The Gospel and The Kingdom

Question: What is God?

Answer: God is Spirit (John 4:24), infinite (Job 11:7, 8, 9), eternal (Ps. 110:2), and unchangeable (Jas. 1:17) in his being (Ex. 3:14), wisdom (Ps. 147:5), power (Rev. 4:8), holiness (Rev. 15:4), justice, goodness, and truth (Ex. 34:6).

I will never forgot teaching my oldest son this question. If it had not been for Dr. Orrick’s CD, it may have not happened. My son was about four years old at the time, so there is a lot in this question for him! There is a lot in this question for you and I as well. If you were asked the question by your neighbor, “What is God?”, what would you answer be? What passages of Scripture would you turn to? Would you be able to form a biblical answer? I would venture to say that most people sitting in a pew, and ashamedly some in pulpits, could not answer that question.

To understand this question let us break this down in small chunks, and even out of the order that it is listed. I think that switching the order is necessary for understanding’s sake, but should be retained when reciting. I may explain this more at the end.

First, the answer to this catachetical question asserts that God is Spirit. The primary Scripture text used to support such an answer as given here is John 4:24. However, one should also note that there are two other places where Scripture presents God as Spirit; namely Hebrews 12:9 and Acts 17:24-25.

This is where I will explain this “out of order.” God is a Spirit who possesses being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. All of these characteristics are attributed to Him - thus they are called attributes. He possess these attributes, infinitely, eternally, and He never changes in his attributes. There was not a time when He was not (I realize that sounds like a double negative, but do we really have language that properly describes God?). Which, I must admit, that I like the term eternal, it is biblical language. However, I think we must define it carefully in this culture. Eternal implies a beginning. Infinite, or infinity, does not. Some may argue based upon Miriam-Webster’s Dictionary, but I think those definitions for eternity and infinite do not do the conversation justice. For now, it may be best to use these words interchangeably, perhaps in a way such as this:

God is a Spirit who is infinite in his wisdom, eternal in his being, infinite in his power and holiness, eternal in his justice and goodness and truth. God is a God who never changes in this attributes.

I have decided, almost two years later now, to go back to blogging through the Baptist Catechism on Mondays.  I am placing a collection of the Baptist Catechism entries, thus far, below.  Again, it has been almost two years since I first begun and probably 16-18 months since I stopped.  It doesn’t seem lie that long ago!

• Blogging Through the Baptist Catechism
• Baptist Catechism: Question 1
• Edwards, the chiefest, and why this is a supremely better word…
• Baptist Catechism: Question 2
• Baptist Catechism: Question 3
• Baptist Catechism: Question 4
• Baptist Catechism: Question 5
• Baptist Catechism: Question 6

This coming Monday, I will pick up where I left off with Question 7.  Also, you can find the text of the Baptist Catechism that I am using here.

Question: What things are chiefly contained in the holy scriptures?
Answer: The holy scriptures chiefly contain what man ought to believe concerning God, and what duty God requireth of man (2 Tim. 1:13; 3:15-16).

Within in this question/answer set consists the extent of how to live the Christian life.  The progression of the questions has proceeded from Who is the chiefest of beings, to should everyone believe in God, the chiefest of beings, to how one may know that God exist, to how He has revealed Himself.  Now, in question six, the answer to “what is contained in this revelation of God?” is addressed.

God has revealed Himself to His creation, and man is without excuse.  However, God has also especially revealed Himself in His Word.  And this question sets to keep in the forefront of our minds exactly what He has revealed.  For there is nothing in all of life where the principle to guide us to correct obedience and worship to our Father is not found in the whole of the scriptures (the Old and New Testaments according to question 4).

It is commonly known that the Ten Commandments are divided into two categories.  (1) How we should act towards God and (2) how we should act towards man (our neighbor).  It could be said the same for the whole of Scripture.  It commands us and guides us and reproves us and exhorts us to a proper relationship with the God who created, sustains, and redeems us; and as a subset (because part of right living with God is keeping in right living with our neighbor) the whole of Scripture also teaches us how to live what God commands out in front of those we are in the midst of (See Ezekiel 5).

