Theology Proper: Exploring the Core Doctrine of God

The profound reality that we can know and understand the infinite God of the universe deserves our consideration. This remarkable truth serves as the foundation of theology proper - our systematic study of God's nature, attributes, and character revealed in Scripture.

Our study of theology proper - the doctrine of God - begins with humility and wonder. We will find how God has shown Himself through His names, His relationship with creation, and His perfect attributes. The knowledge of theology proper shapes our doctrinal understanding and deepens our worship. This understanding enriches our daily walk and relationship with our Creator. A careful examination of both Old and New Testament revelations helps us understand the rich depths of who God is. This knowledge profoundly affects our lives as believers.

Biblical Foundation for Knowing God

Scripture serves as our foundation to understand God through His self-revelation. God chose to reveal Himself through both general and special revelation, with Scripture being the main way we understand His nature and character.

Old Testament Revelations of God

The Old Testament shows how God revealed Himself through chosen individuals. God's revelation unfolds through Israel's history in several ways:

• Divine encounters and theophanies

• Prophetic messages and visions

• Historical events and covenantal relationships

• Written Scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit

The Old Testament lays the groundwork to know God. It contains about 68.8% of divine revelations that the New Testament later references.

New Testament Expansion of Divine Knowledge

Jesus Christ substantially expanded our understanding of God in the New Testament. He stands as the ultimate revelation of God's nature, as "No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known". The New Testament shows God's character more completely through:

Christ's incarnation represents the highest point of divine revelation. It demonstrates God's desire to be known personally and intimately. The apostles' inspired writings help us learn about God's trinitarian nature and His redemptive plan.

Progressive Understanding Through Scripture

God's revelation unfolds gradually, which deepens our understanding as we read through Scripture. This gradual nature reveals how God communicates "over many centuries, made to a community of believers but intended for all God's people".

The Holy Spirit guides us to understand these revelations and recognize that all Scripture is "breathed out by God". Careful study and spiritual illumination help us grow in theology proper - the doctrine of God. His character becomes clearer throughout biblical history.

Divine Names and Their Significance

God reveals Himself through His divine names, and each name carries deep theological meaning. These names do more than a label - they open windows into His character and nature.

Hebrew Names of God

Hebrew names of God show remarkable richness. Judaism recognizes seven especially holy names:

• El ('God') and Eloah ('God')

• Elohim ('Gods') and Shaddai ('Almighty')

• Ehyeh ('I am') and Tzevaot ('[of] Hosts')

• YHWH (The Tetragrammaton)

YHWH stands as the most sacred name, appearing 6,519 times in the Old Testament. This name connects to "I am that I am" and shows God's eternal and self-existent nature. Adonai appears 434 times in the Old Testament and reminds us of His lordship and authority over creation.

Greek Titles in the New Testament

The New Testament marks an essential shift in expressing God's names. Two main Greek titles emerge:

Theos (God): Shows up over 1,300 times and expresses essential deity Kyrios (Lord): Appears approximately 600 times and represents both YHWH and Adonai from Hebrew tradition

This shift reflects more than just language - it shows how our understanding of God and our relationship with Him evolved.

Theological Implications of Divine Names

God's names shape our theology in powerful ways. Each name reveals unique aspects of His character and our connection with Him. The shift from Hebrew to Greek usage shows how God wants people from all cultures and languages to know Him.

The early church handled divine names with great care. They balanced deep respect with close relationship by using surrogate terms like Adonai instead of YHWH. This practice teaches us to approach God with both reverence and intimacy.

These names help us learn about God's greatness and His closeness to us. They create a framework that helps us understand how God reveals Himself and desires relationship with His people.

God's Relationship with Creation

At the time we study theology proper through God's relationship with creation, we find a deep truth that shapes how we understand divine nature. This relationship shows God's sovereign authority and His close presence with His creation.

Creator-Creature Difference

Our study of theology proper starts with the basic difference between Creator and creature. This difference goes beyond academic understanding and forms the foundations of our relationship with God. God is self-existent and needs nothing outside Himself. This creates an "infinite qualitative difference" between God and His creation, yet He maintains His personal presence with us.

Divine Immanence vs Transcendence

Theology proper presents us with a beautiful paradox: God exceeds creation yet remains intimately present within it. His transcendence shows His royal dignity and sovereign control. His immanence reveals His personal presence throughout creation. This dual nature means God stays "high above all nations" while He "raises the poor from the dust".

This balance shows itself through:

• God's transcendence keeps His divine authority

• His immanence creates personal relationship

• Both qualities blend in perfect harmony

• Each quality strengthens the other

God's Covenant Relationships

God's relationship with creation shines brightest through His covenants. These divine partnerships reveal His desire for connection while keeping His sovereign nature. Through these covenants, we see God's progressive revelation and His steadfast dedication to redemption.

The story of covenants began with creation itself, as God made humans His image-bearers. Each new covenant builds on this foundation and reveals more of God's character and purpose. We see this clearly as "God enters into one formal partnership after another with various humans in order to rescue his world".

