A Systematic Approach
The Bible assumes the existence of God; it does not attempt to prove God’s existence — it simply states “In the beginning God” (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1). God’s existence is presupposed. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God,’” (Psalms 14:1). Denial of God is due to moral depravity, not to intellectual ability. Hebrews 11:6 states that “without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that comes to God must believe that he is.”
LOGICAL APPROACHES
Cosmological Approach
This approach states that every effect must have a cause. Hebrews 3:4 says the same thing: “For every house is built by some one, but the builder of all things is God.” Creation is orderly and beautiful. It didn’t just happen from nothing. To even think such a thing is, to me, blasphemous. It is first degree arrogance. In Romans 1:20, Paul states it better than anybody: “For the invisible things of God from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, (by) His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”
Teleological Approach
Emphasizes purpose and design in the universe, therefore there must be a designer – by necessity. See Genesis 1:1 – 2:23.
Scriptural Approach
The entire Bible is a proclamation of God’s existence. The Bible in the original writings is inerrant and infallible – THE ONLY Book that can make that claim. God is “I AM that I AM” (Exodus 3:14), the self-existent one (Psalms 135:6-7: 15-18; 138:2b).
Paradoxical Approach
God is incomprehensible, yet knowable (Psalms 139: 1-6; Job 11:7; 1 Corinthians 2:11). “God alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:16). This is one of the most beautiful statements in all of Scripture.
God is knowable, Psalms 76:1; Colossians 1: 9-10; 2 Peter 3:18. God is personal because of His Son – Jesus Christ. Christ made God personable. The universe, all creation testifies of God (Hebrews 11:3). The witness of Creation is universal and dramatic (Psalms 19: 1-9). We have the Mind of Christ so that we can know how God thinks (1 Corinthians 2:16). God’s General Revelation of Himself is found throughout Creation (Romans 1:20). God’s Special revelation of Himself is found throughout Scripture. Creation is temporary (Hebrews 1:10-11); but the Word of God abides forever (1 Peter 1:23-25).
ATTRIBUTES OF GOD – HIS ESSENCE – A SUMMARY
God is the self-existent one (Isaiah 40:13-14; Exodus 3: 13-15). God is not dependent on anything outside himself for existence. He has always been and always will be – comprehend that if you can.
God is Infinite. All His Attributes are unlimited (Acts 17: 24-25).
God is Eternal Life. God exists outside of time. He has always existed and always will exist (Psalms 90:2; 102:27; 2 Peter 3:8).
God is Sovereign. That is, God has Supreme Volition.
God is Immutable, Faithful, Trustworthy. He does not and cannot change (Numbers 23:19; Proverbs 19:21; Jonah 3:10; Malachi 3:6; Revelation 4:8).
God is Holy. Holiness is the Absolute Integrity of God. God is Absolute Righteousness. God is Absolute Justice. God Loves Righteousness and Justice (Psalms 11:7; 45:7).
God is Love. Love is the character of God that loves Him to give (John 3:15-18; 1 John 3:16).
God is Omniscient. There isn’t anything God doesn’t know and no knowledge exists apart from God – He is all in all (Psalms 139:1; 147:5). God knew billions and billions of years ago everything that would ever happen, past, present and future.
God is Omnipotent. There isn’t anything that God cannot do, His power is limitless. God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1-31); God became Human (John 1:14); God raised Christ from the dead (Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-14; Luke 24:1-32).
God is Omnipresent. The entire essence of God is present everywhere. No place exists apart from God (Jeremiah 23:23-24; Isaiah 66:1).
God is Veracity – Absolute Truth (John 14:6; Romans 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 1 Corinthians 1:9). God’s Word is Truth (Psalm 138:2; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:16). God’s Veracity is the basis for our continued forgiveness, when we sin, as often as we sin (1 John 1:9). God’s Veracity guarantees our Eternal security as believers. The Words of the Lord are Pure Words: “As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times. (Psalms 12:6). God’s Veracity ensures that every word of Scripture in the original signature from Genesis to Revelation, is perfect and absolute. Upon the Veracity and the Immutability of God depend all the certainty and assurances of life which are reinforced by every sunrise.
This summary of “The Doctrine of God” is an example of a systematic approach to study. It is by no means complete or exhaustive, but is designed to help you understand God by Systematic Presentation in Theological Terms.
For a more detailed study of God, see “The Essence Of God” and “Doctrine Of The Trinity.” Happy Studying!