The Theism section addresses belief in the existence of God as a personal, self existent, and transcendent being who actively creates, sustains, and governs all things. It serves as a reference resource for understanding how Scripture presents God’s existence and nature, and how theism differs from alternative worldviews such as atheism, agnosticism, pantheism, and deism.
Biblical theism affirms that God is not an abstract force or impersonal principle, but a living and relational being who reveals Himself through creation, conscience, and special revelation in Scripture. The Bible assumes God’s existence and consistently portrays Him as eternal, sovereign, holy, and purposeful in His dealings with humanity. Theism, therefore, is not merely a philosophical position, but the foundational conviction underlying all Christian doctrine and worship.
This section explores key aspects of theistic belief, including arguments for God’s existence, the attributes of God, divine sovereignty, and God’s relationship to the world. Attention is given to how Scripture presents God as Creator, Sustainer, Lawgiver, and Redeemer, and how these truths shape theology, ethics, and human responsibility. Where philosophical arguments are discussed, they are treated as supportive tools rather than replacements for divine revelation.
Use this section as a reference for study, teaching, apologetics, and theological reflection. It is intended to equip ministers and students to articulate what Christians mean when they affirm belief in God, to distinguish biblical theism from competing concepts of deity, and to address questions about God’s existence with clarity and confidence.
This section exists to reinforce the central truth that all Christian belief begins with God, who has made Himself known and calls humanity to respond in faith, obedience, and worship.
By Michael Mooney, Exec. Elder To be monotheistic is to believe in the existence of only one God. This belief sets the framework for some of the world’s most influential religions, including Christianity. But the term does more than label a belief—it defines a worldview, one …
Dualism is a belief system that posits the existence of two distinct, separate entities in the universe, typically with one entity being physical and the other non-physical or spiritual. In the context of philosophy, dualism is often associated with the mind-body problem, which is concerned with …
Polytheism is a belief system that recognizes and worships multiple deities or gods, often with specific roles and domains of influence. Polytheistic religions have been found throughout human history, with many ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and Aztecs practicing forms of polytheism. Polytheistic …
Materialism is a belief system that holds that only physical matter and its interactions are ultimately real, and that mental and spiritual phenomena can be explained in terms of material processes. Materialists believe that everything in the universe, including human consciousness and subjective experiences, can be …
Agnosticism is the philosophical position that claims that the existence of God or gods is ultimately unknown or unknowable. Agnostics maintain that there is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the existence of God, and therefore, they withhold belief in a deity or deities. Agnosticism does …
Biblical theodicy is the study of the problem of evil and suffering in light of the biblical understanding of God’s nature and actions. It seeks to reconcile the existence of evil with the belief in an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving God. Biblical theodicy acknowledges the reality …
By Michael Mooney, NACM Exec. Elder Define Theology Theology is defined as “the systematic study of the nature of God and God’s relationship with humanity and with the world. Although other religions may be said to have theologies, this is a matter of controversy within, for …
