The Incommunicable Attributes of God- Eternal

Consider This...

Theological Thoughts to Encourage the Heart & Stir the Mind

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Volume I July 2011 Issue 29

God is Eternal

            I have heard it said that the term eternal refers to the past without end, the future without ceasing, or to God’s present experience of all time. We are told throughout Scripture that God is eternal or everlasting. Genesis 21:33 says, “And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.” Later, in Deuteronomy, God himself says, “For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live forever” (32:40, KJV). Not only do we have these two wonderful proclamations of God’s eternality early in Scripture, but there are many more examples throughout these same books. 

            Both of the words chosen in the previous passages, “everlasting” as well as “forever,” come from the same Hebrew root word, “Olam,” which means “perpetual or without end.” These words show the wonderful truth that our God has ultimate authority over time, that He is unaffected by time, and that he exists completely outside the confines of time. He is perpetually God. He always was God, He always is God, He will always be God. What a wonderful truth that the God who has promised to keep those of us that are His children forever in Heaven has already demonstrated that he is an eternal God himself. Psalm 90:2 says, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hast formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (KJV).

            Isaiah 46:10 says, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from the ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (KJV). Not only is God the authority over time, but he is able to proclaim what will happen within the confines of time from outside of the confines of time! The word used here for “ancient” is the Hebrew word “Qedem” (keh’-dem). This is another word for eternity past.  According to this verse, God is able to declare what is coming not only in the present time and eternity future, but he is able to do it from eternity past! What a mighty God we serve!

            How then are our lives affected by the knowledge that God is eternal? Knowing God is eternal is instrumental in increasing our ability to trust Him. Psalm 102:25-27 says, “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment: as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: BUT thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end” (KJV).

            Hebrews 1:10-12 reiterates this verse when it reminds us that all the things we can put our trust in, such as money, power, position, ability, and the promises of man, shall all perish. However, the author and finisher of our faith will endure.  He will be the same God tomorrow that he was yesterday. The things that he demanded yesterday, for believers, are still demanded today. The commission he gave yesterday is still valid today. The Salvation we receive today will last for all eternity. Our God is unchanging and he is unending. 

            1Timothy 1:17 says, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. A-men” (KJV).

Jonathan Halk

The Incommunicable Attributes of God- Infinity

Consider This...

Theological Thoughts to Encourage the Heart & Stir the Mind

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Volume I                  July 2011                  Issue 28

“The ideas with which we are most familiar are often those of which we are the least able to give an intelligent answer.”[1]This statement by Charles Hodge is found in the opening paragraph on the subject of God’s infinitude. The struggle to understand the incommunicable attributes of God is present whenever there is discussion concerning them. Many of these attributes are stated simply with the negation of mans attributes. God is the opposite of finite, which man is, thus He is infinite. It is our task in this article to understand a bit deeper the infinity of God and to see the relevant application of such a study.

            The infinity of God covers every area of God: His being, His character, and His relationship to creation.  The infinity of God’s being looks at Him externally from everything. The infinity of God’s character relates to His attributes both incommunicable and communicable. And the infinity of His relationship to creation covers His personal being towards all that He has made, especially humanity.

God’s Being

            A number of aspects are found in the infinitude of God’s being. These relate to what it is to be infinite and what it is not to be infinite. It is in these that one struggles in supplying adequate words to describe this reality. However, it is vitally important to meditate on this and to study the depths of God. For, as we know Him better, the greater our worship of Him will be.

            To begin, it is needed to know what infinity is not. This may seem elementary and simple, but it aids in tearing down the humanist ideas that battle with our desires. Being infinite does not mean that God is all. He is illimitable and incapable of increase but is not “all” that there is. The infinite can still be infinite even with the existence of finite matter and spirit. A false understanding of this has led to Pantheism in the Eastern religions.

            Although God is not “all,” He is in all things. This is rooted in God’s self-existence and His creation of all things, material and immaterial. Aquinas states, “God is above all things by the excellence of His nature; nevertheless, He is in all things as the cause of the being of all things….”[2] This “in all things” is seen greatly in the sovereign rule of God over all. For all things are dependent upon God for both their existence and sustainment.    

            The third aspect of God’s being as infinite is in space/time. This is the discussion of both God’s omnipresence/immensity and His timelessness. These two bring the being of God into a more personal reality for man. They strengthen the believer in times of great trial and difficulty, even as they are far beyond our cognitive capabilities.

            God’s infinity in space relates to that of Him being everywhere. This presence is that of His totality of being in each place. He is not spread throughout space as a cover, but fully everywhere. The term, omnipresence, carries with it the understanding of being present where other beings are.[3] There is also the term immensity, which sees the presence of God extending beyond creation and without end.[4] It is this, along with the personal being of God, that brings comfort to the believer is times of persecution and trials.

            The infinity of God in time is one that many a scholar has struggled to even give a definition to. Its study begins with the understanding of God being outside of and not bound by the limitation of time, followed by His working both outside and inside of its boundaries. It would seem that the omniscience of God finds itself working within this realm.

            The being of God as infinite carries with it a feeling of unapproachable understanding, yet great hope as the Infinite God is there. And not only is He there, but He is active and not bound by any constraint. He is over all.

