Chapter 11,
The Character of God; his Incommunicable attributes. (i.e. How is God different from us).
Lots of sermons, songs, etc, focus on one or another specific characteristic of God...yet knowing all his attributes in a good balance is vital for a healthy understanding of God.
Some attributes that only God has (called incommunable), are:
his eternity
unchangeableness
omnipresence..
Things that are communable (that we can have to a lesser degree):
love
knowledge
mercy
justice...etc.
What is God's name in Scripture? "His "name" is equal to all that the Bible and creation tell us about God."
Several times in scripture, it is pointed out that we should honor God and his holy name, which is even one of the ten commandments in Exodus 20:7.
All sorts of descriptive names are used in Scripture about God, such as a torch, the sun, a lion, a hiding place, etc.
God does not have a body but is described metaphorically with eyes, ears, mouth, arms, foot, finger, etc.
"All creation in one sense or another, reveals something about God to us, and that the higher creation, especially man who is made in God's image, reveals him more fully."
Another reason Grudem points out the diversity of descriptions of God is that GOD made the universe so that it would show forth the excellence of his character.
Now, let's look at the incommunicable attributes of God closer:
1. Independance. God doesn't need us, yet we and creation can glorify him and bring him joy.
(Everything belongs to God, and God did not create us out of loneliness, because he had perfect love, fellowship, and communication in the trinity for all eternity.)
We and God are not just comparable like the ocean and a raindrop, the sun and a candle, but God's being is qualitatively different. YET, God has created us and determined that we would be meaningful to him. "That is the final definition of genuine significance."
2. Unchangeableness. Although God is unchangeable in his being, perfections, purposes, promises, yet he acts, feels emotions, and responds to different situations.
Psalm 102 speaks of how God laid the foundations of the earth, yet they will perish...but YOU are the same, and your years have no end.
Is God impassible? (That means he is passionless, emotionless)? God does not have sinful passions or emotions, but he clearly rejoices, is grieved, burns with wrath, pities, loves, etc. ....
next time, more about God's incommunicable attributes!
The Character of God; his Incommunicable attributes. (i.e. How is God different from us).
Lots of sermons, songs, etc, focus on one or another specific characteristic of God...yet knowing all his attributes in a good balance is vital for a healthy understanding of God.
Some attributes that only God has (called incommunable), are:
his eternity
unchangeableness
omnipresence..
Things that are communable (that we can have to a lesser degree):
love
knowledge
mercy
justice...etc.
What is God's name in Scripture? "His "name" is equal to all that the Bible and creation tell us about God."
Several times in scripture, it is pointed out that we should honor God and his holy name, which is even one of the ten commandments in Exodus 20:7.
All sorts of descriptive names are used in Scripture about God, such as a torch, the sun, a lion, a hiding place, etc.
God does not have a body but is described metaphorically with eyes, ears, mouth, arms, foot, finger, etc.
"All creation in one sense or another, reveals something about God to us, and that the higher creation, especially man who is made in God's image, reveals him more fully."
Another reason Grudem points out the diversity of descriptions of God is that GOD made the universe so that it would show forth the excellence of his character.
Now, let's look at the incommunicable attributes of God closer:
1. Independance. God doesn't need us, yet we and creation can glorify him and bring him joy.
(Everything belongs to God, and God did not create us out of loneliness, because he had perfect love, fellowship, and communication in the trinity for all eternity.)
We and God are not just comparable like the ocean and a raindrop, the sun and a candle, but God's being is qualitatively different. YET, God has created us and determined that we would be meaningful to him. "That is the final definition of genuine significance."
2. Unchangeableness. Although God is unchangeable in his being, perfections, purposes, promises, yet he acts, feels emotions, and responds to different situations.
Psalm 102 speaks of how God laid the foundations of the earth, yet they will perish...but YOU are the same, and your years have no end.
Is God impassible? (That means he is passionless, emotionless)? God does not have sinful passions or emotions, but he clearly rejoices, is grieved, burns with wrath, pities, loves, etc. ....
next time, more about God's incommunicable attributes!
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