Foundations of Faith: Understanding God, Humanity, and Scripture

 

Summary

In our gathering today, we delved into the profound and timeless theological issues that continue to shape our faith and understanding of God. We began by acknowledging the importance of the doctrine of God, emphasizing that it is the cornerstone of all theology. If our understanding of God is flawed, everything else in our theological framework becomes unstable. This is why we must be diligent in studying Scripture to grasp what God has revealed about Himself. The doctrine of God is not just an academic pursuit; it is foundational to our worship and doxology, as it leads us to a deeper love and reverence for who God is.

We also explored the doctrine of humanity, particularly the significance of being made in the image of God. This understanding is crucial in addressing contemporary identity debates. Recognizing that humanity is created in God's image helps us comprehend the impact of sin and the redemptive work of Christ in restoring us to that image. It is essential for understanding human dignity and the value of life, which are often challenged in today's cultural climate.

Furthermore, we discussed the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. Within the church, we must clearly define what we mean by the sufficiency of Scripture, understanding that it is sufficient for knowledge of God and salvation. Outside the church, the Bible is often treated as mere literature, but we must affirm its divine inspiration and authority in revealing God's redemptive history.

Lastly, we reflected on the influence of past theologians who have shaped our understanding of these doctrines. Figures like Calvin, Owen, and Schaeffer have provided invaluable insights that continue to guide us today. Their works remind us of the importance of standing on the shoulders of giants, learning from their wisdom, and carrying forward their legacy of faithfulness.

Key Takeaways:

- The doctrine of God is central to theology. A correct understanding of God is crucial because it forms the foundation of our entire theological framework. If we misunderstand who God is, everything else in our theology becomes unstable. This understanding should lead us to worship and doxology, as it deepens our love and reverence for God. [03:15]

- Being made in the image of God is foundational to human identity. This doctrine is essential for understanding the impact of sin and the redemptive work of Christ. It affirms the dignity and value of human life, which is often challenged in today's cultural debates on identity. [10:46]

- The sufficiency of Scripture must be clearly defined within the church. It is sufficient for knowledge of God and salvation, but not for all areas of life. Outside the church, the Bible is often treated as mere literature, but we must affirm its divine inspiration and authority in revealing God's redemptive history. [19:51]

- Past theologians provide invaluable insights that continue to guide us today. Figures like Calvin, Owen, and Schaeffer have shaped our understanding of theology and remind us of the importance of learning from those who have gone before us. Their works call us to greater faithfulness and understanding. [24:42]

- The relevance of theology is evident in contemporary cultural issues. Many of today's debates, such as those on identity and human dignity, stem from a misunderstanding of theological doctrines. By grounding ourselves in Scripture and sound theology, we can address these issues with clarity and conviction. [13:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction of Panel Members
- [01:52] - Timeless vs. Timely Issues
- [02:40] - The Doctrine of God
- [03:15] - Importance of Correct Theology
- [05:10] - Holiness of God
- [06:14] - Creator-Creature Distinction
- [07:51] - Lapsarianism Explained
- [09:45] - Human Identity and Image of God
- [11:06] - Understanding Sin and Redemption
- [13:10] - Relevance of Theology Today
- [14:32] - Romans 1 and Human Rebellion
- [16:31] - Jesus as the Only Way
- [18:27] - Authority and Sufficiency of Scripture
- [23:38] - Influences from Past Theologians

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:26-27 - "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness...' So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
3. Romans 1:21-23 - "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, why is the doctrine of God considered the cornerstone of all theology? ([03:15])
2. How does the sermon describe the impact of being made in the image of God on contemporary identity debates? ([10:46])
3. What does the sermon say about the sufficiency of Scripture within the church and how it is perceived outside the church? ([19:51])
4. Which past theologians were mentioned in the sermon as having a significant influence on our understanding of theology today? ([24:42])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding that humanity is made in the image of God help in comprehending the impact of sin and the redemptive work of Christ? ([11:06])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a correct understanding of God should lead to worship and doxology? ([04:27])
3. How does the sermon propose we address the cultural challenges to human dignity and identity using theological doctrines? ([13:10])
4. What role do past theologians play in shaping our current theological understanding, according to the sermon? ([24:42])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of God. How does it influence your daily worship and relationship with Him? Are there areas where you feel your understanding might be lacking? ([03:15])
2. In what ways can you affirm the dignity and value of human life in your community, especially in light of contemporary identity debates? ([10:46])
3. How do you currently engage with Scripture? Are there ways you can deepen your study to better understand its sufficiency for knowledge of God and salvation? ([19:51])
4. Think of a past theologian or Christian writer who has influenced your faith. How can you incorporate their teachings into your spiritual growth today? ([24:42])
5. Identify a cultural issue that challenges your faith. How can grounding yourself in Scripture and sound theology help you address this issue with clarity and conviction? ([13:10])
6. How can you ensure that your knowledge of God leads to genuine worship and service, rather than just intellectual understanding? ([06:33])
7. Consider the role of the church in affirming the authority of Scripture. How can you contribute to this affirmation in your local church community? ([19:51])

Devotional

Day 1: The Foundation of Theology is Knowing God
Understanding who God is forms the bedrock of our entire theological framework. If our perception of God is flawed, it leads to instability in all other areas of our theology. This is why it is crucial to diligently study Scripture to grasp what God has revealed about Himself. The doctrine of God is not merely an academic pursuit; it is foundational to our worship and doxology, leading us to a deeper love and reverence for who God is. A correct understanding of God should naturally lead us to worship, as it deepens our love and reverence for Him. [03:15]

"For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord, a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?" (Psalm 89:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: How does your current understanding of God influence your daily worship and relationship with Him? What steps can you take to deepen this understanding through Scripture?