The question/answer set also points to another important concept of the Christian life.  We have been redeemed, yes; but because of our redemption, we also have a responsibility.  God does not save us to “set and soak,” but he does so so that we worship and witness.  We have a responsibility (what duty God requireth of man) in the Christian life to live a life in a manner worthy of the calling which we have received.

It is imperative for the Christian to live a life that reflects the holiness of the holy God who called us and loved us, even while we were yet sinners.  Not only are we to know Him, but we also are to make Him known.

Question:  May all men make use of the holy Scriptures?
Answer:  All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted to read, hear, and understand the holy scriptures (John 5:38; 17:17-18; Rev. 1:3; Acts 8:30)

In this three question set concerning the Word of God (questions 4-6), there is an interesting progression of what God’s Word is, to how it is to be used.  This particular question that is being addressed today, concerns itself with the extent of who is commanded to heed the Word of God.  It should be properly noted that just as all men have a duty to believe in God (question 2), all men have a duty to live by His Word.  I find this interesting that the God who has revealed Himself through creation did not leave His creation without a proper understanding of who He is.  Yet not only is He rejected, but His Word as well.  I believe that this is what the passage in John 5 is referencing.

But this question and answer set makes it very clear that all do have a responsibility to heed His Word.  Of course, one would not want to overlook the missiological implications of such a statement.  What missiological implications you ask?  Romans 10:14-17.  How can they hear without a preacher?  Why is this preacher needed?  God has decreed that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. 

So all men, even unconverted, have a duty to heed God’s Word.  He is their creator just as he is the creator of the converted.  There are principles upon which our society were founded; there are principles upon which our society operates that are basic “Christian” principles.  This is not the place for the discussion of those principles, but it does point out that all men, whether desirous or not, at least occassionally heed God’s Word. 

So all men, especially the converted, have a duty to heed God’s Word for reasons mentioned in Question 6 and for the missiological implications.  We must proclaim God’s Word so that it may be heard in a way as such it can be understood.  Faith comes by hearing. 

We are commanded to read, hear, and understand God’s Word.  This is a progression that should be noted as well.  We are to not only read God’s Word, but to submit to it’s hearing, and then apply what is read or heard.  One has not truly heard if understanding is not gained.  Application is an evidence of true knowledge.

Also tied into this discussion of this question/answer set is the definition of sin, but it is more appropriatly discussed in Question 6.  For the neglect to heed the revelation of the God who created us is sin.

Okay, Okay, so I am a day late. You can forgive me….today I turn 30. What does that have to do with missing my Baptist Catechism post yesterday? Nothing….just thought that if I am “old” now, I mind as well use its benefits!

Onto the real stuff…

Question: What is the Word of God?

Answer: The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the Word of God, and the only certain rule of faith and obedience (2 Tim 3:16; Eph. 2:20).

I find it interesting, in the progression of the catechism, that the questions run from an assertion of who God is, a demand for belief in Him, and then a movement to His Word. I have quite often heard it said, and thought this way once before myself, that those who reject all truth or all truth claims would have to believe in God’s Word as inerrant and inspired before that person would come to saving faith in Christ alone.

This is not necessarily what this catechism would teach us in the progression of these questions. The One, True, Living God must be made known….belief must be demanded (an opportunity for response in common terms)…and then a teaching and subsequent belief in God’s inerrant Word.

You may choose to disagree, that is your right, but you cannot negate how this is both logically and pragmatically evident in our society today.

The answer of this question is careful to define what is Scripture and what is not. The two testaments known as the Old and the New Testaments are God’s Word. This description is both inclusive (defining what God’s Word contains, as I have stated before) and what God’s Word does not contain (apocryphal writings) and what God’s Word is not (the Book of Mormon, the Quran, etc.).  The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments in their original language are God’s inspired, inerrant Word.

The answer of this question also sets the foundation for use of God’s Word.  I say foundation because Question 5, next week, will answer it more fully.  It will provide the extent to which the Word of God is to be used.  Again, more on that next week.

For our question this week, however, we are told that the Word of God is the only certain rule for faith and obedience. To best explain this concept, I would direct you to my review of John MacArthur’s Why One Way? book.  There, he lays out that God’s Word is objectively true (outside of ourselves), it is rational (it makes sense), and it is authentic (there is nothing else like it).  Those are three characteristics that support why God’s Word is the only certain rule.

