What is the study focus of Theology Proper?

Definition and Scope

Theology Proper centers on the study of God’s nature, attributes, and works. It explores who God is in essence, how God relates to humanity and creation, and how Scripture reveals His character. This field also addresses how believers and researchers alike use Scripture, historical testimonies, and reasoned argument to arrive at accurate conclusions about God’s identity.

Unlike broader theological disciplines that might focus on humanity, ethics, or end-times prophecy, Theology Proper focuses squarely on understanding God Himself. It includes considerations of His eternal existence, His self-revelation to humanity, and how this shapes our view of purpose and destiny.

Biblical Terminology and Foundations

Scripture uses various names and descriptions for God—such as “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14)—to emphasize that He is uncreated and independent. The opening verse of Genesis, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), points to God as the eternal, uncaused cause of all that exists.

From the earliest passages of the Bible, we see a foundational principle: God is the Creator, and all things find their origin in Him. The comprehensive nature of Theology Proper reflects the holistic emphasis of Scripture that consistently upholds God’s sovereignty and centrality.

The Existence of God

The study of God’s existence is a key part of Theology Proper. Evidence for His existence spans logical arguments, biblical manuscripts, and external corroborations:

• Scriptural Witness: From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture proclaims God as “the Alpha and the Omega” (Revelation 1:8). The claim that God has always been and will always be frames the entire biblical narrative.

• External Writings and Artifacts: Ancient Near Eastern archaeological finds sometimes reference deities, providing background that shows the Bible addressed real historical cultures. Such documents point to a universal search for the transcendent. While these may not all align with the biblical view, they demonstrate humanity’s persistent belief in a deity or deities outside of themselves.

• Manuscript Reliability: Multiple ancient manuscripts—such as fragments found among the Dead Sea Scrolls—demonstrate the textual consistency of the Hebrew Scriptures. Their preservation underscores that the shared message about God’s eternal nature has remained intact over centuries.

Attributes of God

In Theology Proper, discussions of God’s attributes clarify how He interacts with His creation. Scripture reveals a range of attributes, which can be classified into two main categories:

1. Incommunicable Attributes: These are attributes belonging to God alone. Examples include His omnipresence (“‘Am I only a God nearby,’ declares the LORD, ‘and not a God far away?’” Jeremiah 23:23), omniscience (“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.” Psalm 147:5), and immutability (“I the LORD do not change,” Malachi 3:6).

2. Communicable Attributes: These attributes can be seen, in limited form, among humanity. God’s love (“God is love,” 1 John 4:8), holiness (“Be holy, because I am holy,” 1 Peter 1:16), righteousness, and mercy are reflected in a believer’s life as they grow spiritually.

The Triune Nature of God

Theology Proper also examines how Scripture teaches that God is One (Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.”) and yet eternally exists in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This understanding is gleaned from passages such as:

• Creation Narrative: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness…’” (Genesis 1:26). The plural pronouns point to a complexity within the Godhead.

• Christ’s Baptism: “As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. … He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is My beloved Son…’” (Matthew 3:16–17). All three Persons of the Trinity appear simultaneously.

• Apostolic Benediction: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14). This verse brings together all three Persons in a blessing over the church.

God’s Works and Activity in Creation

A key emphasis of Theology Proper is that God is intimately involved in the world. He upholds all things (Colossians 1:16–17) and reveals Himself through:

• Creation: Many point to observable phenomena—such as the complexity of biological systems or the geological record—as testimonies of God’s intelligent design. Researchers have noted that the purposeful arrangement of complex information in DNA aligns with the notion of a Designer.

• Providence: God cares for the world and its events to achieve His purposes. “He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45).

• Redemption: Central to Theology Proper is God’s redemptive plan. Scripture declares that the Father ordained, the Son accomplished, and the Spirit applies salvation (Ephesians 1:3–14). Christ’s resurrection stands as the unequivocal sign of God’s power and purpose in redeeming humanity.

Implications for Worship and Life

Because Theology Proper emphasizes God’s ultimate nature, it shapes how individuals worship and live:

• Worship: Recognizing God’s holiness and majesty informs our reverence in prayer, praise, and service. “Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness” (Psalm 29:2).

• Morality and Purpose: Accepting that God is the moral lawgiver leads believers to base ethics on His unchanging character. Moreover, understanding God’s sovereignty instills confidence that life has purpose beyond circumstances.

• Evangelism: A thorough understanding of who God is propels believers to share the truth of the gospel with others. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15) reflects God’s desire for people to know Him truly.

Role of Revelation

Theology Proper is grounded in the belief that our knowledge of God depends on His self-revelation. According to Scripture, God reveals Himself in two key ways:

• General Revelation: The natural world declares God’s handiwork (see Psalm 19:1). Features of the cosmos, including finely tuned conditions for life, point toward a purposeful design. Geological studies, too, have provided insight into catastrophes such as worldwide flood accounts, which many see as supportive of a historically recent creation.

• Special Revelation: Scripture itself is the definitive guide to understanding God’s nature and works (2 Timothy 3:16). These texts have been preserved through numerous manuscripts, displaying a remarkable consistency that scholars highlight when defending the reliability of the Bible.

The Study Focus Summarized

Theology Proper focuses on:

1. God’s Existence: Establishing that God is without beginning or end, revealed as both transcendent and personal.

2. God’s Nature: Understanding the Triune relationship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and how that influences our view of community and love.

3. God’s Attributes: Examining the incommunicable (unique) and communicable (shared) attributes.

4. God’s Works: Studying creation, providence, and redemption, demonstrating how God engages with the world.

5. God’s Revelation: Affirming Scripture as the primary source for doctrinal clarity on who God is and the implications for humanity.

By emphasizing these focal points, Theology Proper not only seeks to provide an intellectual framework for discussing God but also encourages personal transformation through deeper knowledge and worship of the Creator.