Systematic Theology An Introduction

1 Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel 1 Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel! The Lord has brought charges against you, saying: “There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. 6 My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me.

Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children. Hosea 4:1, 6 NLT

Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge; And their honorable men are famished, and their multitude is parched with thirst. Isaiah 5:13

Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; For the Lord speaks, “Sons I have reared and brought up, but they have revolted against Me. An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know, My people do not understand.” Isaiah 1:2-3

Knowledge

Knowledge

Knowledge A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement and repugnancy of our ideas.

Knowledge

Knowledge It is important

Knowledge It is important However, it is not the end-all

Knowledge It is important However, it is not the end-all It is only a means to arrive at the end

Knowledge It is important However, it is not the end-all It is only a means to arrive at the end What is that end? Truth

Knowledge It is important However, it is not the end-all It is only a means to arrive at the end What is that end? Truth Find truth, and you will find God (Truth leads to God)

What is truth?

33 Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief

priests delivered You to me; what have You done priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to

Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” John 18:33-38a

Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

Truth Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. True state of facts or things.

What does truth accomplish? It leads us to find God.

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth. Psalm 119:142

You are near, O Lord, and all Your commandments are truth. Psalm 119:151

The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting. Psalm 119:160

Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17

23 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6

“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me…” John 15:26

God’s Law is Truth

Law

1. If there is law, there must be a lawgiver.

1. If there is law, there must be a lawgiver. 2. There is law.

1. If there is law, there must be a lawgiver. 2. There is law. 3 1. If there is law, there must be a lawgiver. 2. There is law. 3. There is a lawgiver.

Let’s look at an Example:

I pay my taxes.

I pay my taxes. I pay my taxes because there is a law that requires me to do so.

I pay my taxes. I pay my taxes because there is a law that requires me to do so. There is a law that requires me to do so because there is a lawgiver.

I pay my taxes. I pay my taxes because there is a law that requires me to do so. There is a law that requires me to do so because there is a lawgiver. That lawgiver is the United States government.

What makes something wrong?

Moral Law

There must be a universal moral law.

There must be a universal moral law. A universal moral lawgiver requires a universal Moral Law Giver.

There must be a universal moral law. A universal moral lawgiver requires a universal Moral Law Giver. This Universal Moral Law Giver must be absolutely good.

There must be a universal moral law. A universal moral lawgiver requires a universal Moral Law Giver. This Universal Moral Law Giver must be absolutely good. Therefore, there must be an absolutely good Moral Law Giver.

1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities 1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive

condemnation upon themselves condemnation upon themselves. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them:

tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Romans 13:1-2; 5-7

It is a sin to not pay taxes that are rightfully due.

What does truth accomplish? It leads us to find God.

What does truth accomplish? It leads us to find God. It leads us to worship God.

3 O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God. Psalm 43:3-4

8 There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. 9 All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name. 10 For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. 11 Teach me Your way,

O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. 12 I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever. Psalm 86:8-12

17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways And kind in all His deeds 17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways And kind in all His deeds. 18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them. 20 The Lord keeps all who love Him, But all the wicked

He will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever. Psalm 145:17-21

What does truth accomplish? It leads us to find God. It leads us to worship God.

What does truth accomplish? It leads us to find God. It leads us to worship God. ***This stands in stark contrast to human-centered truth.

1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

“What you believe will control you whether it is true or not.” – Jeremy Deborde