God and His Word are two things that are objectively true, independent of anything else for authentication.  Therefore, the life that He has given us, this life in which we live for Him, should be lived by His standard and His standard alone.  (See Amos chapter 7).

Again, more will be dealt with this topic later.  It has many implications that I will postpone until next week to avoid redundancy.   There is a possibility that next week’s post on the Baptist Catechism will be by a guest author (my brother, Matthew Ewers, whose theological classifications run a mile long - he is truly a difficult man to describe!).  He will include some of these implications for living a life “in manner worthy of the calling with which we have received.”

Question: How may we know there is a God?
Answer: The light of nature in man and the works of God plainly declare there is a God (Rom. 1:19,20; Ps. 19:1, 2, 3; Acts 17:24); but his word and Spirit only do it fully and effectually for the salvation of sinners (1 Cor. 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:15,16).

This is perhaps my son’s favorite question and answer set. If you do not already have Dr. Orrick’s The Baptist Catechism Set to Music you must ascertain yourself a copy. Dr. Orrick does an incredible job with the music for this question and answer set.

Now let’s look at the logical flow of the questions thus far (I believe this provides a wonderful basis for conducting a conversation toward the gospel). The logical flow goes something like this…. Is there a supreme or chiefest being? Should we believe in Him? How may we know He exists? See, is that not the basis for a God-centered conversation in propagating the Gospel? Now to an analysis of the answer itself.

First, the fact that God exists is generally revealed in two ways: (1) in the heart of man and (2) in creation itself. We have two ways, apart from Scripture, to know that there is a first and chiefest being and to know that we should believe in Him. Romans 1:19 tells us that “what can be known about Gos is plain to them [the unconverted], because God has shown it to them.” We are told by the Psalmist that they heavens declare the glory of God.

Man is the only creature that can sit in a field and ask to himself the questions that David asks himself in Psalm 8, “what is man that You are mindful of him?” Man is the only creature that God ever created that can ponder their own existence. Therefore, our existence must have purpose! Man is the only creature that God ever created that can be evoked unto praise for looking at a majestic creation.

But, however, God only reveals Himself, specially, to sinners through His Word and by His Spirit. He does so completely and effectually. It is through God’s Word that we are converted and the blind are made to see and the mystery, once hidden, is revealed in Christ Jesus. When God reveals Himself through His Word, He does so fully…..again, the mystery that was once hidden is now revealed. He does so effectually, as well. Man cannot save Himself (Psalm 49:5-9), and a dead man cannot make Himself alive. We are brought to life, effectually (without error, without fail) by the good hand of our great God.

So how may we know? In our hearts, in creation, and especially through His Word and by His Spirit.

Question:  Ought Everyone to believe there is a God?
Answer:  Everyone ought to believe there is a God (Hebrews 6:6); and it is their great sin and folly who do not (Psalm 14:1). 

On Monday, I posted my first blog entry pertaining to the 114 questions of the Baptist Catechism. I rather enjoyed the comments on that post and the discussion that we had. Specifically enjoyed the comments concerning “chiefest” versus the use of another word, such as “best” (as in Piper’s adaptation of the Baptist Catechism). I explained in the comment section of that post that I believed that the word “chiefest” was a better word concerning what I perceived the question/answer of the Baptist Catechism was trying to get across…..that God is Himself chief in all things.

Today being June 1, I have started reading Edwards for the month, as I have time. This morning I was reading The End for Which God Created the World and in paragraph seven, Edwards says this:

A chief end, which is opposite to an inferior end, is something diverse from an ultimate end; it is most valued, and therefore most sought after by the agent in what he does. It is evident that to be an end more valued than another end is not exactly the same thing as to be an end valued ultimately, or for its own sake.

Now I know that was a mouthful and I am not going to even attempt to explain the context of what Edwards is discussing in this post. However, what he says is pertinent to this discussion concerning whether or not “chiefest” is a better word than “best.” I believe, knowing what the framers of the Baptist Catechism were trying to accomplish, Edwards would say that chiefest is a more appropriate word.

Why would I say that? Based on his description or usage of the word chief end. The word best, for me, describes something that is best for me, here on this earth, in this life. Chiefest seems to describe something that is outside of myself. Which is exactly what I believe should be communicated through question one of the Baptist Catechism. God is the chiefest of beings, completely outside of this world, yet completely in it as He is its Creator. Who among heaven and earth is more “chiefer?” Gos is the chiefest being!

