OUR ONE TRUE GOD
Belief in God is universal. However, there is wide diversity of opinion concerning the nature and number of the being(s) people call God. What is God like? How many gods are there? How does God relate to his creation? A brief survey of some of the major concepts of God include:
- DUALISM - belief in two eternally opposing gods or forces, one good and the other evil.
- PANTHEISM - belief in one eternal reality comprising all things. God is all; all is god. There is no distinction between god and the created universe.
- POLYTHEISM - belief in many gods; local, regional, and universal gods.
- MONOTHEISM - belief in only one God, though the one God is defined differently by various groups. (e.g. Deism, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity).
- Deism believes the creator God made the universe, established natural laws that control it, but is no longer involved with it in a personal way.
- Judaism believes in the one eternal God of the Jews featured in the Old Testament of the Bible. Allah is the one God defined by Islam and followed by the Muslim community.
- Christianity is a unique form of monotheism. It believes in one personal God, both immanent (close at hand) and transcendent (far above us) who exists in three persons, namely Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Such a variety of beliefs in God may cause one to be uncertain about who God really is. Fortunately the Bible is God's self-revelation. In other words, God has chosen to make himself known. He clearly tells us who he is and the relationship he has to us.
It is impossible to define God fully. He far transcends any attempt to set boundaries upon him, or to describe him in detail comprehensively. However, though our understanding of God is finite, because he has made himself known in the Scriptures we can say some definite, true things about his nature. We can apprehend his character for all practical purposes, because he has told us about himself.
A concise, biblical definition of God that is helpful comes from the Westminster Shorter Catechism: "God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth."
The first four descriptive words of this definition are often referred to as the essence of God or God's basic nature. God is a being who is spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable. He is an infinite spirit being; an eternal spirit being, and an unchanging spirit being. The last six descriptive words of the definition are called attributes of God. Attributes are the way God's basic nature is manifested or expressed. God is a spirit-being who is wise, powerful, holy, just, good, and true. The descriptive adjectives of God's essence (basic nature) are to explain God's attributes.
For example, God is infinitely wise, infinitely powerful, infinitely holy, infinitely just, etc. Similarly, God is eternally wise, eternally powerful, eternally holy, etc. Likewise, God is unchangeably wise, unchangeably powerful, unchangeably holy, etc. Thus, how wise is God? He is infinitely wise-as wise as one can possibly be. How long has God been powerful? He is eternally powerful-he always was powerful and always will be powerful. Will God always be holy? He is unchangeably holy-he cannot be anything but holy. He will never change to be unholy. God is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in all his attributes.
A. The Essence of God
What is God like at his "core," his basic nature?
God is Spirit. (John 4:24)
As spirit, God is invisible. No one has ever seen God, though at times he has manifested himself in visible form. And the Apostle Paul refers to Jesus as "the image of the invisible God." (Colossians 1:15) One of the Ten Commandments forbids making a graven image of him. It is important to distinguish God from that which he created. He is not just the greatest among all created beings. He is above and beyond all created beings and qualitatively different. God is not made of any material substance and does not have a body or form. A spirit has no flesh and bones. (Luke 24:39) When the Bible speaks of God's eyes, or hands, or ears, etc., it is not giving a physical description of God. These physical terms are used to help us understand the capabilities and activities of God. (e.g. God's "ear" being open to our cry indicates God is "aware of" our prayer to him.)
As spirit, God is alive. He ia a living active God. The Bible contrasts him with idols made of stone or wood or metal. In them there is no life-they have eyes that cannot see, ears that cannot hear; they must be carried from place to place. Not only is the God of the Bible alive himself, he is the source and sustainer of all life. "In him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28)
God is a personal God, rather than some impersonal force. He has a self-consciousness and exhibits the psychological characteristics of a person-intellect, emotions, and will. As a personal God he desires to have a personal relationship with us.
God is infinite. (Psalms 139:7-12)
Infinity is God's relationship to space. God's infinity is manifested through his omnipresence. (God being present everywhere) There is not any place that God is not there. Though God is present everywhere, he is whole or complete everywhere. God is present in his fullness everywhere at the same time. God's omnipresence is either comforting or disturbing to us depending on our relationship to him.
God is eternal. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Isaiah 102:27)
Eternality refers to God's relationship to time. God is not bound by time, but is the creator of time. Time was born when God chose to create something outside himself. Everything else has a beginning, but God had no beginning. This God who is spirit was never created but is self-existent. (Exodus 3:14) He has the ground of his existence in himself and is the source of all created things that exist. (John 1:3) He always has been and always will be. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is the one "who is, and who was, and who is to come." (Revelation 1:8) He knows the past and future as an eternal present, yet he experiences things in time with us as they happen. "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." (Psalms 90:2)
God is unchangeable. (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17)
In his essence, attributes, and will God is unchangeable (immutable). He is always the same, yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) We need never fear that we wake up some morning and find that God is no longer loving and just, holy and true, or wise and powerful. He does not change. In fact he cannot change, for his will is determined by his nature. All the wonderful things about God are not just what God does but who he is. It is not possible to cease to be who he is by nature. God will always be who he has always been. However, the fact that God is unchangeable does not mean that he is rigid. It does not mean there is no flexibility and adaptability in his actions to changing conditions and circumstances. (Jonah 3,4)
B. Attributes of God
How is God's basic nature expressed? What are the characteristics of God's nature? While many traits could be mentioned, here I will briefly discuss those mentioned in the Westminster Shorter Catechism definition.
