BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR THE CHRISTIAN FAITH BOOK 1 KNOWING THE LIVING PAUL DAVID WASHERGO KNOWING THE LIVING GOD PAUL DAVID WASHER Nate“Paul Washer's study guide on the doctrine of God is the best introductory work known to me.” —lain H. Murray, Co-Founder and Editorial Director of the Banner of Truth Trust “Our church has used Paul's work on the doctrine of God in multiple Sunday school, small group, and discipleship settings. | often recommend it to people who want a biblical, practical, and warm guide to a vital knowledge of God.” — John Snyder, Pastor, Author of Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically “You will learn what the Bible says about the character and attributes of the God who is truly like no other. This is a wonderful work that | pray will help many grow in knowing God. Read it and be blessed. Read it and worship your God.” — Daniel L. Akin, President of Southeastem Baptist Theological Seminary “Paul Washer has provided a sound, biblical substantive theological study for those of us who have been longing for more. Anyone interested in bolstering their understanding of the doctrine of God will find this study immensely valuable. It can also serve to give young believers a solid foundation, or to aid in evangelizing unbelievers. ” —Voddie Bauchum Jr., Dean of the Seminary at African Christian UniversityKNOWING THE LIVING GOD Copyright 2016 Paul David Washer All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Direct your requests to the publisher at the following address: Published by Media Gratiae 608 Hamilton Dr. New Albany, MS 38652 email: [email protected] website: www.mediagratiae.org Printed in the United States of America 2016 First Edition All Scripture quotations taken from the new American Standard Bibl®, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ISBN 978-0-9886681-3-3 Edited by Meghan Nesh, Elzeline Hite, and Forrest Hite Layout and design by Jon Green and Matthew RobinsonCommand C[@) Py Table of Contents Introduction v Optional Study Schedule vii 1. The Knowledge of God 1 2, Growing in the Knowledge of God 7 3. God Is One and Three 13 4. The Deity of the Son and the Spirit 19 5. God Is Spirit 24 6 God Is Personal 29 7. God Is Relational 35 8. God Is Great a 9. God Is Perfect 44 10. God Is Eternal 52 11. God Is Self-Existent and Selt-Sutticient 57 12. God Is Immutable 60 13. God Is Omnipotent 65 14. God Is Omnipresent n 15. God Is Omniscient 74 16. God Is Holy 80 17. Our Response to the Holiness of God 87 18. God Is Righteous 5 19. Qur Response to the Righteousness of God 100 20. God Is True 106 21. God Is Truthful 114 22. Our Response to the Truthfulness of God 118 23. God Is Faithful 124 24. — Our Response to the Faithfulness of God 128 25. Manifestations of the Faithfulness of God 133 26. God Is Love 140 27. Manifestations of the Love of God 145 28. The Mercy of God 152 29. The Grace of God 157 30. The Patience of God 163 31. God Is the Creator 167 32. God Is the Sustainer and Owner of Creation 174 33. The Purpose of Creation 181 34. Our Response to God as the Creator 184 35. God Is the Lord and Sovereign over All 188 36. The Titles of God's Sovereignty 192 37. The Extension of God's Sovereignty 197 38. Our Response to God as the Sovereign 203KNOWING THE LIVING GOD 39. God Is the Lawgiver 210 40. God Is the Judge 216 41. The Certainty of Judgment 221 42. God Is the Savior 227 43. The Father's Work of Salvation 234 44, The Son's Work of Salvation (Part One) 240 45. — The Son’s Work of Salvation (Part Two) 248 46. The Son's Work of Salvation (Part Three) 255 47. The Spirit's Work of Salvation 259 48. The Names of God 265Comat C[@) Py Introduction METHOD OF STUDY The great goal of this study ’s for the student to have an encounter with God through His Word. Founded upon the conviction that the Scriptures are the inspired and infallible Word of God, this study has been designed in such a way that it is literally impossible for the student to advance without an open Bible before him or her. The goal is to help the reader to obey the exhortation of the Apostle Paul in Il Timothy 2:15: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” Each chapter deals specifically with an aspect of the nature and work of God. The student will complete each chapter by answering the questions and following the instructions according to the Scriptures given. The student is encouraged to meditate upon each text and write his or her thoughts. The benefit gained from this study will depend directly upon the level of the student's investment. If the student answers the questions thoughtlessly, merely copying the text witout seeking to discern its meaning, this book will be of very little help. Knowing the Living God is primarily a biblical study and does not contain much in the way of col- orful illustrations, quaint stories, or even theological commentaries. It was the desire of the author to provide a work that simply points the way to the Scriptures and allows the Word of God to speak for itself. This workbook may be used by an individual, small group, or Sunday school class. It Is highly rec- ‘ommended that the student complete each chapter on his or her own before meeting for discussion