A Beginning

Any system of theology has to begin somewhere. The very word 'theology', which means ' the study of God', gives the best beginning.

In the beginning God...read the first words of Genesis 1. Truly, the Bible asserts that He is before the beginning and will continue after the end of history has occurred (see Revelation 1:8- alpha and omega). There are many issues that must be addressed- first, can God be known? If He can be known, how is He known? Does He reveal Himself? Are we forced to develop our own strategies for discovering His nature?

To these questions we could add dozens if not hundreds of others. Many of these questions still produce massive books on a regular basis. Most of these questions are answered primarily by faith. Hebrews 11:6 indicates "and without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."

So, first and most importantly the quest to know God is an issue of faith. Wayne Grudem writes "All persons everywhere have a deep, inner sense that God exists, that they are his creatures, and that he is their Creator" (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology [Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994[ p. 141.)

One of the reasons I identify with the theological system labelled Calvinism is because Calvin preached an extrememly high view of God. In other words, as a system, Calvinism insists on emphasizing the transcendent nature of God in proper balance with His immanence. In other words other systems of theology - without intending to- exalt human beings to a position of prominence over God. Calvinism insists that God be treated as he is revealed in His Word and that human beings must respond to Him with reverence, awe, and worship.

The nature of God, the way He can be known and the difference knowing Him makes is for a later paper.

Steve

Just Thinking

Tip O'Neill, Speaker of the House during the Reagan years (1977-1987), once observed that all politics is local. There are almost 7 months till the general election. Most of the media attention is- of course- focused on the presidential race. As it appears today, Barck Obama will be the nominee of the Democratic Party and John McCain the nominee of the Republican party. Nothing new or insightful there. My thinking today is stuck on the word 'change.' All three viable candidates (yes, Hillary Clinton is still a viable candidate) promise change. But what change will occur locally? What changes need to be made locally?

In our county and state there are numerous changes that I would love to see. However, the changes I wish for will not occur regardless of which politician wins the White House. I live in a culturally and politically conservative pocket of people, whose political will is almost always overridden by the larger segment of population in Oregon- they are liberal- culturally and politically and irreligious at best.

Yet I continue to talk up local candidates that I think can make an impact in city, county and state offices. I continue to encourage the folks with whom I have influence to exercise their right to vote- to make change a reality.

I'm not sure where all this is leading, except to vent a little and to try and make some sense in my own mind about the incessant use of the word 'change' in this political season.

What a Month!

My daughter graduated from college on May 3. It's hard to visualize her as an adult. She is 22 years old and quite competent to manage her life. Boy, that is challenging!
I came down with bronchitis a few days before her graduation- and that is a new experience for me- I am still coughing and fighting other symptoms. Our son (his wife was unable to come with him) came home for the graduation of his sister- for about 5 days both kids were at home- kind of like old times- except it wasn't like old times at all!

Things are still a little challenging. Our community group found out this past week that the city had hired an engineering firm to evaluate the community center- which is open and functioning. Ever since it's completion it seems that the city has done everything in their power to resist taking over the operation of the center. While we acknowledge that the center is owned by the city, it appears that their purpose in hiring the engineering firm is to identify issues that need to be changed now that construction is complete. Our community group has limited funds and changes will require us to either do more fund raising or get extremely creative in finding the dollars that may yet be required.

Of course the contractor was not consulted in this process either- and he is as frustrated as we are. Since the county has issued an occupancy permit we are a little confused as to why the city is making the choices they make.

Spiritually I am weary. It appears that my schedule has grown beyond my control. I need to make some adjustments so that I can do some significant planning for the summer and the coming fall. I have tons of research that I need to incorporate into my doctoral project as well. That will take about 5-6 days of writing. So, busy seems to be the operative word for my life.

I know I promised some writing on Calvinism- why I am proud to be a Calvinist and why I believe that Calvin's systematic approach to theology is the most balanced and accurate interpretation.

It is still on my radar- and when time allows I will get to that project.

If you are truly interested, I would suggest that you get hold of any of John Frame's books- his writing is easy to read and very accessible.

That's all for now!

Steve