An individual is not just the product of the forces around him. “As a man thinketh, so is he,” is really most profound. Their presuppositions also provide the basis for their values and their basis for their decisions. People’s presuppositions lay a grid for all they bring forth into the external world. Presuppositions rest upon that which a person considers to be the truth of what exists. By presuppositions we mean the basic way an individual looks at life, his basic world view, the grid through which he sees the world.

People have presuppositions, and they will live more consistently on the basis of these presuppositions than even they themselves may realize. This is true of their value systems and it is true of their creativity … People are unique in the inner life of the mind-what they are in their thought world determines how they act. This flow is rooted and has its wellspring in the thoughts of people. The late Francis Schaeffer wrote of the significance of one’s world view, which, in the final analysis, represents one’s doctrinal perspective about God and life: Concerning idols, the Psalmist wrote, “Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them” (Ps. People eventually become like whatever god they worship. And this viewpoint, whether picked up through formal instruction or simply by the process of osmosis from their culture, is not without serious repercussions on the way people think and act. People, whether they realize it or not, have a set of presuppositions which form their doctrinal viewpoint or theological perspective about God, the world, and man himself. Bible doctrine, the teaching of the Bible as God’s supernatural revelation to man, is the necessary foundation for knowing and understanding God, His creation (including man himself), and His plan for mankind. Unfortunately, many are turned off by the term “doctrine” or “theology.” For many people these two terms mean something boring, impractical, and useless, but nothing could be more removed from the truth. John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.ġ John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. John 14:7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also from now on you know Him, and have seen Him. The fact that God is knowable is evidenced by the very gift of the Bible as God’s revelation of Himself to man, but note also the following passages: Isaiah 40:18 To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him? Job 11:7 Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? God’s incomprehensibility is declared in passages like Job 11:7 and Isaiah 40:18:

To say that God is knowable means that, though incomprehensible, God can be known and man can grow in the knowledge of God, at least in a limited sense and to the degree that is needed for man to trust God and have a personal and growing relationship with Him. To say that God is incomprehensible simply means that finite man cannot know everything there is to know about God who is an infinite being. Both are true, but not in an absolute sense. First, it teaches us that God is incomprehensible, and but then it also declares that God is knowable. The Bible gives witness to two facts regarding the knowledge God. It will also benefit those looking for a review of these essentials, perhaps for Sunday school teachers in the preparation of material for their classes, or for those training disciples. This study will be helpful for the new Christian or anyone who needs to get a handle on the essential elements of the doctrine of God. Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches 24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. Here is an essential part of the foundation needed for solid spiritual growth and insight into life in general and into the Christian life in particular. Rather than an exhaustive treatment, the study which follows is designed to be a general overview of the key features of what the Bible teaches about God, His existence, Persons, and attributes of the Triune God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Since the term theology (the study of God) is often used of the study of other biblical subjects like the Bible, angels, man, salvation, and so on, Theology Proper is the designation sometimes used for just the study of God Himself. No doctrine or aspect of theology is more basic than the doctrine of God, sometimes referred to as Theology Proper. Introductory Matters The Nature and Purpose of This Study

Charles ryrie systematic theology pdf