Why Knowing God Matters
Begin the course with the biblical goal of theology: not merely collecting facts about God, but knowing Him truthfully, worshipping Him rightly, trusting Him deeply, and refusing to boast in lesser things.
- See why Scripture treats knowing God as the highest knowledge.
- Distinguish knowing facts about God from knowing Him according to His Word.
- Connect doctrine to worship, obedience, confidence, and eternal life.
The right thing to glory in
Jeremiah 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Jeremiah 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
God does not condemn wisdom, strength, or wealth simply because they exist. He condemns making them the ground of our confidence and glory. The highest boast available to a human being is that God has made Himself known.
Notice what knowing God includes in this passage: His lovingkindness, judgment, righteousness, and delight in what is right. Biblical theology is not an abstract list of attributes. It is learning what God says about Himself and allowing that truth to correct our assumptions.
Eternal life centers on knowing the true God
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Jesus connects eternal life with knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. That does not mean salvation is earned by passing a theology examination. Salvation is received by faith in Christ. But the life God gives brings a person into a real relationship with the true God rather than an invented god.
A false idea of God is never harmless. If a person imagines a god who does not hate sin, does not judge, does not keep promises, or can be manipulated, that false idea will shape worship and life.
Knowing God changes how we live
Hosea 6:3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
The Christian life should include a growing knowledge of God. We do not graduate from needing to know Him better. Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to seek, remember, fear, trust, praise, and obey Him.
This course will therefore ask two questions repeatedly: What does this passage reveal about God? And what response is fitting if that revelation is true? Doctrine should produce worship and steadiness, not merely vocabulary.
- What is the difference between being able to define an attribute of God and actually ordering your life by that truth?
- Why is it dangerous to build your idea of God mainly from feelings, family background, or religious tradition?
Work the Scriptures
Read Jeremiah 9:23–24, John 17:1–5, and Psalm 27:4. Write down every statement that describes what is worth seeking, knowing, or glorying in. Then explain why theology belongs in ordinary Christian life rather than only in a classroom.
The goal of studying God is to know the true God as He has revealed Himself, so that our worship, trust, doctrine, and life are shaped by truth rather than imagination.
God Is Spirit
8 min