Theology
101 No. 3
We live in a world of many gods. Man seems to have an innate desire to worship someone or something. It almost seems that with as many minds as there are, so too are there as many gods. It has been said of the Hindu religion of India that there are more gods than people. Inevitably the question is raised, AWhich one is the right god?
Some have answered this question with a simplistic universalism saying things like, It is but one God, just many paths; or AThat particular religion is just one facet of the Divine. This does not, however, answer why so many contradictory beliefs about God then exist between the different religions. Since all these views cannot be true it leaves us with just two options: Either one (and just one) view is correct or none of them are correct and they are all just a figment of the adherents mind.
The idea that all the religions are false and that there is no God is not supported by the evidence God has left behind. When we look, for example, at nature and the wonders of this world we see the handiwork of a great Creator. Even scientists are coming to the conclusion that the universe and all that it holds is simply too complex to be the result of random chance. A Prime Cause has to be part of the equation. Creation speaks to a Creator (Romans 1:19,20).
There is also proof of the existence of God within man himself. We all have a conscience that holds us accountable to a power higher than ourselves (Romans 2:15). Our conscience (while not perfect and easily ignored) points us toward the existence of God. But neither nature nor conscience reveal to us who the true God is or what He is specifically like. These two things simply tell us that there is a God.
Herein lies the importance of knowing and understanding specifically what the Bible is and is not (Theology 101 No.2). It is only in the revealed Word of God that we learn of Who God truly is. We need to know who God is because simply knowing He exists is not enough to solve our greatest problem: Sin and its eternal consequences.
Scripture reveals to us many attributes of the one true God. God is one (Isaiah 45:5). God is indivisible (Exodus 3:14), He is unchangeable in His essence (Psalm 102:26,27). God is infinite (I Kings 8:27). God is not limited by time B He is eternal (Psalm 90:2). God is a living, intelligent, active being (Jeremiah 10:10; Romans 11:33; and Acts 17:28). God knows all things (I John 3:20). God is wise beyond human wisdom (Job 12:13). He is holy and has a holy will (Isaiah 46:10,11; Isaiah 6:3). And He is all powerful (Luke 1:37).
The most important attribute of God is perhaps the least comprehensible to our sin-corrupted minds. The Bible teaches us that while God is one undivided and indivisible essence He is also three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And, as such, each of these three persons is equally God. While it is difficult, if not impossible, for us to understand how one God can be three persons, it is, nonetheless, how He has revealed himself to be in the Scriptures (Matthew 3:16,17, Matthew 28:19 and various others).
Acceptance of the Trinity is absolutely necessary to the Christian faith. Anyone who rejects this teaching cannot be considered a Christian. Over eighty percent of Americans claim to believe in God and claim to be Christian. But groups like the Mormons (who teach Father and Son are distinct and separate gods) or the Jehovah=s witnesses (who deny the divinity of Jesus Christ) and many others who simply recognize a generic God are not Christians. The number of people who recognize the Triune God in this country is estimated to be around thirty five percent.
There is but one true God among the many religions of the world and faith in this God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is absolutely essential for eternal salvation. That is certainly not a politically correct statement, but it is a true and necessary one. It also highlights the importance of sharing this one true God with as many as we can for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). For those whose God is the Triune God we have the assurance, confidence, and knowledge that this almighty, all knowing, holy, righteous, and active God will fulfill His promises of life and salvation and will be with us now and always.