Attributes of God Flashcards
3 points about God as one
- one God that creates and sustains all that exists
- God is indivisible and incomparable
- “thou shall have no other Gods before me.” (Exodus 20)
The main belief about God as creator
if God were to cease then all would become nothing
Doctrine of perpetual creation
Creation is a continuous event that only exists whilst God pours creative energy into it
2 points about God as incorporeal
- in contrast to the deities that were worshipped at the time of the covenant
- Jews aer forbidden to represent God in a physical form
2 points about God as eternal
- God has always existed and always will
- “from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90)
3 points about God as just and merciful
- fair, not subject to any prejudice when making judgements
- ultimate source of justice in the universe
- book of Job shows God as merciful and providing second chances
3 points about God as holy and perfect
- God is qodesh
- he is completely perfect and utterly separate from evil
- use name of Adonaoi as his name is too holy to be spoken
What does the sanctity of Mount Sinai serve as?
An example of Gods holiness, indicated the huge chasm between God and his people.
What does ‘kavod’ describe?
the energy that is encountered in moments of awe such as the revelation at Mount Sinai
What does shekinah mean?
‘dwelling’ or ‘settling’, denoting the divine presence of God
What is shekinah also seen as?
The feminine aspect of God
2 points about Maimonides’ 13 principles?
- the words of the prophet are true
- God rewards those who keep the commandments and punishes those who do not