The Doctrine of

God

Survey of Christian Doctrine

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Current Challenges

Eastern Religions (Hinduism & Buddhism)>Pantheism, Non-Personal God

New Age Movement> Pantheism, Panentheism, Non-Personal God

Islam>Non-Trinitarian, Mormonism>Non-Trinitarian,

Polytheism & Materialism Jehovah’s Witnesses>Non-

Trinitarian

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What is God Like?

I. God is Transcendent (Jer 23:24; Isa 6: 1; 55: 8f)A. God transcends Creation.B. An example of the transcendence of God is the act of Creation from outside it.

II.God is Immanent (Isa 6:3).  A. God is present and active within His Creation.  B. An example of the immanence of God is the

incarnation of God in Christ.  

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The Bible is BOTH… AND

The Islamic view is more transcendent than the Biblical view

The Hindu view is more pantheistic than the Bible

God is not EITHER Transcendent OR Immanent, BUT God is BOTH Transcendent AND Immanent

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The Natural Attributes of God

A. Spirit (Jn 4:24; Jn 1:18; 1 Tim 1:17; 6:15f)

B. Alive (Brute Existence) (Ex 3:14; Heb 11:6).

C. Personal (Ex 3:14; Gen 3) (God knows, feels, wills, acts).

D. Constant (Immutable, Unchanging) (Ps 102: 26-27; Mal 3:6).

E. Infinite (Unlimited)….

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Infinite means…

1.God is NOT limited by Space (Omnipresent) (Ps 139: 7-12).

2.God is NOT limited by Time (Eternal) (Ps 90:1-2; Jude 25).

3.God is NOT limited in Knowledge (Omniscient) (Ps 147:5).

4.God is NOT limited in Power (Omnipotent) (Gen 17:1; Mat 19:26).

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The moral attributes of God 1

HOLY Morally Pure. Righteous Just (fair in the

administration of His law). Integral (He has integrity, is

truthful). Genuine (is true, real, not

fabricated, not an illusion). Veracious (tells the truth). Faithful

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The moral attributes of God 2

LOVE Benevolent (cares for and provides for those

He loves). Gracious (deals with man on the basis of His

love, not man’s merit or worth). Merciful (tenderhearted toward needy). Persistent (patient to withhold judgment while

continuing to offer salvation).

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Truth in both extremes

God’s Love and Moral Purity are NOT in conflict. The atonement of Christ is God’s great act of Love that also satisfies His Moral Purity.

(And neither God’s Power or Benevolence are compromised by the existence of Evil.)

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God is Trinity

1. The Father is God (1 Cor 8:4, 6; 1 Tim 2:5f) 2. The Son is God (Jn 1; Heb 1; Col 1; Phil 2) 3. The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5; Jn 14-16; ) 4. God is ONE (Ex 20:2-3; Deut 6:4; Jas 2:19) 5. The Bible is True and Truth Does not

Contradict Itself.  6. The Tri-Unity is a Unique Mystery with NO

Exact Analogy.

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The Doctrine is NOT…

1. Three Gods with one Purpose only (Mormons).2. One God known by three titles: Father, Son,

H.S., (Like one man known as Father, Son and Brother).

3. One whole God that can be divided into three absolutely distinct parts (Like an Egg or a Pie).

4. One God in three “Modes,” (like water in three states of matter: liquid, solid, gas).

5. Expressed well by Formula 1 x 1 x 1 = 1.6. Expressed well by the Formula 3=1.

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Trinity is best expressed…

… by the Formula 3 & 1, (God is Three Personal Consciousnesses AND One God).

1. God is Three with reference to “Personal Consciousness” …a. The Eternal Personal Consciousness of the Father. b. The Eternal Personal Consciousness of the Son. c. The Eternal Personal Consciousness of the Holy Spirit.

2. God is One with reference to Essence (Being or Nature).

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Think about it…

“Most Christians live as practical unitarians.”

“The doctrine of the Trinity is not Biblical and so is irrelevant.”

What do you think?