God is wise. (Psalms 139:1-4; I John 3:20)
God is wise because he is omniscient (all knowing). He knows fully all facts, persons, and things which exist. (Psalms 147:4; Matthew 10:29) He even knows men's hearts and thoughts. (Psalms 139:1-4) God knows the future (from our perspective) though to God there is no future with respect to his knowledge. To him all is an eternal present. He knows what happens before it actually happens in time. However the fact that God knows things ahead of time does not mean that he necessarily causes those things to happen. Because he knows something will happen does not mean he effectively causes it to happen. God also knows possible happenings as well as actual happenings. (I Samuel 23:11,12; Matthew 11:21-24) Since God has unlimited knowledge in every possible sphere, his wisdom far surpasses all human wisdom. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8,9) Because he is wise we can trust him in every area of life. "if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all...." (James 1:5)
God is powerful. (Isaiah 40:21-31)
In fact he is omnipotent (all powerful). God has the power or ability to do anything he chooses. This means that he has control of his unlimited power. God will not do anything that is contrary to his nature. (e.g. God will not commit sin; nor will he do things which are absurd or self-contradictory-(e.g. God cannot make a square circle.) Having control over his power allows God to be gentle and kind. God's power is not unharnessed energy but purposeful activity. He uses his power to accomplish his purposes which are in accord with his nature. Almighty God makes his power available to us as we walk in his will. Nothing is too hard for the LORD. (Jeremiah 32:17)
God is holy. (Exodus 15:11; Psalms 99:3,5,9; Revelation 4:8)
Holiness is often considered to be the central attribute of God. For many the holiness of God is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. However, the biblical idea of God's holiness is centered in three truths: (a) God is transcendent, high above us, wholly other. There is a qualitative distinction between the nature of God and his creation. We are called to be like God (to be holy) but we will never become God. (b) God is separate from any moral wrong or evil. He is totally without sin. There is no fault in him. "In him is no darkness at all." (I John 1:5) (c) God is perfect in all his attributes. In God is found perfect wisdom, perfect love, perfect justice, perfect truth, etc. In all these virtues, God surpasses all others. An absolutely holy God would be unapproachable to us without his grace being extended to us through Jesus Christ.
God is just. (Deuteronomy 32:4; Daniel 4:37)
God's dealings are always righteous, fair and proper. God is no respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34) God is impartial. There is a justice in God that demands punishment for sin, yet accepts the death of his son for the sinner. (I John 1:9) Because God has all knowledge he is able to be fair and just in all that he does. Perfect justice from a holy God may be in stark contrast to frequent injustice from sinful man. In the midst of injustice we must continually commit ourselves to the God who judges justly. (I Peter 2:23)
God is good. (Psalms 86:5)
The goodness of God encompasses several related, but distinct aspects of this virtue. (a) The goodness of God is displayed in his love. "God is love." (I John 4:16) God's love is more than a sentimental emotion. It involves God's continual giving of himself to us. Though he is high and holy he is also inviting and close to us. He shares himself with us in personal relationship that is transforming. (b) God's goodness is reflected in his benevolence to his creation. He has not only created us, but lovingly cares for us. (I Peter 5:7) He works towards that which is of benefit to us. The air we breathe, the food we eat, the rest we enjoy, etc. are all expressions of a benevolent God. (c) The goodness of God is shown in his mercy. Mercy refers to his compassion and loving kindness expressed in times of our distress and suffering. His mercies are new every morning and they endure forever. (Psalms 136:1; Lamentations 3:23) (d) The goodness of God is highlighted in his grace. God is good to us even when we do not deserve it. Grace abounds beyond the guilt of our sin. (Romans 5:20) The gift of God's grace saves us from our sins and makes us acceptable in his sight. (Ephesians 1:2; Titus 2:11)
God is true. (Isaiah 45:19; Romans 3:4)
The truth of God affirms that all his declarations and representations conform to reality. Things are as God says they are. God does not lie. What God says and does it totally correct and without any error. God is also true in the sense of being faithful. We can depend on God. His promises will not fail.
It is important for us to have these characteristics of God's nature imbedded deeply in our hearts and minds. For there will be circumstances where it will look like God is not true, not just, or not good. We will face problems and challenges that may seem greater than God's wisdom and power. There may be situations when the holy God seems far away and too distant to even listen to our prayers. These times are when we remember that all these wonderful virtues are his character; they are who God truly is; and they will never change for he is unchanging. Because of his unchanging character we learn to trust him when we cannot feel his presence or understand what is happening around us.