and questions with the group or discipleship leader. EXHORTATION TO THE STUDENT The student is encouraged to study biblical doctrine and discover its exalted place in the Chris- tian life. The true Christian cannot bear or even survive a divorce between the emotions and the intellect ar between devotion ta Gad and the doctrine af Gad. According to the Scriptures, neither our emotions nor our experiences provide an adequate foundation for the Christian life. Only the truths of Scripture, understood with the mind and communicated through doctrine, can provide that sure foundation upon which we should establish our beliefs and our behavior and determine the va- lidity of cur emotions and experiences. The mind is not the enemy of the heart, and doctrine is not an obstacle to devotion. The two are indispensable and should be inseparable. The Scriptures com- mand us ¢o love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind (Matthew 22:37) and to worship God in both spirit and in truth (John 4:24). The study of doctrine is both an intellectual and devotional discipline. It is a passionate search for God that should always lead the student to greazer personal transformation, obedience, and heartfelt worship. Therefore, the student should be on guard against the greet error of seeking only impersonal knowledge instead of the person of God. Neither mindless devotion nor mere intellectu- al pursuits are profitable, for in either case, God is lost. vilKNOWING THE LIVING GOD THE NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE The New American Standard Bible is required to complete this study. This version of Scripture was chosen for the following reasons: (1) the unwavering conviction of its translators that the Bible is the infallible Word of God; and (2) its faithfulness to the original languages. A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR How can any man or angel write an adequate book on the subject of God Himself? It would be an easier task to count every star in the heavens! With this in mind, | acknowledge that whatever is found to be holy, good, or helpful in these pages is the result of the grace cf God alone. Knowing something of the weightiness of the subject matter, | have written this workbook with fear and trem- bling, considering the words penned in James 3:1: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” | would like to thank my wife Charo, who is growing to be “strong in the Lord,” and my four chil- dren, who are able to pull me away from my work with a glance. | would also like to thank HeartCry staff member Forrest Hite for his diligent and meticulous editing of the several different manuscripts that he has received. His contributions to the arrangement and overall readability of this work are as significant as they are appreciated. My thanks also are extended to the entire staff at HeartCry, who have been a great encouragement throughout the process of this book's publication, and to Pastor Charles Leiter of Kirksville, Missouri, whose insights were invaluable. A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Knowing the Living Gods derived from Paul Washer's previously published work, The One True God; it has been massively expanded, revised, and modified. Due to the close relationship be- tween the two books, those who have studied The One True God will likely recognize some of the material ‘n this workbook. Portions of it are relatively untouched (e.g. Chapters 10-14, 48), while some of it is brand new (e.g. Chapters 1-2, 4, 42-47), but most of it falls between these extremes. Itis my belief that Knowing the Living God will prove beneficial to all, regarcless of familiarity with The One True God. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDIES The Attributes of God by A.W. Pink The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer Knowing God by J.l. Packer The Existence and Attributes of God by Stephen Charnock Theology Explained and Defended by Timothy Dwight Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically [workbook and DVD series] by John Snyder The Holiness of God [workbook and DVD series] by R.C. Sproul The Attributes of God [teaching series] by R.C. Sproul The Doctrine of God by John Frame (for advanced students)INTRODUCTIO! Optional Study Schedule Week One: The Knowledge of God and the Doctrine of the Trinity Day One: Chapter 1 Day Two: Chapter 2 Day Three: Chapter 3, Section 1 Day Four: Chapter 3, Sections 2-4 Day Five: Chapter 4 Week Two: The Nature of God Day One: Chapter 5 Day Two: Chapter 6, Sections 1-2 Day Three: Chapter 6, Section 3 Day Four: Chapter 7, Main Points 1-5 Day Five: Chapter 7, Main Points 6-10 k Three: The Excellencies of God, Part 1 Day One: Chapter 8 Day Two: Chapter 9 Day Three: Chapter 10 Day Four: Chapter 11 Day Five: Chapter 12 Week Four: The Excellencies of God, Part 2 Day One: Chapter 13, Mair Points 1-3 Day Two: Chapter 13, Main Points 4-6 Day Three: Chapter 14 Day Four: Chapter 15, Main Points 1-5 Day Five: Chapter 15, Main Points 6-8 Week Five: The Holiness and Righteousness of God Day One: Chapter 16 Day Two: Chapter 17, Section 1 Day Three: Chapter 17, Section 2 Day Four: Chapter 18 Day Five: Chapter 19 k Six: The One True God Day One: Chapter 