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1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.”
THE DOCTRINE OF MAN
“the doctrine of humanity (man) sees the human person as made in God’s image, either man or woman by God’s making, fallen through Adam’s historical sin, formed for vocation (work) unto God, and redeemable in and through the God-man, Jesus Christ.“- Owen Strachan
“Humanity is the race made for God; humanity is the race fallen from God; humanity is the race made whole by God in Christ. In God’s plan, everything bends towards Christ.“-Wayne Grudem
“the only way we can ever really find out who we are is from God. The best place to find out begins in Genesis.“-David Guzik
“Then God said, ’Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.26 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God, He created him; male and female He created them.27” Genesis 1:26-27
“…In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.1 He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created.2" Genesis 5:1-2
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.7” Genesis 2:7
“And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.21 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.22" Genesis 2:21-22#1 Who are we? We are image bearers
“Hitherto God has been introduced simply as commanding (“let there be light, and there was light” Genesis 1:3). Now, when he approaches the most excellent of all his works, he enters into consultation… for the purpose of commending to our attention the dignity of our nature. He, in taking counsel concerning creation of man, testifies that he is about to undertake something great and wonderful.“-John Calvin
The Hebrew word for image is Tselem (t-sell-em) and is derived from the words “to carve” or “to cut”.
The Hebrew word for likeness is demuth (d-ma-th)
“When scripture reports that God said ‘Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness’ it simply would have meant to the original Hebrew readers, ‘let Us make man to be like Us and to represent Us’“-Wayne Grudem
“….Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth6- Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.7” Isaiah 43:6-7

1. We bear God’s image in “tri-unity”

2. We represent God’s likeness in our authority/dominion
“Then God said, ’Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.26. Genesis 1:26
“that man was made last of all the creatures, that it might not be suspected that he had been, anyway a helper to God in the creation of the world: that question must be forever humbling and mortifying to him, ‘where wast thou, or any of thy kind, when I laid the foundations of the earth?’ Job 38:4”-Matthew Henry
“Man created in God’s image was placed in sovereignty over the earth, crowned with glory and honor, yet subject to God his creator.“- Scofield study Bible
3. We bear God’s image in morality
“you shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Leviticus 19:2So, who are we? First, we are image bearers because we are triune beings with dominion and a moral character#2 Who are we? We are fallen“1Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3  but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hide myself.” 11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” 12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” 13 And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?“” Genesis 3:1-13
“There is none righteous, no not one” Romans 3:10
“For there is no difference. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:22-23
1.   Their sin gave a different answer to the “who am I?” question
“Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘you will not surely die. For God knows in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5
2.   Their sin gave a different answer to the “whose authority?” question
“So when the woman saw that tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave her husband with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:6
“Let Us make man in our own image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over the cattle, over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26
“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.13 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?14 And how shall they preach unless they are sent….15”. Romans 10:13-15
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.13 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.14 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.15 Let your light so shine before men, they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.16" Matthew 5:13-16
3.   Their sin gave a different answer to the “what is true/right?” question?
“It is precisely because people have abandoned the truth of Genesis that society is in such disarray.“- David Guzik
“The first couples’ sin is our sin, furthermore: we do not trust and obey God’s word, worshipping him through obedient following, but rather trust and obey ourselves obediently worshipping as we do.“- Wayne GrudemSo who are we? Secondly, we are image bearers who now bear a fallen image
#3 Who are we? We are a restored ima...

14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

1 PETER 3:14-16

The question is not whether or not you’re going to be a theologian, but what kind of theologian you’re going to be.”

Michael Lawrence

THE DOCTRINE OF GOD

WHAT IS THE GOD OF THE BIBLE LIKE?

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,[g] in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things…

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Romans 1:19-23,28

I will worship toward Your holy temple,

And praise Your name

For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;

For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

PSALM 138:2

HOW DO WE KNOW GOD EXISTS?

1. Inner Knowing (inward evidence)

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Romans 1:21

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 

Hebrews 8:10

"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,"

Hebrews 10:16

14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 

Romans 2:14-15 

Moral Argument: argues that there are objectively valid moral values, and therefore, there must be an absolute from which they are derived.

If everything wasn’t created ON PURPOSE, then nothing that is created HAS PURPOSE. 

Ontological Argument: argues that the very concept of God demands that there is an actual existent God.

Presuppositional Argument: argues that the basic beliefs of theists and non-theists require God as a necessary pre-condition.

HUMANS WERE MADE FOR WORSHIP

To worship is to live for something.

“The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.”

John Calvin

22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things…

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Romans 1:22-23,28

1. Nature and Scripture (outward evidence)

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,[g] in the things that have been made.

