Doctrine 2 Flashcards
His Unique Characteristics
God Exists God is Independent God is Spiritual God is Immutable God is Eternal God is Simplicity God is Omnipresent God is Omnipotent God is Omniscient
Christian Monotheism holds that
God is One God is Over All Creation God is Personal God has no Equal God is Eternal God Lives in Relationship God is Other God Has Governed All He Has Created God Preserves All He Has Created
God is Independent
There are characteristics of God that are His alone by His self-existence. He is not dependent on His creation. “asiety”
God is Spiritual
God is pure Spirit, having not bodily or material parts, and invisible to the naked eye (His Choice)
God is Immutable
God is unchanging in the perfection of his character, nature, purpose and promise. It does not mean that God is inactive. He is dynamic in creation and in history.
God is Eternal
God is not created and is not subject to the limitations of time or space.
God is Simplicity
God is one in essence; there are no divisions or anything contrary within his nature.
God’s nature is perfectly united and consistent within His nature. Even the three persons are consistent within this one nature.
God is Omnipresent
he is everywhere
God is not limited by time or space yet. He is present throughout all space.
Theism
Belief that God is immanent in the world yet transcendent. God made creation but His is separate from it. Yet, within His creation God is both active and personal
Polytheism
There is a number of gods in existence. Ancient civilizations held this view. Some Hindu and Wiccan practice this.
Monotheism
Belief that there is only one God. While Judaism and Islam hold to this, Christianity has a “complex” monotheism” – three in one.
Atheism
There is no God, divine being, supernatural power, divine entity. It is a statement of non-belief.
Non-Theism
No divine being but there is a present spirituality (Buddhism). We are all spiritual beings.
Pantheism
a. God and creation are one without distinction
b. The movies “Avatar” and “Star Wars” are examples
c. God is unknowable but all is connected
d. Some circles, God is avoided. It is a human response to the majesty of the universe.
e. Nature is the highest order of things.
f. Nature is mother.
God Exists
His existence is already present at creation. His words and action are His revelation of who He is.
Panentheism
a. God is greater than all things and contains all things within himself
b. As the universe grows, so does God
c. Though God is greater, this view states that God is not outside or transcendent.
d. God’s actual existence and nature is changing, but his potential, what he can become, does not change. He will, in the end, get to where He will be.
(Process Theology/Open Theism)
Agnosticism
There is not enough evidence to sustain the existence of God
Animism
Belief that every single thing possesses a soul: animal, insect, plants, rocks, air, water, etc. Additional view adds intelligence. Magic/Shamans attempt to control nature
Deism
God is remote. He started the universe (First Cause) but has left it to run on its own. It is natural religion.
God is Omnipotent
God can do all things consistent with his holy nature and will; nothing can frustrate the accomplishment of his sovereign purpose.
God is Omniscient
God knows all things past, present and future and all things possible as well as actual
Like 12:6-7
His Shared Characteristics
God is Holy God is Love God is Wisdom Grace and Mercy Goodness Patience Righteousness and Justice Truthfulness Faithfulness
God is Love
God’s love includes not only provision (care) for His creation but also sacrifice (self-denial) for its redemption.
God is Holy
God’s exaltation in majesty above creation; his complete freedom from all moral impurity and imperfection.
“Otherness” from His creation.
God is wisdom
God’s wisdom is demonstrated in the direction of worthy ends; and what ‘ought’ to be right.
Grace
his unmerited favor shown in the forgiveness of sin.
we receive what we did not deserve
Goodness
God deals benevolently with all his creatures
Mercy
removal of punishment and misery caused by sin
unmerited response - we deserve what we did not get.
Patience
God restrains His righteous wrath and judgment demonstrating His love for mankind.
Righteousness and Justice
God’s absolute integrity with His commands, promises, and actions. His justice is impartial and equal.
We believe
that there is only one God, who in infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.
Truthfulness
God’s character, words, and actions are to be trusted. He is always consistent.
Faithfulness
God is reliable, dependable, loyal toward His people and His covenant.
God is Creator
Creation has order Creation has beauty Creation has purpose Creation will be redeemed Creation is finely tuned Creation has beginning and an end (newness)
Ex Nihilo
from or out of nothing
God is Immanent
His presence and activity within nature, human nature and history
God is Transcendent
He is separate from and independent of nature and humanity.
Creator
Relationship
Preserver
Stewardship
Governor
Faithfulness
What are the major religions that believe in one God?
Judaism, Christianity, Islam
God first introduces Himself in the Bible as the God:
Who Speaks, Who Creates, Who Reveals
God is Preserver (a)
God is present and active, continuing to rule
God is active in world history
God sees and hears all that takes place. He hears our prayers and acts upon them.
God is active in seeing his plan through
Providence
God’s sovereign rule over all He has created guiding all events toward their appointed ends.
God is Governor
Creation is a work in progress. God directs this process towards His final plan. God has authority over all. Though creation is in a rebellion state, God is still in control. All is moving according to his purpose and plan.
Laws of General Revelation to Sustain the Universe
Natural Laws applies to all
God can suspend those laws at His will
3 Things - God is Governor
Laws of General Revelation to Sustain the Universe
Laws of Supernatural Revelation to Sustain the Faithful
God’s rule over our lives
God is Governor
Though the Bible
is not a scientific handbook, it does contain evidence of workings of God’s governance over creation.
~ God saw that creation was “good”
~ People fall from buildings
God is Governor
What does he govern?
Governs human history
Governs individual lives
Universal Call to Salvation
Particular Call to Holiness
Unique Call to Ministry
His Governance (actions) is consistent with His character (Attributes)His governance (actions) is consistent with His character (attributes)
Holiness
Justice
Righteousness
God is preserver (b)
His plan will be fulfilled
His actions are in accordance with His character
His view is never unaware of every action/event
He sustains the godly/ungodly
Incarnation greatest demonstration of God as Preserver.
Theodicy
the branch of theology concerned with defending the attributes of God against objections resulting from physical and moral evil
theos
God
dike
justice
Old Testament and Suffering
Sin is a continuous cycle of cause and effect
The Mosaic Law offered a choice, “If…then” allowing blessings to those who were obedient otherwise judgement.
New Testament and Suffering
Christ’s sufferings spoke to “good suffering”
Suffering does not mean sinful rather obedience
Suffering identifies with all humanity.
From the Christians Point of View, what do we know?
Sin is in the world Evil is not a force in and of itself Evil is not equal with God nor is of God Evil is in essence rebellion against God Evil comes from a sinful heart Evil is permitted with God's created order God permits evil; free choice decisions allow for this God prevents it Direct it - story of Joseph Limit It - Satan & Job Evil's power defeated at the cross Evil will have its final ending.
What can we learn?
We do not know the reason for all things that happen. God knows all things God knows the reason evil is present God knows the outcomes of all things God is good Evil is present in the world
