Understanding Faith, Truth, and the Nature of God
Summary
In our discussion today, we delved into the profound and often misunderstood aspects of faith, truth, and the nature of God. We began by addressing the challenges faced by the younger generation, particularly their struggle with the concept of objective truth. This generation often perceives truth as a construct of power, yet it is the objective truth of God that provides coherence and meaning in life. Understanding who God is, as revealed in Scripture, unlocks a deeper appreciation for truth and reality.
We also explored the relationship between faith and works, as illustrated in the life of Abraham. Faith alone justifies, but genuine faith is always accompanied by works that demonstrate its authenticity. This understanding reconciles the teachings of James and Paul, emphasizing that works are a manifestation of faith, not a means to earn salvation.
The doctrine of the Trinity was another focal point, where we cautioned against using analogies that can mislead our understanding of God's nature. Instead, we should embrace the biblical portrayal of the Trinity, which reveals a relational and loving God. This understanding enriches our worship and deepens our relationship with Him.
Furthermore, we discussed the fear of the Lord, distinguishing between a fear that drives us away from God and a reverent awe that draws us closer. The latter is a Spirit-imbued fear that leads to wisdom and a deeper appreciation of God's goodness. This fear is not about dread but about being overwhelmed by His majesty and love.
Lastly, we touched on the importance of creeds, confessions, and catechisms in grounding our faith. These tools help us articulate and understand the core doctrines of Christianity, ensuring that our faith is rooted in historical and theological truths. They serve as a reminder of our shared beliefs with Christians throughout history and guide us in living out our faith today.
Key Takeaways:
- Objective Truth and Meaning: The younger generation's disconnect from objective truth leads to a sense of rootlessness and despair. Embracing the objective truth of God provides coherence and satisfaction in life, as it is not a power construct but a revelation of a holy and glorious God. [01:06]
- Faith and Works: Abraham's life illustrates that while faith alone justifies, true faith is always accompanied by works that demonstrate its authenticity. This understanding reconciles the teachings of James and Paul, showing that works are a manifestation of faith, not a means to earn salvation. [06:09]
- Understanding the Trinity: Avoid using analogies that can mislead our understanding of the Trinity. Embrace the biblical portrayal of the Trinity, which reveals a relational and loving God. This understanding enriches our worship and deepens our relationship with Him. [24:01]
- The Fear of the Lord: There are two types of fear: one that drives us away from God and another that draws us closer in reverent awe. The latter is a Spirit-imbued fear that leads to wisdom and a deeper appreciation of God's goodness, not about dread but about being overwhelmed by His majesty and love. [26:12]
- Creeds and Confessions: Creeds and confessions ground our faith by articulating core Christian doctrines. They connect us with historical Christianity and guide us in living out our faith today, ensuring that our beliefs are rooted in historical and theological truths. [17:38]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to the Winter Conference
- [01:06] - The Challenge of Objective Truth
- [03:42] - Faith and Works in James 2:26
- [07:08] - Reconciling James and Paul
- [08:32] - Where Did Jesus Go When He Died?
