Theism, one of the three major worldviews, traces its roots to Abraham the father of the Hebrews. A key presupposition among the Hebrews was that YHVH was the one and only true god. The Hebrews also regarded themselves as YHVH’s chosen people (Wells 206, 215). Other ancient tribes worshiped many gods. Some of the ancient people were even pantheistic. The Hebrews became the first nation to acknowledge the existence of only one true god, YHVH. Although the Hebrews often strayed from worshiping YHVH, they became the people to preserve theism.

The Uniqueness of YHVH

Throughout the Bible we find reminders of the uniqueness of YHVH. For example YHVH used the prophet Isaiah to remind his people, “… I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:22). When He gave the law to his people in Exodus chapter 20, he stated this concept: “I am YHVH thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (vs. 2 and 3). The Hebrews were the first nation to believe in only one God. The belief in one God is called monotheism. Along with being the only true God, YHVH holds several other important characteristics. The Bible declares that YHVH is the creator and controller of all things. He is the King and Judge of the whole universe. While embracing all this power, YHVH is a refuge to all that seek Him (Rendall 136).

During the time of the Roman Empire the Christian Church emerged as the defenders of theism. Christian Theism became an important worldview in the western world around 300 A.D. Along with declaring YHVH to be the one and only true god, Christian theism also relied upon the absolute authority of YHVH’s revelation to mankind, the Bible.

The Uniqueness of The Bible

The Bible sums up the creation account in bold statement, “In the beginning God created heaven and earth” (Genesis 1:1). Christian theism teaches that everything that is not God was created or produced by God and is directed (in one way or another in its activity by God (Auer 92). One example of the Bible stating the all inclusive nature of YHVH’s creative act is, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are that are in the earth, visible and invisible, weather the be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Colossians 1:16). This verse clearly states both the cause and purpose for all of creation. The theocentric, or God-centered, nature of the universe forms one of the fundamentals upon which Christian theism rests.

The Role of YHVH in the Universe

Our Discussion of Mechanistic Humanism mentions deists. The deists differ from the theists in defining the role that God took after He created the universe. Deists acknowledge that YHVH created the universe, but they conclude that He has nothing to do with it now (Schaeffer 1976, 121). The theists on the other hand hold to the view that YHVH controls the universe. YHVH’s control of the universe is stated in Colossians 1:17, “And he is before all things and by him all things consist.” The Greek word translated “consist” in this verse is (SUNISTEKN). The word consist may not necessarily imply absolute control, but not only implies control, but demands it. The verse is literally telling us that YHVH upholds the universe (Vine 320). Upholding something, like the universe, demands control.

The Bible not only states that YHVH is in control of the universe but also demonstrates it. For example, in Exodus 14:21 YHVH demonstrated his power over the Red Sea, “… and YHVH caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.” In Joshua 10:13 – 14 YHVH showed his power over the movement of heavenly bodies, “And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed… YHVH fought for Israel.” Even more amazingly, in 2 Kings 4:20, 33, and 35 YHVH demonstrated his control over death. “… he [a widows son] sat on her [his mothers] knees till noon, and then died…. He [Elisha] went in therefore… and prayed unto YHVH…. And the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.”

YHVH As King of Kings

As the one who obviously controls the universe, YHVH is considered King. More specifically, the Bible refers to YHVH as the King of Kings. “For God is the King of all the earth…. God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness” (Psalm 47:7-8). In Revelation chapter 19, the Bible speaks of YHVH and says that his name is “… KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (verse 16).

The Personality of YHVH

Considering this lofty view of YHVH as King of the universe, one may conclude that He is isolated from his subjects. Fortunately nothing could be further from the truth. YHVH is actually very personal. The God of theism is a personal God. YHVH manifests His spiritual nature by thinking, willing, knowing, and most importantly loving. Yet this does not mean that YHVH is some sort of bigger than life man in the sky (Auer 90). YHVH shows that he is a thinking being by the order in which the Bible tells us that YHVH created the universe. For example, YHVH wisely created light on the first day of the creation week “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light…. And the evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:3 and 5). Then he creates plants on the third day of the week. “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind…. And the evening and the morning were the third day” (Genesis 1:11, 13). The order of creation seen in this example shows YHVH thinking in that plants require light to live. Creating light before plants shows that YHVH thought about this fact as he proceeded through the creation week. The entire creation account is a demonstration of YHVH’s thoughtfulness and design.

YHVH demonstrated that he wills many times throughout the Bible. One example of this is found in 2 Peter 3:9, which tells us YHVH is “… not willing that any should perish.” In verse YHVH expresses his will that no man should perish. In further expressing his will regarding this manner YHVH saw fit to provide man with a way of redemption.

