4. Doctrine of the Trinity

Important Passages

James 2:19: “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.”

Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

Matthew 3:16-17: “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Acts 5:3-4: “Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

We cannot fully understand everything about the nature of God (of course) but we can know truths about God because of what he has revealed in Scripture.

The Doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Stated differently, God is one in essence and three in person. These definitions express three crucial truths: 

1. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons
2. Each Person is fully God, 
3. There is only one God.

Note that this is not an explanation how God is one in being and three in person, but a description that God is one in being and three in person. We accept this truth because Scripture bears witness to it, even though we may not understand this mystery fully. 

Many of today’s cults and heresies deny one or more of these three truths. 

Source:
1. http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-is-the-doctrine-of-the-trinity

3. Doctrine of God, part II - Communicable Attributes

Important Passages

Genesis 1:26-27: “Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

Ephesians 5:1-2: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

1 Peter 1:15-16: “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”

Most important communicable attributes of God

These are called “communicable” because we share them with God as children made in his image. Though our expression of these attributes are broken due to sin, they are repaired through Christ:

1. Love – Love is to seek the well-being of the another unconditionally, even through self-sacrifice. God is love (1 John 4:8) and expresses His love perfectly through Jesus. Because we are touched by sin, our expression of love towards others will always be tainted. But we are still able to express it.
    
2. Mercy – To receive mercy is to not receive what is deserved (judgment, condemnation, etc.). Conversely, to give mercy is to not punish another for what they deserve. We can exhibit mercy to others though we do not always do it properly and perfectly.
    
3. Goodness – Goodness is virtue and holiness in action. Goodness flows out of a living faith in God. (Galatians 5:22-23, James 2:14-26).
    
4. Justice – Justice is to know and seek what is right and fair. “(Psalm 89:14, Leviticus 19:15, James 2:1-13, Isaiah 45:21).
   
   Just a side note on the relationship between justice and mercy:
   
   “In every other religion in the world that holds to the idea of a supreme deity, that deity’s mercy is always exercised at the expense of justice. For example, in Islam, Allah may grant mercy to an individual, but it’s done by dismissing the penalties of whatever law has been broken. (…) Christianity is unique in that God’s mercy is shown through His justice. There is no setting aside of justice to make room for mercy. The Christian doctrine of penal substitution states that sin and injustice were punished at the cross of Christ, and that only because the penalty of sin was satisfied through Christ’s sacrifice does God extend His mercy to undeserving sinners who look to Him for salvation.” (source: gotquestions.org)
    
5. Wisdom – People are capable of expressing wisdom, which is the proper use of knowledge. But this is best done in light of Scriptural revelation. We can possess wisdom but not perfectly. (Psalm 1, all of Proverbs)
    
6. Truthfulness – Truth is whatever that corresponds to reality. More than just not lying, Christians seek to know Truth and share the Truth to others (John 14:6, 2 Timothy 2:15, Ephesians 4:15)

Source: 
1.    https://carm.org/communicable-incommunicable-attributes-of-god)
2.    gotquestions.org [very good resource if you have questions]
3.    http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/gods-communicable-attributes/

gods of money | Week 4

Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Hebrews 10:32-35 – “Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.”

Initial Questions

1. What three items that you currently own can you almost not live without? 
   Possible response: iPhone, laptop, headphones
    
2. List three goals in your life:
   Possible response: To be a famous person, to be rich, to be the best in what I do

Summary of Video

Chuck Bentley was raised in a Christian home, and eventually accepted Jesus in his early years. He became a businessman and was one of the pioneers in the internet boom of the 90s. He became successful enough that he says "money started chasing us". He even made a deal with God that if God would bless him, he would give Him the glory. Eventually, Chuck was pulled into working long hours for his company. And when he listed down his future goals, he realized that none of them were spiritual goals. 

At a Bible study Chuck read 2 Kings 17:40-41 where the people worshiped the Lord while serving their idols. He saw his own reflection, and saw the distinction between "worship" and "service". He called himself an idolater, serving money while "worshiping" God. He read Jesus teaching "you cannot serve both God and money" and found that God wanted him to die to the things of this world, and to recognize that God is the source of everything. 

In March of 2000, the internet bubble burst and the stock market crashed. His company was over but he didn't feel any sting to losing it. He recognized the greater treasure found in Jesus than all the riches of Wall Street. As he looks back at this experience, he asks "how did I ever get trapped in that?" and now works in a ministry devoted to helping others take a Biblical view of money and finances, and has found his decision more than worth the sacrifice. 

Kyle Idleman begins the video by relating the numerous cases of suicide during the Great Recession of 2007-2009. Many of these people have lost hope because their "god" had died. In Scripture, money is often portrayed as a competitor to God. Jesus talked more about money than heaven and hell combined, and more than on prayer. In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, he says, "No one can serve two masters... you cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Kyle teaches that money is such a strong idol in our lives because of its ability to replace what God can do. Money can give us a sense of self-worth based on our net worth. It can provide for our needs. It can give us security and satisfaction.