- [10:15] - Understanding Limited Atonement
- [14:26] - The Role of Creeds and Confessions
- [19:16] - The Importance of Catechisms
- [21:26] - Analogies for the Trinity
- [25:35] - The Fear of the Lord
- [31:04] - Fear of God vs. Fear of Man
- [34:14] - Eternal Functional Subordination
- [36:31] - Jesus' Sinless Birth
- [39:18] - Recommended Church History Books
- [44:22] - Appropriating Old Testament Promises
- [47:14] - God's Unchanging Nature
- [49:38] - Advice for Seminary Students
- [53:06] - Current Studies and Readings
- [58:24] - Plurality in Genesis and the Trinity
- [01:00:42] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 15:6
2. James 2:26
3. Isaiah 11:3
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Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 15:6, what was credited to Abraham as righteousness, and how does this relate to the concept of faith alone justifying a person? [04:17]
2. According to James 2:26, what is the relationship between faith and works, and how does this passage illustrate the authenticity of faith? [03:42]
3. How does Isaiah 11:3 describe the Messiah's relationship with the fear of the Lord, and what does this imply about the nature of this fear? [28:45]
4. What are some of the challenges faced by the younger generation regarding the concept of objective truth, as discussed in the sermon? [01:06]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Abraham in Genesis 15 and 22 help reconcile the teachings of James and Paul regarding faith and works? [06:09]
2. What does the biblical portrayal of the Trinity reveal about the relational nature of God, and why is it important to avoid misleading analogies? [24:01]
3. How does the fear of the Lord differ from other types of fear, and why is it considered the beginning of wisdom? [26:12]
4. In what ways do creeds and confessions help ground our faith in historical and theological truths, and why is this important for contemporary believers? [17:38]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of objective truth. How does embracing the objective truth of God provide coherence and satisfaction in your life? [01:06]
2. Consider a time when your faith was tested. How did your actions demonstrate the authenticity of your faith, similar to Abraham's obedience in Genesis 22? [06:09]
3. How can you deepen your understanding of the Trinity in a way that enriches your worship and relationship with God, avoiding simplistic analogies? [24:01]
4. Think about a situation where you experienced fear. How can you cultivate a reverent awe of God that draws you closer to Him, rather than a fear that drives you away? [26:12]
5. How can you incorporate creeds and confessions into your personal or family devotions to better articulate and understand your faith? [17:38]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with the concept of works demonstrating faith. What practical steps can you take to align your actions with your beliefs? [06:09]
7. Reflect on a recent decision or action. How did your understanding of God's unchanging nature influence your choice, and how can this understanding guide you in future decisions? [47:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Objective Truth for Coherence in Life
Understanding the concept of objective truth is crucial, especially for the younger generation who often view truth as a construct of power. This perspective can lead to a sense of rootlessness and despair. However, the objective truth of God, as revealed in Scripture, provides coherence and satisfaction in life. It is not merely a human construct but a divine revelation of a holy and glorious God. Embracing this truth allows individuals to find meaning and purpose, anchoring their lives in something greater than themselves. [01:06]
"For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." (Psalm 33:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to accept objective truth? How can you seek God's truth to bring coherence and meaning to those areas today?
Day 2: Faith Manifested Through Works
The relationship between faith and works is beautifully illustrated in the life of Abraham. While faith alone justifies, genuine faith is always accompanied by works that demonstrate its authenticity. This understanding reconciles the teachings of James and Paul, emphasizing that works are not a means to earn salvation but a manifestation of true faith. By examining Abraham's life, one can see how faith naturally leads to actions that reflect one's beliefs and trust in God. [06:09]
"You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness'—and he was called a friend of God." (James 2:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a recent decision or action. How did it reflect your faith in God? What steps can you take to ensure your faith is consistently demonstrated through your actions?
Day 3: The Trinity: A Relational and Loving God
Understanding the doctrine of the Trinity is essential for deepening one's relationship with God. While analogies can sometimes mislead, embracing the biblical portrayal of the Trinity reveals a relational and loving God. This understanding enriches worship and fosters a deeper connection with Him. The Trinity is not just a theological concept but a revelation of God's nature, inviting believers into a relationship characterized by love and unity. [24:01]
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: How does your understanding of the Trinity influence your relationship with God? What changes can you make in your worship or prayer life to reflect this understanding?
Day 4: The Fear of the Lord: Awe and Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is often misunderstood, but it is crucial for spiritual growth. There are two types of fear: one that drives us away from God and another that draws us closer in reverent awe. The latter is a Spirit-imbued fear that leads to wisdom and a deeper appreciation of God's goodness. It is not about dread but about being overwhelmed by His majesty and love. This fear is foundational for a life of wisdom and spiritual maturity. [26:12]
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (Proverbs 9:10, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt a sense of awe in God's presence. How can you cultivate a Spirit-imbued fear of the Lord in your daily life to grow in wisdom and understanding?
Day 5: Grounding Faith in Creeds and Confessions
Creeds, confessions, and catechisms play a vital role in grounding one's faith. They articulate the core doctrines of Christianity, connecting believers with historical Christianity and guiding them in living out their faith today. These tools ensure that faith is rooted in historical and theological truths, providing a framework for understanding and articulating beliefs. They serve as a reminder of the shared beliefs with Christians throughout history and offer guidance for contemporary faith practice. [17:38]
"Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us." (2 Timothy 1:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: How familiar are you with the creeds and confessions of your faith tradition? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and appreciation of these foundational documents?
