Attributes of God

 The doctrine of God is central to all theology.

 One’s view of God shapes their entire theological framework and approach to life.
 It influences ministry style, life philosophy, and spiritual depth.
 Misunderstandings of God lead to distorted spiritual lives and theological errors.
2. Problems in Understanding God
A. Popular Misconceptions:
 Many people hold a distorted view of God, as noted by J.B. Phillips in Your God is
Too Small:
o Celestial Policeman: God is seen as a being constantly looking to punish
wrongdoers.
 Example: The popular country song that says, “God’s gonna get you
for that!”
o Grandfatherly Figure: God is thought of as a kind, indulgent figure who
wouldn’t interfere with human enjoyment.
 These misconceptions, often reinforced by cultural depictions (e.g., “acts of God” in
insurance), present God as either a malevolent force or a harmless, kindly old man.
 These views must be corrected for a meaningful and deep spiritual life.
B. Theological Challenges:
 On a more sophisticated level, theological issues arise in understanding God.
o In the early church, the doctrine of the Trinity was a point of debate.
o Today, questions include:
 God’s relationship to creation: Is God so transcendent that He is
removed from creation, or is He immanent within it?
 God’s action in evolution: Does God work through natural processes
like evolution?
 God’s transcendence: Should it be thought of in spatial terms?
 The nature of God’s essence: Is God fixed and unchanging, or does
He develop as process theology suggests?
 The future-oriented theology: Does God relate primarily to the
future, as proposed by the theology of hope?
3. Classifications and Attributes of God
A. The Nature of God’s Attributes:
  The study of God’s attributes should be a means of fostering a deeper relationship
with Him, not merely a speculative exercise.
 Two key errors to avoid:
1. Excessive analysis: Treating God like an object of study, dissecting His
attributes as one would in a textbook. This can lead to sterile speculation
rather than devotion.
2. Vague generalization: Conceptualizing God as an undefined, mystical
“oblong blur” (J.B. Phillips) or “the great whatever,” which weakens our
relationship with Him.
B. The Classification of Attributes:
 Attributes of Greatness:
o Spirituality: God is Spirit and not bound by physical form.
o Personality: God possesses personal attributes like intellect, emotions, and
will.
o Life: God is self-existent and the source of all life.
o Infinity: God is unlimited in power, knowledge, presence, and time.
o Constancy: God is unchanging in His nature and promises.
4. Conclusion: A Balanced View of God
 The study of God must avoid both extreme speculation and vague generalization.
 A balanced approach leads to a clearer understanding of God and a closer, more
meaningful relationship with Him.
 As ministers and students of theology, a correct understanding of God’s greatness will
shape our theology, ministry, and personal spiritual lives.
1. Introduction: Understanding God’s Attributes
 Attributes refer to the inherent qualities of God that define His very nature.
o They are not actions (e.g., creating, guiding, preserving) or roles (e.g., Creator,
Guide, Preserver) but the intrinsic qualities of His being.
 These attributes describe the entire Godhead and are different from the properties of
the individual members of the Trinity.
o Properties refer to distinct roles or functions of each person of the Trinity,
while attributes describe the divine nature shared by all three persons.
2. The Permanent and Intrinsic Nature of God’s Attributes
 God’s attributes are permanent and intrinsic to His being.
 o Unlike human traits (e.g., holiness in Adam), God’s attributes are essential and
unchanging.
 They cannot be gained or lost; they are part of who God is, not something added to
Him.
3. Objectivity of God’s Attributes
 God’s attributes are objective characteristics of His nature, not projections of human
ideas.
o Even though our understanding of God is influenced by human limitations, the
Bible makes clear that God’s attributes are part of His being, not human
constructs.
 In Scripture, God’s attributes are often described with a response from the author, but
it’s important to distinguish between the attribute itself and the human response to it.