One way to know if money or certain goals have become an idol in our lives is to ask ourselves these questions: What do you sacrifice your time for? What do you worry so much? What do you dream of? The answer may reveal what god lies in our hearts. 

Discussion Questions

1. How are money, possessions, and wealth idolized or worshipped in today’s culture? Give some examples:
   
   Possible answers: money and possessions - "status symbols" - are in today's songs and movies, and influence youth to chase after them in their lives
    
2. What do money or possessions provide that can seem to take the place of God in our lives? 
   
   Possible answers: security, value, status, etc.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 – “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

1. Is being rich in and of itself a sin? “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation…” – what does this mean and how is that true? 
   
   Possible answers: No it is not in and of itself a sin. People like Solomon, and Abraham were rich and were not condemned for their riches. The "lottery curse" can show that riches bring with it temptations because the newly-rich person can afford certain temptations that were one too expensive for them (e.g. drugs, prostitutes). 
   
   What are some “foolish and harmful desires” that can come from having a lot of money? 
   
   Possible answers: Desires to be even more rich; desires to be famous; desires to buy needlessly expensive items. 
    
2. Chuck referred to 2 Kings 17:41 – “Even while these people were worshipping the Lord, they were serving their idols”. And in Matthew 6:24 Jesus used the word “serve” rather than “worship”. What is the distinction between worship and service and why did Jesus use “serve”?
   
   Possible answers: "Service" refers to one's effort and work. While "worship" can be hypocritical and vainly religious. God wants our service – all our hearts, minds, souls and strength. 
    
3. Knowing all the warnings against making idols out of money and possessions, what is the proper role of money and possessions in the Christian life? Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. 
   
   Possible answer: We should not put our hope on money and possession which will be gone eventually, but on God who provides for our needs. Those who are rich should use their riches for the Kingdom of God, to be generous, and to lay our treasures in heaven. 
    
4. When Paul says to use one’s wealth so that “they may take hold of the life that is truly life”, what do you think he means (and in light of Chuck’s story)?
   
   Possible answer: True life in its fullest comes only from God who is the giver of life. 
    
5. Read Matthew 6:19-21 and Hebrews 10:32-35, and What is the Christian’s greatest treasure and possession and so where should our hearts be?
   
   Possible answer: The Christian's treasure and possession is God himself from whom comes the fullest joy, peace, security, value and all other things needed to fulfill all human needs and desires.

Summary

Money and possessions can be substitutes for God in our lives – we can try to find our success, happiness, and value from money or what money can buy but ultimately they will not satisfy. Christians are called not to chase after wealth and material possessions but rather use whatever blessing God gives for his glory. In doing so, we recognize that God is our ultimate treasure and possession and that we put our hope in him. 

HYMN: "I'D RATHER HAVE JESUS"

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name

Halloween: Celebration of Satan or Harmless Holiday?

Celebration of Satan or Harmless Holiday?

[note: edited 11/2/15 to add and clarify some paragraphs]

Before I begin to answer this question, let me give a brief note: I don't claim that I'm certain I have the “right view” on this issue, though I do think there is an objectively right answer to this question. I do believe that God-loving, Bible-reading, Christian believers from all backgrounds can disagree on non-essential questions such as this one without having to be mean to each other, or denying each other’s faith. I know Christians within and outside our church who do and who don’t participate in Halloween activities. We should all be able to get along fine without calling each other “legalists” or “compromisers”.

Disagreements between Christians on issues like Halloween arise partly due to the fact that Scripture does not speak explicitly about these things. Obviously this is because these issues did not arise when Paul, Peter, John, etc. were writing their letters and their books. But this does not mean that we can just do what we “feel” is right. The words of God in the Bible are “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting” and it is a “lamp for [our] feet, a light on [our] path”. Therefore, this has to mean that we can always use the Bible to find principles to see whether a certain activity is encouraged or not.   

Now I’m going to briefly present both sides of this issue and then we’ll talk about how Paul handled disputes such as these.

Why Christians should not celebrate Halloween

Christians should not celebrate Halloween because of its connection with the pagan holiday of Samhain. The themes and practices of Halloween allegedly come from this festival. God clearly opposes pagan practices like witchcraft, sorcery, fortune-telling (Deut. 18:9-13). Scripture also says that we are in a war against “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12). Furthermore, Paul teaches Christians not to be “conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2).

Because of its pagan origin, it is said that Halloween is a celebration of witchcraft, ghosts, demons, death and ultimately, Satan. This is often shown by how Halloween has a lot of dark imagery concerning death and the occult. A participation with any aspect of Halloween, harmless the intention may be, is a participation in a celebration of these things that are opposed to God. Christians should not celebrate the practices of their greatest enemy, Satan. Therefore, Christians should not celebrate Halloween.