Day 2: Human Identity in the Image of God
Being made in the image of God is foundational to understanding human identity. This doctrine is essential for comprehending the impact of sin and the redemptive work of Christ in restoring us to that image. Recognizing that humanity is created in God's image helps us affirm the dignity and value of human life, which is often challenged in today's cultural debates on identity. By understanding this, we can better appreciate the significance of Christ's work in restoring us to our intended purpose and identity. [10:46]

"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, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you see the image of God reflected in yourself and others? How can this understanding influence your interactions with those around you today?


Day 3: The Authority and Sufficiency of Scripture
The sufficiency of Scripture must be clearly defined within the church. It is sufficient for knowledge of God and salvation, but not for all areas of life. Outside the church, the Bible is often treated as mere literature, but we must affirm its divine inspiration and authority in revealing God's redemptive history. Understanding the authority and sufficiency of Scripture helps us navigate our faith and the world around us with clarity and conviction. [19:51]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: How do you currently view the role of Scripture in your life? What changes can you make to ensure it holds the authority it deserves in your daily decisions and beliefs?


Day 4: Learning from Past Theologians
Past theologians provide invaluable insights that continue to guide us today. Figures like Calvin, Owen, and Schaeffer have shaped our understanding of theology and remind us of the importance of learning from those who have gone before us. Their works call us to greater faithfulness and understanding, encouraging us to stand on the shoulders of giants and carry forward their legacy of faithfulness. [24:42]

"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7, ESV)

Reflection: Who are some theologians or spiritual leaders that have influenced your faith journey? How can you incorporate their teachings into your spiritual growth today?


Day 5: The Relevance of Theology in Contemporary Issues
The relevance of theology is evident in contemporary cultural issues. Many of today's debates, such as those on identity and human dignity, stem from a misunderstanding of theological doctrines. By grounding ourselves in Scripture and sound theology, we can address these issues with clarity and conviction. Understanding theology helps us navigate the complexities of modern life and engage with cultural debates from a place of informed faith. [13:10]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What current cultural issue do you find challenging to address from a theological perspective? How can you seek God's wisdom and guidance to engage with this issue thoughtfully and faithfully?

Quotes


First, the doctrine of God is the center of theology. Theology is the knowledge of God, and so if we get our doctrine of God wrong, everything else goes astray from that. So there's a very intensive focus in our class on being very deliberate in studying the scripture and making sure we are understanding what God has revealed about himself. [00:03:07]

I remember that class so vividly because of how you historically exegetically and systematically showed us how God is God. He showed us how God is his attributes, how God is his holiness, and it was beautiful to see the drama scripture revealing the holiness of God, how that drama scripture produces the doctrine of God and how that doctrine forms doxology. [00:04:02]

I think one place that we get tripped up is certainly represented by the theme of this conference. I think that holiness is something that was so significant for Dr. Sproul and so significant in his writings and became so significant through those writings to so many thousands of people. And I think it's something that needs to be repeated from generation to generation to understand who God is. [00:05:00]

Understanding that man is made in the image of God is essential to his identity. That is foundational to who man is made by God. So understanding how God has designed humanity in Genesis 1 through 3 is essential for how we understand what sin has done to the image of God. It helps us understand how Redemption restores image bearers of God into the image of Christ. [00:09:55]

Christianity also places the highest value on individuals, on people. It begins in Genesis 1 through 3 in that story, telling us about how significant, how valuable human life humans are, and then proceeds to tell us about how far they've fallen. So Christianity is a fascinating religion in that it tells us how beautiful and wonderful it is to be human but at the same time how far we've fallen. [00:12:12]

All you have to do is open your news feed, turn on the television today, and you can see the relevance of the doctrine of Man and what it means to be created in the image of God. So many of the things we're facing today are due to people not understanding what human beings are: the abortion issue, the homosexuality issue, gender dysphoria, and the transgenderism issues. [00:13:10]

When you read Romans 1, you understand that the essence of sin is ingratitude when the creature essentially takes the place of the creator. And then you begin to see that there are anthropological results as a result of that rejection and rebellion of God's sovereign authority over us. And so when you go back to the creation account, you see a picture of what we are designed for when God made us in His image. [00:14:42]

I think one of the first things that has to be carefully defined is what we mean when we say scripture is sufficient. Sufficient for what? In the reformed tradition, it's sufficient for knowledge of God and salvation, but it's not sufficient if you want to learn how to repair an internal combustion engine or something like that. It is sufficient for the purpose for which God revealed it. [00:19:44]

While there are literary and historical aspects to the text, we also have to emphasize that the Bible is a spiritual book, and the Spirit who inspired the text must illuminate our minds and hearts to understand and apply the text. And so a spiritual book does have to be understood literally, historically, but also spiritually. [00:21:55]

Calvin helped me to love scripture, John Owen helped me to love God, and actually the late Francis Schaeffer helped me to love people. And in different times in my life, reading all three of those men helped me in very, very concrete ways. And so they opened up the past and they helped me to live more faithfully in the present and certainly calling us in the future to greater faithfulness. [00:24:42]

We're standing on the shoulders of giants and building on what they've learned, rejecting where they went astray but learning from and developing what they got right. And they'd spent years and years digging into the scriptures, and we want to follow that example and learn from them. [00:26:11]

I think for me, I would have to say that early on in my journey into the reformed world, Francis Schaeffer was certainly a significant figure, thinking about helping me to think about Christ and culture and the way the Bible relates to the church in the world. [00:26:30]

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Transcript
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