Author: Richard

  • The Existence of God – Design Arguments

    Richard

    Design Arguments – General Design arguments for the existence of God are not logical deductions but inferences based on observation. Consider, for example, you are walking through a field and come across a pocket watch. You will automatically assume that the watch had an intelligent designer and maker due to the distinct characteristics of the watch… Read more

  • C.S. Lewis on Christ’s Atoning Work

    Richard

    C.S. Lewis considers the fact of the Atonement as central to Christianity but considers theories of the Atonement important only if they are personally helpful. Lewis writes, “The central Christian belief is that Christ’s death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start. Theories about it are another matter … Theories about Christ’s… Read more

  • The Existence of God – Moral Arguments

    Richard

    In my experience, ontological arguments are not very effective apologetic tools. Cosmological and design arguments are much better and tend to make people more open to the possibility that a personal creator God exists. Moral arguments seem to do the best in actually convincing people of a personal God that cares about the moral behavior… Read more

  • Incommunicable Attributes of God

    Richard

    Characteristics that provide a sense of some aspect of God are commonly called divine attributes. This is an imperfect term, as is inevitable in any attempt to describe God. Some have suggested that better terms might be properties or perfections, as these might result in less risk of viewing God as a divine essence combined… Read more

  • Communicable Attributes of God

    Richard

    A communicable attribute is perfect characteristic of God that is endowed by God to man in an imperfect way. It is common to interpret man being made in the image of God as man sharing God’s communicable attributes. God loves and therefore we can love, but in an imperfect way. God reasons and therefore we… Read more

  • The Triune God

    Richard

    The orthodox Christian belief is that there is one God consisting of three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost). These three persons are co-eternal and of the same essence. The Father has the specific role of generation, which necessarily results in the Son. That the Son is… Read more

  • Predestination and Free Will

    Richard

    Predestination refers to God having determined everything that happens in the world at (or before) the time of creation. Everything that happens is due to God-determined destiny. People who hold this belief understand God’s sovereignty to be absolute. Predestination is particularly associated with the concept of the elect. Before creation, God predestined certain people to be saved… Read more

  • God the Creator

    Richard

    God is the creator of both the physical and spiritual realms. “You alone are the LORD. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their lights, The earth and everything that is on it, The seas and everything that is in them” (Neh 9:6). Both the physical and spiritual realms were created… Read more

  • Created Beauty

    Richard

    One of the ways that God’s creation is very good in in its beauty. The concept of beauty is central to the philosophy of aesthetics and the appreciation of art. But what about theology? This section addresses this question by first discussing the religious context of beauty as found in Scripture. It then examines the theological… Read more

  • Names of God

    Richard

    Although not core to theology, a knowledge of the names of God used in the Bible can provide insight on how God was viewed in ancient times. The following are the names of God used in the OT and the NT. Elohim (אֱלֹהִים). This title for God is most likely a combination of el, which means… Read more