Today is the first day of my postings as I blog through the Baptist Catechism on Mondays.  Again, I will state that this is primarily for me, but I trust that it will be of some benefit for you as well.  Also, I want to mention again that the text that I will be using can be found here.  So…….here we go!

Question:  Who is the first and chiefest being?
Answer:  God is the first and chiefest being?  (Isaiah 44:6; 48:12; Psalm 97:9)

There are many other good catechisms that I can think of….The Shorter Catechism, The Catechism for Boys and Girls.  There are a few good ones out there.  But the question upon which the Baptist Catechism begins is but the highest of subjects to be discussed.  Granted, it is most excellent to know that our duty is to "glorify God and enjoy Him for ever."  However, when one begins with God, one has set himself or herself a sure foundation. 

The answer to the question, "who is the first and chiefest being?" asserts many things….of which a few I will comment on.  First, this answer asserts that God is chief in existence.  For Him to be the chiefest of beings means that He does in fact exist and is not, after all, a figment of an imagination. He is not the creation of any man, but He Himself is the Creator of all creation.  Nothing existed before Him, for He is more than infinite, He is eternal.  In other words, in Him there is no beginning, He simply was, is, and always will be.  Everything on this earth will pass away, God will still be here. 

Second, this answer asserts that God is indeed chief among many.  This is especially evident in the story of Abraham.  Abram was called out of the land of Ur to follow and worship One God.  Today, some follow Buddha, some Mohammed, some Oprah, but God is the first and chiefest being and there is none above Him.  He is above all.  Indeed, they will all pass away and be found incomplete in the end.  God, who has revealed Himself in His Word, is One.  "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One."  He is the only One, He is the chiefest One who can bring us into His presence and deliver us from our sin.

Third, this answer asserts that God is indeed chief among priority. This is merely the logical conclusion of this answer.  If the Lord our God is One and He is the only One, then, for those who have trusted in Christ, He must be chiefest in priority in our lives.  It is not enough to merely proclaim that He is the first and chiefest being.  Our lives must reflect this message that we proclaim.

Who is the first and chiefest being?  God is the first and chiefest being!

Father, we confess that you are chiefest in all your attributes.  You and you alone are worthy and deserving of all honor, glory, and praise.  We ask for forgiveness of our grotesque sins when we offend the chiefest of benigs.  When we offend your honor and your name.  May we, by Your grace, live a life that proclaims the chiefest news.  It is in the matchless name of Jesus Christ we pray…..Amen.

I have been looking for something to systematically blog through, now that summer is here and I can start special projects.  So I have decided to blog through the one hundred fourteen questions of the Baptist Catechism.  There are a few places that you can find the text, if you want.  I would suggest that you use this one from Founders that my former professor Dr. Jim Scott Orrick has set to music.  His album The Baptist Catechism Set to Music is available here.  The text that Founders uses, which Dr. Orrick has also used, is found in Dr. Tom J. Nettles’ book Teaching Truth, Training Hearts and it is available here. 

I will be blogging, systematically, through this catechism starting Monday and I will address one question each Monday.  I am using this catechism because this is the catechism that I use with my family (I only have one child that can actually repeat the answers right now, but we all listen to Dr. Orrick’s CD). 

Let me offer you this quote of C.H. Spurgeon by Dr. Nettles on page 53 of his book.  This pretty much sums it all up:

In matters of doctrine you will find orthodox congregations frequently changed to heterodoxy in the course of thirty or forty years, and that is because, too often, there has been no catechising of the children in the essential doctrines of the Gospel.  For my part, I am more and more persuaded that the study of a good Scriptural catechism is of infinite value to our children….Even if the youngsters do not understand all of the questions and answers….yet, abiding in their memories, it will be infinite service when the time of understanding comes, to have known these very excellent, wise and judicious definitions of the things of God…. It will be a blessing to them - the greatest of all blessing….a blessing in life and death, in time and eternity, the best of blessings God Himself can give. 

This systematic "commentary," if you will, on this catechism is intended more for me and my family.  I pray that you too will receive the best of blessings from God Himself - growing in the grace and knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Happy catechising…….