Kingdom Theology Views (last update to this page was made on 05/31/2004)

Provided by: Dr Jack Jacobsen (last update - 05/31/2004)

I . THEOLOGY:
Study of God: The word theology comes from two Greek words, "theos" means God and "logos" means word. The combination is the study of God and God's word in a Christian context. The study of God always includes a system of thought that is coherent in manner and orderly in fashion. There is an absolute truth to theology rather than based on relativism. God must reveal himself in order to be understood and when he does that, it is always clear and according to his nature and character. He is consistent and not the author of chaos or confusion.

Jesus Christ as Revelation: The Lord Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit to be God in the flesh among us. The word Emmanuel means God with us. Jesus Christ was sent by the heavenly Father to be his revelation to us.

Unfolding of Revelation: We believe in the unfolding revelation and the heavenly Father allows us to receive by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said to Simon Peter "Blessed art thou Simon Barjona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father which is in heaven."

Inspiration and Authority of Scripture: The writers of the entire Bible (begriming with Moses and ending with the Apostle John) is entirely inspired by God and is his revealed word and profitable for our instruction and correction. As Luther stated, my conscience is bound to God and I can do no otherwise, so help me God.

Infallibility and Inerrancy of Scripture: The Bible is totally infallible and totally inerrant in matters of morals, matters of truth and matters of conduct.

Canon and Interpretation of Scripture: Scripture is the true measuring rod for our guidance and direction in our lives. It is the supreme authority in the life of the Christian Church. Tradition cannot be the guide of the doctrine of the Church but rather the doctrine of the Church is to give rise to true tradition. The Bible interprets itself and reaffirms its teachings and doctrine. Where it speaks of an allegory, then it is an allegory. Where is speaks as a fact or truth, it is to be taken as a fact or truth.

II . MAGNIFICENCE OF GOD:

Names of God: God has revealed himself to man in varied names concerning his nature and character. The names of God reveal all that he is, all that he has and all that he can do. His name is hallowed or stands apart from man and is to be considered higher, greater and of more value. He often revealed himself in the old testament as God (Elohim), LORD (Jehovah), the Almighty (El Shaddai) and the Most High (El Elyon). Each name draws attention to a particular characteristic or distinct attribute of the same one God. He has used other names as well to describe his relation to things or persons. No single name or title fully represents him as each contains something of his glory and special virtues.

God is awesome, beyond our human description! His name is one that to be reverence always and forever.

Self-Existence of God: In the beginning was God and the word was God and the word was with God. God always has been, he is and he shall be. There is no beginning or end, He Is. He exists by his own power and simply IS. We believe He IS "for he that cometh to God must believe that he is" (Heb 11:6). His existence is different than that of his creation. While creation depends on his power to exist, God depends on nothing and no one for his existence.

Immanence & Transcendence: The Lord is at hand. Paul speaks of his closeness. As close as my hand is to my body, so close is the Lord to me. That is his immanence. The Lord also comes to me by divine revelation, by his 'rhema' word as he comes to to me in a time when I need it. The Lord came to Luther in his transcendence when he revealed that the just shall live by faith. We experience both the immanence as we walk with him daily and there are times I need his transcendence revelation.

Immutability of God: God can not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. There is no fluctuation or changes, HE IS.

Omnipotence of God: God is completely all powerful and in control of all things. He is totally able to change the course of mankind and elements. He is the God that guides all the affairs of men.

Omniscience of God: He is all wise, has all the facts and knows all things. He is revealing the truths and secrets today which helps make our lives better (e.g., science, inventions, medicine, etc.), all coming from the knowledge of God. In Jesus dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

Omnipresence of God: He is always present with us. He is totally present in our world. We hold to the fact that he is infinite. Therefore, he can be and is fully present everywhere. He fills his entire universe. In him we live, move and have our being. There is no place where he is not present. If we ascend into heaven, he is there. If we make our beds in hell, he is there! He is ever present and present everywhere. There is no place you can go but God is there.

Faithfulness of God: He is totally faithful as he was with Abraham, Moses, the prophets of the Old Testament. He was faithful to his word to them and to fulfill it. He was faithful to the early church and the reformers and he is faithful to us and our world today. His faithfulness includes his provision, his promises and eternal life that we have with him.

We embrace with assurance that God is faithful. Great is His faithfulness. He abideth faithful and cannot deny himself. He is God, the faithful God which keeps his covenant and mercy with them that love him. He is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He initiated our reconciliation and is faithful in its outworking. Faithful is he that calleth you and who will also do it. He could never commit himself to do something of which he would eventually prove incapable. He is faithful to redeem and his compassions fail not. Equally so, his faithfulness and actions are motivated by his nature of love as we continue to learn to trust in the mercies of God. He is altogether trustworthy and has revealed time and time again his faithfulness.

Holiness of God: There is no sin, error, defect in his character. He is a totally awesome and Holy God. As Isaiah stated, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts. We too are to hold him in reverence and highest regard in our worship, our living and with each other. We are to behold him as Holy.

Goodness of God: God is good at all times. He has in his heart our very best and so all things that we receive from him is because of his goodness. That includes even his times of correction and judgments. We see how Israel would stray and in his goodness, he would bring them back to judgment and correction. In the mystery of iniquity, God can take that which seems evil and use it for our eventual good as he did with Joseph who was sold into captivity and yet in the end it was Joseph who was a redeemer to his brethren.

Mercy & Justice of God: God is portrayed in scripture as a God of mercy. In one African dialect of John 3:16, it states that God had an ache in his heart for his creation and so he sent his son Jesus to be our savior. God loves this world and us so much that he had to send his very best, himself in the flesh. The justice of God was dealt with at the cross, sin had to be dealt with and only God could deal with sin by giving us Jesus and that was his justice for our salvation.

Trinity of God: The Father who created all things, the Son who redeemed mankind and the Holy Spirit who gives life to mankind. They are three in one and one in three manifestations as creator, redeemer and sanctifier.

Love of God: The love of God is seen from the beginning as man was created to the end of the ages as God gives himself of his plan of salvation for us, his love for us and a blessed future for all of creation. It is all inclusive. As Paul stated, As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive. That is the love of God.

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