Bible teaching about God

What is the Bible teaching about God? When I was a young boy, the older folks told me that if I wanted to avoid an argument, then don’t talk about politics or religion. They were right. Religion has spawned many wars with much blood shed on a larger scale, and divisions in marriages and families on a smaller scale. 

And, in the American public school systems, teachers can lose their jobs if they talk about it too much. To make matters worse, in some countries, teachers can get killed if they talk about the wrong religion!

I suppose I should have listened to the “older folks,” but here I am, again talking about religion. And, if we talk about religion, then we must talk about God – and that is the specific topic of this article. I will touch on three short observations: religion in general, proofs of the existence of God, and the God of the Bible.

Religion in General

Virtually all cultures in all periods of history have had some form of religious expression. Religious expression assumes some concept of a higher power, powerful deity, gods, or God. The variety of religious belief and expression is widespread, and downright bewildering. 

Some think there are many gods or spirits, others think everything is God, and the Monotheism, such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, believe there is just one god. Some scholars spend their time on trying to prove the existence of God through reason or evidence, while other scholars say we should just assume the existence of God. Still others, such as Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud, spent their lives trying to prove there isn’t any God. 

But, even if one proves the existence of God, then another problem pops up: which God is the true God?

The Existence of God

For this short article, I must limit my comments on the God of the Bible. In demonstrating His existence, the Bible both assumes God’s existence, and gives astonishing evidence. 

For the first approach, Paul wrote, “that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19, 20). 

The second approach to demonstrate God’s existence is by offering evidence. The Bible offers such. The Apostle John wrote regarding Jesus, “Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30, 31). 

When John uses the word, “signs,” he refers to miracles. The big miracle that overarches all other miracles is Christ’s resurrection from the dead – a central doctrine of Christianity. 

I must confess, someone coming back from the dead really deserves our attention. At least, it does mine. The way I look at it is that we humans have harnessed the energy and power to destroy the whole world, but no one has come up with a process to invent life, or bring people back from the dead. But, Jesus did come back to life from the dead – and that is astonishing evidence!

There are many, many books available offering many convincing evidences for Christianity. One great place to start is with Josh McDowell’s books on Evidence That Demands a Verdict. 

The God of the Bible

We can next move on to who is the real God, according to the Bible. Moses, who had very dramatic meetings with God, reported this, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!” (Deuteronomy 6:4). Moses recorded that His name is “Yahweh,” the Self-Existent One (Exodus 3:14). 

When we turn to the New Testament, we find that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14). The Jewish Apostle Thomas, after seeing Jesus following His resurrection, fell at His feet, worshiped Jesus, and uttered, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). 

So far, what can we learn from this excursion into the perilous dialogue about religion? Well, from the Bible we can conclude at least three things: there is a God, but only one God, and that God is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. How do we know this to be factual? First, because people intuitively recognize there is a God, and second, because Christ’s resurrection from the dead offers compelling evidence of His Person. 

Where Do We Go From Here?

Well, I have introduced the basics about God in this short article, but there is so much more to know about Him. For example, what is God like? What does He do? Consequently, I recommend you to click over to the section on the “Free Bible Study,” where we can spend much more time learning about God. Click here.

Incidentally, the “older folks” weren’t always right. Talking about God doesn’t always have to involve an argument. It can also be an exciting, mind boggling, life changing adventure. I hope you will join me.

All the best, and may God richly bless your study.

Dr. Newman

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think it is important to know if there is a God?

2. Why do you suppose that all societies have some form of religious expression?

3. How would you demonstrate that the God of the Bible is the true God?

4. What does “Yahweh” mean? Why is that meaning important?

5. What is God the source of? (1 Corinthians 8:6).

6. How did God go about bringing humanity into existence? (Genesis 1:26, 27).

7. From the following verses, how would you describe God?

a. 1 Kings 8:39; Acts 15:18; John 21:17.

b. Romans 11:33; 14:7, 8.

c. Psalm 36:6; 104:21; Matthew 5:45.

d. 1 John 4:8; John 3:16.

e. Isaiah 6:3-5.

f. Psalm 99:4; Romans 2:5-8.

g. John 1:14; 1 Corinthians 1:9.

8. How many things in this world does God control? (Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11).