“Surely, his infinity ought to make us afraid to try to measure him by our own senses. Indeed, his spiritual nature forbids our imagining anything earthly or carnal of him…. For who even of slight intelligence does not understand that, as nurses commonly do with infants, God is wont in a measure to “lisp” in … Continue reading The Limits of Language in Describing God
Systematic Theology
The Incomprehensibility of God: An Analysis of John Owen’s Theological Insight
John Owen articulates a doctrine fundamental to classical theism: the absolute incomprehensibility of God. In his Christologia, he asserts, “God, in his own essence, being, and existence, is absolutely incomprehensible. His nature being immense, and all his holy properties essentially infinite, no creature can directly or perfectly comprehend them, or any of them. He must … Continue reading The Incomprehensibility of God: An Analysis of John Owen’s Theological Insight
Why You Need Systematic Theology
William Ames once defined systematic theology as “the science of living unto God.” More broadly, it is the study of God and all things in relation to God. These definitions highlight the esteemed status systematic theology once held. It was known as the queen of the sciences, and every other academic field yielded its service … Continue reading Why You Need Systematic Theology
Blessed Trinity
Blessedness requires “(1) the absence of all evil, (2) the possession and presence of all good in the highest good, and also (3) the enjoyment of it, that is, the sense of it and a repose and joy in it.”[1] However, in God these attributes exist perfectly. Divine blessedness, according to van Mastricht, involves: the … Continue reading Blessed Trinity
Fountain and Foundation
Fountain and Foundation As Creator, God is both the Fountain and Foundation of all things. Before and apart from time, he created and set all things in motion (Gen. 1:1). He is “most Strong, Stable and Incomprehensible, Immutable; moving all things, never new, never old, renewing all things.”[1] He is the fountain of every good … Continue reading Fountain and Foundation
The Necessity of the Human and Divine Natures in Christ: Christology, Soteriology, and Doxology
Delivered at the 2021 Freed-Hardeman University Scholars Day Athanasius in On the Incarnation 54.3 said, “God became man that man might become God.” God the Son assumed or took on a human nature so that humans could see and be saved by the divine nature leading to their sanctification. Gregory of Nazianzus described the … Continue reading The Necessity of the Human and Divine Natures in Christ: Christology, Soteriology, and Doxology
WHO IS JESUS?
HEBREWS 1:1-4 Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Who is Jesus? This question is incredibly controversial and intensely personal. If you could only use one chapter to describe Jesus, I think Hebrews 1 would be a great place to turn. The book of Hebrews was written to Christians who were wandering away from Christ. In order … Continue reading WHO IS JESUS?
Is God Perfect?
Most Christians would immediately answer yes! God is perfect. One of the classic descriptions of God’s perfection was from Boethius who wrote that God is “that then which comprehendeth and possesseth the whole fulness of an endless life together, to which neither any part to come is absent, nor of that which is past hath … Continue reading Is God Perfect?
Is God One or Three?
Trinity? Christians worship the one God who exists as three persons. The doctrine of the Trinity is, indeed, a mystery. However, the doctrine is essential. The Scriptures describe the one God who is three persons—Father, Son, and Spirit. These three persons are distinct from each other, but the three persons are also one God. The … Continue reading Is God One or Three?
What Is God Like? Classical Theism and Isaiah 46
Most of us try to imagine God. That’s really something we shouldn’t do. The first commandments in the Decalogue are to have no other Gods and not to make any graven image of our God. Why shouldn’t we make any images of God? Perhaps the best reason we shouldn’t make any images of God is … Continue reading What Is God Like? Classical Theism and Isaiah 46
Donnie's Dogmatics 