THE DOCTRINE OF GOD

I. Major World Views of Reality

A. Atheism there is no God.
B. Polytheism there are many Gods
C. Monotheism there is one God
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Finite Godism the transcended god acts within the universe in limited ways.
Panentheism the finite god is within the universe (Polytheism).
Pantheism the finite god is the universe.
Deism the infinite god is transcended but does not intervene in the universe.
Theism the infinite transcendent God acts within the universe.

II. The Nature of God

A. Communicable / Incommunicable attributes
1. Communicable attributes relative or personality attributes; may be reflected in
other moral agents.
2. Incommunicable attributes absolute or constitutional attributes; no analogy in
man.
B. The Glory of God
1.
2.
3.
4.

Infinity without limitation (1 Kings 8:27; Lk 1:38)

Eternity without termination (Gen. 21:33; Ps. 90:2; Rev. 1:8)
Self Existence [Independence from His creatures (Gen. 1:1; Acts 17:25) ]
Immutability [Consistency / Unchangeability (Mal. 3:6; James 1:17; Heb. 13:8) ]

C. The Power of God

1. Omnipotent God is all powerful (Gen. 17:1; Jer. 32:27; Lk. 1:37)
2. Omnipresent God is everywhere (Ps. 139: 7-10; Joshua 7:10-26; Acts 5:1-11)
3. Omniscient God is all-knowing (Rev. 20:12; Ps. 139:1-6; Col. 2:3)
D. The Holiness of God
1. Truth consistency and agreement to Himself; the standard (Jn. 14:6)
2. Righteousness goodness ( Ps. 31:1; Rom. 1:17)
3. Justice His holy will in operation (Deut. 32:4; 1 Jn. 1:9)
4. Wrath His holy anger (Rom. 1; 18; Ps. 78:31)
5. Love His grace and mercy (1 Jn 4:8; Acts 14:17; Jn 3:16)
III. The Work of God
A. The Work of Creation
1. God made the world out of His free and sovereign transcendence.
2. God did not make the universe out of existing primary matter.
3. God did not make the universe out of Himself.
B. The Work of Providence
1. Gods creation is continuous as expressed in the idea of upholding [Heb. 1:3;
(carrying along); Col. 1:17 (stand together)]
2. God acts in ALL things (Rom. 8:28; Ps. 115:3; Eph. 1:11) natural events,
disasters, and even evil are under His hand and He uses it for His own ends
(Gen. 50:20; Acts 2:23; Phil. 1:17)
3. All things utterly depend on God. (Col. 1:16-17)

IV.

The Trinity
A. God is ONE (Deut. 6:4), yet
B. THREE PERSONS = Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:19-20; Gen.1:26-27); The
Trinity Formula (2 Cor. 1:21-22; 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Rom. 15:16)