20, Mair Points 1-3 Day Two: Chapter 20, Main Points 4-6 Day Three: Chapter 21 Day Four: Chapter 22, Sections 1-2 Day Five: Chapter 22, Sections 3-4 Week Seven: The Faithfulness of God Day One: Chapter 23 Day Two: Chapter 24, Section 1 Day Three: Chapter 24, Sections 2-3 Day Four: Chapter 25, Sections 1-2 Day Five: Chapter 25, Sections 3-4KNOWING THE LIVING GOD Week Eight: The Love of God : Chapter 26 Day Three: Chapter 28 Day Four: Chapter 29 Day Five: Chapter 30 Week Nine: God the Creator Day One: Chapter 31, Section 1 Day Two: Chapter 31, Section 2 Day Three: Chapter 32 Day Four: Chapter 33 Day Five: Chapter 34 Week Ten: God the Sovereign Day One: Chapter 35 Day Two: Chapter 36 Day Three: Chapter 37 Day Four: Chapter 38, Section 1 Day Five: Chapter 38, Section 2 Week Eleven: God the Lawgiver and Judge Day One: Chapter 39, Sections 1-2 Day Two: Chapter 39, Sections 3-4 Day Three: Chapter 40 Day Four: Chapter 41, Section 1 Day Five: Chapter 41, Section 2 Week Twelve: God the Savior, Part 1 Day One: Chapter 42, Section 1 Day Two: Chapter 42, Section 2 Day Three: Chapter 43 Day Four: Chapter 44, Section 1 Day Five: Chapter 44, Section 2 Week Thirteen: God the Savior, Part 2 Day One: Chapter 45, Sections 1-2 Day Two: Chapter 45, Sections 3-4 Day Three: Chapter 46Comal C[@) BY Chapter 1: The Knowledge of God THE GREATEST OF ALL KNOWLEDGE Where should a believer begin his or her study of Christianity? The answer is simple, though not always obvious to all: Christianity is first and foremost ebout the person and work of God. Therefore, we should begin our study with Him! 1. According to Jeremiah 9:23-24, what is the most important and most essential knowledge that a person can possess? Explain your answer. NOTES: The attributes of God refer to His fundamental, permanent, and unchanging charac- teristics—who He really is. It should be obvious that knowledge of God is the most important knowledge that we can possess. As Christians, we should devote our lives to knowing God and making Him known. 2. The knowledge of God begins with His attributes, but does not stop there. It also includes the knowledge of His will. What does Ephesians 5:17 admonish us with regard to this truth? a. Sothen do not be F_ of the Lord is. but U. what the W_ NOTES: The will of God refers to His purposes, plans, and desires. We are called to seek God's will and live according to it. In the Scriptures, the word “fool” is amoral term. It does not refer to @ person whc is unintelligent, but to someone who does not recognize the im- portance of knowing God and living according te His willKNOWING THE LIVING GOD 3. According to the words of Jesus in John 17:3, what is eternal life? What is the one great purpose of the believer's new relationship with God? NOTES: Eternal life does not just refer to a quantity of life (i.e. life without end), but to a qual- ity of life: the great purpose of life is to know God in an intimate relationship. BENEFITS OF KNOWING GOD The benefits of knowing God are so vast that they cannot be considerec in detail in this work. However, we will mention a few of the most basic ones that are directly stated in the Scriptures. In the following are found four great benefits that are derived from a biblical knowledge of God. 1, UNDERSTANDING a. Proverbs 9:10 ~ "The fear ofthe LORD isthe beginning of W and the know!- edge of the Holy One is U. NOTES: A correct view of God is necessary in order to have a correct view of everything else. Only in the light of a true knowledge of God can we have a true understanding of reality; especially regarding who we are, our need, and the purpose of our existence. 2. TRUST OR FAITH a. Psalm 9:10- “Those who K. Your name will put their T_ jn You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” NOTES: In the Scriptures, the name of God is a reference to God Himself. The more we know about Him (His perfect character and unlimited power), the more we will be able to believe Him and trust Him with every aspect of our lives.THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD 3. SpiRITUAL STRENGTH a. Daniel 11:32 - “The people who know their God will display S and take A NOTES: To live the Christian life takes a strencth that is beyond our own. The more we know about God, the stronger we will be spiritually, and the more willing and able we will be to actively live for Him regardless of the obstacles. The Bible says that in a time of great trial, David “was greatly distressed,” but he “strengthened himself in the LORD his God” (I Samuel 30:6). 4. PERSEVERANCE a. Il Timothy 1:12 - “For this reason | also suffer these things, but | am not ashamed; for | K whom I have believed and | am C. that He is able to guard what | have entrusted to Him until that day.” NOTES: The Apostle Paul wrote this right before he was to die as a martyr for Christ under the corrupt rule of the Roman Empire. He remained faithful to Christ and did not deny the faith. He stood bold, unashamed, and confident because he knew the character and power of the One in whom he had come to believe! DANGERS OF NOT KNOWING GOD Like the benefits of knowing God, the devastating consequences of not knowing Him are also so vast that they cannot all be considered in detail in this work. However, we will mention six of the most basic, each of which is directly stated in the Scriptures. 