Difficult Theological Questions

The attack against God’s Word goes all the way back to Genesis 3. Satan has longed for humanity to question, deny, and disobey God’s Word. While the nuances of his attacks may vary, his modus operandi has not. This morning we will examine five common arguments leveled against the Bible.

The sovereignty of God has been defined as “God is continually involved with all created things in such a way that he (1) keeps them existing and painting the properties with which he created them; (2) cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do; and (3) directs them to fulfill his purposes” (Grudem, Systematic Theology, 315). Such a definition raises several questions. Three particular questions we will address in this study pertain to humanity’s freewill, the existence of evil, and God’s providence. Philosophers and theologians have sought to explain this tension between these three categories by redefining God, freedom, and/or responsibility.

Genesis 1:27 claims that humans were created in the “image of God”. One scholar wisely notes, that “our understanding of God profoundly affects how we view humans, ourselves, and our participation in God’s purposes. Thus careful attentiveness to God’s own self-revelation is vital” (Dearborn, 415). This morning we will explore what does it mean that humans were created in God’s image. In so doing, we will address briefly the implications this important theological topic plays on the distinction between humans and animals, male and female roles, and gender issues.

Few individuals challenge the humanity of Jesus. The Scriptures speak of Jesus possessing a human body (e.g., Matt 4:2; John 19:28), and human mind (Lk 2:52), and soul and spirit (e.g., Matt 9:36; John 4:6). However, what is questioned by many individuals is the deity of Jesus of Nazareth. Is this Jesus truly God, or was this an early distortion by the Church to elevate their leader to the Godhead? The answer to these questions are eternally important. As noted by one theologian, “The doctrine of the person of Christ is crucial to the Christian faith. It is basic to soteriology [study of salvation], for if our Lord was not that He claimed to be, then His atonement was a deficient, not sufficient, payment for sin” (Ryrie, Basic Theology, 273).

Recently, two prominent Christian leaders shocked the Christian world by denying their faith. While their decisions result in a whole host of questions, the bottom line is, “How can anyone who claims the name of Jesus turn around and deny Him?” Furthermore, what implications does their abandonment of the faith have upon our own understanding of the Gospel? This morning we will address four common questions that pertain to the issue of faith and salvation. While certainly much could, and has, been written on this subject, our desire is to glean some practical biblical principles that can govern our own walk with the Lord and those we serve.