2.3 Attributes of God Theology

Attributes Attributes are qualities or characteristics of a per-son or thing.

General revelation tells us a little bit about YHWH’s attributes:

-powerful enough to create the universe

Special revelation tells us much more:-His name is YHWH, He’s all knowing, He’s loving, He came to earth as Jesus Christ.

God’s Natural Attributes 1. Definition

They are the very nature of God’s being. That’s just who He is.

2. Describeda. Transcendence- He is above creation. He is outside

of creation. Creation is not apart of Him. He is separate and above creation.

b. Immanence- God is actively involved with His creation. JESUS!!!!!!!!

God’s Natural Attributes c. Eternity- He has no beginning or end. He always was, always is, and always will be. He is not limited by time like humans are.

d. Infinity- God’s attributes have no limitations.

A Question

Can God do anything? Or is there anything God can’t do?

God’s Natural Attributes e. Immutability- God’s character and nature does not change. The Bible mentions Him “changing His mind” but his attributes do not change.

f. Omniscience- God is all-knowing. He knows the fu-ture, everything in the present, and all of the past. He knows all possibilities that could have ever happened. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Hint: God’s knowledge of the future doesn’t mean that He

caused it to happen.

God’s Natural Attributes g. Omnipresence- God is all places. It does seem how-ever that in certain places and situations His presence is stronger than other places and situations.

God’s presence on earth doesn’t seem to be as notice-able and “present” as it is on Heaven. This is by His choice.

God’s Natural Attributes g. Omnipotent-God is all-powerful and do whatever He wishes. He created and ordered the universe, and in Him, it all holds together.

God’s Moral Attributes 1. Definition

Characteristics of God revealed by His interactions with mankind. We should try to be like God in these at-tributes.

2. Described

a. Holiness- Perfection and purity from evil. God is complete separate from sin and evil.

God’s Moral Attributes b. Justice- Sin is serious and demanding of punishment. God is the ultimate standard of what is good and bad. He creates the laws and the rules which He must im-pose.

Two types of justice:

1. Remunerative (rewarding) 2. Retributive (punishing)

God’s Moral Attributes c. Righteousness- God always does right, and He is in right standing with the law.

d. love- “love is the attitude which moves God to communicate His concern for the ultimate welfare of the ones that He loves. He wants the very best for these He loves. Therefore His love moved Him to sac-rifice His life for the sake of another.” p.81

God’s Moral Attributes e. Mercy- God’s compassion for the sinner by not giv-ing the sinner what he/she deserves

f. Grace- The unmerited goodness and love that God gives.

Hint: Mercy is god not giving us what we deserve. Grace is when God gives us more than we de-

serve.

God’s Moral Attributes g. Goodness- God has shown his goodness through his dealings with mankind

“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:45

“The LORD is good to all;    he has compassion on all he has made.”Psalm 145:9

God’s Moral Attributes h. Truth- God does not lie. He does not tolerate false-hood.

The truth and healthy food analogy