The Bible states in clear terms that YHVH knows. For example, 1 Samuel 2:3 says, “… YHVH is a God of knowledge.” Theism further teaches that YHVH is omniscient; this means that He not only knows some things, but that He knows all things. 1 John 3:20 declares “… YHVH … knoweth all things”. The thinking and willing of YHVH must always be governed by His omniscience. Ultimately, His omniscience also controls His every action.

The Bible consistently teaches that there is but one true God, and that He is YHVH. For example Deuteronomy 4:35 and 39 state, “… YHVH he is God; there is none besides him. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that YHVH he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.” The same message is conveyed in 1 Kings 8:60 and Isaiah 45:5. In the New Testament, John 17:3 declares, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” The uniqueness of YHVH as the one and only true God is also pronounced in Mark12: 29 – 32, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, and 1 Timothy 2:5.

The Triune Nature of YHVH

While man has both physical and spiritual parts, YHVH is purely a spiritual being. Because of YHVH unity, he exists as personal distinctions in His divine nature. A core doctrine of Christian Theism is that YHVH exists as three persons, or a trinity, but one essence. The doctrine of the trinity is based upon the teachings of the Bible. Christian theology teaches that the term “trinity” means YHVH exists in three eternal distinctions in one divine essence, known respectively as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. YHVH is worshiped as the triune God (Thiessen 90).

In the Old Testament, YHVH used plural pronouns (Genesis 1:26, 3:23, 11:7 and Isaiah 6:8) and plural verbs in (Genesis 1:26 and 11:7) to refer to himself. On occasion, YHVH will distinguish himself from YHVH (Genesis 19:24, Hosea 1:7, Zechariha 3:2, and 2 Timothy 1:18). The Son is distinguished from the Father (Isaiah 48:16, Psalm 45:6 and Isaiah 63:9). Isaiah 9:6 teaches us that Jesus has always been the son of YHVH. The creation account in Genesis 1 distinguishes the Spirit form God (see verses 1 and 2). This distinction is also made in Genesis 6:3, Numbers 27:18, Psalm 51:11, Isaiah 40:13, and Haggai 2:4.

When referring to the preincarnate Son, the Old Testament often uses the phrase “the angel of YHVH.” While the Old Testament identifies the angel of YHVH with YHVH it also distinguishes the angel of YHVH from YHVH. The evidences of the Trinity presented in the Old Testament are strengthened by the revelation set forth in the New Testament.

Evidence for the Trinity in the New Testament arises from general statements and the recognition of three personalities as YHVH. When the tree persons of the trinity are shown together they are represented as being equals. For example baptism is directed to be done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). A number of times the three persons of the trinity are shown to be working together toward a common end (1 Coronations 12:4- 6, Ephesians 1:3-14, 1 Peter 1:2 and 3:18, and Revelation 1:4). They are also united in the benediction used by the apostles (2 Corinthians 13:14).

John 6:27, Romans 1:7, and Galatians 1:1 recognize the Father as YHVH. Christian Theism distinguishes itself from other form of Theism by recognizing as an established teaching of the Bible the divinity of Jesus. The Bible shows us that Jesus is eternal (John 1:1, 1:15, 8:58, 17:5, 24, Colossians 1:1:15, Isaiah 9:6, Hebrews 1:11 and 13, and John 5:26) present everywhere (John 3:13, Matthew 18:20 and 28:20, and Ephesians 1:23), knows all things (John 16:30, 21:17, Colossians 2:3, and John 2:24), can do all things (John 5:19, Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 1:8, Hebrews 1:3, Matthew 28:18, Mark 5:11 – 15, Luke 4:38 – 41, Matthew 9:11 – 25, Luke 7:12 – 16, John 11:38 – 44, Matthew 21:19, John 2:3 – 11, Matthew 28:18), and is unchangeable (Hebrew 1:12 an 13:8).

Jesus is identified with divine positions. For example John 1:3, Colossians 1:16, and Hebrews 1:10 identify Jesus as the Creator of the universe. Colossians 1:17 and Hebrews 1:3 pronounce him as upholder of all things. Additionally Jesus performed the duties of deity. For example, in Matthew 9:2 and 6 and Luke 7:47 Jesus forgave sins. John 5:25 – 29 tells us that Jesus will raise the dead in the resurrection. Finally John 5:25 and other verses speak of the judgment Jesus will execute in the future. The deity of Jesus is further supported by the fact that a number of things that are said of YHVH in the Old Testament are said of Jesus in the New Testament (Psalm 102:24 – 27 & Hebrews 1:10 –12, Isaiah 6:1-4 & John 12:41, Isaiah 40:3 & Matthew 3:3, Numbers 21:6 & 1 Corinthians 10:9, Isaiah 8:13 & 1 Peter 3:15, Psalm 68:18 & Ephesians 4:8, and Joel 2:32 & Romans 10:9 and 13). Furthermore the names that Jesus used of himself also imply his deity (John 10:36 and John 14:6).

