Have you ever noticed that people tend to have some very strange and unique views about who God really is? And I’m not just talking about Muslims or Mormons or New Age fanatics or anything like that, either. No, I’m talking mainly about the people who sit in the pews of American Christianity.
Some people who label themselves “Christian” believe, for example, that God is all love and no wrath, a divine Butler, a cosmic Genie, a celestial being relatively unconcerned with our daily lives, or even a god who will save everyone in the end.
But is any of that really true?
Truth about who God is and what He is really like comes from the Bible alone. If you don’t believe in the essentials regarding what the Bible teaches, your Christianity is suspect at best. But the problem with contemporary Christianity is that we don’t often study the attributes of God, let alone read about Him regularly.
For instance: God is, indeed, One, but He is also Three distinct Persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Do you believe that? If you do believe that, why? If you don’t believe that, why not? And does it really matter all that much?
Answer: It most certainly does matter.
A few years back I created my own Doctrinal Statement of Faith. Below, however, is what I created regarding what I believe about the Godhead. (My next few posts will attempt to define God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.)
THE GODHEAD. I believe that there is but one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4), an infinite, omniscient and self-existent Spirit (John 4:24), being both omnipotent and omnipresent, perfect in all His attributes, unchangeable in His nature, one in essence, eternally existing in three inseparable Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (John 1:1; 10:30; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)—each equally deserving worship and obedience (Luke 2:14; Hebrews 1:6). I believe the eternal Godhead to be the absolute and sole creator of the universe and that its creation was by divine fiat, not through evolutionary process (Genesis 1:1; Psalms 33:6; Colossians 1:15-17).
What do you think? Is this necessary in order to be a Christian? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
(* This post is from my blog series on Theology.)
I really like and appreciate this post! I am in a theology class and this is exactly what we are doing, studying God’s attributes. It has changed the way I worship and deepened my relationship with Him. It is very important. A. W. Tozer said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Our knowledge of God, or what we think we know about Him, effects every aspect of who we are, believer or not.
And just to offer a little encouragement, I read your posts often, though I don’t always have time to comment. I really like the fact that there are individuals like yourself speaking the truth to an unbelieving world. I pray God blesses you as you continue this ministry!
Thanks so much for your comment, Logan. I appreciate it.Indeed, there is no greater privilege for a believer than to think often and rightly about the God who saved them. So true.And thanks for your encouragement as well. I’m glad you’ve been reading the posts (sometimes I wonder if anyone really is). Out of curiosity, how did you come across my blog? Take care and God bless you in your pursuit of theology!
I found your blog through my dad, James Reed. You and him had an online seminary class together, but I can’t remember which one. You asked him to write an article about homeschooling for this blog. I subscribed at that point so I check in when I get the e-mails. It is nice to have something wholesome to read that’s not a commentary or a textbook.
Awesome! Yes, James and I “met” that way. I appreciate your father’s heart for ministry, etc. The Lord is using him mightily. I enjoyed his article and, Lord willing, he’ll be able to write another one real soon. (And maybe you can too? You should consider it.)
And thanks about the compliment on my blog. I’m actually about to do some major renovations to it (again). I’m trying to minimalize it, in order to focus purely on content rather than showy frills. I also plan to focus on producing content regarding godly living in all areas of the Christian life. Hopefully God will continue to use it for His glory.
Take care, brother, and thanks again for your support!
Thanks so much for your comment, Logan. I appreciate it.
Indeed, there is no greater privilege for a believer than to think often and rightly about the God who saved them. So true.
And thanks for your encouragement as well. I’m glad you’ve been reading the posts (sometimes I wonder if anyone really is). Out of curiosity, how did you come across my blog?
Take care and God bless you in your pursuit of theology!
Greetings…I’m enjoying reading through your blogs. I’m a widow, writer and grandma of seven. I’ve just begun to blog. There is so much to learn about social media.
Congratulations on your new book coming out.
I’m in the process of writing a book about my journey as a widow. It’s my heart’s desire to be an encouragement to other widows. I believe it’s an area that is highly neglected in the church. After the casseroles stop…silence. Most of the widows I’ve interviewed say the same thing. They feel dropped, forgotten, and they don’t feel as if they fit in anywhere. Yet, James says helping orphans and widows in their distress is pure religion in God’s eyes. Marji
Marji, thanks for your comment. And yes, I do think that we in the Christian church don’t do a great job of loving and taking care of one another. We need to work on that, so thank you for reminding us (and me!). I have two adopted children so I understand the need for taking care of orphans. Not being a widower myself, I can only imagine how difficult it would be to lose so a close loved one.
I would be curious to hear your thoughts on one thing in particular, since you have a firsthand perspective on it. Do you think that Christians, for the most part, are insensitive to the needs of widows and widowers or do you think most Christians just don’t know how to respond or how we can better serve people in that situation? Thank you Marji…and God bless you!