N0001
My interest in theology has been to take every thought captive that would set itself up against the knowledge of God.
The following are critical issues at present:
1. Eternal life is knowing God (Jn. 17:3).
2. The law of God is the comprehensive vision of how we are to live.
3. The diversity of man as prophet, priest, and king is for man’s unity.
4. God’s self-revelation is general and special (Rom. 1).
5. Interpretation is a function of presupposition, reason, and experience.
6. Reason is the light of the Logos in all men (Jn. 1:4).
7. Sanctification is through knowing the truth (Jn. 17, Jn. 8). Truth sets free.
“Father, forgive them . . .” (Lk. 23:34). “I did it ignorantly in unbelief . . .” (1 Tim. 1:13). “Then he opened their understanding . . .” (Lk. 24:45) vs. they know what they are doing.
8. Christ through the church is to fill everything in every way (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:19–20; Matt. 28:20).
9. The hope of eschatology is that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of God (Is. 11:9; 1 Cor. 15:28). Numbers.
10. The fear of God is to see the relation of sin and death.
Reconstruction of education, study of general revelation, the knowledge of God, and continuing education.
Eternal life is knowing God. The good is the knowledge of God.
Scriptural basis:
1. Jn. 17:3 [“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent”].
2. “Hallowed be thy Name” (Matt. 6:9).
3. First commandment [“You shall have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3)].
4. St Paul: “That I might know Him” (Phil. 3:10).
5. Is. 11:9: “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea.”
6. “One thing have I desired of the LORD. To behold the beauty of the LORD” (Ps. 27:4).
7. Job: “Now my eyes see you” (Job 42:5).
To Abraham: “I am your exceeding great reward” (Gen. 15:1).
To all: “He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).
Historical basis: Westminster Confession of Faith 2, 3, 4, 5.
Philosophical basis:
Man’s ultimate need is for meaning. The meaning of the creation is its revelation of God’s nature.
God cannot be seen. God is spirit. No beatific vision is possible.
God cannot be known apart from revelation (general and special).
Man experiences the fullness of creation through dominion.
Man understands his experience through interpreting it (by reason) in light of his presupposition (God is).
In so doing, man increases in the knowledge of God (deepens his understanding of his presupposition), who God is.
Tags: knowledge of God; eternal life; general and special revelation; dominion; sanctification
Editor’s note: This paper is the first of the “foundation papers” and was likely written in 1989. Paper N0002 is a photocopy of N0001, preserved in the Surrendra Gangadean Archives.
For further reading, consult the list of other publications by Dr. Gangadean.
View the original papers: