The Doctrine of God

 Doctrine of God

A.      Existence

We believe in one unique and infinite God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6; 45:21-22; John 17:3), the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth (Psalm 104; Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 4:25, 35; Matthew 6:26-30), whose existence, clearly evident from what He has created and innately recognized by the conscience of man (Romans 1:19-20), has always been and will always be. (Genesis 21:33; Deuteronomy 33:27; II Peter 3:8; Psalm 90:2, 4).

B.       Spirituality

We believe that God is a Spirit (John 4:24), and as such is an immaterial (Luke 24:39), invisible (John 1:18; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:1; I Timothy 1:17; 6:16), living (Psalm 84:2; Matthew 16:16), and life-giving (Psalm 36:9; John 5:26) Person.

C.       Triunity

We believe that God comprises three distinct Persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – coequal in every Divine perfection and fulfilling distinct yet harmonious functions within the Godhead (Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:4; John 15:26; John 16:13-14).

D.      Transcendence

We believe in the infinite and unlimited transcendence of God: in perfection – holiness (Exodus 15:11; Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 6:3; I Peter 1:15-16) and immutability (Psalm 102:27; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17): in knowledge – omniscience (Proverbs 15:3; Isaiah 46:10; Hebrews 4:13): in power – omnipotence (Isaiah 40; Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:27; Ephesians 3:20; Job 42:2): and in presence – omnipresence (Psalm 139).

E.      Immanence

We believe in the immanence of God, as evidenced by His gracious love for and merciful interaction with the creation, notably with man (Psalm 103), demonstrating His trustworthiness (Psalm 100:5; John 17:3; I John 5:20; Romans 3:4); righteousness (II Chronicles 12:6; Ezra 9:15; II Timothy 4:8; Revelation 6:4) and goodness – love (I John 4:7-8), benevolence (Psalm 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17), mercy (Ephesians 2:4; James 5:11; I Peter 1:3), and grace (Romans 5:21; II Corinthians 12:9; Titus 2:11).

F.       Creatorship

We believe that God directly created out of nothing the universe and all that is in it, including mankind, as literally set down in Genesis 1-2; that all theories of evolution, secular or religious, not only defy observable natural law but also deny the veracity of the Scriptures and undermine the rightful authority of God over His own creation (Genesis 1:31; Isaiah 45:11-12, 18; John 1:3; Romans 5:12; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11).

G.      Providence/Sovereignty 

We believe that God providentially and sovereignly oversees the affairs of the universe, both spiritual and physical, sustaining and guiding it according to His predetermined purpose (Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3); that on occasion He has used literal miracles to bring about His will (notably in the days of Moses, of Elijah and Elisha, and of Christ and His apostles); that even those things that are inherently bad and evil cannot ultimately thwart His will, but become tools in His hand to bring about the Divine consummation of history (Psalm 76:10; Acts 4:25-28).

Working through the Doctrine of the Bible

Since a doctrine requires direct statements from God's Word in order to be identified as a fundamental doctrine, let us work through the Scriptures used in the doctrine of the Bible to see if the statement of belief that accompanies them is accurate. I will probably not do this exercise with every fundamental doctrinal position but felt it important to underscore that a doctrine is comprised of definite statements of Scripture remolded into concise statements reflective of many passages. The passages used are not exhaustive of the biblical statements that support this or any doctrine. This exercise is important as we will examine more controversial doctrines and measure them by the passages often used to defend them. The reason for this is not to accuse believers clinging to teachings that, according to the simple definition of what rises to a doctrine, are not derived from direct statements in the Bible, but to help us have unity under the clear, fundamental doctrines from which we would never compromise, not even for a moment. We may feel strongly about the application of certain statements in the Scriptures but if these cannot be defined as fundamental doctrine, as defined here, let us not defame or sew discord among brethren with whom we truly agree on the fundamentals of the Bible.