These covenant relationships hold special meaning in theology proper because of their dual nature - they are both conditional and unconditional. This shows the perfect balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. These covenants help us understand that God wants "to be in relationship with His people and help them reach potentials that are not possible through human strength alone".

God's relationship with creation runs deep and personal. He wants "to welcome you back into His family and prepare you for living out your faith like never before". This relationship serves as the life-blood of our theological understanding and shapes how we respond to His divine nature.

Worship Implications of God's Nature

Our understanding of theology proper reaches its peak in worship. Knowledge turns into devotion. The moment you learn about God's holy nature, you respond with deep reverence and adoration.

Response to God's Holiness

Theology proper teaches us that holiness crowns all God's attributes. The angels in heaven don't praise God's power or wisdom first. They cry "Holy, Holy, Holy". This threefold declaration of holiness forms the foundations of all true worship. God's absolute holiness isn't optional - it's vital to authentic worship.

Practical Aspects of Divine Worship

Our worship should show both understanding and heartfelt response. The sort of thing i love about divine worship includes:

• Recognition of God's supreme holiness

• Humble adoration and reverence

• Active praise

• Daily life obedience

True worship goes beyond outward actions. It needs "a change of behavior, rooted in a change of heart, produced in us by the Holy Spirit". We can only respond with humble adoration as we focus on God's moral perfection and absolute purity.

Corporate and Individual Worship

Theology proper shows us that worship includes personal devotion and corporate celebration. Corporate worship becomes "the method through which God takes people—from the smallest child to the most seasoned adult—and creates mature worshipers". This goes beyond individual expression to build up the entire body.

Personal worship naturally flows into corporate worship. "When we gather as the church, our focus should be corporate, not individual". This balance shows our relationship with God - deeply personal yet naturally communal. Church gatherings are "one of the few times when the local body of believers gathers together for prayer, fellowship, and mutual encouragement".

Note that worship centers on God in both personal and corporate settings. Theology proper teaches us that "worship is not us performing for God—that is paganism". True worship sees God as the main actor, and our response flows from His grace and initiative.

Modern Applications of Classical Attributes

Let's take a closer look at theology proper. God's attributes aren't just theoretical concepts - they're living truths that shape our daily Christian experience. These classical attributes can reshape our practical faith experience.

Living in Light of God's Omniscience

God's perfect, eternal, and immediate knowledge brings tremendous comfort. His omniscience means He knows everything about us. He knows our thoughts before we think them, our actions before we do them, and our words before we speak them. This knowledge shouldn't intimidate us. Instead, it reassures us that we're fully known and still completely loved.

Learning about God's omniscience in theology proper shows us we don't need to hide our true selves. He knows even those "little pet sins" we've hidden so well from others, yet His love never changes. This understanding reshapes our:

• Personal devotion and prayer

• Moral choices and decision-making

• Relationships and accountability

• Spiritual growth and development

Practical Effect of Divine Sovereignty

Our study of theology proper shows that God's sovereignty eliminates all reasons to worry. This attribute gives us confidence that He works everything for the good of those who love Him. Divine sovereignty isn't about fatalism - it's about trusting God's perfect control.

The implications run deep. God's sovereignty guides our daily decisions. We shouldn't feel paralyzed by choices because our sovereign God can redirect our paths even if we make wrong decisions. This truth adds remarkable stability, strength, courage, and boldness to our Christian life.

Responding to God's Omnipresence

Theology proper teaches us that God penetrates and fills every part of the universe. This truth changes how we understand Christian living. God stays with us in every situation - during joyful times and in valleys of shadow.

God's omnipresence should make us:

1. Acknowledge He sees our choices during temptation

2. Remember He walks with us through trials

3. Seek His wisdom for daily decisions

4. Know He's always available in prayer

This doctrine reminds us we can "STOP and pray to the Lord because He is there, and can ask for wisdom, grace, strength to do the right thing not the easy thing". God's omnipresence means His guidance and comfort are always available. This truth helps us handle both challenges and victories in our daily walk.

Conclusion

Theology proper helps us know the infinite, personal God who chose to reveal Himself through Scripture. Our studies have found the depth of God's self-revelation - from His names that reveal His character to His perfect attributes that guide our daily walk.

When we study God's nature systematically, several vital truths emerge:

• Scripture provides our authoritative foundation for knowing God

• Names of God reveal distinct aspects of His character

• God remains both beyond our reach yet intimately present with creation

• We truly worship when we understand God's holy nature

• God's classical attributes shape our practical faith

Our grasp of theology should extend beyond intellectual knowledge. Everything we learn about God's nature draws us toward deeper worship, stronger faith, and real-life application. We can rejoice that the all-knowing, ever-present, sovereign God wants a relationship with His creation.

Scripture tells us that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10, NASB). This wisdom shapes how we worship, guides our choices, and deepens our relationship with our Creator. Careful study of theology proper expands our knowledge of God while we maintain humble reverence before His majesty.