if you want to be happy, why are you surfing the blogs? Happy people are those who are serving not surfing, interacting with other people not the remote control. God did not create us to be hermits, but to make a difference in the lives of others. Countless times in the New Testament, believers are called to participate in the lives of others. Paul tells us to “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NASB95).”
Now, turn off this computer and go visit a friend. Only if it is after 9:30 don’t come over here, we are trying to be happy and happy people get plenty of sleep.
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