Theology proper, also known as Paterology, is the study of God the Father within systematic theology. It examines the existence, attributes, works, and character of God as revealed in Scripture. Some key topics discussed in theology proper include:
The Existence of God
The Bible assumes God’s existence rather than trying to prove it (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:6). However, Scripture does provide evidence for God’s existence through arguments from design (Psalm 19:1), morality (Romans 2:14-15), and the universal human desire to worship a higher being (Ecclesiastes 3:11). These point to the reality of a divine Creator.
The Attributes of God
God’s attributes describe His divine nature and character. Some of the major attributes discussed in theology proper include:
God is Spirit
God is immaterial and does not have a physical body (John 4:24). As spirit, He is invisible, omnipresent, and eternal.
God is One
There is only one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4). He is indivisible and exists in Trinity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God is Holy
God is morally perfect, set apart from all creation, and complete righteousness (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).
God is Love
God’s very nature is defined by self-giving love (1 John 4:8, 16). All His actions flow from His love.
God is All-Knowing
God is omniscient, possessing all knowledge (Psalm 139:1-6; 1 John 3:20). Nothing takes Him by surprise.
God is All-Powerful
God is omnipotent, having unlimited power (Jeremiah 32:17). Nothing is too difficult for Him.
God is Good
God is the paradigm of goodness (Psalm 119:68). All He does is good, righteous, and perfect.
God is Just
God is perfectly fair and righteous in judging creation (Deuteronomy 32:4). He punishes evil and rewards righteousness.
God is Merciful
Though deserving judgment, God shows compassion by not giving sinful humanity what they deserve (Exodus 34:6-7; Titus 3:5).
God is Unchanging
God’s character and promises never change (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17). He remains constant forever.
The Works of God
Theology proper examines God’s major works, including:
Creation
God created the heavens, earth, and everything in them out of nothing simply by His word (Genesis 1; Hebrews 11:3).
Providence
God continually upholds and governs every aspect of creation to fulfill His sovereign plan (Acts 17:28; Colossians 1:17).
Revelation
God has revealed Himself and His truth generally through creation and specifically through Christ and Scripture (Psalm 19; Hebrews 1:1-3).
Salvation
Though humanity rebelled against God, He provided salvation by sending His Son Jesus to die for sins (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:3-10).
Consummation
God will one day bring final judgment, destroy evil, and usher in the new heavens and new earth for eternity (2 Peter 3:7-13; Revelation 21-22).
The Names of God
The many names of God found in Scripture provide further insight into His character and dealings with humanity:
– Yahweh – The proper name of the one true God emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature (Exodus 3:14)
– Elohim – A plural name indicating God’s power and might as well as the Trinity (Genesis 1:1)
– Adonai – Master or Lord in the absolute sense (Deuteronomy 6:4)
– El Shaddai – God Almighty or All-Sufficient One (Genesis 17:1)
– El Elyon – The Most High God, sovereign over all (Psalm 57:2)
– Yahweh Jireh – The Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22:14)
– Yahweh Nissi – The Lord is My Banner (Exodus 17:15)
– Yahweh Shalom – The Lord is Peace (Judges 6:24)
– Yahweh Rapha – The Lord Who Heals (Exodus 15:26)
– Yahweh Tsidkenu – The Lord Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)
– Yahweh Raah – The Lord My Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
The Personhood of God
Though infinite and transcendent, God is not impersonal or detached from His creation. Scripture presents God as a personal being who interacts with humanity:
– God speaks (Isaiah 1:2)
– God sees (Genesis 16:13)
– God hears (Psalm 116:1)
– God remembers (Genesis 8:1)
– God knows (Psalm 139:1-4)
– God acts (Exodus 12:12)
– God loves (John 3:16)
– God judges (Revelation 19:2)
– God fellowships with humans (1 Corinthians 1:9)
The Trinity
Within theology proper, the doctrine of the Trinity maintains that God eternally exists as one Being in three co-equal, co-powerful, co-eternal Persons – the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14):
– The Father initiates creation and redemption through sending the Son for salvation (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:3-6).
– The Son reveals the Father and accomplishes redemption on the cross (Luke 10:22; Colossians 1:19-20).
– The Spirit applies and completes redemption by indwelling believers (John 14:26; Ephesians 1:13-14).
The Fatherhood of God
God is presented as Father in Scripture in several ways:
– As the eternal Father of the Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:14, 18)
– As the Father and Creator of all humanity and living things (Acts 17:28-29)
– As the covenant Father of Israel (Exodus 4:22)
– As the spiritual Father of believers through adoption and redemption (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:15)
God relates to His people as a perfect heavenly Father filled with love and discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11). He desires His children to know Him intimately (Matthew 6:9).
The Love of God
Central to God’s eternal being and character is His infinite love (1 John 4:8). The Father demonstrated His love by sending His Son to die for sinners and adopt them as children (Romans 5:8; 1 John 3:1). Believers experience and share God’s love by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5; 1 John 4:11-13).
The Wrath of God
In His holiness, God has righteous anger and wrath toward all sin, evil, and unrepentant sinners (Romans 1:18). His wrath will be fully poured out in the final judgment (Revelation 14:9-11). But in love, God satisfied His wrath by judging sins through Christ’s death (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2).
The Grace of God
Grace is God’s unmerited favor and blessing freely given to those deserving condemnation (Ephesians 2:8). The Father’s plan of salvation in Christ is the supreme demonstration of His grace (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 2:11).
The Will of God
God’s sovereign will is His all-wise plan for creation and redemption (Ephesians 1:11). Within His revealed will in Scripture, God calls all to repent and trust in Christ (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4). God’s will cannot ultimately be frustrated (Proverbs 19:21).
The Kingship of God
The Father decrees the establishment of His Son Jesus as the divine King over creation (Psalm 2). Christ came inaugurating God’s Kingdom and will return to reign forever over the renewed heavens and earth (Revelation 11:15).
The Judgment of God
The Father has entrusted all judgment to His Son Jesus, who will judge all humanity with justice and righteousness (John 5:22-23; Acts 10:42). Believers can have confidence in God’s future judgment (1 John 4:17).
The Immutability of God
Due to His divine nature, God does not and cannot change; He remains constant forever (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). This provides comfort and assurance to believers.
