some thoughts

We started our class today by reading/praying Exodus 33:12-23 together, praying that God would show us his glory and all his goodness as we ascend his holy hill to fix our eyes upon his beauty.

The specific subjects today, conitinuing in The Doctrine of God (The Being of God), were his unshared (”incommunicable”) and shared (”communicable”) attributes. (Primary sources for the organization of this outline were Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology, and Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology [which follows Berkhof’s pretty closely]). The divisions and “categories” here are really not necessary, they’re merely a tool used for the purpose of teaching in an orderly way. There are other, and equally valid, ways to present these.

The purpose of exploring the unshared attributes is twofold: adoration and humility. We are, by the study of how God is so different and high and above us, to provoke awe and wonderment at the person of God. From there, we recognize how high he is, and how utterly unlike him we are–which leads to a kind of creature-consciousness (humility). Some of these attributes are:

1. The Self-existence (Independence) of God.
2. The Immutability (Unchangeableness) of God
3. The Infinity of God (unbound by, but equally ‘filling,’ time and space)
4. The Unity of God
• The unity of singularity (”God is numerically one and…as such…is [utterly] unique”)
• The unity of simplicity (”God is not divisible into parts” - he is not “composite”)

The purpose of exploring the shared attributes is imitation. Ephesians 5:1 reads “Be imitators of God, as beloved children.” The shared attributes (or “perfections”) of God are generally presented this way:

1. The Spirituality of God - (John 4), we are partakers of his Spirit.
2. The Intellectual Attributes:
• The Knowledge of God - he knows all things actual and possible. We are to seek to know things correctly and truly - i.e., as God knows them (or, at least as far as Scripture allows). Significant impact in our professional lives, etc.
• The Wisdom of God - he uses all things in the best way possible to accomplish his ultimate goal: the glory of his name. We are to do the same: seek out the best way to think and live and work to bring about his glory in the earth.
• The Truthfulness/Faithfulness of God - he knows the truth perfectly, and perfectly communicates it…and he always does what he says he will do. He is faithful!
3. The Moral Attributes:
• The Goodness of God
• The Love of God
• The Mercy, Grace, and Patience of God
• The Holiness of God
• The Peace of God (all toughts and actions orderly, and without confusion)
• The Righteousness/Justice of God
• The Jealousy of God
• The Wrath of God (toward sin) - in our “mortifying the sin in our bodies.”
4. The Attributes of Purpose:
• The Will of God
• The Freedom of God
• The Omnipotence of God
5. The “Summary” Attributes of God:
• The Perfection of God
• The Blessedness (Happiness) of God
• The Beauty of God
• The Glory of God

As predicted, we didn’t get to the Holy Trinity today - and we barely got through the unshared attributes. There’s just so much to cover it’s insane. By the way, any students dropping by (or anyone else, for that matter), feel free to email me (at the group email address, preferably) or leave a comment if you have any questions about this stuff. I’ll help out if I can.

I hope some of the wonder, joy, humility, and conviction I’ve experienced in preparing these classes is spreading to those in attendence. So far, it’s been very enjoyable.

…and we haven’t even gotten to “Redemption Accomplished and Applied” yet! Can’t wait to talk about the high priesthood of Christ - probably my favorite aspect of our Lord’s work of redemption.