In addition to recognizing the Father and Son as God, the Bible also acknowledges the Holy Sprit as God. When Jesus refereed to the Holy Spirit in John 14:26 and 16:13 he used the masculine demonstrative pronoun he, although the Greek word for spirit is neuter. This establishes the Holy Spirit as a person and some mystical god-force as proposed by the pantheists. The Bible explicitly describes personality traits of the Holy Spirit. For example, He has intellect (1 Corinthians 2:11), sensibilities (Romans 8:27 and 15:30), a will (1 Corinthians 12:11). Early Church history saw some challenges to the doctrine of the divinity of the Holy Spirit, but it was affirmed by the Council of Constantinople in A.D. 381 (Thiessen 97).

The Love of YHVH

The classical verse expressing YHVH’s unconditional love is John 3:16, “For YHVH so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son….” Giving a gift such as one’s only begotten son is a true demonstration of love. As we read on in this verse, we see the reason YHVH had to demonstrate His love to humanity or the world in such a dramatic way as giving His only begotten Son. “… that whosoever beliveth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The amazing statement at the end of this verse brings us to the next major presupposition of Christian Theism. It is this presupposition that also distinguishes Christian Theism from all other forms of Theism.

The Nature of Man

Christian Theism recognizes the fallen and corrupt nature of man. When YHVH created Adam he stood as a representative of all generations of man that were still to come. Adam was all of humanity (Torrey 297). The fall of man is recorded in Genesis 3:1-6:

Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the YHVH had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

And the Woman said to the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

For God doth know that in the day that ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

And the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desired to make one wise, she took the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave it unto her husband with her, and he did eat.

The Bible records in this passage the fall of man from the perfect state into which YHVH had created him. The Hebrew word that is translated eyes also carries with it the meaning of knowledge. While the term rendered opened also indicates that something is broadened. The serpent is actually promising Adam and Eve that their minds eye, or knowledge, will be broadened. Some Bible scholars believe that that Satan, as the serpent, was offering Adam and Eve some sort of mind-altering drug. An example of plant with such potential that we know of today is the belladonna plant. This plant has been used for thousands of years as a poison and drug. When the extract from the plant is ingested in small dosages the subject becomes sedated. Hallucinations occur when the dosage is increased. At extremely high dosages death will occur. Hebrew traditions associated with the fall of man verify that the forbidden fruit was some sort of mind-altering drug (Daniel vol. III, 7). Adam as representative of the whole human race brought sin into the world. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).

The Results of the Fall of Man

When man disobeyed YHVH, he lost far more than the perfect world which YHVH had created for him. Indeed, the results of the fall were far-reaching and devastating. Surely, few other events in history have had such a wide-ranging impact. YHVH judgement for man’s disobedience is recorded in Genesis 3:16 – 19:

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: all the days of thy life.

Thrones also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

With the fall of man the entire universe was set into a mode of decay. The changes brought to the physical creation after the fall were a direct result of YHVH judging his people. When YHVH judges his people, He demonstrates his righteousness and holiness. YHVH also shows that disobeying Him will always have consequences (Rendall 238).

YHVH’s Judgement for Sin

The fact that YHVH judges his people for their sins is the next major presuppositions of Christian Theism. YHVH, being holy, cannot tolerate the presence of sin or disobedience. Sin is anything that misses the mark of what YHVH want us to do in out life. In Genesis 3:19 YHVH said that man would “… return to dust.” This obviously was the most severe part of YHVH’s judgement. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Some of the most dramatic statements about YHVH’s judgement were made by Jonathan Edwards during The Great Awakening in his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”:

The wrath of God burns against them, their damnation does not slumber; the pit is prepared, the fire is made ready, the furnace is now hot, ready to receive them; the flames do now rage and glow. The glittering sword is whetted, and held over them, and the pit hath opened its moth under them (Frost 112 – 113).

Edwards continues his discourse on YHVH’s judgement by speaking about how immanent His judgement is.

Unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering so weak that they will not bear their weight, and these places are not seen….

God has laid Himself under no obligation, by any promise, to keep any natural man out of hell one moment…. So that thus it is, that natural men are held in the hand of God over the pit of hell; they have deserved the fiery pit, and are already sentenced to it; and God is dreadfully provoked: his anger is as great towards them as those that are actually suffering the execution of the fierceness of His wrath in hell… (Frost 113 -114).

