Guillen_Camila-BI 321-Theology-Fall 2023

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Pensacola Christian College *

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321

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Philosophy

Date

Oct 30, 2023

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pdf

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This is my own first-time work. Signed: Camila Guillen Theology Definition of Theology Theology, derived from the Greek words "Theos" (God) and "logos" (word or study of something), is the doctrine of God. Theology seeks to understand and articulate the truths about God, His work, and His purposes primarily through the examination of intuition, reason, and tradition (Hebrews 3:4). Distinctives of Theology The foundational source of theological knowledge is General Revelation and Special Revelation. General Revelation reveals God's nature and existence through various means, including history, nature, and human conscience. In history, God's interaction with nations such as Israel, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome demonstrate His sovereignty and overarching plan for humanity. These historical events are testimonies to His power and providence. In nature, Psalms 19:1-4 and Romans 1:20 affirm that the created world serves as a witness to God's existence and attributes, providing a glimpse of His divine majesty. Special Revelation , on the other hand, is God's direct and specific communication to chosen individuals at particular times and places. It is not something that can be learned or discovered on one's own (1 Corinthians 2:14) and it requires faith for acceptance (Hebrews 11:6). Special Revelation is also indispensable for salvation (Romans 10:17). It is through Special Revelation that individuals come to faith in Christ and receive the gift of salvation. Scripture provides a detailed description of God’s nature. The Bible portrays God as a Spirit , emphasizing that God is not a physical being (John 4:24). God is not limited by physical form and transcends the material world. The nature of God as Unity is affirmed in both the Old and New Testaments. Both Mark 12:29-30 and Deuteronomy 6:4, emphasize the absolute oneness and unity of God. It distinguishes the monotheistic belief of Christianity from any form of polytheism. The doctrine of the Trinity affirms that while God is one Being, He exists in three Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, each fully God. In the Old Testament, the Trinity is intimated in three ways, although not explicitly proven. Plural forms of names and pronouns are used in reference to God (Genesis 1:1, 26-27). These plural references to God are consistent with the Trinity. Secondly, the Old Testament contains instances of Theophanies and Christophanies. A Theophany is a physical manifestation of God in the Old Testament, while a Christophany is a human manifestation of Christ in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the concept of the trinity is shown through several ways such as at Christ’s baptism (M atthew. 3:16-17), in the Great Commission (Matthew . 28:19) and, in Paul’s apostolic blessing (2 Corinthians 13:14). God’s personality is revealed in the use of personal pronouns. He possesses a distinct personality, which includes intellect, emotions, and will. Scripture portrays God as having knowledge, wisdom, emotions like love and anger, and the capacity to make choices (Psalm 139). God's attributes can be categorized into two main types: natural and communicable. Natural attributes (non-moral) are those unique attributes of God that only He will ever have. Examples include His transcendence, immanence, eternality, infinity, omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. These attributes emphasize God's uniqueness. Communicable Attributes , on the other hand, are attributes of God that are revealed in His interactions with man, and He expects believers to reflect them. These include holy, just, righteous, love, merciful, gracious, good, and truth. Believers are also called to reflect them (1 Peter 1:15-16). Understanding God as a Father is necessary for a full appreciation of who God is. The fatherhood of God expresses the relationship of God with believers. God is the Father of all by creation (Malachi 21: 10). This emphasizes God's universal care and love for His creation,

This is my own first-time work. Signed: Camila Guillen irrespective of their faith or relationship with Him. As the Creator, God provides for the needs of all His children, sharing common grace upon humanity. Romans 8:15 further proves the distinctive nature of God's Fatherhood through salvation. It assures believers that they have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear but the Spirit of adoption. It highlights the close, personal connection that believers have with God as their Heavenly Father. God's sovereignty refers to His supreme authority and control over all creation. One distinctive aspect of the Sovereignty of God is His ownership. God has the right to do as He pleases with what belongs to Him. Another aspect is His authority, meaning that God exercises His rights in the affairs of men and nations. A third aspect is His will — God has desires and plans that will be accomplished (Proverbs 21:1, Psalms 76:10, & Isaiah 55:11). Application Understanding the doctrine of Theology shapes the way we view and relate to God, informs our worldview, and guides our actions. It guides our moral and ethical choices by providing a foundation for understanding what is right and wrong, encouraging us to align our behavior with God's revealed truths. Knowing God as a Spirit, unified, and the trinity, challenges us to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Additionally, recognizing God as our Father motivates us to approach Him with childlike trust and obedience. As we continually engage with this theological doctrine, our faith deepens, our ministry becomes more effective, and our lives reflect the glory of God.

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