In Tommy Robbins' article "Four Questions," the central theological theme revolves around the necessity of recognizing fundamental truths regarding God, Christ, salvation, and human sinfulness. Robbins argues that mankind often evades these profound questions due to a natural aversion to divine truth, similar to the audience Jesus faced during His earthly ministry. He reinforces his points through specific Scripture references, such as Isaiah 40 and 43, John 1, Acts 4, and Romans 3, which collectively affirm God's grandeur, the divinity of Christ, the necessity of substitutionary atonement for redemption, and the pervasive nature of sin. The practical significance of these questions lies in their ability to lead individuals toward a genuine understanding of their state before God and the necessity of grace, emphasizing core Reformed doctrines such as total depravity, particular redemption, and the sovereignty of God in salvation.
Key Quotes
“If God is God then he is exactly as the Bible declares him to be: holy, just, infinite, majestic, glorious and sovereign.”
“He is Lord. He is God incarnate. The Word made flesh.”
“God saves sinners in the Lord Jesus Christ. God made him to be sin that he might make sinners righteous.”
“The question is not 'Have I made some mistakes' but 'Am I a sinner before God?'”
What does the Bible say about the holiness of God?
The Bible reveals God's holiness as His defining attribute, highlighting His separation from sin and perfection in righteousness.
Isaiah 40, Isaiah 43
How do we know Jesus is the Son of God?
Jesus is affirmed as the Son of God through scriptural revelations and His divine characteristics as God incarnate.
John 1, Acts 4
Why is substitutionary atonement important for Christians?
Substitutionary atonement is crucial because it describes how Christ took the penalty for sin, allowing believers to be declared righteous before God.
Romans 3
There are four vital questions set forth in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that we all will have to deal with and answer, both now and when we are brought before the bar of truth, when this life is over. Universally, mankind refuses to recognize and deal with these humbling truths because the answers are not that which is agreeable to the flesh. Man deals with these issues now by ignoring them and stopping their eyes and ears to the eternal truth of Scripture. This is the same response that man had toward our Lord when he was on the earth. Need we suppose it would be different now? Man's hatred for God and truth has never changed, and never will, until and unless, God in sovereign mercy and grace gives them a new heart.
1. Is God really God? What does this question imply? If God is God, then he is exactly as the Bible declares him to be! God is holy, just, infinite, majestic, glorious and sovereign. He does as he pleases, when he pleases, with whom he pleases and none can give him counsel, nor question what he does. God is God, or he is no God at all. Is your God the God of the Bible or another?
2. Who is the Lord Jesus Christ? If Jesus Christ is Lord, then he is exactly that! He is Lord! He is God incarnate. The Word made flesh. He is the divine and perfect man in one body. The Lord Jesus Christ is one. In him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He is God's Son—God's Lamb; God's image of himself. He is the visible image of the invisible God. The Lord Jesus Christ, as a man, is exalted at God's right hand having all power in heaven and earth. Is this the Jesus you love and bow to? If he is not, then you do not know the one Lord Jesus Christ!
3. How does God, who is holy, just and righteous save sinners, and yet remain as he is? God saves sinful men by substitution. God saves sinners in the Lord Jesus Christ. God made him to be sin, that he might make sinners righteous. The final judgment and punishment for sin is eternal death. The Lord Jesus Christ, in his suffering and death underwent the equivalent of the sinner’s eternal punishment to the satisfaction of the just and holy God. The blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ guarantees the eternal salvation of all those for whom God intended it.
4. Are you a sinner? Men make a joke of sin and being a sinner. David's thoughts about himself were scriptural. He said, against thee, and thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight. Paul wrote, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The question is not, “Have I made some mistakes?” or, "Am I imperfect?" The question is"Am I a sinner before God?"
Scripture references: Is 40 & 43; Jn 1; Acts 4; Rom 3.
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