II Timothy 3:16-17 is our first text to examine. Here is what it says in the NKJV. (All Scripture will be in blue and the doctrinal statements will be in green) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. To simplify our application of this verse, we are assuming that what we mean by "all Scripture" is the 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books known as Genesis through Revelation. That is, Scripture that is most accepted by the vast majority of Christendom both now and historically. There is no direct statement in the Bible to this designation but further study and a point to be made later will guide us to this clear conclusion. The doctrinal position states "every word". That is clear in the word "all" in verse 16. This verse also explains that Scripture "is given by inspiration of God". The word "inspiration" has to do with breath or breathing which leads to the doctrinal position that the Bible was "breathed out by God Himself." Here is the doctrinal statement interlaced in blue, italics, and in parenthesis with the Scripture on which it stands.
I believe that every word (all) of the original autographs of the Scriptures (Scripture) was breathed out by God Himself (is given by inspiration of God) (II Timothy 3:16-17); that by virtue of the superintendence and empowering of the Holy Spirit (as they were moved by the Holy Spirit), the human writers (holy men of God spoke) of the Scriptures (prophecy) wrote not their private interpretations but the very words of God (no private interpretation.) (II Peter 1:19-21) 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit., preserved from error of any kind on any subject whatsoever (the Scripture cannot be broken), (John 10:35) "If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken).

I believe that the Scriptures are, therefore, the unique (you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success), absolute (testimony of the LORD is sure, right,), authoritative standard of faith and practice (The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether), to be studied (meditate in it day and night), proclaimed (teach them diligently to your children), obeyed (do according to all that is written in it), and defended (contend earnestly for the faith) (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Joshua 1:8; "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Psalm 19:7-11; The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. John 17:17; "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. Jude 3-4; Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. ) that they are to be interpreted literally, historically (eyewitnesses), and grammatically (The Matthew and II Peter passages that follow give us examples of the literal, historical and grammatical interpretation.) (Matthew 12:39-41; But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 "The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. II Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.) unless the context clearly indicates otherwise (Exemplified by the following texts in John.) (John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 51-58; "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." 52 The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?" 53 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 "For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 "As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 "This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." 10:7; Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 15:1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.); and that every portion is without exception profitable for doctrine and Christian growth (profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness) (II Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,). We believe, therefore, that the denial of their inerrant authority contradicts the clear position of Christ and the apostles (acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord) and thus undermines all facets of their doctrine as reliable for faith and practice; that the sixty-six books of the Bible constitute the complete and only authoritative revelation of God to man (I Corinthians 14:37; If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. II Peter 3:15-16 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, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.); and that anyone who adds to or takes away from this completed revelation is cursed of God (and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book) (Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19  and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.).

Bible Doctrine Reflections

There are any number of ways this doctrine can be worded but the basic tenants of the doctrine of the Bible, found here, are rock solid. Without this biblical understanding of God's Word, all of the teachings in the Scriptures would have no true foundation or authority. No one can choose to accept as absolute truth one part of the Bible over another. Our responsibility is to believe what it says even before we understand it. And in some areas, we may never fully understand a biblical doctrine. Forcing a human explanation on a doctrine not fully explained in God's Word is as futile as trying to measure the full expanse of the universe God has created with our arms. It is wisdom to embrace ignorance with regard to the infinite God and folly to seek to fit Him in the limitations of our minds.

Doctrine: The Bible

This is the beginning of the doctrines that I believe must be uncompromising by any who would believe in the fundamentals of God's Word. I would separate and publicly expose any who do not wholeheartedly agree with this doctrinal position concerning our sacred Scriptures. Before other issues can be discussed, the basic doctrinal fundamentals must be laid as the unshakable foundation on which we stand.

I believe that every word of the original autographs of the Scriptures was breathed out by God Himself (II Timothy 3:16-17); that by virtue of the superintendence and empowering of the Holy Spirit, the human writers of the Scriptures wrote not their private interpretations but the very words of God   (II Peter 1:19-21), preserved from error of any kind on any subject whatsoever (John 10:35).

I believe that the Scriptures are, therefore, the unique, absolute, authoritative standard of faith and practice, to be studied, proclaimed, obeyed, and defended (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 19:7-11; John 17:17; Jude 3-4); that they are to be interpreted literally, historically, and grammatically (Matthew 12:39-41; II Peter 1:16) unless the context clearly indicates otherwise (John 6:35, 51-58; 10:7; 15:1); and that every portion is without exception profitable for doctrine and Christian growth (I Timothy 3:16). We believe, therefore, that the denial of their inerrant authority contradicts the clear position of Christ and the apostles and thus undermines all facets of their doctrine as reliable for faith and practice; that the sixty-six books of the Bible constitute the complete and only authoritative revelation of God to man (I Corinthians 14:37; II Peter 3:15-16); and that anyone who adds to or takes away from this completed revelation is cursed of God (Revelation 22:18-19).

What is Doctrine?

