God the Father, Mentor's Guide, MG06

2 8 /

G O D T H E F A T H E R

f. We should expect God to go beyond us and our thoughts in all things.

II. The Challenge We Face in Studying the Person of God: the Problem and Purpose in Studying the Attributes of God

A. The unity of God and the attributes of God

1. Definition of God’s attributes = “those qualities of God which constitute what he is. They are the very characteristics of his nature.” Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine , p. 89.

1

2. The nature of the one triune God is integrated and whole.

a. God’s nature (for the sake of study only) can be separated for analysis and worship.

b. God himself, however, is an integrated being who exercises every characteristic in perfect harmony with all others in unity with his total will and being in every act.

3. Problem: can we truly understand God’s whole character by analyzing his specific characteristics?

a. God is one.

(1) Deut. 6.4

(2) Deut. 4.35

(3) Isa. 42.8