C. God as Trinity
The Bible is clear that there is only one true God. No other being shares the same divine nature that we have just considered. However, there is another aspect of God's nature that is called the Trinity. Though the term 'trinity' is not used in the Bible, the truth it depicts is clearly taught. The doctrine of trinity as taught in the Scripture is unique to Christianity. Since the teaching is unique, there is no other with which to compare it. Thus the doctrine is difficult to understand. There are various analogies that have been used to try to explain the Trinity, but each has its own limitations. Here I will point out what the Bible clearly teaches about the Trinity, but not attempt to explain its mystery. We will also mention two common errors about Trinity that should be avoided.
The biblical basis for the doctrine of the Trinity is, however, simple. In the New Testament we observe that there is a God-person referred to by Jesus as "the Father". Jesus himself is clearly regarded as God in the New Testament and he referred to the coming of the Holy Spirit who is also a distinct divine person. For example Jesus ' clear and simple statement in John 14:16 - "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever". Yet the Bible clearly affirms that God is one (I Timothy 2:5; James 2:19). We thus conclude that the biblical view of God is: One God in three persons or three persons in one divine being. The Father is distinct from the Son, the Son is distinct from the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father. Yet these three persons share one divine essence and attributes, and together comprise the being we call God (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 11:25-27; Luke 1:35; II Corinthians 13:14; I John 1:3-4), and this arrangement is eternal. (John 1:1)
In the Trinity there are different functions of persons as to operation, but unity of will, purpose, and essence. (e.g. The one God is our Saviour. The Father planned and sent his Son to earth; the Son died on the cross for our sins; the Holy Spirit applies the work of salvation to us personally.) The Son and the Holy Spirit are as fully God as the Father. They are all equal. Together they comprise the one true God.
One common error in respect to the doctrine of Trinity is called Tritheism. Tritheism views Father, Son and Holy Spirit as 3 separate gods, with only unity of purpose and design. There is only one God as is seen in such things as the baptismal formula: "baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) It is the name of the one God in 3 persons, not in the names of 3 gods. Jesus, the Son, said :my Father and I are one." (John 10:30) He was not a separate god but of the same divine essence as the Father. The Holy Spirit is commonly referred to as the Spirit of God or the Spirit of Christ, rather than being a separate god.
Another common error involves various forms of what is called Modalism. (Sabellianism, Jesus Only, United Pentecostals, Unitarians, etc.) Modalism speaks of a "trinity of revelation" rather than a "trinity of being" (ontological). This view says there is only one God, but also says God is comprised of only one person rather than three persons. While they agree that the Bible speaks of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, they argue that these are not three different persons but three different ways in which the one person revealed himself. For example, they say, at times God revealed himself as Father, at other times as Son, and still other times as Spirit. However, there are many places where the Bible mentions the three persons existing and acting at the same time. Jesus prayed to the Father that the Father would send the Holy Spirit. (John 14:16,17) It would make no sense to say Jesus prayed to himself requesting that he send himself.
Though the doctrine of Trinity may be difficult for us to understand, that does not allow us to ignore the teaching of Scripture. Our God is one God comprising three persons, namely Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This divine Trinity is in perfect harmony and unity.
D. Works of God
Although the works of God are many, here I will mention only three that are all-encompassing: the Decrees of God; the Creation of God; the Providence of God.
Decrees of God
The decrees of God refer to the teaching that from eternity, by his wise and holy counsel, God freely and unchangeably ordained for his glory all that comes to pass. God determines his plan apart from the variations in human history. History works out his will. Since he is omniscient what he determines is best. Because he is holy and good, he only ordains what is beneficial and righteous. God decrees all that happens. However, there are two kinds of decrees. a) Efficacious decrees - those things which God determines to bring about, and b) Permissive decrees - those things which God allows to happen. As a whole, the decrees of God have three purposes: (a) to promote the happiness of man - beauty, enjoyment, fellowship. People want to live because God has decreed life to be good. (b) to promote the character development of man. All that we encounter is designed to make us better; to become all that humanity was created to be; to reflect the greatness of the image of God in us. (c) to declare the glory of God. All that God has ordained shows forth his glory and greatness.
The Creation of God
God is the ultimate Creator of all things. Nothing existed apart from God until God created. He is creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. The highest point of God's creation is humankind, created in his own image.
God's Continuing Providence
The Bible presents God, not only as Creator, but the one who sustains creation as well. "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:17) The writer of Hebrews speaks of him as "sustaining all things by his powerful word." (Hebrews 1:3) God has not abandoned his creation, but sustains and preserves it. God's providence provides confidence and security. And because our created universe functions with regularity, we can plan and order our lives accordingly.
God's providential governing includes (a) his authority over nature. The winds and waves obey him. (b) his guidance of human history to fulfill his purposes, and, (c) his direction and leading in our individual lives. Our steps are ordered of the Lord as he directs the way that we take. Our times are in his hands. He determines the fate of the nations. (Proverbs 3:5,6, 16:9; Jeremiah 10:23; Psalms 31:15) God's providence is universal and extends to all people.
The one true God is Lord of all. "I am first and I am last; apart from me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6) He is great and loving to his creation. "How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you and there is no God but you..." (II Samuel 7:22) How wonderful to be under his watchful care. It causes us to wonder: "What is man that you are mindful of him?" (Psalms 8:4)