God’s Character

            None of God’s attributes contradict one another. They even complement and paint a full picture of God together. However, God’s infinity is applied to each and it is what separates Him from man.

            There are those attributes which God possesses that man possesses as well. These are termed the communicable attributes of God. The list would include (but is not limited to) grace, mercy, goodness, anger, and love. These are attributes that each person possesses to some degree. However, man is limited in the expression of these. Our love is finite, often times ending with conditions. We can show mercy and grace, but stop after it is continually needed.

            God, however, shows these attributes to their fullest and is unlimited in the expression of these. It is by His infinite being that He can love with justice and wrath. He can show grace and mercy when we are nothing but wretched, rebellious creatures. His infinite attributes were displayed at their grandest on Calvary. It is here that all of the attributes, expressed infinitely, consummate redemption, kills sin, glorifies God to the greatest degree, and brings the only hope in this hopeless world.

God’s personal relationship to Man

            The message of the Bible stands apart as unique in light of all sacred texts. One area that produces such great uniqueness is the personal, infinite God that is there. It is here where all religions and philosophies will die a hopeless death. They must all come to this point and realize that their god is not personal and is, thus, finite. Man is not autonomous, no matter how desirous of it he is. Without a personal God that gives both meaning and instruction, man is no greater then the machine that eventually wears out and is tossed as trash.[5]

            However, the God of the Bible gives meaning and instruction to man, His creation. This is given not as arbitrary laws and appeasements, but from His infinite wisdom. The meaning that is given is found in the fact that God is there and is interacting with man. Even greater than this, there is no line of communication with God. His infinite being has Him in the very place that He is needed for every person to experience His infinite attributes.

            A knowledge of God’s infinitude brings about the greatest hope, trust, faith, and joy that can ever be experienced by man. It is here that Soli Deo is all that is needed. It is the prayer of this author that, as we have only scratched the surface of God’s infinity, we are able to worship God greater because of who He is.

Soli Deo Gloria

John A. Frey III

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[1] Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, 3 vols. (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, 2011). 380

[2] St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Vol. 1, 5 vols. (Westminster, Maryland: Christian Classics, 1981). 34

[3] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, 8 vols. (Grand Rapids, Mi: Kregal Publications, 1976). 220

[4] ibid

[5] Francis A. Schaeffer, The God Who Is There, Vol. 1, 5 vols. (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books, 1968). Ideas from chapter two of section three. Main content found on page 102.

The Incommunicable Attributes of God-Self Existence & Self Sufficiency

Consider This...

Theological Thoughts to Encourage the Heart & Stir the Mind

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Volume I                  July 2011                  Issue 27

This month we will be looking at the nature of God. The question to be considered is: What is God like?

            We begin by giving a definition of God, which is not easy. A. H. Strong stated it this way, “God is the infinite and perfect Spirit in Whom all things have their source, support and end.” [1] However, because God is infinite, it is impossible for the finite human mind to formulate a complete and comprehensive definition of His being. All we can know of Him comes to us through His self-revelation. Therefore, we can only give a definition of God which states what we know about Him from His self-revelation.

            Secondly, a discussion of God’s nature also includes His essence. Essence refers to the basic aspect of the nature of God which is essential to His being. The essence of God is sometimes referred to as His Divine Nature or Substance. Dr. Floyd Barackman writes, “The possession of the divine nature distinguishes God from other persons, such as angels and humans.”[2]

            Thirdly, a discussion of God’s nature involves the attributes of God. This will be our central theme for this month. “God’s attributes are those essential qualifications that belong to His nature and that outwardly reveal this substance.”[3] God’s attributes can be classified into two categories, incommunicable and communicable. The incommunicable attributes are those qualities which belong to God alone. Man does not and cannot share any of them. Communicable attributes are those qualities which belong to God, but which are found also, to a limited degree, in man.

            This month, we will be focusing on six of God’s incommunicable attributes including His Self-Existence, Self-Sufficiency, Infinity, Eternality, Immensity, Omnipresence, Immutability, and Unity… So, Consider This.

God’s Self-Existence

            “Self-existence means that God has no origin[s].”[4] In other words, God is an uncaused being. It is His nature to exist. This is seen in Exodus 3:13-14.

Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”

In reference to this, Warren Wiersbe writes, “God revealed His name, Jehovah—“I AM WHO I AM” or “I was, I am, I always will be!”[5] All of this means that God’s existence is not dependent on anything outside of Himself. “It is precisely this concept of no-origin which distinguishes that which is God from whatever is not God”[6]

God’s Self-Sufficiency

            God is not in any way dependent upon anyone or anything outside of Himself. John 5:26, For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. Therefore, “God’s interest in His creatures arises from His sovereign good pleasure, not from any need those creatures can supply nor from any completeness they can bring to Him who is complete in Himself.”[7] Acts 17:25, Nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

   

[1] Strong, A. H. Systematic Theology, p. 52

2-3Barackman, Floyd H. Practical Christian Theology, p. 30

4 Boice, James M. The Sovereign God, p. 126

5 Wiersbe, Warren Expository Outlines on the Old Testament

6-7Tozer, A. W. The Knowledge of the Holy, p. 32-39

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