“. . . a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.”  Most of us recognize that piece of the Christmas story.  We can locate Augustus historically as the ruler of imperial Rome and we all know about taxation and governmental decrees.

We may not think very much about the decree behind the decree.  God had told the prophets that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.  But Mary, God’s choice for the Messiah’s mother, did not live in Bethlehem and had no reason to go there, especially not being pregnant.  Obviously, in order to predict the future, God must Read the rest of this entry →

Every person has a name, and every name describes a person. Our 16^th President’s name was Abraham Lincoln, however that same name today symbolizes character, perseverance, and resolve.  In like manner our Creator has a name; in fact He has several names.  Each name reflects a certain aspect of His character.

One of God’s names is Elohim, which means Read the rest of this entry →

If someone says “John is nice” or “Susan is good” they are communicating something more than the fact that John does nice things, or Susan performs good acts. To possess “niceness” and “goodness” is to be defined by those characteristics. They are part of who we are.

When thinking of the attributes of God, theologians compile lists such as God is holy, loving, good, wise, all knowing, etc. Each of these represents something about God’s character.  It is not enough to say “God is holy” or “God is loving”, for Read the rest of this entry →

A triangle has three angles; a tricycle has three cycles or wheels, and the Trinity has three . . . nities??

Well, not exactly.

The Trinity refers to a belief about God, expressing the fact that the unity of His being exists (or subsists, to use the theological word) as three persons-Father, Son, and Spirit.  It is one of the most fruitful conceptions of Christian theology. Read the rest of this entry →

Perhaps at the beginning of any theological study, there should be a course on knowing God.  What does it mean to “know” God?  Or what are the answers to the simple questions of, is God knowable, and if so, why should I worry about this knowledge?

Knowledge comes in many forms.  We can know about something’s existence, but is that adequate where God is concerned.  James Boice in his book The Foundations of Christian Faith describes another level of knowledge. He talks about the ability to know about a city…its streets, its neighborhoods, and its parks.  One could come to this knowledge by living there or by studying maps. This can be Read the rest of this entry →

Knowledge opens the door to life, and any theological study should include a discourse on the knowability of God near its beginning. But what does it mean to “know God?” Is God even knowable?

Knowledge comes in many forms. We can know facts, some thing’s existence, or even how to accomplish a task, but is that what it means to know God? In the Old Testament God was largely seen as “transcendent.” He was exalted, high, and beyond creation. In the New Testament Jesus called God “Father”, and by that brought him Read the rest of this entry →

“Oh, the hand of Providence is reaching out to help us on our way. ” These words from a popular Christian song from a few years ago seem to sum up many people’s understanding of the Providence of God. We look at situations that seem to help us out and gladly give Providence its just glory. Read the rest of this entry →

Non-academics frequently criticize academics for using fifty-cent words when ten-cent ones will do. In some cases that criticism is just; sometimes academics are just showing off. In other cases fifty-cent words carry a lot of freight and eliminate the need for distracting explanations.

The term ex nihilo is not only a fifty-cent word, it is also Read the rest of this entry →