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Attributes of God Introduction to the creed

Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

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Page 1: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

Attributes of God

Introduction to the creed

Page 2: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

Points of Study

A. How do we study the characters of GodB. How to classify God’s Characters

Page 3: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

A. How do we Study the Characters of God

Through: 1. Apagoge2. Epagoge:

a. Affirmationb. Eminencec. Negation

Page 4: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

A. How do we Study the Characters of God

1. Apagoge: starting from the general assumption and moving toward the specific

example: God is self existent (general)=He is the source of existence=He is unchangeable=He is everlasting=simple, unlimited etc.

Page 5: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

A. How do we Study the Characters of God

2.Epagoge:(most commonly used)starting from the visible creation to reach perfections of god.this method can be applied in three lines:a. via Affirmation: (causalities)means what is needed for existence of everything. When causality is absent, existence cease.

Page 6: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

A. How do we Study the Characters of God

2.Epagoge:b. via Eminence: this line is complementary to Affirmation. It takes the attribute of the visible creation and brings it to the perfection of God.

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” Romans 1:20

Page 7: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

A. How do we Study the Characters of God

2.Epagoge:c.via Negation: to use negative terms.negation is additional. We need affirmation first.example: Incomprehensible, limitless etc.

Page 8: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

B. How to classify God’s Characters

There is no division in God’s Characters. God is simple spirit without complexity. These classifications are for the purpose of studying.

Page 9: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

B. How to classify God’s Characters

•4 common ways:1.Positive and negative2.Can or can not be given 3.Attributes of Nature (Absolute) , and those of Action (Relative)4.Absolute or Relative (another way to name the attributes of nature and those of Action)

Page 10: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

B. How to classify God’s Characters

1.Positive: powerful, righteous, living… negative: without blame, limitless…

2.Can be given to humans: holiness, righteousness, truth…

Can not be given to humans: simplicity, self sufficiency…

Page 11: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

B. How to classify God’s Characters

3-The study of the Attributes of Nature is called (theology)-The study of the attributes of Action is called (economy)Both lead to each other; studying someone’s nature leads to understand his action. Studying the actions leads to understand the person.

Page 12: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

B. How to classify God’s Characters

Note:Under the absolute Characters, are the Hypostatic Characters.. To be studied under the dogma of The Trinity.

Page 13: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

The Attributes of God’sNature= Absolute Action=Relative

1 Limitless All knowing

2 Self existing Perfect wisdom

3 Self sustaining Perfect freedom

4 Eternal-everlasting Pantocrator

5 Unchangeable All Holy

6 All present Righteous, Just

7 Invisible, incomprehensible Love

8 Blessed Truth, faithfulness

Page 14: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

Attributes of Nature

1.Limitless:Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable Psalms 145:3

Page 15: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

Attributes of Nature

2.Self existing( Autosia) And God said unto Moses, I AM Who I AM Exodus 3:14

from the Septuagint and Church tradition this was understood as –God is the fullness of being and the self existing. All creation is to receive their being from Him.

Page 16: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

Attributes of Nature

3.Self sufficient: “Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things”;Acts 17:25“ you have no need of my servitude, but I have a need of your Lordship”St Gregory of Nazianzen Liturgy

Page 17: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

Attributes of Nature4.Eternal-Everlasting; “And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God". Genesis 21:33

Eternity-everlasting is not a very long time. We cannot compare it to time. It is outside time, it is God’s essence according to st. Augustine“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” John 17;3

To God; every thing exist now, no past, present or future. 1 tim 1:17, Rev. 10:6

Page 18: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

Attributes of Nature5.Unchangeable: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning". James 1:17“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed”. Malachi 3:6

-This Character is directly related to everlasting-The works of creation does not change Him.-ascribing human emotions to god, is the way we can understand His attributes:Anger = hating sin = holiness He is like sun rays to healthy and sick eyes.

Page 19: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

Attributes of Nature6.Omnipresence (ubiquity):God both:

a. Present everywhere(relative)”Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD "Jeremiah 23:23 –24

b. Can not be contained in a place: (absolute) “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?”Isaiah 66:1

Page 20: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

Attributes of Nature

6.Omnipresence (ubiquity):-The three hypostases should not be thought of as filling the void of one-another, but as in one-another.-How does God exist everywhere?1. Through his power & care2. Through His Knowledge, He sees everything3. Through His Actual presence: this should not be confused with pantheism, nor do we mean that God is made of particles; distributed everywhere.

Page 21: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

Attributes of Nature

6.Omnipresence (ubiquity):-We can think of God’s presence as the presence of the soul in the body (relative). Except that god is not limited to the created world (absolute)-To say that God lives in heaven, is to be understood metaphorically as transcendent . According to St Athanasius

Page 22: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

Attributes of Nature

7.Invisible –Incomprehensible: ”Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen”.1 Timothy 1:17

”No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” John 1:18

”And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live”. Exodus 33:20

Page 23: Attributes of God Introduction to the creed. Points of Study A. How do we study the characters of God B. How to classify God’s Characters

Attributes of Nature8.Blessed:= Joy & Peace

“Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

“Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:15,16