Theology Proper Lecture

Speaker: Pastor Obayomi Ikikeye, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Vancouver
Course Structure: This academic and spiritual inquiry is organized into $5$ distinct segments, with each session comprising $3$ specific modules meant to provide a comprehensive foundation in systematic doctrine.
Definition of Theology Proper: While "theology" broadly refers to the study of religious truths, Theology Proper is the specific sub-discipline within systematic theology that focuses exclusively on the Person of God the Father. This includes an examination of His being, His essential nature ( $Essence$ ), His divine attributes (characteristics), and His works in creation and providence.

The Ultimate Pursuit: Intellectual and spiritual engagement with the character of God is considered the highest and most rewarding pursuit for the human mind. It is described as the "Queen of the Sciences" because it provides the framework for understanding all other reality.
Dependency and Ontology: God is recognized as both our absolute $Source$ (the Origin of all life) and our ultimate $End$ (the Purpose for which we exist). Human life is not sub-existent but totally contingent upon His sustaining power.
Biblical Rationale (Amos 3:3): The inquiry "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" serves as a primary biblical mandate. It suggests that a meaningful walk with the Creator requires a fundamental agreement and understanding of His character and will.
The Practicality of Doctrine: A relationship with the Divine is not based on vague emotion but on objective knowledge. Knowing God serves as the primary driver for all human ethics and actions, as one's "Theology" (belief about God) inevitably shapes one's "Sociology" (behavior toward others).

Etymological Roots:
- Theo (\theta̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̲̕\epsilon\́o\varsigma): Greek for "God."
- Logos (\lambda\́o\gamma o\varsigma): Greek for "study," "discourse," "rational word," or "teaching."
Synthesized Meaning: Theology is the rational and systematic study of the doctrine concerning God’s existence, His inner nature, and His relationship to the created order.

Cognitio Insita (Innate Knowledge): The primary awareness that God exists, often called the sensus divinitatis, which is implanted in every human by the Creator.
Cognitio Acquisita (Acquired Knowledge): The secondary, more detailed understanding of God’s specific attributes, moral laws, and redemptive ways, gained through study and revelation.
- Faith is the prerequisite for this acquisition: "He that cometh to God must believe that He is" (Hebrews 11:6).

The Internal Witness: A deep-seated, universal inner sense of a higher power that transcends cultural or educational boundaries.
The Theatre of Creation: The material world serves as a physical evidence of its Maker, where the complexity of natural systems reflects the wisdom of the Designer.
Scriptural Assertion: In Psalm 14:1, the denial of God's existence is classified as "folly." Within this context, a "fool" ( $nabal$ ) refers not to a lack of IQ, but a moral and spiritual refusal to acknowledge obvious truth.

The Cosmological Argument (The Argument from Causality): Based on the principle that every effect must have a sufficient cause. Since the universe is an effect that began to exist, it must have a self-existent First Cause ( $God$ ).
The Teleological Argument (The Argument from Design): Derived from the Greek $telos$ (end or purpose). It observes the extreme order, harmony, and fine-tuning of the universe, concluding that such complexity requires an Intelligent Designer.
The Ontological Argument (The Argument from Being): Deals with the concept of God as the "Greatest Conceivable Being." It argues that existence is a necessary part of perfection; therefore, to be the greatest, God must exist in reality, not just in thought.
The Moral Argument (The Argument from Conscience): The universal existence of objective moral laws and the human conscience implies the existence of a Transcendent Moral Lawgiver to whom humanity is accountable.

Natural Revelation (General): Knowledge of God available to all people through the observation of the material world and the human conscience.
- Biblical Support: Psalm 19:1-3 describes how the heavens reflect God's glory through a "silent speech" across the earth.
Scriptural Revelation (Special): God's direct, personal communication with humanity.
- General Aspect: God’s eternal power and divine nature are manifest in the things made ( $Romans 1:20$ ).
- Specific Aspect: The definitive revelation found in the Old and New Testaments.
  - OT Manifestations: Direct auditory speech (as with Adam in Genesis 3:8-9) and Theophanies (visible manifestations like the burning bush).
  - NT Fulfilment: The ultimate revelation of God through His Son, Jesus Christ ( $Hebrews 1:1-2$ ). This includes apostolic teaching and communicative tools like dreams (e.g., Joseph in Matthew 1:20).

Evaluating the validity of theological systems is crucial for distinguishing Christian doctrine from alternative worldviews:

Deism: Belief in a "Watchmaker" God who created the universe but does not intervene in human affairs after the initial creation.
Atheism: The philosophical denial of any deity; the belief that there is no God ( $G=0$ ).
Skepticism/Infidelity: A posture of doubt or active hostility toward religious truth-claims.
Agnosticism: The claim that God is "unknowable" and that human reason lacks the capacity to prove or disprove His existence.
Pantheism: The belief that God and the universe are identical (Immanence without Transcendence).
Polytheism: The worship of a plurality of gods (G > 1).
Dualism: The belief in two co-eternal, opposing forces of good and evil.
Monotheism: The belief in only one God ( $G = 1$ ), which forms the core of Christian, Jewish, and Islamic thought.

Summary: Theology Proper provides the intellectual and spiritual framework for understanding God’s nature, His necessary existence, and the systems by which He is known.
Charge to the Student: Students are encouraged to advance beyond mere academic data to a relational "knowing" of God, which is the ultimate end of all theology.
Benediction: "May the Lord help us in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."