Lesson 7

Theology Proper - Who is God?

Review:

 

 

 

 

3. SECOND PROPOSITION - GOD IS KNOWABLE!

We cannot know Him to perfection, since He is incomprehensible, but we can KNOW God!

   a. 1 Chr 28:9

  

   b. Ps 76:1 - states a reality

 

   c. 2 Tim 1:12 - Paul is asserting that he has a          of God.

 

   d. 2 Pet 3:18 - Peter is saying not only is He knowable, we are commanded to know Him.

 

 

e. Col. 1:9-10  Knowing God is clearly possible

 

f. Jn 17:3 Can the true God be known? Emphatically yes.

      It is the expressed will that He be known.

 

 

Okay IF HE CAN BE KNOWN, THEN HOW?

C. The revelation of God

   He has made this revelation in basically two ways.

   #1 - General revelation (natural) - (G/R)  

        Facts about God observed from His creation.

   #2 - Special revelation (redemptive) - (S/R) 

        Facts about God observed from Scripture.

 

   Psalm 19:1-9;  vs:1-6 focus is on G/R and vs:7-9 focus is on S/R.

   Observations about G/R

   #1. G/R is specific; 19:1

 

 

   #2. G/R is continuous; 19:2

 

 

   #3. G/R is inaudible  19:3  creation has a message

 

  

   #4. G/R is universal  19:4  No one misses it, no matter where they live.

 

 

   #5. G/R is dramatic or obvious.  19:5-6  [Mal. 4:2 Sun of +R coming, 2nd Advent]

 

 

Collectively those things that make up G/R tell us some things about the             and the                of God.

 

 In Psalm 19:7-9 we see special revelation

   #1. Six titles for S/R

   #2. 7 attributes of S/R

   #3. 5 effects of S/R

 

verse         7          7        8         8         9         9

titles     | law     |testimony|precepts|commandment| fear  |judgments

attributes | perfect |  sure   | right  |   pure    | clean |true/righteous

effects    | restore |make wise|rejoice |enlighten  |endures|

 

Rem: G/R does not convert, it only makes man aware that God is there.

 

These are axiomatic statements of fact, of truth.

1.  19:7a  Scripture is perfect, restoring the soul.

The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;

>  The word for law here is torah, hr'AT emphasizes the teaching and instruction that comes from the Word of God.

 

>  "perfect" is tamiym; ~ymiT' (adj.)  basically means to be whole,   complete, sufficient;   (Ps 18:20-24)

 

>  Next the benefit of this perfect complete sufficient instruction;     "restoring the soul"  (hiphil ptc. causative); bWv  to bring back; to restore;  to refresh; to turn away from and turn toward;

 

 

 

 

2.  19:7b   Scripture is Trustworthy, Imparting Wisdom

 

> "The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."

 

>  Testimony speaks of Scripture as being a divine witness; a declaration of the will of God; brings into focus absolutes; of course God is the source of absolutes;  hd'[e

 

 

 

>  God's sure word has the effect of making wise the simple!

    - simple  = speaks of the naive;  one who does not have the skill to discern that which is false or harmful.