This entry is very elementary but  key to the fundamentals I embrace. So what is doctrine? If we were to read the "doctrinal statements" of those who would describe themselves as holding to the fundamental doctrines of the Bible, we may find statements that don't even fit in the simple definition of a biblical doctrine. The more of these we find in a statement of faith the less fundamental that statement becomes. When we force the definition of what a doctrine really is, everyone who believes in the fundamental doctrines of the Bible should be in complete agreement. There will still be disagreement in application of biblical principle and a host of other personal differences in a wide range of topics. Some circles separate the doctrines into categories of essential and not-essential. We can discuss these later but here we will emphasize what a doctrine is.

Now to the definition of a biblical doctrine. The word "doctrine" simply means "teaching". I would simplify it in this way; "What does the Bible say?" For example, the Bible says in numerous places that "all have sinned". The doctrine derived from those statements and the absence of any contradictory statements is the statement itself. Everyone is a sinner! Period! Other doctrines are derived from various clear statements but with the absence of a single statement. An example of this doctrine would be the nature of God. Who is God.? Is God one? Doctrines are statements of truth from God's Word. Our understanding of those statements can never alter a doctrine. The Bible contains statements concerning God the Father, Jesus being equal and one with the Father, and the Spirit being God. There are other statements that use these three personalities interchangeably. There are no direct statements referring to the Trinity but the doctrine of Trinity is obtained through numerous statements concerning each personality we identify as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Here is a negative example. I was recently reading a doctrinal statement which began, as most do, with the doctrine of the Bible. Within this statement was a statement concerning the King James Translation of the Bible as the preserved Word of God for today. However, this violates the definition of what a doctrine is. Doctrines are derived from direct statements in the Scriptures. Where in the Bible is there any mention of translations? This may be addressed in another section of a church's constitution but not in a statement of faith. When these non-doctrinal topics become doctrinal areas of separation between believers, one begins to encroach on the dangerous ground of adding or taking away from God's Word.

Conclusion:
We will find a lot more common ground that unifies us if we will honestly look at what is really biblical doctrine. Which one of us could reject direct statements from God's Word. All we know on which we stand for this life and the next is found solely in what we call the Bible; the 66 books, 39 OT and 27 NT books we carry to church every Sunday. There needs to be balance in our dealings with one another but there also should be an unmovable foundation on which we all stand. That unmovable foundation is God's Word and the direct clear teachings, doctrines, contained therein.

The Foundation

There is a very fundamental area that must be dealt with first. God's Word! Since this blog is about biblical fundamentalism, how God's Word is viewed and handled is of the utmost importance. If our discussion is to be valuable to all, there must be some consistency to the way God's Word is interpreted. The most basic truth about the Bible has to do with its authenticity and authority. This is not an apologetic on Scripture's historical veracity; however, this is a point on which we must agree.

1. God's Word is authentic! It is what it claims to be. It speaks truth. It not only contains truth, it is truth. God's Word is completely reliable in all of its claims. If you do not believe this fundamental truth, this forum is not for you. Psalm 119:160 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

2. God's Word is authoritative! While God's Word is truth, it is also demands submission. When it speaks, it speaks with the absolute authority of God. In our discussions on various issues that face fundamentalism, this cannot be an area of difference. If you do not accept the absolute authority of God's Word on all of God's creation then this forum is also not for you. These truths cannot be subject to debate. John 10:35 ... the Scripture cannot be broken. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

I plan to introduce various doctrines from time to time that make up the "fundamentals" of what God's Word teaches with the goal of producing a doctrinal statement for this blog. Your comments and suggestions are appreciated and may this forum further ground us in the fundamentals of the Bible and help those of us who believe these truths be more unified in the task of glorifying God in our lives, families, and ministries.

Purpose

What is “Fundamentalism”? If you were to gather pastors from random locations across the world who would define themselves as “fundamental”, you would probably get many similarities and many differences. There is work to be done for Christ and some of the issues that divide fundamentalists should be reexamined. There should be clear lines over which we should never cross; lines of doctrine and works of the flesh clearly taught in the Scriptures. When it comes to issues that are not clearly defined in God’s Word, there needs to be balance and tolerance. When we separate from brothers who do not see things exactly as we see them, whether intentional or not, we have begun to define righteousness on our terms and not on God’s. The point of exposing a brother should only be done when he has persistently taught either by word or act doctrines contrary to what he has received in the Scriptures or has persistently embraced either by word or act works of darkness identified in the scriptures. Let us as fundamentalists serve the Lord with one voice. Let us fight what God fights and let us edify one another in brotherly love. When a brother seems to be straying from the “fundamentals”, let us personally and privately seek to admonish and correct him and be careful to not malign a servant of God based on the observations of others.