4. The Relationship Between God’s Attributes and His Essence

 God’s attributes cannot be separated from His essence or being.
o Earlier theologies sometimes suggested that God’s attributes were distinct
from His essence, influenced by Aristotelian philosophy (substance and
attribute).
o Some theologies took the opposite approach, reducing God’s attributes to just
a collection of qualities, almost denying that God has a unified essence.
5. A Unified View of God’s Attributes
 A more accurate understanding is that God’s attributes are His very nature.
o For example, God is love, holiness, and power; these are not separate aspects
of God but different ways of understanding His unified being.
 God is complex and rich, and our descriptions of His attributes are attempts to grasp
different aspects of His unified and indivisible nature.
6. The Incomprehensibility of God
 The incomprehensibility of God refers to our limited ability to fully understand His
nature.
o It does not mean that God has an unknown essence beyond His attributes, but
that we cannot know His nature completely or exhaustively.
 God reveals Himself truly and accurately, but that revelation is not exhaustive.
o Even what God has revealed to us is beyond our full comprehension, leaving
an element of mystery in our understanding of Him.
7. Conclusion: The Attributes of God and Our Response
  As we study God’s attributes, we recognize that they are not fragmentary parts of God
but different aspects of His unified essence.
 Our goal in studying God’s attributes is not just intellectual understanding but
developing a deeper relationship with God, while acknowledging the mystery and
majesty of His being.
Classifications of God’s Attributes
In studying the attributes of God, theologians have developed different systems to
classify them. These classifications help us to better understand God’s nature. Below are
four main systems of classification, simplified for a deeper grasp of the attributes of
God.
1. Communicable and Incommunicable Attributes
 Communicable Attributes: These are qualities of God that humans can partially
share or reflect. For example:
o Love: While God’s love is infinite, humans are also capable of loving, albeit
in a limited way.
o Power: God is omnipotent (all-powerful), but humans also possess some
degree of power, though limited.
 Incommunicable Attributes: These are qualities of God that are unique to Him and
have no counterpart in humans. Examples include:
o Omnipresence: God is present everywhere simultaneously, a quality no
human can ever possess.
2. Immanent (Intransitive) and Emanant (Transitive) Attributes
 Immanent Attributes: These remain within God’s own nature and do not go out to
affect others. For example:
o Spirituality: God is spirit (John 4:24), meaning He does not have a physical
body.
 Emanant Attributes: These go out from God and influence His creation. They are
displayed in His relationship with humans. For example:
o Mercy: God’s mercy is extended to us; it has no meaning apart from those to
whom He shows mercy.
3. Absolute and Relative Attributes
 Absolute Attributes: These are characteristics God has in Himself, independent of
creation. Examples include:
o Infinity: God is infinite in His nature, meaning He has no limits.
 Relative Attributes: These are displayed in God’s relationship with the created
world. For instance:
 o Omnipresence: God’s ability to be present everywhere becomes meaningful
in relation to the created universe.
4. Natural and Moral Attributes
 Moral Attributes: These relate to what we would call “right and wrong” in human
terms. Examples include:
o Holiness: God’s moral perfection and separation from sin.
o Love: God’s perfect, self-giving love.
 Natural Attributes: These refer to the superlative qualities of God that don’t involve
moral judgment. Examples include:
o Knowledge: God is all-knowing (omniscient).
o Power: God is all-powerful (omnipotent).
Note: Some theologians argue against this classification because both moral and natural
attributes are integral to God’s nature. Therefore, moral attributes could also be considered
“natural” because they flow from God’s very essence.
1. Attributes of Greatness
2. Attributes of Goodness
1. Attributes of Greatness
These attributes highlight the infinite and incomparable nature of God.
1. Spirituality
 Definition: God is spirit, meaning He is not composed of matter and does not possess
a physical body.
 Key Verses: John 4:24 (“God is spirit...”), John 1:18 (God’s invisibility), 1 Timothy
1:17; 6:15-16.
 Implication: God is not limited by physical or geographical boundaries. He is
everywhere, and nothing can contain Him (Acts 17:24). His spirituality also means He
is indestructible, unlike the physical world.
 Anthropomorphisms: Sometimes, the Bible uses human characteristics to describe
God (e.g., His hands or feet). These descriptions are symbolic, not literal.
 Theophanies: In some cases, God appeared in physical form, especially in the Old
Testament. These are temporary manifestations and should not be taken as evidence
that God has a body.
Importance: God’s spirituality stands against idolatry, which tries to reduce God to a
physical form or object. His immaterial nature makes it clear that no image or statue can truly
represent Him.
2. Personality
  Definition: God is personal, meaning He has self-consciousness, will, and emotions.
He can relate to humans personally.
 Biblical View: God is not an impersonal force or a vague “spirit” like in some
philosophical or religious systems (e.g., Hegel’s “Absolute” or Hinduism’s Brahman).
Instead, He is a personal being who interacts with His creation.
 Reciprocal Relationship: God can relate to humans on a personal level. He listens to
our prayers, responds to us, and desires a personal relationship with each of us.
3. Life
 Definition: God is the source of all life. He is the living God who possesses life in
Himself.
 Key Verse: John 5:26 (“For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the
Son also to have life in himself”).
 Implication: God’s life is self-existent, meaning He does not depend on anything or
anyone for His existence. In contrast, all creation depends on Him for life.
4. Infinity
 Definition: God is infinite, meaning He has no limits or boundaries in space, time,
knowledge, or power.
 Implication:
o In terms of space: God is omnipresent (present everywhere).
o In terms of time: God is eternal, having no beginning or end.
o In terms of knowledge: God is omniscient, knowing all things.
o In terms of power: God is omnipotent, capable of doing all things consistent
with His nature.
5. Constancy (Immutability)
 Definition: God is unchanging in His being, perfections, purposes, and promises.
 Key Verse: Malachi 3:6 (“For I the Lord do not change...”).
 Implication: God’s nature and character are constant; He is reliable and consistent in
all His ways. This assures us that God’s promises are trustworthy.