1, Remakinc Gop IN OUR OWN IMAGE a. Psalm 50:21 ~ “These things you have done ana | kept silence; you T. that | was just L, you; | will R you and state the case in order before your eye: NOTES: In the absence of a true knowledge of God, man will form his own opinions and remake God in his own image. It will always result in a deformed and decraded view of God. It will always result in Goo’s judgment!KNOWING THE LIVING GOD 2. Fase WorsHir a. In John 4:22, what did Jesus tell the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well regarding herself, her people, and their religion? "You W. what you do not K. NOTES: Idolatry occurs whenever we worship anything or anyone other than the living God. In the absence of the true knowledge of God, even those who identify themselves with Christianity are subject to this error. They make a false god in their own mind, and then they worship the god they have made! 3. UNBELIEF OR Lack OF TRUST a. Romans 10:14 - “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they 8B in Him whom they have not H. ? And how will they hear without a preacher?” NOTES: Although this text applies directly to the preaching of the gospel, it has a wider application with regard to the knowledge of God—how can one believe in the God who he do not know? This applies not only to the sinner’s faith leading to salvation, but also to the believer's faith or trust in God that is necessary to live the Christian life. As we have already leerned from Psalm 9:10, only those who know God's name will put their trust in Him. 4. AN INDIFFERENT OR APATHETIC VIEW OF SIN - In | Corinthians 15:34, the Apostle Paul rebuked the church in Corinth because some professing believers among them had no real knowledge of God. This ignorance of God resultad in two dangerous and shameful consequences. a They were not S -M. as they should have been. NOTES: The command, “Become sober-minded,” can also be translated, "Sober up” (NET) or “Wake up from your drunken stupor” (CSV). Because they did not know God, they were living like sleeping or drunken men with regard to the dangers of sin and the importance of living according to God's will. They were S. NOTES: The word “sin” comes from the Greek word hamartano, which means, “to miss the mark." Because they missed the mark regarding the nature of God (He is righteous), they also missed the mark regarding how they should live before Him (righteously).THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD 5. LAWLESSNESS ~ The word “lawlessness” refers to the state of living apart from the law or will of God. its living as though Ged had no law or had never given His law to men. It is one of the most grievous consequences of an ignorance of God. a. Proverbs 29:18 - “Where there is no V. , the people are u. , but happy is he who keeps the law." NOTES: In this context, the word “vision” does not refer to a supernatural dream or vision hut to the revelation of Gods person and will through the Scriptures. Where there is an igno- rance of God's nature and law, the people are unrestrained. The word “unrestrained” comes from a Hebrew word para, which means, "to let loose from restraint” or “to act as leader.” Those who have no knowledge of God or His will run unrestrained in sin and act as self-ap- pointed leaders apart from God. We find an example of this in the book of Judges: “In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes" (17:6; 21:25). b. Hosea 4:1-2 ~ In this text, the Lord rebukes the nation of Israel for its ignorance of God and describes the kind of lawlessness that always accompanies or is the result of such ignorance. List the specific sins. No F. (1) No K. (ut) 7) Douay MW) Sov) Avy vo uy NOTES: Do you see any parallels between the sins that were found in Israel because of their ignorance of God and the behavior of our own society? God's law does not change, and man’s sinfulness does not fade. The more we reject the knowledge of God, the more unrestrained and immoral we become! 6. Divine JuoGmeNnt AND Dest2ucTION - This is the most frightening consequence of an ignorance of God. What do the following texts teach us about this truth? a. Hosea 4:6KNOWING THE LIVING GOD NOTES: The lack of the knowledge of God is devastating. It leads to being rejected as an in- strument of God and to the eventual destruction of individuals and societies. Our ignorance of God will even have a devastating effect upon the generations that fellow us. b. Romans 1:18 NOTES: The wrath of God refers to His righteous anger or indignation against sinful men. It is important to note that man is not a victim. The Bible teaches that fallen man is a hater of God (Romans 1:30) and hostile to His law (Romans 8:7). It is because of man's ungodliness and unrighteousness that he rejects, ignores, and even suppresses the truth about God's nature and will.BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR THE CHRISTIAN FAITH SCRGC GOD \ NG PAUL DAVID WASHER Knowing the Living God Discerning the Plight of Man Discovering the Glorious Gospel Understanding the Discipline of Fasting Studying the Holy Scriptures kat available at mediagratiae.org