Theology: The Science of Knowing God | Charles Hodge

Deep Dive into Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge - TheologyCharles Hodge defines theology as the science of the facts of divine revelation, specifically those found in the Bible. Just as natural scientists organize the facts of the external world according to their inherent laws, theologians must systematically arrange the truths of Scripture according to their natural relationships. He distinguishes between natural and revealed theology, noting that while nature does teach us about God, the Bible provides a more complete and authoritative revelation. Hodge rejects definitions that reduce theology to merely a science of the supernatural or a science of human religion, arguing that theology must remain grounded in the objective facts of divine revelation rather than subjective experiences.Regarding natural theology, the works of God and the moral constitution of humanity clearly testify to His existence and attributes. The Scriptures confirm that all people possess enough knowledge of God through creation to leave them without excuse. However, natural theology is entirely insufficient for salvation. Human reason and conscience cannot solve the problem of sin or explain how God can justify the ungodly.Because all humanity is under condemnation, salvation is impossible through human effort or general religious truth. For adults, salvation strictly requires the knowledge of Christ and faith in Him. In contrast, Hodge asserts that all who die in infancy are saved, as the grace of Christ abounds even more than the condemnation inherited from the fall of Adam.Finally, Christian theology is divided into distinct departments: Theology Proper, which studies God and His attributes; Anthropology, the study of humanity and sin; Soteriology, focusing on Christ's redemptive work; Eschatology, concerning the afterlife and end times; and Ecclesiology, the study of the Church.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReformedExplainerWorship Music: https://suno.com/playlist/3a498d0f-c90e-4981-8aa7-59834e7239f7https://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730