Quotes
I think the issue this generation has is a profound disconnect for many robust concept of truth, of objective truth. And for this generation it feels liberating to be without the shackles of some construction that is probably power motivated. And what seems to be so tragic is the lack of realization that it is the objective truth primarily of who God is that will give you satisfaction and coherence and meaning in life. [00:01:06]
James 2 is really looking primarily at Abraham. And in the story of Abraham, you see there are two key events that James is referring to. And it's quite important to note even the chapter numbers. The first event is Genesis 15. The second is Genesis 22. Now, James references Genesis 15 when he quotes Genesis 15:6, "And Abraham believed the Lord, and it was credited to him as righteousness." [00:04:02]
James says is that that obedience is proving the lively, real nature of the faith that he had in Genesis 15, showing that while it is faith alone that justifies, that faith will always produce works of obedience. Now, what those works are can vary to a huge degree, but James' point is that in these works you are proving your faith, you're manifesting what is already there. [00:05:56]
The creeds and confessions. When we talk about creeds we are really talking about shorter documents, particularly the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed are the best known statements from earlier in the church. The confessions are generally later documents from particularly the time of the Reformation and later that are really seeking to flesh out the truths of the creeds. [00:14:26]
What confessions seek to do is really pull out some of the consequences that are necessary to pull out. So, while the Apostles' Creed, the necessary implication is justification by faith alone, the confessions of the faith then pull it out explicitly to say, "We need to say, therefore, justification by faith alone and not by our works." [00:16:29]
The classic analogies; let me give an example. One of the most famous would be the shamrock leaf, that God the Father, Son, and Spirit, three persons in one being, is rather like a shamrock leaf. We have three bits sticking out of one leaf, or H2O would be another classic one. There you have steam, water, ice, but it's all H2O. I would be highly wary of using such analogies. [00:21:26]
In the doctrine of the Trinity we see something infinitely more glorious, that we have an eternal Father eternally loving His Son, pouring out His Spirit on Him. And so, Jesus says in John 17:24, "Father, You loved Me before the foundation of the world." No analogy gives you that picture, but that biblical truth shows you that with the God who is Father, Son, and Spirit, the Father eternally loving the Son, therefore, we've got a God of whom we can say, "This God is love." [00:23:22]
We need to see that in Scripture there are two types of fear being spoken of, and you can see both sorts in Exodus 20:20 when Israel gets to Mount Sinai and they are terrified at all the thunder and the lightning and the trumpet blast. And Moses says, "Do not be afraid, for the Lord has come to test you that the fear of the Lord may be upon you." [00:25:46]
The fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom is a Spirit-imbued fear, who doesn't want to make us run away from the Lord. The Spirit's work is to draw us to Him. And there are a number of very striking verses in Scripture where— let's take Jeremiah 33 verses 8 and 9 for example֫— the Lord says that He will pour out so much blessing on Jerusalem that, He will do them so much good "that they will fear and tremble at all the good and prosperity I provide for them." [00:26:56]
The fear of the Lord we are commanded to and which is the beginning of wisdom is sharing Jesus' own filial, sonly adoration of His Father, which is so intense it causes Him to fearfully tremble in wonder at His Father. And that, Nathan, that is being most heavenly when we have that because you look at how the angels worship in heaven that they are said to fall on their faces trembling in wonder, to cover their eyes in worship. [00:29:45]
The way the Spirit changes us is by changing our very hearts internally, changing our desires by fixing our eyes on Christ so that we find we change from what we once loved, sin, to think, "O Christ is better than what I had once cherished. I want to live for Him. I want to be like Him." And when you understand that is how we change, then what you are seeking for is that deeper heart-level-affection change, not just the outside. [00:57:06]
The idea that when God says "us," that that might be a reference to the angels simply doesn't work with what the text is saying. It has been suggested by some theologians, but it doesn't work because the context is God's saying, "Let us make man in our image." But humans are not made in the image of God and angels, only in the image of God. [01:00:42]
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