Outline of Van Til's Chapter 14 on Theology Proper
Outline of Van Til's Chapter 14 on Theology Proper
Cornelius Van Til's systematic theology emphasizes the importance of Theology Proper, which encompasses the study of God's being and attributes. In Chapter 14, Van Til likely explores the doctrine of God, drawing from Reformed theological traditions.
Theology Proper is a crucial aspect of Christian theology, as it seeks to understand the nature and character of God. According to Charles Hodge, Theology Proper includes "all the Bible teaches of the being and attributes of God; of the threefold personality of the Godhead, or, that the Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct persons, the same in substance and equal in power and glory" [1].
The Doctrine of God
Van Til's discussion of Theology Proper likely begins with the doctrine of God, examining the biblical teaching on God's existence, nature, and attributes. The Westminster Confession of Faith, a Reformed confessional standard, describes God as "a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth" [7].
The early Church Fathers also contributed to the development of Theology Proper. Athanasius of Alexandria, for instance, argued against the deification of created beings, emphasizing the uniqueness of God's nature [6]. Similarly, Augustine discussed the distinction between the civil theology of the pagans and the true theology of the Christian faith [4].
The Trinity
Another key aspect of Theology Proper is the doctrine of the Trinity. The Bible teaches that God is one essence in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Spirit. This doctrine is central to Christian theology, as it reveals the complex nature of God's being. Calvin's Institutes, a foundational Reformed theological text, explores the Trinity in detail, emphasizing the distinct roles and relationships between the three persons [3].
The patristic tradition also played a significant role in shaping the doctrine of the Trinity. Tertullian, for example, defended the unity of God against gnostic interpretations, arguing that the Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct yet inseparable [2].
Implications for Christian Thought
The doctrine of God has far-reaching implications for Christian thought and practice. As Calvin notes, the knowledge of God is inextricably linked to the knowledge of humanity, and a proper understanding of God's nature is essential for a correct understanding of human existence [5].
Sources
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 14: § 4. Christian Theology . As science, concerned with the facts of nature, has its several departments, as Mathematics, Chemistry, Astronomy, etc., so Theology 32 having the facts of Scripture for its subject, has its distinct and natural departments. First — Theology Proper, Which includes all the Bible teaches of the being and attributes of God; of the threefold personality of the Godhead, or, that the Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct persons, the same in substance and equal in power and glory; the relation of God to the world, or, h”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. XIV.--A SUFFICIENT CAUSE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF THE FLESH OCCURS IN THE FUTURE JUDGMENT OF MAN, IT WILL TAKE COGNISANCE OF THE WORKS OF THE BODY NO LESS THAN OF THE SOUL. (part 1): Such, then, being the outlines of the divine energies which God has displayed as much in the parables of nature as in His spoken word, let us now approach His very edicts and decrees, since this is the division which we mainly adopt in our subject-matter. We began with the dignity of the flesh, whether it were of such a nature that when once destroyed it was capable of being restored. ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 30: 140 CHAPTER 14. IN THE CREATION OF THE WORLD, AND ALL THINGS IN IT, THE TRUE GOD DISTINGUISHED BY CERTAIN MARKS FROM FICTITIOUS GODS. In this chapter commences the second part of Book First—viz. the knowledge of man. Certain things premised. I. The creation of the world generally (s. 1 and 2). II. The subject of angels considered (s. 3-13). III. Of bad angels or devils (s. 13-20); and, IV. The practical use to be made of the history of the creation (s. 20-22). Sections. 1. The mere fact of creation should lead us to acknowledge God”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 8.--CONCERNING THE INTERPRETATIONS, CONSISTING OF NATURAL EXPLANATIONS, WHICH THE PAGAN TEACHERS ATTEMPT TO SHOW FOR THEIR GODS. (part 2): the fabulous theology, and is censured, cast off, rejected, 117 together with all such interpretations belonging to it. And not only by the natural theology, which is that of the philosophers, but also by this civil theology, concerning which we are speaking, which is asserted to pertain to cities and peoples, it is judged worthy of repudiation, because it has invented unworthy things concerni”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 14: 31 GENERAL INDEX OF CHAPTERS. BOOK FIRST. OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD THE CREATOR. Eighteen Chapters 1. Connection between the Knowledge of God and the Knowledge of Ourselves. Nature of the connection. 2. What it is to Know God. Tendency of this Knowledge. 3. The Human Mind naturally imbued with the Knowledge of God. 4. This Knowledge stifled or corrupted, ignorantly or maliciously. 5. The Knowledge of God displayed in the fabric and constant Government of the Universe. 6. The need of Scripture as a Guide and Teacher in coming to God a”
- CCEL (Patristic) “Athanasius of Alexandria, Select Works and Letters, section 43: inventions,’ &c. But this is no title to deification. 13 §19. (3) ‘Images (a) necessary to represent invisible beings, (b) a means of intercourse with the gods’ 14 §20–22. This refuted 14 §§23–26. d. Supplementary proofs against idolatry. (1) Variety of cults 16 (2) Human sacrifice. (3) The gods the cause of moral corruption 17 e. Theism established against philosophic pantheism. §27. (1) No part of the universe identical with God. 18 §28. (2) The whole universe not identical with God 18 §29. (3) Nature and God distinct 19 §§30–34”
- Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed) “Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed, 1646), CHAPTER 14: CHAPTER 14 Of Saving Faith 1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened. 2. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein; and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage th”