Though at this time the judgement of YHVH may not have come upon men, it will come in due time. Man knows not the exact time of YHVH’s judgement, but we know it will come. Ultimately all men will be judged by YHVH. YHVH will finally show the true nature of every man. YHVH will distinguish those who have followed Him from those who hate Him. BY the process of YHVH’s law all men will come to their place of judgement before YHVH (Maxwell 240).

YHVH Meets Our Needs

This judgement of YHVH may issue to man something he would rather not face, but YHVH is just and man cannot escape His judgement. The condition in which man finds himself creates a need to escape the immanent judgement of almighty YHVH. The need to escape the wrath of YHVH is just one of many needs that mankind has. YHVH understands and is well aware that we have needs. Man was created with certain basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, love, and friendship. Because YHVH controls all things, He will meet every true need faced by mankind (Stanley 1990, 19).

The Bible teaches us that YHVH not only knows all of our needs, but that He will meet all of our needs. “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Most people try to meet their needs by their own power. People feel secure when they have material possessions instead of depending on the power of YHVH. The only way man can truly feel secure is through Jesus Christ (Stanley, 1991, 4). Blaise Pascal (1623 – 1662), the renowned French physicist, mathematician, and philosopher stated the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a fascinating way, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which only God can fill through His Son, Jesus Christ (DeHaan 6).

Pascal correctly hinted at the most important need of mankind, a restored relationship with YHVH. The fall of man broke his relationship with YHVH. YHVH is not only knowledgeable of this need, but He is fully capable and willing to meet it. The Bible tells us Jesus Christ can rescued us from the coming wrath of YHVH. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be save…” (Acts 16:31). The Bible not only teaches us that Jesus is a way of salvation from coming judgement, but it tells us He is the only way of salvation.

“Neither is their salvation in any other: for there is none other name given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Christian theism holds that we can do nothing to help achieve our own salvation. “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourself: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8 and 9).

The acceptance of Christ, as Savior and God, is the distinction, which sets Christian theism apart from other forms of theism. The acceptance of Christ by his people ushered into existence the Church. The Church as become one of two refuges for the value system proposed by the Christian Theistic worldview. The Christian theistic value system predominates in the family and the Church (Dobson 8). The Church exists on two levels. The Universal Church is composed of all that have accepted God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Accepting YHVH’s gift of salvation automatically brings one into the Universal Church. In this sense, salvation is impossible outside of the Church. The local church is composed of the portion of the Universal Church that meets on a local basis for fellowship. The local church becomes beneficiary of YHVH’s powers as she promotes holy living. YHVH blesses his people when they live in such a way that He can bless them (Roberson 17). For the Christian, a part of holy living is the responsibility each member of the local church has toward his neighbor. YHVH gives His people a responsibility to society and their neighbors. YHVH expects His people to keep the commandment of their Lord, Jesus Christ (McIntire 93). The commandment of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which YHVH’s people are supposed to keep, is found in Matthew 7:12. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law of the prophets.”

The Christian Theist does not let his dependence upon YHVH end at his salvation. Throughout his entire life, he depends upon YHVH. Every person has problems come into his life. The Christian Theist believes that these have a distinctive purpose. YHVH uses both problems and blessings for His purpose. YHVH only sends problems into the lives of His people for a wise purpose. YHVH’s plan always seeks to build up His people (Stanley 1990, 18). The Bible teaches that calamities are for the good of YHVH’s people in Romans 8:28. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose.” When trials come into the life of a Christian Theist, he believes not only that they are for his good, but he also believes that he must trust YHVH with all of his problems. Christians trust YHVH with their problems not because they are weak but because they are wise (Stanley 1990, 20). Not only is giving YHVH our problems a sign of wisdom, but it is also a Biblical mandate. “Cast thy burdens upon YHVH, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22).

Conclusion

Clearly the Christian Theists depend upon YHVH and His word, the Bible, for all aspects of life. They believe that they must adhere to the teachings of the Bible to be successful. The results of not heeding to the Bible can be disastrous. When nations or people depart from the word of YHVH, they will immediately begin to decline and eventually collapse (Raud 47). For the Christian Theist, this presupposition may then be applied to all areas of life.

Throughout our discussion of Christian Theism it has become apparent that this worldview puts an emphasis on the Bible. Christian Theists accept the Bible without question on all subjects it addresses (McDowell 1972, 76). Once one has become familiar with worldviews, one can go through a rather simple process of selecting the most suitable worldview for use in every-day life.