Moral Qualities of God/Attributes of Goodness

1. Introduction to God’s Moral Qualities
 Moral qualities distinguish God as not only great but also good.
 God can be trusted and loved because He is morally pure, full of integrity, and loving.
 God’s moral attributes include purity, integrity, and love.
2. Moral Purity
God’s moral purity means He is completely free from wickedness or evil. This purity
includes:
1. Holiness
o Two aspects of God’s holiness:
 Majesty-Holiness (Uniqueness): God is separate from creation, high
and exalted (Exod. 15:11; Isa. 6:1-4).
 Purity-Holiness: God is unstained by evil and is absolutely good. He
cannot tolerate evil (Hab. 1:13; James 1:13).
o God’s holiness is the standard for human morality (Lev. 11:44-45, 1 Pet. 1:16).
o Holiness implies reverence, awe, and worship of God (Ps. 99:3, Rev. 4:8).
2. Righteousness
o Righteousness is God’s holiness applied in His relationships with others.
o His law is perfect and a true expression of His nature (Ps. 19:7-9).
o God’s actions conform to His righteous law (Gen. 18:25; Jer. 9:24).
o The righteousness of God assures us that He is honest and just in all His
dealings.
3. Justice
o Justice means that God administers His law fairly and ensures justice in His
creation.
o God’s justice is the execution of His righteousness in dealing with humans and
creation.
3. Integrity
Integrity refers to God’s consistency in His moral character. It includes:
1. Genuineness: God is true to His character. He does not lie or deceive.
2. Veracity: God speaks truth and acts in accordance with the truth.
3. Faithfulness: God is reliable and can be trusted to keep His promises (Deut. 7:9; Lam.
3:23).
4. Love
God’s love is His self-giving affection and concern for His creation. It includes:
1. Benevolence: God’s concern for the welfare of His creatures.
2. Grace: God’s unmerited favour
3. towards humans, especially in offering salvation (Eph. 2:8-9).
 4. Mercy: God’s compassion and forgiveness extended to those who deserve punishment
(Ps. 103:8).
5. Persistence: God’s long-suffering patience in dealing with humans (2 Pet. 3:9).
5. God’s Love and Justice – A Point of Tension?
 God’s love and justice may seem in tension, but they are perfectly balanced in His
nature.
 His love leads Him to offer forgiveness, while His justice requires that sin is dealt
with.
 This tension is resolved in Jesus’ atoning work, where God’s justice and love meet.
6. Investigating God’s Attributes
 God’s moral qualities must be studied in relation to His greatness.
 His attributes of holiness, righteousness, justice, and love must be understood as part
of His complete character.
 The goal is to see how these qualities affect God’s relationship with humanity.