Why Christians can celebrate Halloween

It is not true that the modern celebration of Halloween is the successor to the pagan holiday of Samhain. After all, the holiday we are celebrating is called “Halloween” for “All Hallows Eve” or the eve of All Saints ("Hallows") Day on November 1, and not Samhain. It is true that modern celebrations of Halloween include a celebration of ghosts, demons, and death in general. But a Christian is not compelled to celebrate Halloween in the same way non-Christians celebrate Halloween. This is just like how a Christian doesn’t have to celebrate the New Year, or their 21st birthday or even Easter and Christmas in the same way their non-Christian friends celebrate them (drinking, partying, Easter bunnies, Santa Claus, etc.). Non-Christians’ abuse of a holiday should not limit the freedom of Christians to celebrate the holiday appropriately.

Furthermore, there is nothing inherently evil about days, because evil lies in people hearts (Matt. 15:9). A person can have a pure heart (intentions that are not evil) in celebrating a holiday by dressing up as a ketchup bottle. This is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a celebration of witchcraft or the undead.

What do we make of this

The key text when it comes to disputes between people’s consciences is Romans 14. Here Paul speaks of two questions in his time:

1. Are Christians allowed to eat meat or eat only vegetables?
2. Are some days more holy than others?

Note that both of these questions are not about Halloween but we can apply Paul’s principles from his teachings here. So here’s what Paul says (Romans 14:2-6,10):

One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. […]

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

In the first case Paul says that God is the master of all Christians, not other people. In the second case, Paul says that both persons do what they do “to the Lord”. Therefore Paul is addressing people who are "true" Christians and who live their lives for the glory of God. Then comes Paul’s principle in verses 13-23:

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

The point in these passages is that with regards to certain issues (Halloween being one of them) Christians should take into account what their conscience tells them ("each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind"). Note that this “conscience principle” does not apply to everything – no Christian can claim to be greedy, commit adultery, or hate a neighbor “in good conscience” because Scripture has clear teachings on these and many other issues. 

Paul also actually says that whichever side is right doesn’t matter nearly as much as “acting in love” to one another (Rom. 14:15,19-21). And acting in love means not doing what you think is “OK” in front of your brother who doesn’t think the same way as you. This is because you would cause your brother to stumble over what they think is a sin (1 Cor. 8:12-13). 

A relevant example in 1 Corinthians chapters 8 and 10 is on whether Christians should eat food sacrificed to idols. Paul says that since there is no other god but God, all food sacrificed to idols are permissible to be eaten. However, one should not do it in front of a brother who doesn’t think the same way. This is because he may consider the eating of food sacrificed to idols as a participation in idol worship (1 Cor. 8:7). In general Christians should avoid actions that may seem to endorse evil things that are opposed to God (2 Cor. 6:14-18, Rom. 12:2, 1 John 2:15).

So with regards to Halloween (and other similar issues): if all things are done for the glory of God, and with a clear conscience, without causing any fellow Christian to stumble, and without looking like one is endorsing evil, I believe that Christians have the free choice to participate or not to participate. 

Lastly, there are pastors who prefer that Christians use trick-or-treating as an opportunity to develop relationships with neighbors and friends rather than to be isolated from them. This may be a way to form close relationships that can be an avenue for the gospel. Halloween is also the only day in the year when you meet a great number of people at the door, providing an opportunity for handing out gospel tracts along with the candy given. Numerous churches also use the holiday to hold trunk-or-treats at a church parking lot where evangelism can happen. So perhaps this is an opportunity for Christians to redeem this holiday rather than to completely surrender it to the world. 

2. Doctrine of God, part I - Incommunicable Attributes

Doctrine of God, part I - Incommunicable Attributes

Important Passages

Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Isaiah 55:9: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Most important attributes of God

These are often called “incommunicable” because only God alone possesses them: 

1. Holy – Holiness is God's perfection of character and without flaw and without sin but with complete goodness, justice, mercy, love, etc. (Psalm 71:22, Isaiah 6:3, 1 Peter 1:16).
    
2. Immutable (Unchanging)– God’s nature does not change in any way. His essence has always been and will always be exactly the same (Psalm 90:2, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8).
    
3. Infinite – God is without measure or limit in scope or duration. There are no constraints upon Him from outside of Himself that would restrict Him in His scope or duration (Genesis 21:33, Deuteronomy 33:27, Isaiah 40:28, Psalm 90:2).
    
4. Omnipotent – God is capable of performing anything He desires. (Psalm 33:9, Isaiah 40:28, 46:10).
    
5. Omnipresent – God is in all places and in all dimensions simultaneously. Nothing in the universe exists outside the presence of God (Psalm 139:7-12, Jeremiah 23:24).
    
6. Omniscient – God has perfect, complete knowledge. He never learns, nor does He forget. He knows all things that exist and all things that could have existed. God cannot grow in knowledge, understanding, or wisdom (Romans 16:27,Hebrews 4:13, 1 John 3:20).
    
7. Sovereign – God is the supreme being who answers to no one and who has the absolute right to do with His creation as He desires (1 Timothy 6:15, Isaiah 46:10).

Source: https://carm.org/communicable-incommunicable-attributes-of-god