Romans 1:19-20

“We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God… Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, ‘What comes to mind when you think about God?’ Weight predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man.”

A.W. Tozer

Instead of glorifying God we transformed our idea of Him into forms and images more comfortable to our corrupt and darkened hearts.

David Guzik

“Here’s how you know you’ve created God in your own image: he agrees with you on everything…”

John Mark Cromer

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.

Acts 17:16-21 

As Paul sailed to Athens from the sea near Berea, he came to a city he had probably never been to before, and like any tourist, he was ready to be impressed by this famous and historic city – which, hundreds of years before, was one of the most glorious and important cities in the world. But when Paul toured Athens, he was only depressed by the magnitude of the idolatry he saw all around.

David Guzik

22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

Acts 17:22-23

WHAT IS GOD LIKE? 

24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,[c] 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

Acts 17:24-25

GOD IS… INDEPENDENT

Independent: God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation bring Him glory and bring Him joy. 

Someone might wonder, if God does not need us for anything, then are we important at all? Is there any significance to our existence or to the existence of the rest of creation? In response it must be said that we are in fact very meaningful because God has created us and he has determined that we would be meaningful to him… to be significant to God is to be significant in the most ultimate sense. No greater personal significance can be imagined.

Wayne Grudem

The starting place of knowing God is knowing His love.

26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of the...

14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

1 PETER 3:14-17

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[b] may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 

THE FUNDAMENTALS / DOCTRINE OF THE WORD

There’s power in the fundamentals.

“I am convinced that there is an urgent need in the church today for much greater understanding of Christian doctrine, or systematic theology. Not only pastors and teachers need to understand theology in greater depth - the whole church does as well. One day by God’s grace we may have churches full of Christians who can discuss, apply, and live the doctrinal teaching of the Bible as readily as they can discuss the details of their own jobs or hobbies - or the fortunes of their favorite sports team or television program.

Wayne Grudem

14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…

1 PETER 3:14-15

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…

1 PETER 3:14-15

“Relationship with God, as with any person, soon requires a contribution from us, which will largely consist of study.”

Dallas Willard

“[Christian] Mystics without study are only spiritual romantics who want relationship without effort.”

Calvin Miller

“If you do not listen [study] theology, that will not mean you have no ideas about God, rather it will mean you have a lot of wrong ones.” 

C.S. Lewis

WHAT, WHO, WHY, AND HOW OF THEOLOGY

THEO = god or deity

OLOGY = a subject of study

Theology: the study of the nature of God

Systematic [biblical] Theology: any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given topic.

Doctrine: what the whole Bible teaches us today about some particular topic.

“Practical problems have theological answers. So the question is not whether or not you’re going to be a theologian, but what kind of theologian you’re going to be.”

Michael Lawrence

1. Understanding theology is apart of the Great Commission

Jesus said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, TEACHING THEM to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

MATTHEW 28:18-20

1. Understanding theology helps us overcome wrong ideas

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[c] and teachers,[d] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[e] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

EPHESIANS 4:13

“The devil is a better theologian than any of us and is a devil still.”

A.W. Tozer

1. Understanding strengthens our relationship with God

“I do not believe that God intended the study of theology to be dry and boring. Theology is the study of God and all His works! Theology is meant to be lived, and prayed, and sung! All of the great doctrinal writings of the Bible (such as Paul’s epistle to the Romans) are full of praise to God and personal application to life… theology when studied rightly will lead to growth in our Christian lives, and to worship.” 

Wayne Grudem

1. Prayerfully

1. Humbly

“Those who study systematic theology will learn many things about the teachings of Scripture that are perhaps not known or not know well by other Christians in their churches or by relatives who are older in the Lord than they are. They may also find that they understand things about Scripture that some of their church officers do not understand, and that even their pastor has perhaps forgotten or never learned well. In all of these situations, it would be very easy to adopt an attitude of pride or superiority toward others who have not made such a study. But how ugly it would be if anyone were to use this knowledge of God’s Word simply to win arguments or to put down a fellow Christian in conversation, or to make another believer fell insignificant in the Lord’s work.”

Wayne Grudem

1. Communally 

1. Wholly

1. Joyfully

DOCTRINE OF THE WORD.

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[b] may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

HEBREWS 4:12

"The Bible is God's voice speaking to us, just as truly as if we heard it audibly."

John Wycliffe

"The Word of God is like a lion. You don't have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and it will defend itself."

Charles Spurgeon

“Our prayer as we study meditatively is always that God would meet with us and speak specifically to us, for ultimately the Word of God is God speaking.”

Dallas Willard

"The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less...